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My Life as an Old Lady
By Julie Richman
Things that Make Me Feel Old I recently wrote aboutMy Life as a Child and it made me think more about my life now, as an old person. These thoughts are emphasized by my spending this winter in South Florida. I don't know if I am noticing age more these days but there seem to be an awful lot of old folks around in Florida. I am not in a retirement community surrounded by golf courses. No, I am in a small town a walking distance from the ocean where I expect to see young tourists and sun bathers on the beach. I had previously written about walking in a shopping mall for exercise. There are a lot of shopping malls in areas near Chicago, but there are none in Chicago near me. In Florida I don't have a car so I need to take a bus to the nearest shopping mall. It is on these bus rides that the facts of being "old" really struck me. Many of the people who ride the bus are older people. Occasionally I have witnessed what I can only call " bus rage." That is, short tempered riders who argue with other riders. Yesterday was a day during which I experienced a scene whereby two old ladies got into a heated argument about how much room one should take up on seating designated as "handicapped" or "senior seating. One of the ladies had taken two seats. One for herself and one for her package. The bus was not crowded so the two seat lady felt justified in taking extra space. The other lady didn't like that and complained vociferously about it to an audience of other riders. While this was going on, two more ladies got on the bus. One of them announced to everyone that an old lady, 70 years old was boarding and needed to sit in the special seating. Two young men were sitting in these seats. Upon seeing them she shouted that they must change seats. "you have no right to sit there" she screamed. It happened that the seats in question were next to me. The 70 old lady tried to get me engaged in the battle but I just got into a laughing fit because I don't think 70 is so terribly old. She did look rather decrepit so although I am older than she, I felt young somehow when I compared myself to her. After I arrived at my destination, a pharmacy where I needed to pick up a prescription, I discovered a number of people waiting to be served. Several of us took seats and I began a conversation with the people sitting near me. An elderly gentleman who was sitting next to me joined our conversation and then, all of a sudden, he began to sing.
He had a wonderfully resonant baritone voice and the songs he sung were familiar old timers from the '40s or '50s. He sang "Always" and "blue Moon" and" Sunrise, Sunset" from The Fiddler on the Roof. At this point, the other woman joined him in song and I did, too. This was in a large store and a number of shoppers found themselves smiling at this impromptu song fest. When our gentleman singer got his prescription he left, singing "Good Night Irene!" What fun this was. I felt like I was in a Bollywood Movie, without the dancing. When I was much younger I probably would have been embarrassed by both the fight in the bus and the strange singing encounter in the pharmacy. At this point in my life, these events just add some richness and variety to my day. Now am looking forward to whatever else I can experience during my daily excursions while I am visiting sunny Florida this winter.
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Contributor's Note
I expect to write more about my visit to Florida. I also hope I can get going on my art while I'm here.
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Julie Richman Fine Art
| Flamenco Dance Lessons and Performnce in Miami, FL
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No kidding! I thought that sort of thing only happens in the Philippines. When I first arrived I was shocked when the waitress started singing - not humming, but singing - while I was reading the menu. I thought maybe it was some kind of strange attempt to seduce me. It turns out just about everyone - clerks, drivers, passersby - sings spontaneously here. It's disconcerting at first but I'm sure you'd love it.
 | | nick Jan 7, 2010 12:11 | |
Getting into catfights on buses and breaking into song, my my, you oldtimers sure are having a ball! I hope one day I'll be a happy old lady like you.
I lived in Florida for a year in my 20's. I rented a condo in huge complex, I think I was the only person under 70 there. I think the mean age in the county was 59 1/2 at the time. (that includes new births keep in mind) However, it's starting to sound more attractive to me, to be able to get out and about during the winter would be priceless.
It sounds like you're having a great time, so enjoy and keep the stories coming.
What a great intel,Julie.
We senior citizens have a different view of many things. It's wonderful to take the time to see and enjoy the goings on around us.
Looking forward to your future intels.
Thanks for sharing.
Frederick
What an interesting set of experiences you are having. I have just now become a "senior" -- according to the Canadian government, and I am still learning about this exalted time of life. I'm going to visit your web site. I love seeing artworks.
You made me smile. I'm 54 years old, but am good friends with many older folks in the 80-90 year old range. These friends are great fun and I hope I am as active as they are when I reach their age. But they often make remarks about "old or elderly" people based on physical condition, but also how cranky or inactive they are. You're not old if you don't FEEL old.
Hi Julie
I love your attitude, you are youing in heart and spirit,
Grant
What fun... to be part of a real life musical!
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