Monday, October 08, 2007

Getting Old... Or The Final Countdown

I got asked recently by someone not thinking , just talking, how I managed to work so hard "at your age?"

I forget my hair is graying and my cheeks are jowling, and years and years of sawdust in the eyes are leaving them puffier and puffier...

Inside my skin, I'm still... oh... say... thirty?

And I'd love to produce a mighty fine rant about perception and age and the inevitable markings of time, but, frankly, I've just had a glass of milk (OK, with a shot of Kahlua) and I need to lie down...

I had more to say but I forgot what it was...

19 comments:

Shrink Wrapped Scream said...

You look fine enough to me bonny lad, but then as that is coming from another old fart, I doubt you'll glean much comfort from it. (smile)

Jeannie said...

Some days, I get quite a shock when I look in the mirror.

But then, my mother, at 85, says the same thing. Inside, she feels like a girl of perhaps 21.

It's great that you can still work hard - it's probably that that keeps you in your relatively good state of health.

And you don't look half bad for an old geezer.

Wondering Woman said...

Ah yes, I think all of us in the graying population feel the same. But as our souls are eternal and our bodies aren't it makes sense because inside we ARE still young, while the outside is aging like dog years.

fuzzbert_1999@yahoo.com said...

I too feel about 20 to 30 years younger inside, but no one is interested because the package is a little damaged.

Keep going strong.

Nikky said...

I think your cheeks are cute, not jowl-y at all. And think of it this way, it could be worse, you could be losing your hair!

Bernita said...

Dude!
Remember that old line about snow on the roof doesn't mean, etc.

ssas said...

I'm always surprised when I look in the mirror.

And I still sometimes get carded (at 40) but I'm still surprised. To me I don't look quite right.

Anonymous said...

"And I'd love to produce a mighty fine rant about perception and age...."

About a decade ago, when my dad was 62, he and I had a conversation about that very concept. He told me then that in his head, he still felt like he was "around 40."

At that time, I was 38, and really not feeling OR thinking about my age. I pretty much felt like I was 38, and I was loving it. Unlike my dad, I certainly didn't think of myself as 22 years younger than I was at that time.... (that would've meant I felt like I was, what, 16???) I never want to be 16, ever again!!

But the interesting thing (to me) is that as I grow older, the gap does indeed widen between my chronological age and the age I am in my head. These days, at 48, I pretty much feel like I'm 35.

I think it'd be an interesting study to find out what ages people are, and what ages they feel like. I wonder if those active and lively 70- and 80-somethings think of themselves as 40 and 50-somethings.

Jean said...

young people suck!

Anonymous said...

It's all in how you feel. Why would you want to retire when you live in one of the most beautiful places on earth? You have mountains and snow and good smellin' pine trees to work in everyday. Age is only a number, which is a noun...not a verb.

singleton said...

They say "you're only as young as you feel" and frankly, that's awful. I know my knees creek now, hell my back goes out, I huff and puff when I run, and every summer something else starts to wrinkle, but still.....
I don't think I think like an old bat thinks.....yet....
Clink! To believing!

Cheesy said...

Hey I know that face!! Please pass the Aleve?

kario said...

I knew there was a reason you were so full of great stories! There's just nothing better than an old geezer and his stories ;-).

Now, get back to work!

CS said...

At your age! Ha ha ha ha. Smack that person for me, please.

Spy Scribbler said...

I did it backwards. I felt about eighty when I was little, and I've been trying to grow younger ever since.

Sweeti said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Sweeti said...

Well Scott my friend, I still feel 30 also, and I claim the age of 39.
Denile is a wonderful thing, Why do you think its so popular.
You know that I make homemade Chocolate Kaluha with everclear and give it away at Christmas. Maybe you should email me an address.
You'll not give a crap how old you are after that.

I hope things are going ok for your sister, got her in my prayers.

Tammie Jean said...

Mmmm... Kahlua and milk - my favorite!

And hey we're all getting older, but it beats the alternative.

In the years to come I hope the kids think I'm kind of spunky and fun for an old lady, because I don't plan to get old on the inside.

JamieSmitten said...

THIS was where I meant to post the Partridge Family song title.....