Fifty is the new fifty

A few thoughts on turning 50. Being a baby boomer, I do not feel “fifty” in the sense that I viewed 50 when I was a teenager. Back then 50 was practically old age. People who were 50 were responsible men and women who provided for their families, worked for the same company for most of their careers, played golf and bridge, and drank martinis. They certainly did not have small children, go wind-surfing or snowboarding, or go to Burning Man.

There’s no doubt that people are acting younger these days, and I’m a firm believer in the “use it or lose it” theory. Just look at someone like George MacLeod, who is in his 80s and is out in the vineyard pruning his vines [see this month’s Journey to Harvest on page 14.] I know a man who is 87 and flies his own airplane around the country, pounding in the stakes to tie it down on dirt runways. My uncles are notorious for trying to out-ski one another on black runs.

Baby boomers like to say that, “Fifty is the new 30.” But I’m not really sure I subscribe to that theory either. For example, I’m very happy that my children are college-age and not grade-schoolers. And if 50 is the new 30, does that give 30-year olds license to act like teenagers? Does that mean we have to work until we’re 85 before we can retire? God, I hope not! If 50 is the new 30, then why do I have so many annoying little aches and pains? [Don’t worry, I won’t start listing them…yet!] I can hardly stay awake past 10 p.m., I don’t do Facebook, and I have no interest in reality TV, which seriously limits my knowledge of popular culture.

Maybe I’m the face of the new 50, which looks a lot like the old 50 – a middle-aged woman, patiently waiting for my kids to provide me with grandchildren [but not too soon, please!] I do like a martini, and I’m looking forward to the day when I can retire, buy an RV, and see America. To that end, if there is some 30-ish journalist/entrepreneur out there, or even a young 50-ish one, interested in buying a small-town newspaper, give me a call! – AQP

Note: The deadline to apply for a Kenwood Firemen’s Association scholarship is March 15. For an application or information, contact the Fire Department at 833-2042.