On My 60th Birthday

I should be upset that I'm a senior now. Shouldn't I? Maybe I'm not because some of the coolest people I have ever known are over 60. Look at George Takei. He is absolutely the coolest old guy I know of.

Viktor Schreckengost was nearly 100 when he taught me Industrial Design, and 100 when he received the National Medal of Arts. And every day he was at school he helped us finish the daily crossword puzzles.

Bernard Pfriem was nearly 80 and recovering from a severe stroke when he would walk around Provence with his students at the Lacoste School of Arts that he founded. He didn't even let the fact that he was partially paralyzed keep him from besting most of us getting up and down the steep Provencal hills.

I met Betty Grable when she was close to 60. She was performing in a show with my Uncle on Broadway. She was sweet and kind and she had a 30 year old boyfriend. I need one of those.

Even my very cool leopard print and bangle bracelet wearing Kindergarten teacher was close to her 60's and kept teaching new kids long past that age.

And lets not forget my very cool Grandfather who dropped dead dressing for work at 72, he had no plans to retire. And my even cooler Stepmother, who would travel across the US in her car well past 60, and sleep at rest stops so she could visit relatives.

There are too many people I admire for what they've done in their senior years to list here today. I mean look at Hillary Clinton, Warren Buffet, Albert Einstein, oh and the list goes on. So many who have accomplished so much past their 60th Birthday. The prime of my life is just beginning.

Thank you all in advance for your best wishes and may you find the joy in old age that I'm sure I will.

Life on Mars - The Department of Aging

Maybe it's spring coming. Those breezes caused by changing temperature. Maybe the lunar cycle is making for added crazy life changes. This week has been another crazy one, that's for sure.

People next door acting irrational again. The grandpa who is supposed to be the most stable of the bunch, seems to be the most out of control. He attacked the oldest boy and told the neighbor whose tree fell on our house, not to worry, he has good insurance. He has a $500 deductible. That's not good insurance.

Then there was something in the mail.

I don't suppose many of you have any idea what it's like to still be healthy, sharp witted, vital and turning 60. Not that I don't mind all the perks, like being eligible for survivors social security and all those cool 20% off discounts on Tuesday and Wednesday.

I thought when I got older I'd be able to curse at annoying children and stupid adults who would pass it off as coming from a crazy old lady (no I won't throw things at the annoying kids). But unfortunately my genetic makeup has me looking much older than my years. The supplements I take don't help either. Not senile, not gray, and the fact that I've had bad fillings in my front teeth for the majority of my life and smiled with a sly smirk instead of a toothy grin, has helped me to have few wrinkles.

Not that I look 30, like some people my age, I did go through a drinking stage and I have smoked a few cigarettes and sat in the sun on occasion. As a matter of fact I love the sun, although I use sunscreen these days, but maybe we're getting into the more information than you needed to know area here.

So, in case you haven't guessed, I'm turning 60 soon. All you young-uns in your 30's watch out, 60 sneaks up on you before you know it. Know how I get welcomed into the ranks of the aged? I got the following in the mail last week. Discount cool, old age, not so cool.