"When I am an old woman I shall wear purple
With a red hat that doesn't go, and doesn't suit me,
And I shall spend my pension
on brandy and summer gloves
And satin sandals,
and say we've no money for butter.
I shall sit down on the pavement when I am tired,
And gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells,
And run my stick along the public railings,
And make up for the sobriety of my youth.
I shall go out in my slippers in the rain
And pick the flowers in other people's gardens,
And learn to spit."
- an extract from 'Warning' by Jenny Joseph.
My vase celebrates today's milestone which sees me officially morphing into a senior citizen! A most sobering thought! Where did all those years go? I can assure you that the lily of the valley and geum in my vase were not picked from other people's gardens but from my own. Just like the flowers depict I really am a sweet 'old' lady but do watch out. Tomorrow I'm off to give my new older concessionary bus pass its maiden outing on a excursion to buy a red hat. You and the flowers in your garden have been suitably warned.
The vase is one of set of five different colours, a fairly recent gift from my sister who will no doubt enjoy teasing me about my new status.
As always a most heartful thank you to Cathy over at 'Rambling In The Garden' for hosting 'In A Vase On Monday'. Do visit and see what delights she and other bloggers are displaying in their vases today.
P.S. Just to clarify that I've not just had a birthday but yesterday was the date that the state declared me to be an 'old age pensioner' 😄
My mum always picked me a posy of lily of the valley for my birthday so seeing this make me think of her. I’ve had a bus pass for some time now,
ReplyDeleteOh no! I missed it! Why haven't I got it on the calendar? Shame on me and big apologies, Anna - and 'many happy returns' (whatever that means!). I hope you have had a lovely day despite the downpour. Strangely, it was this poem that popped into my head when I saw your title, but little did I guess... I look forward to seeing a very different Anna in June, with her red hat and satin sandals - but please ask before you pick any flowers from the garden ps and I would rather you didn't spit... pps your vase is lovely :)
ReplyDeleteI am with you on the senior train, and yes, it is very sobering. You see life so differently from the latter years than from the beginning or middle. I like the view better, but not the aches and pains.
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday, Anna!!! Age is just a number. What's considered a "senior" here is quite variable. The AARP's number is 55 but most senior discounts don't pop in until at least 60 and, recently, often later still. My own b-day falls at the end of the month but I was mandatorily switched to Medicare status on May 1st, which actually came a bit of a shock even though I'd been bombarded with Medigap offers and paperwork for a couple of months in advance.
ReplyDeleteBeen there, got the tee shirt. If's quite nice really to get to the age where you don't care what people think. But please don't learn to spit. I love your lilies of the valley, they look lovely in the green glass vase.
ReplyDeleteThat's a lovely little vase of sweetness and scent. I know its not your birthday! Why because we no longer get our pension at 60....now it must be 65+...I got mine just a few week ago....I would still rather ride my bike to town to get my shopping, its keeping me young. Therefore we must only be weeks apart in age! When I am old I shall wear bright colours so that I can been seen, and spend all my pocket money on plants!
ReplyDeleteOh the joy of the free bus pass! And the even greater joy of lily of the valley! We have both put our lovelies in green glass and it sets them off beautifully! Amanda
ReplyDeleteAh, a milestone. I've always loved that poem and am working towards it! Please post a picture of the red hat.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the bus pass Anna! I hope the red hat will feature on your blog soon! ;-) Love the vase too.
ReplyDelete