Friday, March 03, 2023

Catching Up Old-Style

 


Oh, hello. 

It seems we have some Catching Up to do. Let's get started.

*I Am Old And They Are Liars:  For 30+ years I wore high heels with pointy toes for 8 hours a day. My students and my colleagues appreciated (and envied) my shoe wardrobe. I seldom wore flats or sneakers, ever, even in my off hours. Fast forward to now, 12 years later:  I wear flat shoes with good support and a wide toe box like all the Experts recommend in order to Take Good Care Of My Feet. And for the First Time Ever I had to buy a corn removal product at the grocery store like an old person. Adding to my outrage was the fact that I had no one tangible upon which to focus my anger and resentment. How I'd love to go back to wearing my wonderful, beautiful career shoes in some audacious display of self-righteousness! Alas, however, I'd look ridiculous since I am constantly in leggings, skinny jeans, and comfy shirts.

*Am I Old Or Not And What Is She Trying To Say?  I've written here before about my funny grocery store and its astonishing Closeouts section where customers can buy anything from a Ben Franklin bobblehead to Subway restaurant visors to a bathroom vanity cabinet (no top). A couple weeks ago, I found a New York Times page-a-day crossword 2023 calendar for 25 cents. It also includes a free one month subscription to NYT Games. I grabbed it immediately. My favourite cashier, Sunshine, was ringing me out and she couldn't get over the price. "This is 25 cents?!" she said. "That's crazy!" I was bagging my stuff (reusable bags, of course) and agreed, "Right? I stood there for a minute trying to think of anyone else I could buy one for. It's such a great deal." Sunshine unintentionally clouded my skies with this remark, "Well, any old person, really, would love it." Thank goodness this was not the same day I had to buy my corn pads, or I probably would have smacked her.

*Speaking Of Old People, This Weather Alert From My Mother, Age 92:  Here in NEO, we've had an extremely mild winter. As in, I've only shovelled snow once SO FAR. Oh, we've had a bit of snow here and there, but nowhere near where we normally would be.   Nowhere near. And I've seen lots of robins around, along with my daffodils poking up several inches and the silver maples already budding red and getting their fringe. This, according to my mother, is Bad. "It's not good for this area of the country not to have snow this time of year. It's not good for the trees or the birds or anyone else. It's bad; it's not natural." I'm sure you all remember her Dire Warnings back in October of a Hard Winter. True, we still have March and at least part of April to go. And we did have a nasty snowstorm in May that broke down so many lovely blooming crabapples. But right now, I'm inclined to say YOU BLEW IT AGAIN, MOM.

*But Some Things Never Get Old:  I'm still taking tremendous satisfaction from quite a few Simple things, like my daily walks, which are full of happy encounters with neighborhood dogs; reading good books, most recently The Dictionary of Lost Words by Pip Williams (highly recommended for any lover of words); a hot cup of coffee and Biscoff in the afternoons while watching Judge Judy or, more recently, Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee with Jerry Seinfeld. (The latter is a show on Netflix which I'm completely charmed by. I love hearing people talk passionately about their work, and I love listening to the perspectives of these comedians--how they see things so differently from the rest of us.) And I find constant Joy in our family group text. I'm crazy about my kids; there, I said it.

How are you feeling about your age these days? Lied to? Almost insulted? Silly? Grateful? Thanks for waiting, and chat me up in Comments.

43 comments:

  1. How do I feel about my age? My brain and my body do not agree how old we are. My brain says, "let's go do a ropes/zip line course again". My body says, "I'll get you for that!"

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    1. Dee--It's true. I often make a lot of plans that my body cannot possibly carry out, at least not all in the same day.

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  2. Well, your post just ate my comment before I was done Did you find it?

    I'll start over.
    I love this Catch-up. OR Ketchup...whichever you prefer.

    Sunshine needs a swift kick in her butt. That was rude, but I'm guessing she was thinking you bought the puzzle for an older friend or your Mom?

    Corns. Bunions. Plantar Fasciitis. It's all the pits and sadly one or all will get us eventually. I wore cute pumps for many years while working as a hairstylist. Now, I can't even imagine as my feet are paying the price. You must have had a deal with the devil. 😜😜

    For the first time in my life, I'm apprehensive about crouching down on the floor because off my knees and the thought of having to get back up. (this happens when I'm looking for one of Peanuts toys under a console table or couch.- I do consider just buying her more toys and say 'screw it'!)

    Being crazy about your kids is a gift that I wish everyone experienced; it's the Bomb dot com.

    I hope your nice weather continues (sorry Nance's Mom) and you get to enjoy more pleasant walks in your neck of the woods.

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    1. BB Suz--Sunshine keeps up a constant patter in a honeyed drawl, and I doubt she thinks twice about what she says. Perhaps she doesn't think of me as old? I like that interpretation!

      I hear you about getting up after being crouched on the floor--I dread that every time. It used to be no big deal, and I often had kids in class working on the floor on big posters/projects and knelt beside them. IN HEELS AND SKIRTS. Now, that move is fraught with peril. Get a long-handled broom or something and make a pass under the furniture for those toys. Save yourself.

      Bright blue skies this morning and temps are forecast to be in the 40s. I'll take it, no matter what my mother says.

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  3. Robins, buds, walks without ice grips. You slay me. We have yet another storm watch for tomorrow.

    I have worn flat shoes ever since I measured my length in the front hall of a university lecture hall through catching my heel in the (wait for it) snow grate. Plus I have Very Big feet, and back in the day it was hard to find good looking heels that actually fit me. I have never had corns, but I have had to have toenails surgically removed because they were ingrown.
    No, my friend, you are not old. Not anywhere near it. Old starts later every year. Just ask your mother.
    Since anyone under thirty has discarded paper in favour (favor) of screens, preferably tiny ones on the cell phones each of them carries everywhere, I am guessing your Sunshine is a kid.
    I will get the book - sounds intriguing.
    I found myself teaching cursive writing to my Afghan student this morning. He wants a 'Canadian' signature. Meanwhile the three and a half year old has mastered not only the alphabet song but also the spider and waterspout song. Her mother may strangle me.

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    1. Mary--What is it with you Canadians and snow? LOL

      Sunshine looks to be around 40. She has a southern accent that might place her origins in the Carolinas. She is quite pleasant, kind, and chatty whilst ringing up each customer's order. Despite her rather thoughtless comment, I like her. She has lots of customers who go out of their way to say hello.

      The book is insightful in the way it describes how one can truly revere words and love them--their use, their nuance, their value. The story is multifaceted, and I liked the way it dealt with feminist themes.

      You are doing such wonderful work with your Afghan people. I'm so proud to know you.

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  4. I grew up in South Carolina. We often said "any old thing" or "any old person" but 'OLD' did not refer to age just simply expanded the meaning of 'anything' or 'any person'. So when I read Sunshine's comment, I read it in that way. (Once I moved to Ohio, I was often reminded that my speech habits differed from others!)
    I will look up the book recommendation. I play online word games with my siblings in other states and frequently we encounter less-known words that trip us up in these games.
    I agree with the 'constant joy in our family group text' - We have both a group text and a monthly Zoom call to connect the siblings who live across the USA. What a joy in keeping in touch with each other. (often our Zoom calls include appearances of our pets, our spouses, children or even grandchildren.)
    I enjoy your posts although I rarely comment. (I'm in southwest Ohio.)

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    1. JanL--Sunshine said it this way, "Any old person would love it" with the emphasis on Old. As in, crossword puzzles are in the hobby domain of the elderly. And honestly, she's not wrong. I've not come across anyone in their teens, twenties, or even thirties who does crossword puzzles.

      It's funny how I've grown to use and appreciate text. I swore long ago that I'd never use it, and did so right here on my blog, railing against the teensy keyboard and paying for the privilege way back when it all was fairly new. (I also ranted about wearing leggings in public. I've learned to never say never, let's just say that.)

      Online word games, FaceTime, Zoom, GoogleMeet, group texts--how simply wonderful they all are to help us keep in touch with our friends and family. And snapping a quick photo with our phones and sending it off on a whim lets them know in an instant that we're thinking of them in the moment. I love the immediacy of that privilege, too.

      Thanks for taking the time to chime in on this post. I love hearing your thoughts.

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  5. Strangely, this is the second post this morning that has shown or mentioned Heinz ketchup. I am starting to suspect that Heinz is stalking me! :)
    I am old but I'm doing better than some of my friends so I can't complain... Or I shouldn't complain... Or I feel guilty when I DO complain. So there.

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    1. Ellen--That Heinz marketing department is stealthy. Their shadow campaigning is one of the reasons they are America's Ketchup. LOL

      Good point about aging. The trick is to try and do it gracefully, I suppose. I've chosen not to fight it artificially with any surgery or hair dye, etc. That's all cosmetic stuff, though, and it's Health that really makes the difference. We guard that like gold.

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  6. "Well, any old person, really, would love it." That's just rude, kids these days! I enjoyed Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee when I watched it. We both did, actually. I suppose saying that makes me old but so be it. I am old, more so some days than others.

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    1. Ally--Sunshine is no kid; she looks to be about 40 or so. Age is in the eye of the beholder, I guess.

      And yes, yes, yes--I feel old on some days more than others, too. Some days, I revel in my Oldness. I wrap it around me like a warm, bulky shawl and cup of steaming tea. Sometimes Being Old is cozy.

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  7. Now that I read Jan's comment I think she just meant any person. But that might be me trying to make sunshine out of rain (see what I did there?). ANYWAY, I turned 59 yesterday & the days of me wearing heels are long long gone. In fact I don't think I ever actually had days of wearing heels regularly. I think that even though the arthritis in my hip didn't start bothering me until I was in my late 30s, I must have subconsciously not wanted to bother it with heels. Well, and I was not the most graceful person in the land.

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    1. Bug--As I mentioned to Jan, Sunshine put the emphasis on Old, as in "any old person would love it". It was pretty clear that she meant that crossword puzzles were for the elderly. At least in her mind.

      Happy Belated Birthday to you, young lady. I remember turning 59 myself, and it wasn't very long ago at all. I hope you had a lovely day.

      I always had a shoe fetish, and I always loved high heels. I used to play dress-up all the time. Once I was able to start wearing high heels, I wore the hell out of them. They're not everyone's thing, that's for sure. I was in the minority at my school, certainly.

      Again, Happy Birthday. May there be many, many more.

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  8. I guess it depends on the day; I know that some days I feel older and there are some days when I definitely feel younger. I did feel slightly insulted when I bought wine today and the cashier took one look at my masked face and just rang it up. I guess my eyes look old (and maybe my roots were showing) but still...

    I've pretty much given up on heels - I was going to say since the pandemic began but then I realized, even before then I found myself, more often than not, reaching for a cute pair of flats.

    25 cents is a STEAL! I wish I had your grocery store here. I just checked on Amazon, it's going for about $16.

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    1. Gigi--Holy crap, that IS a steal. I love my grocery store. I got Target sheets there for $19 that are regularly $55, the Threshold brand. You just never know what they'll have, and when you see it, you have to grab it.

      I knew I was old when it was only the really old guys who started flirting with me at the grocery store and other places. That's when I knew for sure.

      And, Gigi, we can't mask our necks or our hands, which are also age giveaways sometimes. I can't remember the last time I was carded. A hundred years ago, probably.

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  9. Just recently my mom said "I hate to think that I will never be able to wear sandals again." That was such a surprise to me as at 82 and using either a cane or a walker as well as constantly giving me sandals to donate to our local charity thrift shop, I thought she'd already come to terms with that. On the other hand, I get it though. Diminishing options never feels good--even when they're common sense.

    For myself, I had switched to some Orthofeet shoes to help with plantar fasciitis issues. Surprisingly, I felt like they caused more issues, including new knee pain. So back to my beloved clogs I went. So far, so good.

    I'm sure that Sunshine did not mean anything derogatory. I'm guessing that you know by her inflection/emphasis if she really meant generic person or aged person though. And I think I would love visiting your grocery store! I think that extreme bargain calendar makes up for all those pricy bananas from the past! LOL

    Weather predictions seem somewhat absurd. Smokey used to say, "I want to be a weatherman. It's the only job where you never have to get things right." He wasn't wrong. We spend way too much time looking at the weather. It's so hyped now. As is everything else of course.

    I love that you're finding joy in the simple things every single day! Mostly, I do the same. The phone calls with the kids are the best. We text as well but phone calls cover more territory. Tomorrow is my second outing in a week to a local winery with dear friends. Those outings definitely bring me joy!





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    1. Shirley--LOL on the bananas comment! I love that perspective, and I'll remember that perspective. BTW, they were 57 cents a pound this past week. I'm curbing my outrage because they've been steady, whereas other products have been capriciously raised by alarming amounts. Thank goodness I don't have a blood pressure problem.

      My mother continues to complain about her inability to wear sandals, too. She hates the way she looks in tennis shoes and capris--"looks clunky and jakish"--and constantly asks why she can't wear them. Her doctor even told her in no uncertain terms they were a Big No. Sigh.

      Sunshine is my favourite cashier, and she loves to chat up her customers, who all love her. She's about 40, and I'm sure she said it with no insult intended. And she's right: crossword puzzles are most often a hobby of older people, many of whom do them as a brain workout to ward off senility. I do them because I am a Word Nerd, and sudoku is too much like math.

      I'm so glad you're headed out to the winery again to hang out with your friends. I wish I could be with you. xo

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    2. I find that I can't get too disturbed about either the price of bananas or eggs to be honest. I still think they are all a bargain in the grand scheme of things.

      I actually don't disagree with your mom on the clunkiness of tennis shoes. They feel and look like cinder blocks unless one has tiny feet. I very rarely wear them and then only out of necessity. They make me feet hurt more than other shoes so I feel vindicated. Seems like there's a huge market opportunity for someone to make stylish but safe shoes for folks like our moms.

      In addition to keeping the brains of older folks (like us!) sharp, there's the fact that so many younger folks just never really did crossword puzzles. A lot of young people do like Sudoku though. Like you, I'm not a fan but I enjoy crosswords and Wordle (both the 5-letter version now at NYT and the 6-letter version at Solitaired).

      Having cashiers like Sunshine is one of life's gifts. There have always been cashiers I would practically run to and others I would not go to unless I absolutely had no choice.

      Our winery outing yesterday was a good one. A 3-hour break with tons of laughs, memories, and catching up. It would be so enjoyable to go to a winery with you one day, Nance!

      xo

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    3. Shirley--It's true: if I weren't comparing today's price to yesteryear's, I'd be marvelling at how great it is to get fresh produce at such a bargain. It's like I turn into a spoiled brat at the grocery store. Shame on me.

      Your winery outing sounds perfect. Good friends are a treasure, and enjoying wine with them is an absolute delight. Someday, Shirley, someday!

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  10. I gave up wearing heels the last time I wore them to a wedding: I slipped them off under the table when we sat down to eat because my feet were just pounding. An hour later I could barely get them on again. I've worn flats to work for years, but we've had so much nasty rainy weather this last year that I have taken to wearing tennis shoes to the uni. So comfortable, and sure makes it easier if I have classes on the other side of campus. Also: I have very weak ankles and have taken too many serious spills in the last five years to even consider wearing anything but Sensible Shoes.

    On the Subject of Aging: Honestly, Nance, this last year it seems like everything is breaking down in my body. It was almost symbolic with me hitting 70 last summer. What doesn't creak seems to leak, and Imma just leave it at that, which is already TMI!

    I have decided to preface my complaints these days with "Sorry to be a Cranky Old Lady about this, but…" People laugh and I laugh with them. I joke with my students about OK Boomer vs. my snappy comeback "OK Gen Z." And really, if there's any advantage to aging, it's the fact that it gives you license to blow off a lot of stuff that used to seem so important. It's quite liberating, really. Routines settle into what is comfortable and stress free. I love your coffee + Biscoff + Judge Judy routine. Mr. O. and I are firmly entrenched in our evening ritual of watching the latest telenovela + snacking on kettle chips or similar. No cooking, cleaning, grading papers--- just basking in the scandals of People Behaving Badly and we play the part of Judge Judy, lol.

    I can well imagine you are crazy about your kids. Love the 'family group text' idea, which apparently is common among many families from what I hear. It's definitely one of the more positive benefits that cell phones have brought us.

    Final note: I checked out the Amazon blurb on The Dictionary of Lost Words. Sounds like a great book for my bedtime reading routine.

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    1. Ortizzle--I hope you enjoy The Dictionary...Words. I think it's a good bedtime ritual read. My reading has changed dramatically. Whereas I used to devour books intensely and read in huge chunks of time, I now read in snacks of twenty or thirty minutes here and there. I just don't have the deep attention that I used to. I still love reading and enjoy books, but I don't fall into them like I did before.

      I get the feeling that your body is starting to fail. My situation is Stamina. I simply don't have it like I used to, and I feel it more keenly lately. My first reaction is Outrage (always!), and then I realize it has to be my reality. The idea that we have to Be More Careful/Mindful is a little bit shocking. It's tough to come to terms with.

      And yes, with aging comes liberation! The philosophy of "Hey, I'm done with all that bullshit. Time to let a lot of stuff loose." Streamlining and simplification have become my mantras. There is not, literally, time for extraneous clutter, whether it's physical, emotional, or whatever.

      How much longer until you can be free of the daily academic grind, my dear friend? Remind me. XO

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    2. Well, I hope my entire body is not beginning to fail, lol. I do try to exercise (walks with Mr. O. 4 or 5 times a week) and eat well. Getting enough sleep is the biggest challenge due to work obligations, but I try to compensate with daytime naps and a full night's uninterrupted sleep whenever possible. Health complaints, so far, are mostly the niggly little things, although... after a certain age, of course, there is stuff you can't avoid, such as cataracts, which are on the horizon. My last eye exam went OK, and the doc actually said I was ahead of the curve for my age. So there's that.

      Retirement: I am in the process of a deep investigation and setting up appointments to discuss the mammoth paperwork involved in all this. My primary concern is all the money I have been paying into TRS (Teachers' Retirement System in Texas) vs. Social Security: SS benefits are apparently cut due to the wonderful Windfall Elimination Provision. This is *so* unfair since I have faithfully (and out of obligation) paid into both funds for years. So if both contributions are mandatory, why should I get less retirement pay because of this? Guess I'll find out soon. I am aiming for end of spring 2024 semester if it looks feasible. Maybe a year later, but no more. And let's hope the Reptiles in Congress don't "sunset" SS benefits, Medicare and similar. The whole thing is an administrational nightmare, honestly. XO

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    3. Ortizzle--Yikes! Let me rephrase this sentence: "I get the feeling that your body is starting to fail." What I meant for it to convey was, "I understand the feeling that it feels like your body is starting to fail you." Sheesh. I hope you know I'd never be that rude and abrupt. Now I know how Sunshine tossed off her comment. LOL.

      I feel terrible that you thought I was so inept and glib.

      Anyway, your retirement dilemma is a knotty one, and I can see how burdensome it all is. Certainly others have navigated it; do you have anyone you can talk to about their experiences? Are there advisors who help handle this exact situation? In Ohio, teachers don't pay into Social Security at all. We only pay into State Teachers Retirement System, and that's the benefit we get upon retirement. SS keeps looking longingly at our funds with hopes to raid it, but we've been steadfast and solvent for ages.

      My fingers are crossed for you packing it in by Spring 2024. It's certainly time. XO

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    4. Oh, goodness, Nance, I would *never* think of you as inept and glib!!! I obviously misinterpreted the remark, but took it to be more from the standpoint of genuine concern. I certainly was not offended! I know you fret about the fact that I am still in the trenches at this stage of my life, but it's also partly due to 23 years in Spain without paying into SS. Speaking of which: I had a chat with my brother the other day about this and he casually asked, "But doesn't TRS replace Social Security? Because if you have been paying into BOTH, the Windfall thing shouldn't affect you." Hmph! I should have been aware of all this when I started working at the uni. All I can say so far is that since I came back from Spain (and in the years I worked before 1975), I have faithfully paid SS. Nobody in HR in the uni 'splained' that to me, but my deductions appear on my annual report that I submit to the IRS. Geez... it shouldn't have to be this hard, lol. Imma Google some stuff like crazy so I can be prepared for my sessions with HR at the uni, TRS and eventually SS. I can see why they tell you to start preparing a year in advance, lol. XXOO dear friend.

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    5. Ortizzle--Maybe you can call TRS and get an appointment with an advisor there to help you navigate all this ASAP. I know our STRS people are terrific at that. Fingers crossed that you will be pleasantly surprised and that your retirement will be sooner than you think. XXOO

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  11. On my flight and hope to post comment before airplane mode. So relate to this. A neighbor's gma at dinner last night in texas while visiting my uncle asked me how many grandkids I had. Then my brother said he had 3 kids and she DID NOT ask him if he had grandkids. She told him he did not look old enough to have 3 kids. OUCH. He is 2 years younger than me. She was super sweet and hilarious, so I could not get upset.

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    1. Ernie--I hope you had a safe flight to TX.

      Oh, my. The Unintentionally Rude Comment strikes again, this time from a sweet old lady. (Who thinks you're well on YOUR way to being a sweet old lady, too.) Just load up this comment if it ever happens again, "No, but I have a granddog!"

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  12. I haven't seen a robin yet and I'm okay with that because when I do, I'll think "well, another spring is here and I'm just getting older." Ha! No, I won't. I will just be pleased that the robins think it's warm enough. Our daffodils are just poking some green bits out of the ground, so that IS exciting and makes me happy that winter may be over soonish.

    I do feel old a lot. I can't tone my muscles the way I used to be able to when I was younger, my hip hurts if I sit in one place longer than ten minutes, my eye doctor keeps making noises about bifocals. But I guess I'm trying to stay positive and realize that aging is a privilege and I'm lucky to be able to do it!

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    1. NGS--Yes, considering the alternative to aging, we'd best temper our bitching with a little gratitude. I'm still fighting bifocals due to vanity even though they make progressive lenses so that no one has to see that telltale line. The day I had to give up my contacts and go to glasses full time was a terrible one indeed.

      Our string of springlike days has come to a close for the forseeable. Thanks to ever-so-generous Canada (and you know how that goes!), we're now going to see some of the winterish weather that we managed to fight off. I have a feeling the robins will be sorry, but they're used to it, almost always arriving early. Hang in there. Our reward will get here, and we'll be more than ready for it when it does.

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  13. I miss my high heels, too. I had to give them up when I got RA, and clearly I will never go back. It does help me sometimes to know that other people my age also cannot wear high heels, though of course I don't WISH foot pain on anyway. If it helps at all, I first had corns and PF back in my mid-20s.

    For me, giving up heels means giving up skirts and dresses. My body does not look good in a skirt and flats, or at least I don't feel like it does. So I very rarely, if ever, wear skirts or dresses. I brought a pair of low heeled boots, some sandals with decent support (Munro is my brand), and one skirt with me to France. I wore the boots on the plane (why?) and tennis shoes everywhere else in Paris. In the south, it was too warm, I mostly wore my sandals.

    I think Sunshine meant it would be a good gift for you to give an old person, not that she thought of you as old. Maya does the NYT Mini crossword, so at least she understands the concept.

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    1. J--You know, I hardly ever see anyone in high heels anymore. Even when I was teaching, I was more the exception than the rule. Of course, I don't go out clubbing or anything, so perhaps they're saving them for that.

      I feel the same way you do about wearing a dress/skirt with flats. Unless it's a sundress/boho
      kind of thing, I don't feel like I look my best. Maybe it's because we used to wear heels so often.

      Do you do any crossword puzzles? I was trying to think of when I first started, and I think it was when I was in my forties. They really fed into my fascination with words. A colleague of mine at school and I used to tag-team them once in a while during our free period.

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  14. Nance, the only crossword I do is the NYT mini.

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    1. Goodness, that sounded terse, and I thought I was replying to you, sorry. I used to do the crosswords in TV guide, but I cancelled that subscription when they stopped telling me what was on TV. Which seemed dumb, because duh, it's TV Guide. But since people stream so much now, I guess it was only a matter of time before the TV listings became useless. I'm surprised to see that they are still in business. Anyway, I only like very easy crosswords. I'm lazy I guess.

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  15. Finally just catching up with your posts! I'm fine with my age...the alternative isn't a good choice. I used to wear shoes like that, but me feet always bothered me. Now I tend to live in slippers which I love. Sneakers if I go out into the real world! And I love the NY times puzzle page. Daily fun for me and (hopefully) keeping my brain active!

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    1. Vera--I'm in and out so often that slippers don't work for me. I have several pair that I routinely rediscover, then shove right back into my closet. I love slip-on loafer type sneakers, sort of like Vans, but in faux leather. In the summer I like the ease of Toms.

      I'm addicted to the NYT Wordle and Spelling Bee in addition to crossword puzzles and a few word game apps on my phone. I've had a running Words With Friends game series with my BFF in Maryland since we both got smartphones a hundred years ago. As you said, they're fun and require some brainwork.

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  16. I'm late to your 'party' but I sure got a big laugh over your reaction to the cashier's remark. I'll bet she wasn't referring to age when she said "any old person".

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    1. Jean--Never too late to come to a Comment Party here.
      Actually, she was, I think. She said it this way: "any old person", emphasizing the word Old. Didn't do much for my vanity, let me tell you. LOL.

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  17. Late to comment, but I really enjoyed reading about every old thing. The NYT page a day calendar -- and free games subscription!!! - is a real find. I recently got a subscription to games and am enjoying it wholeheartedly. Although I admit that I am terrible at the "real" crossword. There's time to improve.

    I agree about the shoe scam. I wore all manner of terrible-for-feet (but beautiful!) footwear in my teens and twenties, and it's only since I hit 40, and started wearing sensible shoes, that my feet have begun to fail me. Maybe I've been coddling them too much, and need to get out some stilettos to get them to toughen up again!

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    1. LDW--Hi, and welcome to the Dept.
      I do the Wordle and the Spelling Bee every day, and I've been a crossword addict (paper and pen) for decades. I usually print out the LA Times one, however, and it's the one that gets progressively more difficult as the week goes on.

      Perhaps I'll join you in stilletoing now and then. It would be such fun to wear some of my beautiful shoes again, even if it's with leggings and only the cats to see me. Sigh.

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  18. I love your post, but I really love the comments to it. I just turned 60 on Friday (the finest day out of the year), and I was/am so happy about that. I used to have raging hypochondria (now I have just your basic hypochondria) and was married to a literal psychopath; there were days I honestly thought he might kill me. So, after finally getting divorced and getting myself in order, hitting 60 was such a huge number in my head. Everything here on out is extra sunshine!

    What market is this you go to? Funny how we look for our "favorites" at the cashiers, isn't it? I always look for my favorite "older" lady at the Giant Eagle....and maybe she's thinking "here comes my favorite old lady customer"!

    I'm counting down the days to see the daffodils bloom at Lake View Cemetery. Hopefully, NEO has seen the last of this snow.

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    Replies
    1. Elle--Happy Birthday! May you have many, many more now that you're free and feeling fine.

      I go to Marc's for my grocery shopping. I just got a wonderful cotton and bamboo blend bed quilt for ten bucks in addition to my usual pantry and produce needs. It was from a high-end store that is no longer in business. Love their Closeouts department!

      My Commenters are the best, I know. The discussions here are always witty, thoughtful, and smart. Thanks for adding to the mix.

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    2. Love Marc's! So true: you never know what you're going to see there.

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