Sunday 3 October 2010

Men of a certain age

When I looked at these pictures that were taken at our anniversary party, it struck me how my husband and Denise's husband were wearing very similar polo shirts, it's obviously a fashion statement for me of a certain age ;-)
Then I noticed how Denise and I were both wearing a similar shade of purple and it reminded me of a poem I had read about ladies growing older. Now before I quote this poem, I have to point out that neither Denise or I are anywhere near the age that is referred to in the poem it's just the colour that prompted the connection. However, I do like the thought of acting inappropriately and getting away with it!

When I am an Old Woman I shall wear purple
by Jenny Joseph
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 candles and say we have 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 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
You can wear terrible shirts and grow more fat
and eat three pounds of sausages at a go
or only bread and pickles for a week
and hoard pens and pencils and beer nuts and things in boxes
But now we must have clothes that keep us dry
and pay our rent and not swear in the street
and set a good example for the children
We must have friends for dinner and read the papers
But maybe I ought to practice a little now?
So people who know me are not too shocked and surprised
When suddenly I am old, and start to wear purple

8 comments:

Deb @ PaperTurtle said...

Love the layout and the poem, Deb. Enjoy your Sunday! xo

scrappyjacky said...

I just love that poem,Deb....did you know you can get scrapbook supplies to go with it!! Great LO as well.

Maria Ontiveros said...

I've always loved that poem and hadn't read it in quite a while - thanks for sharing it! And I love the l/o - great title and love the flag detail in upper left hand corner.
Rinda

Sian said...

Yes, I'm looking forward to living the poem! I like the way you think.

Jennifer Grace said...

Love the page, especially the bunting, it's cute and fun. The poem is very funny. And come on, you must already be doing one of the other things in the poem - as a scrapbooker and someone who works in a school you must have a hoard of pens and pencils! I know I do! No beernuts though! xxx

Anonymous said...

I must agree with your observations about the polo shirt - while I was at the crop on Saturday David went on a solo shopping trip and came back with a horizontally striped polo.

I can remember studying that poem for my A leve Literacy course many, many years ago.

You know how much I love that page.

Scrappi Sandi said...

I have always loved that poem..is there a Red Hat club near you? I know there's one in Essex 'for ladies of a certain age'!!! I think it would be great fun!!

I know what you mean about the 'polo' shirt...my DH started wearing them in the 80's & now they make up 90% of his wardrobe!!! Fab LO!!

humel said...

I've been wearing purple for years - I don't yet have a red hat though.....

My Australian aunt belongs to a club for 'women of a certain age', and they call it the Red Hat Club!