We’re a Changin’

It’s no secret that as we age, changes occur. I’m not talking about physical changes, but rather about the way we react to life. 

For one thing, we no longer worry, or even think, about how other people are judging us. That happens when we come to realize that people have their own worries so they have little time to think about what we may be doing or not doing. There are always exceptions, of course. Case in point, those who sit on their verandas and balconies trying to decipher what neighbors and passersby might be into. Or comment on what they are wearing. I’ve always failed to understand such an amazing disinterest in more meaningful life interests.

Clothes are important to women throughout their lives. It is said that women dress for men or other women, not for themselves. Perhaps it’s true, but one thing is certain, there comes a time in every woman’s life when she gives up trying to impress and chooses comfort. For example, she realizes that wearing four- or five- inch heels (even three-inch ones for that matter) doesn’t impress anyone while it is a serious danger to the health of her back. A bright smile is a much better way to impress someone. And from there things change gradually.

We women, and men too, cease to see the need to wear tight belts when apparel manufacturers have been kind enough to make elastic waistbands. We take to wearing comfy sports shoes when we go walking or shopping instead of the regular shoes—that we now wear only when it’s an absolute must—because we realize that no one ever looks at our feet, just like we rarely notice what type of shoes others are wearing. And because age appreciates comfort wherever it can find it.

Those who went camping over the years, give it up with age—not necessarily old age— for the more pleasurable comfort of sleeping on a proper mattress. We appreciate the comfort of having more leisurely meals now that the kids are out carving their way into the world. And we appreciate doing our own thing.

A grandmother in her eighties wrote to an advice column because her daughter had told her that wearing a long dress to her granddaughter’s wedding was inappropriate for an afternoon wedding. The grandmother said she liked the dress very much and didn’t want to splurge on something new. The columnist replied simply: Wear the dress. You have earned that right.

That’s how I feel. We, of a certain age, have earned the right to do what makes us feel good and comfortable. Let the others think what they want if they have nothing better to do with their time!   

Food for Thought

For the last few years I have been suffering from early spring allergies, with this season seemingly worse. When chatting with some people I know who also suffer they all agreed that this season is worse for them as well. Then, a few days ago I saw a doctor being interviewed about allergies who confirmed that this year, sufferers are more affected than in the past and that it is bound to get worse.

            Great! was my reaction. The good doctor said that one of the main reasons was climate change which is affecting vegetation.  So, if humanity does not wake up to the fact that we are in trouble what will happen to the young people now facing many decades of allergies ahead of them? And all the other problems that will continue to creep up?

            I find it rather amazing that some people still believe that all the talk about climate change is simply not true. Some governments are even deciding to reverse on-going policies and actions that are helping our ecosystem get healthier. I simply don’t understand why these decisions makers feel that it will be beneficial for the world, including their own children and grandchildren. Don’t they see that the price we are already paying today will gradually get more and more exorbitant? Some experts are predicting that the floods and hurricanes we are seeing now are nothing compared to what we can expect in the future if we don’t shape up.  It’s more than time to speak up and let our elected officials know what we really want and really need.

            I have not loss all hope, however. I see how the younger generation is seriously involved in doing their part to improve our future.  All five of my grandchildren are avid proponents of the three Rs, much to my delight.  Two of them are vegetarians.  Even as teens, they decided that red meat was not only a poor food choice, but that it contributed greatly to global warming because of the methane cattle emit.  According to experts methane is twenty times more potent at trapping heat from the sun than carbon dioxide.  By unit, it is the most destructive of the greenhouse gases. To me that means that curbing our taste for red meat would help stop climate change.

I am also among those who deplore the fact that fields used to feed cows could be used to grow real food. A lot of “food” for thought here, don’t you think?

 
Spring is Springing

Every year I find it quite amazing how fast spring springs. Just a few weeks ago we had snow that, fortunately, quickly melted. That gave way to what I call the brown season, the dull almost lifeless look of nature before the sun has a chance to warm things up. That was certainly the case last week as I drove in the country with my granddaughter. She remarked that she couldn’t wait to see green. She got her wish this week as, almost overnight, lawns were once again revived and showing off their green blades. Close to my house the dark red shoots of the peonies are seemingly growing an inch a day as they rush to be able to show off their large blooms. And the buds on the trees are bursting at the seam.

All that newness entices us to spring into action. We have a need to take stock, to change, to once again put our best foot forward. As with most people, at this time of year I clean out my closets. The main idea, of course, is to put warmer things in the back and bring lighter clothes to the front, but it’s also decision time. Because most of us keep buying new clothes every year, spring is a good time to thin the herd as it were—but what to keep and what to recycle? I don’t know about you, but I always have problems deciding what to eliminate. Some little devil somewhere inside me says things like: Keep that; it still looks good. Or: Don’t get rid of that; styles do come back. Or: You’ve got to keep that jacket; remember how much you paid for it?

The problem with listening to your little devil is that you end up with too much. Yesterday I tried on a skirt I purchased some ten years ago. It still fits because my weight hasn’t varied much in that time, but I soon realized that the cut dates it even if I feel comfortable in it. It was difficult, but I faced my little devil and the skirt went into the recycle pile. And the pile grew as I found many things I haven’t worn for a couple of years for one reason or another.

It is said that if you have clothes you haven’t worn in more than a year, you should get rid of it. I suppose that’s a good habit to take, but like everything else in life there are exceptions to every rule. Take a dressy top I bought in Hong Kong ages ago that I only wear on special occasions. When I see it I agree with my little devil that I should definitely keep it, no matter its age. The cut is classic and I can enjoy wearing for many more years.  No one needs to know its real age. Nor mine for that matter!

Have a great spring!

I’ll be away from my blog for the next couple of weeks.