This short composition is inspired by a great article in the New York Times (see below link), which in turn was inspired by a book called “Stupid Things I Won’t Do When I Get Old”, yet to read by this writer.
One thing that caught my attention was the NYT author’s mention that she no longer dyed her hair. The author is 80. At 67 and a redhead I have never dyed my hair! In fact this may well be engraved on my tombstone “She never dyed her hair”. Why have I never dyed my hair ? Well my complexion of very fair skin, freckles, and with an anti sun complex, does not really suit anything else but my ginger mop! I also have to confess that with such sensitive skin I was always afraid that if I did use a colour that it would have a violent reaction and I would lose my thick, rusty locks and end up bald. Redheads or at least the ginger nut variety don’t seem to go grey but fade to a pale strawberry blond and it is some poetic justice for all the carrot top jokes one has to endure at school ( at least at my English primary school).
Also, since I moved to Calamity Farm and started working from home, my make-up bag has been sorely neglected. I have to confess the emergence of Zoom meetings has made me more conscious and forced me to update my mascaras etc as they don’t like being left lonely and discarded for a decade apparently.
So I like to think I am ageing gracefully au natural! Lockdown permitting I do try and keep my hair in some sort of modern shorter cut. I have become a great fan of bright coloured wide headbands and for some bizarre reason I am a stickler for being coloured coordinated. My country bumpkin baggy attire does at least match! I will readily admit that Helen Mirren, Judi Dench, and Meryl Streep are ageing somewhat more gracefully than me but rather than the paparazzi, my audience consists of Highland cattle, pigs, sheep and many Border collies, the latter only care if I am able to throw a ball, drive them to beach and forest and pat them! If I had a redheaded hero that did age with passion and grace it has to be Lucille Balle.
I am also following many of the tips in this link so watch out Helen!
