Mozart also is known to have created his first musical compositions at age five and his first opera at age 19.  Conversely, the legendary film director, Robert Altman, directed my favorite of his works, Gosford Park, at 81.

Age can often be used as a tool but is frequently squandered.  Spending many years on this earth gives one the opportunity to experience many things, observe, listen, draw conclusions.  But many people use their longevity as an excuse to become more set in their ways, more contrary, more certain that they must be right because they are older.

There is a crucial difference between living a long time and have a lot of life experience.

One of the most outrageous cliches that still pops up in the modern vernacular every now and then is the demand to "respect your elders".  This has always struck me as an excuse for the speaker's failure to respect everyone.

We can learn many important lessons from King Lear, whose tragedy was that he had committed the sin of growing old before he grew wise.

Alas, Hamilton graduated King's College, from a time when kings still mattered, and because he couldn't get into Princeton. But this is mere quibbling.

I fervently hope that age doesn't matter. I still have the Great American Novel, yet put to paper, still rattling around inside my pumpkin head. And there's that boat drawn by a fine Scottish fellow that I need to build with my son. And I haven't spent a night on the fens and moors of the low, Heathen countries yet - waiting for the sounds of spectral hooves and baying hounds. The Wild Hunt is my quarry. I will cry "Wod!" and win a prize, or die. Those are stakes worth wagering.

Usually more of a question asker than an answerer, but will step down hard on this issue.

Age never matters. Ever.

Forsooth - I am a firm believer in that wonderful New Yorker cartoon that "70 is the new 50" - and it works for me!  I truly think that 55 is a lovely age.  Last year one of my daughters announced she was looking for the painting of me that was aging in a closet somewhere - as I did not seem to be changing.

Part of my secret is perception:  I have never reached a full five feet of height, and for many people, short equals little equals young equals immature, etc.  There are those who still like to try to pat me on the top of my head as a means of dismissing me.  

My drama coach advised me when I was about 12 that one should always be mindful of short people - they are very powerful and you have the gift, she said.  And she was oh so correct and oh so wise in her directions!  I have often used this appearance of youth to good advantage and have tried to remember not to abuse my power. 

With the gift comes great responsibility as well.  But since I was never anyone's sex symbol, I don't have to worry about maintaining that mirage. I am the quiet one who remembers where the bones are buried... and that often brings more respect than age ever would!

Let me speak (or write) from personal experience......

I thought once that one goal of my life would be the day I would play golf and look back with fond memories of when I was more physically active. Needless to say, that day never came. I find my self competing in triathlons, running marathons and actively mountain biking on some of the wildest and most dangerous trails in the area.

I may have "retired" from the "martial arts" but afer a few years of inactivity discovered swimming, biking and running.

And did I fail to mention my often seven day work weeks?

I refuse to retire. Work and play, play and work. It's a good life.  I take more risks now than when I was younger.  I live more passionately now then ever. I highly recommend such a life.  Stay involved, stay passionate, stay informed, stay alive. 

Be romantic. See the humor in life. Never give up. Let the past remain in the past. Live now.  Plan for the next five to ten years, even if death comes tomorrow. Especially if death comes tomorrow.....being defiant is the best revenge for the ravages of time.

I believe that age plus experience equals wisdom. I also believe that the more you experience, the less you age.

I'd better get some rest tonight 'cos I've got some experiencing to catch up on tomorrow ...... less writing, reminiscing and pondering . . . more doing. After all,"Fugit inreparabile tempus".

Be well

DPR:  My kids are at the Braves/Cubs series this week.  Their flight was three hours late leaving ILM and then the game was postponed due to rain.  Two games tomorrow.  (I REALLY want to see the Cubbies win the WORLD series, but not necessarily the Braves series).  About todays post:  With your young daughter, you will begin to live your life all over again.  I am 52 but my boys have enabled me to see life through a childs eyes and experience the joys of discovery all over again. What a "wonderful world" indeed. (I know, they're not teenagers yet).   I am very lucky in that I am able to spend an unlimited amount of time with them daily.  My dad said "We're not here for a long time, but we're here for a good time".  I say "Every day is a holiday".

I can't wait to be a skinny old lady with my gray hair pulled back in a long pony tail, pickin & grinnin' for the young'uns. 

A lot of old musicians never retire at all... why do that, when you love your work?  Got to keep the fingers in good shape and free of arthritis. 

Captain,

I am completely with you and I'm delighted to see that it doesn't end when the kids get to be your kids' age.  I was just talking about this last night with a very old, very dear friend.  We take such great joy in re-living our own childhood by introducing our children to the things we loved.

Little Viv has recently been watching Wizard of Oz, a movie about which my wife and I have read, written, argued, analyzed, etc.  My wife owns eleven biographies of Judy Garland and my first paid theatre gig was as the Cowardly Lion.  We know this show well.  And now, just shy of her fourth birthday, our little girl is experiencing the whole thing fresh and new.  It could have been made yesterday as far as she's concerned.  Seeing it through her eyes gives me the chance to see it in a way that I haven't been able to in years.  And, of course, that is the way it was meant to be seen.

By the way, when my wife was that age, she would run from the room, crying, whenever the Wicked Witch showed up.  But our daughter points a long thin finger and shouts, "Look! The Witch!!!" so it's never quite the same.

My children teach me the power of creation - of stories, of the universe, of everything. Last night, my son lost one of his two front teeth (cue the song). This is his third tooth to come out so far, and I believe I've finally hit my stride as an official deputy of the Tooth Faery. The first tooth we were ready for - had the gold coins and everything at the ready. The second tooth caught us by surprise, and it came out after sunset. We didn't have our gold coins handy at the time (being on the boat - bad planning). So I made up a rule for him that stipulated "if a tooth falls out after sunset then the Tooth Faery will visit the lucky tooth loser on the following evening. Whew. It was a sensible rule, apparently. So last night, as we were preparing for bed, my son came running up stairs with his tooth in the Fairy Box (another brilliant invention of ours - a stained glass box into which the tooth goes, and then the box goes on the windowsill that looks out into the forest - and this saves all of that rummaging around under the pillow of a sleeping boy). My son was adamant that the box be on the windowsill as the sun set, so that the Tooth Faery would know where the tooth was. This was very important, Dad!!!

And so we have inculcated belief in Faeries, a belief in the sensibility of rules and procedures at least where teeth/money exchanges are involved, and a passion for participation in the Eternal Mysteries. And even though I'm the deputy and not the actual Tooth Faery, I find that my son's passion for the Faeries and for being part of the Mystery strengthens me. I believe in the Faeries.

It's only 5:56AM here, so I'm waiting to here the thump of my son's feet as he exits his bunk bed. And then he'll come down to reveal his treasure (last night the Tooth Faery left TWO coins... because it had been so bloody long since the last tooth came out). We'll have tea, and we'll share in the moment from our two perspectives (he's 7, and I'm 41), but it'll be the same fun for me.

[Age doesn't matter a fig.]

"To resist the frigidity of old age one must combine the body, the mind and the heart - and to keep them in parallel vigor one must exercise, study and love."
Karl von Bonstetten

P. S. Dara Torres is awesome....

Whenever I feel unsatisfied with my accomplishments, I always think of Julia Child. She didn't even start cooking until she was 34, and she made this incredible impact on the way America views food. Yesterday was my 32nd birthday, and I couldn't help doing the usual "taking stock" that birthdays bring, but thinking of Julia, I wondered if maybe I haven't even started doing the thing I was meant to do yet. 

Ask any Hollywood Actress and she will point out immediately what's wrong ( sorry) with JP's characterization. It talks about two ages, really: young ( i.e., under 35) and Ancient, which includes both 40 and 80.

As I approached 34, I wanted badly to have a party that proclaimed that I had outlived Jesus, but I never did. Diivinity and genius aside, what is so surprising about productivity at 50?  The Social Security Adminsitration expects you to go until 65 at least these days. The guys who didn't want to trust anyone over 30 are heading towards three score and ten.  It wasn't old age that got John and George.* 

When my younger brother was born ( in the early 60s) my father was about to turn 43. People often asked at little league games if he was our grandfather. These days, after the Great Delay of Childbearing, the parks are full of 50 year old parents of preschoolers. How much fun it will be to pay for weddings and college with Social Security remains to be seen. 

LOOKED RIGHT PAST TWO CROWS IN THE ROAD

NEVER EVEN SAW THAT THREE LEGGED TOAD

DIDN'T SEE THE RAIN ON A SUNNY AFTERNOON

HOW COULD YOU MISS AN ECLIPSE OF THE MOON? 

*Mark David Chapman's bullet and Cancer, at  40 and 58 respectively.

Oops, forgot the other New Yorker Cartoon:

TEN MILLION DOLLARS ISN'T OLD AT ALL... 

Age is relative. Age is a state of mind. In my mind, I'm in better shape, wiser, smarter, and more full of life than at any point in my life (I'm 39). And my goal is to top what I'm doing today when I turn 50.

To quote that wise sage of 15, Hannah Montana: "Life's what you make it, so let's make it right."

And for the record, Dara Torres is the yummiest thing on the U.S. swim team. I would love to have a fraction of her fitness level and dedication...and her genetics.

Age is a number classifying system for people who have nothing better to do...13 years old, 27 years old, 89 years old...just live your life how you want to.  Oh, by the way, I'm 27. 

DPR:  I am an old sailor.  I lived aboard my boat for a while as I sailed the Islands of the West Indies.  I meandered back North where I found a home here on the coast of NC.  My boys have spent time on the water with me but just as passive crew members.  This year my 10yr old took up sailing with the local yacht club.  He made the race team, finished 2nd in his class (23 boats) ((single handed)) in the South Atlantic YRA regatta where he sailed against sailors twice his age.  Now he has been asked to be an assistant sailing instructor.  The emotions I felt/feel are unbelieveable.  I have taken a step up that I did not know existed.  Similer to that feeling when he was born.  To be able to share that passion is a priceless feeling. 

Wizard of Oz:  Thats funny.  My 8yr old was cast as the Cowardly Lion in his school production.  He had to sing "If I was the King of the Forrrrrrrrest" solo.  He was awesome.  I live near Wilmington NC (Hollywood East) and some agent saw him and he now has done several commericals and will soon be in a commerical for Disney!  Yeh, Disney. 

Now about age.  Every age is special and at every age you are in your prime.  "Prime" being relative to what you are doing at that point in time.  I am lying in my boat now, watching it rain and watching the Olympics.  If I did this every day, I could get real good at it and could possibly win a medal.  For this event, I am in my prime right now.

Im still scared of the Flying Monkeys

I DON'T THINK I CAN ADD ANYTHING THAT HASN'T ALREADY BEEN COVERED QUITE WELL BY MY CO-BLOGGERS REFERENCE THE RELATIVITY OF AGE.  HOWEVER, I ONLY WISH I COULD HAVE HAD THE ABILITY IN MY YOUNGER DAYS TO CASH IN ON MY EXPERIENCES LATER IN LIFE.  I AM LIKE A CAT AND HAVE SPENT AT LEAST 7, MAYBE 8 LIVES.  I AM CURRENTLY GOING THROUGH A MID-LIFE CRISIS AND HOPEFULLY I CAN CONTINUE TO LOVE MY WORK, BE CONSTRUCTIVE, AND ENJOY MY FAMILY TO THE FULLEST EXTENT NO MATTER MY AGE. I ONCE MET A 94 YEAR OLD LADY WHO DROVE, EXERCISED, PARTIED HARD AND LIVED ON HER OWN.  SHE TOLD ME HER SECRET WAS TO LET GO OF THE SMALL THINGS SHE COULD NOT CHANGE.  SHE LIVED TO BE 101 AND CONTINUED TO DO HER USUAL ROUTINE UP UNTIL THE END. I CAN ONLY HOPE TO BE THIS FORTUNATE.  SHE IS PROOF AGE IS WHAT YOU MAKE IT. 

This makes me think of a sort-of-relative of mine (Brother-in-law to my father's aunt).  He just celebrated his 81st birthday (with a 2 hour lunch, the only way to go).  For his 70th birthday, he got his pilot license.  He had flown with a military license in his youth, but hadn't since.  He bought his own plane and started flying every day that he could.  After a few years, he decided just flying wasn't enough, so he started taking stunt lessons and traded planes a few times until he got one that would fly upside down.

Now he is looking to buy either a biplane or a refurbished Spitfire.

MackDaddy!!!

I've been trying to find you! I love that you, of all people, are commenting on this post. For us younger gals, YOU are that inspiration of youth. LOVED the note you sent. Please visit my site again and leave your email address. This time I will keep it, as I am sure that we will become old, young friends who will spur each other on to great adventure with our old men. Too fun.

Agent 666,

Love that you said 'yummiest!' and quoted Hannah Montanna to express the youthful sentiment.

Very nice, youthful and sage group here at Peterman's Eye.

belle, I turn the double nickel this year! I'm unmarried (ahem), my 4 kids are all grown and on their own, I don't even have a cat! I'm so footloose for the first time in my life it's all I can do to keep my feet on the ground (take that how you will, gentlemen). I'm already a skinny old lady with long gray hair (however it was gray by my 20s-a family trait-and I color it blonde now just for fun), but if the number of boys who call me 'girl' (and ask for my digits) is any judge when I'm out partying at the local music clubs, I'm still doing okay. I know for a fact I can run as long as I wish and I have two advanced martial arts belts, can work any of my colleagues into the ground, and I wear a size 4. I WILL NEVER RETIRE, life's too darn FUN! I love to teach, I love to work out (oh, I can bench my weight too), I love to travel, I love to learn. Not crazy about competing, though. I only compete with myself, but I'm having the time of my life, even more so since I started in with all you interesting people here.

DPR, you and the Captain hit in me in my romance yet again-sailing!

I adore The Wizard of OZ! I also inculcated in my children a love of the mysterious, the unexplained, the unseen world. When they would come home from school, complaining that yet another brat had declared Santa to be just parents, I would intone "tell them that if YOU don't believe in SANTA, SANTA won't believe in YOU! They liked that. Jonathan, we also had a complex mythology relative to the Tooth Fairy/Faery, and the Easter Bunny, the Great Pumpkin, Cuchulainn, Finn MacCool, Dierdre of the Sorrows, and Jesus, Buddha and Mohammed too. They weren't afraid of the dark-it was too interesting!

Heiress, I've done folk, rock, blues, even a little lounge singing (!), and I agree-one must see to one's assets, and whyever stop? At my age (I'm ALMOST grown) the hits just keep on coming...my mother is 76 and still gets whistles when she works in her garden. She's been proposed to twice since Dad died, but she's too busy.

Okay, that settles it. I am staying on this site forever. MackDaddy, Olivia and Heiress, you all can be my muses.

Seriously, I hate to pull the gender card, because each has different hardships, really. But in the age game, it does seem harder on women. Men just keep looking better, in my humble opinion. And so do women, but culturally, we're more resistant to women enjoying age. The only reason I point out the 'hurdle' at all is because it just makes it all the sweeter when a woman moves beyond that and embraces her age anyway. Not denying it; embracing it.

I just hit my thirties. And I love it. And I was eager to hit.

I'm a distance runner. I often choose where I live by how easy it is to run out my front door and not stop for a long time.

I used to live ON a rails-to-trails project. A beautiful, old, cavernous tunnel of trees stretched sixteen miles through the Michigan woods and into the next town. Did so much thinking there.

And there was a woman who I often encountered, headed in the opposite direction, who had long white hair which she wore in two braids. She wore red lipstick and very hip shades. Sometimes a bandana. She was my muse. She kicked my arse in pace, too. It should be noted.

Women like MackDaddy and Olivia, embracing their age and their girlhood, are powerful muses to younger generations—more powerful than silly ads that say otherwise.

Keep running, girls.

MISSIVE:

IT IS YOUTH SUCH AS YOURS THAT INSPIRES ME DAILY TO WORK AT STAYING YOUNG (OR AT LEAST ACT IT)!  I AM 51 YEARS OLD.  (SOMEDAY I WILL GET THE NERVE UP TO POST MY PHOTO).  ANYWAY...AS AN ADULT I HAVE ALWAYS GRAVITATED TO MY YOUNGER CO-WORKERS AND FRIENDS.  MY BEST FRIEND IS 23 YEARS OLD AND A GAY GENTLEMAN.  WE HAVE A BLAST TOGETHER!  I THINK IT IS A COMBINATION OF HIM BEING VERY RESPONSIBLE AND MATURE FOR HIS AGE AND ME BEING IRRESPSONSIBLE AND IMMATURE FOR MINE THAT MAKE US SUCH A GREAT DUO.  WE AVERAGE OUT TO BE ABOUT 37 YEARS OLD.  OLD ENOUGH TO KNOW BETTER THAN TO GET INTO TROUBLE... YET YOUNG ENOUGH TO BE ABLE TO DO IT AND GET BY WITH IT!  MY CO-WORKERS ALL SAY THAT I DON'T ACT OR LOOK MY AGE.  THAT MAKES ME FEEL GREAT UNTIL I GET HOME AND MY ADORABLE 5 YEAR OLD, PERCOSIOUS GRANDSON REMINDS ME THAT I NEED TO TAKE MY GRANDMA VITAMINS SO I DON'T GET MOODY.  WHAT?????

When I'm asked my age, I reply I've lived 47 years.  I can't imagine ever being old at any age.  Anyway, whoever has the most birthdays wins and I'm very competitive.

I'll have to agree with Mr. Peterman's thoughts above in the fact that age matters only if you let it. After reading today's posts I feel I have psersonally let it matter & let it matter enough to the point of holding me back in life itself.

I'm in my early 30's & for the last 4 years have talked about actually going back to school for MY history degree.  Unfortunately I have allowed myself to fall into the trap of all the excuses ever made for not going back #1 felling that I'm too old.  YES even at my age I feel out of place being in classes with a bunch of 18-22 year olds.  The funniest part is if I would have done it 4 years ago I could almost be done & have that degree by now.

I read & check this board most days & all of you on here amaze me each day with your comments & thoughts no matter what the topic is. 

So after todays post by Mr. Peterman & everyone else the questions for myelf now are can I find inspiration to finally not let age matter to me? Can I too begin to count my self in the same mindset as Olympic swimmer Dana Torres? Or am I just too old & way too scared?

I'm not sure were this path may take me but I know I have some great inspiration online & off to help me navigate it & hopefully become what seems to be the Majority in answering the Question of "Does age Matter?"   

Capt. Neptune ~ Am SO JEALOUS of your kids right now would LOVE to be at ANY Cubbies Game at anytime!!!! GO CUBBIES!!!!

Jonathon ~ We had a little pillow with a pocket on it to leave our teeth in for the Fairy ~ Love the box on the windowsill idea even more.  But I always though I had the Great American Novel in my head (must just be voices in mine)

DPR ~ Did the Wizard of OZ as the 8th grade choir play sorry to say it was TOO HORRIBLE to EVER relive ~ Also not a big fan of Young Judy Garland I thinkshe really hit her prime in Meet Me in St. Louis I can watch that & any film she did afterwards without cringing, anything before I have a hard time watching & listening too. Although being a fan of Classics & of the year 1939 I can't say its the worst thing ever done. I will admit I do appreciate it more now than I did a few years ago.  Although maybe its just that I need kids... 

Rings90,

How brave you are to say what perhaps many of us, even though we sound brave here, think at least daily.

But the best part about HAVING doubt is, how fun it feels to let it go. Do it!

Do it! I learned more in school from my older, more well-seasoned classmates than I often did from my profs. You will bring the world to the classroom. Many profs have never ventured out into the world. GO.

So brave.

Back to Rings90:

I went part time, at night, to an accelerated business program and it still took me 5 years to finish.  There were people in my classes form 18 to 70.  I thoroughly enjoyed the people and my classes (well accept for accounting), and I relished in the diversity.  I learned a lot in the classroom and even more out.  Go back young man...don't hesitate.  It was a great experience.  One that I didn't appreciate at an early age but I did truly enjoy the ride and the experience the second time around.  Good Luck!

Isn't age one of those contextual things?  It matters on one's driver's license or social security account but shouldn't matter at all as we talk and listen to each other.

As those numbers creep up, I'm comforted by the idea that before we celebrate the birthday, we have already lived through that year.

DPR, funny, I seem to have met many who share Lear's flaw but lack the understanding of it.  There's a scene in Bergman's "Through a Glass, Darkly" in which Karin says something to the effect that being mad is not as bad as understanding the madness.  The worst for Lear is not the blindness, but the understanding of his mistake. 

Cubs 10, Atlanta 4

rings, I tell prospective students (and I've had them from 18 to their 60s) not to worry about their age, because they will be in class with students of ALL ages, and anyway it doesn't matter a button. Another thing that I used to motivate my own education was to consider: that time's going to go by one way or another, so spend it doing what you WANT to do, to achieve your own goals, and don't worry about what others think. I've always felt that what other people think may be the most toxic thing you can fret over. It can block your progress, cloud your thinking, make you give up your own needs and desires. I could summarise my sermon in three words:

GO FOR IT

All the best-Olivia

After one reaches one's majority, the accumulation of years is far less important than the amassing and interpretation of life experience. I react to adults around me based on their behaviour and conversation, applying what I hope is a wee bit of wisdom and my people skills to decide how to respond, or whether or not to seek a closer association. I really am not interested in their age so much as their thoughts, and the way I feel when I interact with them. There are some people with whom I wish to spend time and share ideas, some not so much, but the tale of their years is not the telling factor.

Not least in estimation, to me, is a sense of wonder, and I confess to a following sly pride when I'm silly enough to giggle at a corny joke or squeal like a girl, bounce and clap my hands at a purely sensorial and innocent thrill, for this later realization provides me with evidence that I contain multitudes, that my (st)ages are still there, all present and correct, vibrant and ready to provide me with the means to enjoy my life in all its stripes and spots.

Par example, my current favourite joke:

Two cannibals are eating a clown. One says to the other-

"Does this taste funny to you?"

There's another I like as well, but it is perhaps not suitable for mixed company...

Olivia:  please do tell.....

Q:

What's brown and sticky?

A: a stick. 

I love autumn. It gives me a chance to sit at home and watch the playoffs.

Kinda like the Braves.

Jonathan,

Legendary in my family is the story:  My brother came downstairs at the age of six, looked at our mother with his brow deeply furrowed in thought.  With some trepidation but the clear result of clever calculation and deductive thought declares, "Mommy, I think Daddy is the tooth fairy!"  No one remembers whether any confessions, refutations, or abstentions followed the young man's astute detective work.

MaryShelley,

I know exactly how you feel when it comes to "taking stock".  I turned 34 two weeks ago and was keenly aware that, while I consider myself a reasonably accomplished fellow, Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence at 33.  And by the time James Dean was my age, he'd been dead for nine years!

Captain,

Flying monkeys need love too!

rings90,

I must confess I can't stand Meet Me in St. Louis.  I know that's a sacriledge but, other than having some nice songs, I have always found the movie putrid.  And, as someone who knows both St. Louis and New York quite well, I find the notion that the family prefers an eternity there to an adventure here downright offensive.  My favorite Judy Garland performance came two years later; The Harvey Girls is a charming movie that is a western, a musical, a comedy, and a romance.  Interestingly enough, with all that genre-crossing, it works best as a western, showing how important women were in the taming of what is traditionally (and unfairly) thought of as a men's frontier.

As for your college ambitions, everyone is right in the notion that age truly doesn't matter.  My brother went to college at age 13 and graduated on the Dean's List at age 18.  In the same graduating class was our neighbor's father, Vernon, who was 89.  I, on the other hand, never went to a regular university at all.  I went straight to the American Academy of Dramatic Arts just after high school.  All my education comes from this wonderful activity I've discovered called reading.  A bit of living life and utilizing the capacity for original, independent thought is also helpful.  But if getting that degree is something you truly want, then by God do it!!!

Sabablue-I dread Mr Peterman's censure, for I know that he is a man of keen sensibilities, and perhaps would not appreciate a mildy risque bon mot in his Eye. I will maintain a prim reticence unless petitioned en masse.

Hey Olivia,  I'm still in my 30s but my hair is quickly going salt & pepper... noticed my first gray hair at age 16.  Runs in the family.  I think of it as premature wisdom - "a crown of glory," to quote a biblical passage.

And there's Emmylou Harris, who probably looks better now than she did 30 years ago with brown hair. 

Your mom sounds like my grandma... she had a fabulous figure into her 80s (to the end of her life, in fact).  She'd keep saying "I'm too old to plant a garden this year" but then she'd go out and do it, couldn't help herself.  She had a serious accident - was hit by a car - when she was in her 70s... that set her back for a while, as you could imagine.  If it hadn't been for that, she'd have lived to be 100.  She was of that tough, but ladylike, generation.

DPR and Tiberius,

Absolutely agree that women look better with age. Was more of a comment on 'cultural representation of aging.' I'm with ya.

Heiress, we must be related! 16 is EXACTLY when my hair started greying, salt and pepper into my 30s, family trait-wow. And I totally agree about Emmylou! She was my inspiration for many years lol, until a dear friend and stylist talked me into trying color for the first time. I'm (mostly) vegetarian and avoid chemicals wherever possible, but I also realize that I only have one life, and color is FUN! He is an artist, and made me look amazing (ash blonde).  At the risk of sounding vain, I went out to dinner and dancing that night with four guy friends, and they ended up forming a flying wedge to protect me after I got hit on relentlessly. This was just recently, so I'm definitely having fun with it!

Your granny sounds like many of my relatives, and a dear one too, lucky Heiress. I think we both have the genes, so if we take care, we can have a long and pleasant life. I'm putting in an herb garden behind my little cottage this year!

Cheers-Olivia

Aging is a form of time travel.  The strange thing about it though is that we can look backward, out the rearview mirror, but we can't see out the windshield.  And speaking of time travel, it was very weird the first time I flew from Toyko, Japan, and arrived two hours before I'd left (on the same day I departed from Narita!).  So, poo, to those who say you can't travel through time.  It just requires a bit of imagination and good luck.  Aging?  Well, I met a 75 year old yesterday who is 'younger' than most 30 somethings I know -- he's an avid reader, and only learned how to read at the age of 60 (having 'faked it' his entire career with the Post Office as a postal inspector...).  We live in a strange world, but the strangest thing about it is the invisible dimension: time.  When I spent a couple of hours a few weeks ago with a 99 year old woman, checking out her old boyfriends, spiffy dresses, and her baby book (which detailed her bouts with measles, whooping cough, and suspected typhoid), time suddenly seemed even more evanescent than usual.  Like light bulbs, we're either here (and burning) or we are gone -- poof.  Enjoy the interval!