A slightly edited repost from the past in honor of my upcoming 72nd birthday…
I came to Florida right after high school graduation, at age 17. Everywhere I looked there were old people. Of course at my age, anyone over 40 was old, including my parents.
I spent over thirty years in Florida, not all at one time, but interspersed with job related moves to other states. But there were always the old folks. Shuffling and hobbling along, dressed in outdated clothes, buried under big hats and wearing many layers of clothing.
I sat and watched them, especially the women, comfortable in my cut-off denim shorts, tank top and flip-flops, vowing I would never be that little old lady. The one who always seemed to be wearing a sweater, often a not so flattering one. Crocheted or knitted, buttoned up to the neck, swaddled in scarves.
No, I would never be that little old lady.
Fast forward to my fifties and my final move to Florida. I was semi-retired, learning to ride a motorcycle and hoping my husband could beat cancer. We ate out a lot and I always had a sweatshirt with me to fight off the cold air conditioning. I wondered how anyone could sit there in shorts and tank tops – they obviously kept the AC set too low! I could still ride my motorcycle in short sleeves if the temperature was 70 and rising for the day. In my late fifties, I toured the country on my Harley, riding in all kinds of weather including snow and ice.
Nope, I wasn’t that little old lady.
Moving into my sixties, still riding motorcycles but I discovered I was becoming a fair weather rider. First came the heated gear, then not riding if it was below 70 outside, then it was wearing a leather jacket until temps broke well into the 80’s.
As a full-time RVer, I tried to stay where it was relatively warm, negating the need for dressing in layers. Of course there were still THOSE days, the ones where it never gets out of the sixties, the sun is obscured by clouds, and the drizzle makes it feel colder and damper that it actually is.
Heading out to eat one day, I realized I never left the house without a sweatshirt or jacket. In fact, I had one sweatshirt stored on the motorcycle and one stored in our truck, just in case. I always wore it in restaurants and movie theaters.
It finally hit me.
I don’t know when or how it happened, but I WAS that little old lady!
*Previously posted February 2016.
25 thoughts on “I am that little old lady…”
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Haha – We lived in FL when were were married in the 70’s. I remember our honeymoon to the Bahamas, Miami, Ft Myers and Orlando and thinking WoW! There are a lot of white/gray haired people here…
Now… that would be us…
Yes we are….LOL!
hahaha yes I get this.. Im one of those little old ladies too. it comes around so quickly! Had a giggle. #MLSTL
Lol. But…how many of those little old ladies have a motorbike to store their sweatshirts in? I’m in my early 50s, but I must admit that after our 3rd winter in Queensland we’re now those people dressed for winter when people who come up from the southern states are in t-shirts and flip-flops.
Love your sense of humour. Happy upcoming birthday, Donna! Look forward to hearing about your birthday celebrations. #MLSTL
Donna you made me smile – I saw a lovely lightweight tiered floral skirt and crocheted co-ordinating top for sale today and realized that it was an outfit I’d have worn when I was 17. Looking at them on their hangers made me feel 17 – but the reality was that I walked away and left them there because I’m not 17 anymore (sigh!) and an almost-sixty-year-old in a flirty floral skirt was just a step too far.
Thanks for linking up with us at MLSTL and I’ve shared on my SM 🙂
I made hubby promise to tell me if I was ever dressing too young….LOL!
Hi Donna, I just moved back to Michigan after 13 years in SW Florida, so I can absolutely relate to the “old people” that are everywhere, especially during season! I’m in my 60’s now and still opt for the tank top, jean shorts and flip flops when at home, but have found that I’m slowly adapting my wardrobe to my comfort levels at this age. Old lady? Hope not. But definitely making some changes! Great post.
Brrrr, Michigan! Although I’ve always said I’d rather be in cold weather than hot since you can always add clothes but you can only take off so much and you’re still hot, I think that’s a bit too cold for me. LOL!
Hiya! it was a treat meeting you today, thank you. Honestly, this was the best giggle of the week for me and I do believe you’re my new idol – Harley rider – a secret (not so much now, I suppose) bucket list item of mine. Thank you for sharing your lovely writing. Oh, and Donna – the fact that you recognized that you might be that woman really proves that you’re not! xx
I didn’t learn to ride until I was 55 (was a happy passenger since my teens). My husband was diagnosed with cancer and he convinced me to learn so I’d have that if he didn’t beat it. He didn’t and I was thankful for riding. That’s the main reason I toured the country solo on my Harley at age 58 the year after he died. Managed 42 states, 27k miles. I even managed to ride all of Rt 66 (TN to IL to CA & back to TN) in 2013, and celebrated my 66th birthday while riding Rt 66! Hate that I finally had to give it up, balance – vision – arthritis. Now I settle for the back of our Harley trike. So go for it!!!
I’ve been carrying a pashmina to the restaurants in Florida since I was in my 30’s… they absolutely keep it too cold! Maybe to get you out the door quicker?
But the entire concept of what to wear at this stage of my life is a conundrum. I’m no longer working. Even in the last few years of more “business casual”, I still had my “uniform” of black slacks, twinset or blazer, pumps (in various colors), and great jewelry. I certainly do not want to become the cardigan lady! Now however, I often feel frumpy in the t-shirt, shorts, and flip-flops. I’m going to work on it this fall…. and figure out a few stylish layers for that restaurant scene.
At almost 72, I worry a whole lot less about what I wear. I spent many years wearing professional clothes…including slips, panty hose, camisoles, suits, heels. Now I’m happy in leggings and long shirts.
Haha, I don’t think you are the average little old lady! Riding motorcycles and traveling and living in a motor home-sounds like a pretty adventurous life to me!
Awww, thanks. I guess I will always be “that” lady, no matter my age.
Well, I have the white hair, and I officially moved to Florida this past January. I’m told it was required because of my hair color.
That is funny…enjoy Florida!
This is a lovely catch up Donna! Thank you. Denyse #mlstl
Waving HI to Denyse….
Oh you made me laugh today too. But you are lovely! I sometimes catch sight of myself in a ship window and wonder who the little old lady is looking back at me that looks so similar to me. #MLSTL and Shared on SM
Glad I could add some laughter to your day. Thanks for stopping by!
Hi Donna. Love your humorous post! My husband and I spent many years in Florida, before moving to Maine. Now that we’re retired, we’re traveling the world, and having a blast! I’m sharing this post to FB.
Traveling the world is amazing…we haven’t done enough of it but fear the budget limits us now. Enjoy!!
Amazing how that happens!! Smokey Bear and I are the same age…..75!!
We are strong women, aren’t we!