Readers, do you know how many years of abstinence are required before one qualifies as a born-again virgin?
Playing in the dirt nourishes the soul. One is never too old to play in the dirt. Worms, bees and sunbathing snakes amaze me as do the birds. I try to imagine the world I’d see flying on an eagle’s wing. I have a bee house and, despite protests, may get a bat house. There are no brand names on my mismatching gardening gear! Usually, I lumber along in my partner’s big rubber boots “Wellies” dragging hoses, bags of manure, peat and soil. The neighbours stare gobsmacked as I dig in, tear out plants, bushes, and trees. Our professionally landscaped, tiered yard has transformed into one of colour and texture. The “Neighbourhood Eccentric” is whispered about. Do I care??? Heavens, no!!!
“Aging Gracefully is an art. Aging Disgracefully is a total blast” Unknown.
Forget the societal expectations for women our age. We have more than earned our right to be who we really are. These are our glory days!! Truthfully, I never did really care much what people thought of me. Having fits of outrageousness comes naturally, but now age provides me an excuse. It is so much fun. Join me. Be who you want to be and have a blast.
“Time flies when you are having a good time!”
The truth is that time flies regardless of having a good time or not. As a child, time moved at a glacial pace. A day lasted a week; birthdays and Christmases took years to arrive. As a young person, a week was a month long and the year was never over. As a young parent, I thought my kids would never grow up. I blinked twice, and now they are as old as me!! Now, today always seems to be Wednesday, and the following day is Sunday. Time is a whirlwind spinning at dizzyingly speed dumping me in its wake – a breathless woman grasping at the years left me, to ride the tides of time in style. Enjoy your ride, because ride you will.
Time Flies
Years months weeks days escaping
Ravaged by time
Firm flesh an avalanche
Crashing to the middle
Breaking the hour glass.
Laugh lines frozen wrinkles
Thinning hair turning white
Memory leaking
Into a cavernous abyss
Soon
I forget that I am forgetting
A blessing
The present is quickly forgotten as I slip
Into my second childhood
Happy and carefree is
The small child I was and am again
Soaring on eagle’s wing
To view majestic mountains and swelling seas
Wandering the enchanted forest
Searching for magical woodland fairies.
From its secluded perch
A raven caws its greeting
I answer an old friend to another
The forest is my wonderland of beauty
Fascinated I watch worms
swimming in the street’s gutters
While sparkling raindrops dance in the streetlight
The sweet faces of my very own pansies smile hello
My mind flashes through the foggy veil
Between then and now
The present time demands my attention
I chose to ignore it
My child’s mind in my old body wonders
Should I climb the old apple tree
To see my childhood’s world again
Swelling with vibrant spring colours
The apple blossoms, daffodils and tulips
And hear magical music of bees and birds
Shall I run against the wind
Hollering with the sheer joy of freedom
Dreaming I will lift off into space
Shall I climb the beach’s slippery outcroppings
In search of tide pool treasures
Shall I? Shall I?
Why not?
I am a child again and I can do anything
