INTRO
Today's Social Saturday guest is the lovely Donna from dbmcnicol.com . She's another one of the wonderful women I've connected with through the AtoZ Challenge. Meeting fabulous Midlife bloggers has been such a great byproduct of the AtoZ - and Donna is not just a blogger, she's also an author of some reknown - you can check out her novels when you click on her blog link.
In between riding motorbikes, living the RV life, doting on her Golden Doodles, and generally being amazing, today Donna is talking about what getting older means to her - she has such a great attitude and I think we can all learn from her example.
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| Those doted upon Doodles |
AGE LABELS
Age milestone markers...first we can’t wait to be thirteen, marked as a teenager. Then eighteen, a sign of adulthood. But it was official when we turned that magical age of twenty-one. Moving forward, we cringed at thirty, more at forty and by fifty we are wondering if this is all there is. Sixty labels us as senior citizens. Seventy? Well, we’re definitely on the downhill side of the hill – a hill we might never have noticed.Do you remember how you thought about your parents and grandparents when you were young? Why, they were ancient, old-fashioned, and didn’t understand life. That passed when you moved into adulthood, often with children of your own. Did you ever call your parents and apologize for what you put them through as a kid? How about that moment when your realize your doctors were young enough to be your kids?
CHANGING DECADES
It’s all in your head, age that is. Well, according to the pundits anyway. Age is just a number. You’re only as old as you feel. We’ve heard it all before. Fifty is the new thirty. Sixty is the new forty. Is seventy the new fifty? Sorry, but I don’t care.I turned seventy last year and I was so excited. Why? I’m really not sure why but traditional milestones didn’t seem to affect me quite the same. Turning thirty didn’t bother me as much as turning thirty-one. Hmmmm. Forty passed without notice and at fifty I was recovering from a hysterectomy. Sixty meant I could collect social security as a widow. Sixty-five meant I qualified for Medicare.
So turning seventy prompted me to create my own graphic to celebrate the birthday. Heck, I figure if I was never middle-aged, that was always ten years older than me, then I can’t possibly be a senior citizen, can I?
IS IT ALL GOOD NEWS?
Have things changed? Absolutely! I used to have boundless energy. Now after five hours of being active, I need a rest of a couple of hours. I can’t stand for more than 15-30 minutes without back pain. Hot flashes, insomnia, a changing body shape, hair disappearing in some places and reappearing where you wish it wouldn’t, wondering which is worse – your hearing, your vision or maybe your memory. Yeah, all those and more.But there is an upside. I don’t worry near as much about what others may think. If I’m happy with my appearance, and hubby is as well, then all is good. I used to look at my hair from four directions before I’d leave the house. Now I run my fingers through it and off I go. I dress for comfort with a wink at fashion. I don’t own a pair of heels, a suit or panty hose. SPANX® will never be a part of my wardrobe. Manicures and pedicures are rare, although if I could only do one, it would be the pedicure – just for the foot massage!
WHAT LIES AHEAD?
My priorities and interests have changed over the years. When I was in my twenties, it was surviving day to day and taking care of my family. In my thirties, family was still important but my career was just starting. By the forties, my career was on the way up and took most of my focus. Fifties was a time of change, new career and a new way of living. My sixties brought new transitions, a new time for me. Seventy? Who knows? But I’m sure it will be as full of adventure as I can pack it – every minute of it!WHAT ABOUT YOU?
If you didn't click on the link in Donna's last paragraph, I'll wait while you do - and while you read it. Her life is such a testament to making the best out of what comes her way. Are you living each decade to the max?
Donna and where you can find her:
Donna McNicol is a retired grandmother who has traveled the country by RV and Harley-Davidson, and is now writing romance and mystery novels from her home in Tennessee where she lives with her husband and two Goldendoodles, Cooper and Murphy.
Author website/blog: https://dbmcnicol.com
Personal website/blog: https://ourprimeyears.com
Facebook author page: https://facebook.com/dbmcnicol
Facebook: Klondike Myserty Series: https://facebook.com/KlondikeMysteries
BookBub author page: https://bookbub.com/authors/d-b-mcnicol
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DBMcNicol
Donna and where you can find her:
Donna McNicol is a retired grandmother who has traveled the country by RV and Harley-Davidson, and is now writing romance and mystery novels from her home in Tennessee where she lives with her husband and two Goldendoodles, Cooper and Murphy.Personal website/blog: https://ourprimeyears.com
Facebook author page: https://facebook.com/dbmcnicol
Facebook: Klondike Myserty Series: https://facebook.com/KlondikeMysteries
BookBub author page: https://bookbub.com/authors/d-b-mcnicol
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DBMcNicol
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Love your attitude and energy. Very inspiring and motivating. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteShe's amazing isn't she Janet - I feel like I need to up my game to try and keep pace!
DeleteThank you, Janet. I'm now the oldest in our family, so guess I'm trying to set a good example. ;)
DeleteHi, Donna - I swear that Janet stole my comment...even though she wrote it before I read your post! That's EXACTLY what I was going to say. I LOVE your attitude and find it VERY inspiring. I turn 60 in a couple of weeks. I now say, Bring. It. On!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like turning 60 is just dipping your toes in the water Donna - imagine what you'll be doing by the time you're turning 70! I get so excited when I see what could be possible with the right can-do attitude :)
DeleteBring it on, indeed!! There is so much good in life - continue to celebrate it!
DeleteWOW!! What an inspirational woman you are Donna! To have picked yourself up and done all you have done with selling homes, driving all those thousands of miles, learning to ride a Harley and to drive and park an RV is gob smacking. I thought I was a bit over the top until I read about your exploits. I take my hat off to you. You may not have done it all, but you’re not far from it!
ReplyDeleteP.S. I’m Leanne’s naughty Mum.
She has definitely set the bar really high for the rest of us hasn't she Mum? You're doing pretty well - but I don't see you jumping on a Harley any time soon - and I can't reverse park my car - let alone an RV!! I love that there are amazing women like Donna out there showing us what we can achieve if we don't set limits on ourselves.
DeleteAh, Faye!! I loved reading about your exploits. I'm friended with both Leanne and Sue on Facebook. If you're over there, send me a request. Love to keep up to date and maybe chat from time to time. You are an inspiration to me - so there! LOL!
DeleteAnother great read Leanne, and Donna is certainly a woman who knows how to live - I love her graphic 70 is too slow, I'm going for 80! That made me laugh :) I must remember that for a few decades time! Thanks to you both for sharing!
ReplyDeleteHI Debbie, I love not being tied up in social attitudes about aging. Life is for the living!!
DeleteDonna is leaving me for dead Deb! I'm definitely feeling the need to lift my game and start living life at a faster number on the speedo - life is short and there's still a lot to pack in :)
DeleteDonna, I remember reading your story on Sue's Blog at Sizzlin Over Sixty. I cannot imagine being widowed at such a young age. But, you pulled yourself together quite nicely and moved forward. Kudos to you for being open to love and sharing your life again. I hope you are still riding that Harley at 80 and beyond!
ReplyDeleteHi Suzanne, glad you enjoyed both reads. I no longer ride two wheels but do still ride with hubby (and sometimes on my own) on our Harley-Davidson Tri-Glide (3 wheeler). Life is good! Savor every moment...
DeleteI think Donna summed it up with "savor every moment" Suzanne - I love that life can throw you curve balls, but it doesn't mean you throw up your hands, give up, and curl up in a ball somewhere - I love that Donna shows you can keep moving forward and do some amazing stuff!
DeleteHi Donna! Nice to meet you and I agree with everyone else who has commented that you are a GREAT example of aging in a positive way. I think the more of us who write about it and talk to others about it are a real key to changing people's minds about getting older. May your next 10 years be as exciting and fulfilling as the last. ~Kathy
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kathy. You hit on exactly why I wrote for both Leanne and Sue. I follow several blogs from theirs and while mid-life is past in years, I still feel young (well, most of the time). I intend to continue enjoying it as best I can.
DeleteI think we're definitely going to have to re-define the term "Midlife" aren't we? I'm thinking 50 - 80 might be a better age range because all these 60 and 70 year olds are living life to the full and the rest of us are barely keeping up! It's so reassuring that life just continues to get better!
DeleteHi Donna lovely to see you at Leanne's Social Saturday inspiring us all with your amazing outlook on life. xx
ReplyDeleteThank, Sue. I'm so happy to have met both you and Leanne online! Definitely has enriched my life.
DeleteI loved Donna's post on your site Sue (hence the link!) and was so pleased she agreed to guest post for me too - there's always something to learn isn't there?
DeleteGreat post Donna, I agree with you about the benefits of being in our 70's. I don't care about my hair as well, no heels, no suits, just comfy. When I turned 60, the government started paying me every month because I'm older. Love it :) And I banned the label 'senior citizen' from my vocabulary. Thanks for sharing with us.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely, Lise! So much good about this age...thanks for stopping by to read and comment!
DeleteI'm looking forward to the government giving me back some of my taxes down the track Lise - not sure if I'll manage to qualify for anything but I'll be very happy to take what's on offer - and I've joined our Senior Cits Club and laugh at the thought of being old enough to be a member!
DeleteAs always Donna I find you inspiring. Turning 30 was no biggie for me but turning 35 had me a mess. Of course at that time my life was a mess. None of the other big milestones have phased me though I am kind of not feeling it for turning 70 in 2 yrs. lol
ReplyDeleteAge is definitely a state of mind Victoria - you and Donna don't sound anywhere near old enough to be looking at 70! You both feel younger than me and I haven't even reached 60 yet - you'll be rocking 80 and I'll be riding on your coattails!
DeleteYou will rock 70! I know you will...it's so freeing, hard to explain but exhilarating to experience.
DeleteHi Leanne, Age is indeed a number. Every person is different in her or his own way. And the rule of thumb is: whoever and whatever we are, be happy, now and always!
ReplyDelete-- bpradeepnair.blogspot.com
So very, very true....
DeleteAnd if we find people like Donna who are forging the way ahead then I think we jump on their bandwagon Pradeep :)
DeleteI figure age is just a number that we can wear as a cross or we can ignore the rules on and just do as we please. I've reached an age where I'm still outlasting the teenagers I work with. Yeah!!!!!! I realize our bodies sometimes remind us but we just adjust and move on.
ReplyDeleteGood for you, Lee! Thanks for stopping by to read and comment.
DeleteYou're so right Lee - as soon as we start letting a number dictate how we should be living, we start slowing down and it's the beginning of the end. Keep outlasting those teenagers!
DeleteMy kind of role model, thanks Donna. Your smile alone melts away a few decades and your attitude does the rest. I love your graphic as well. We will feature your post in the next Blogger's Pit Stop to encourage those who call themselves middle-aged, what ever that is.
ReplyDeleteKathleen
Thanks so much for the feature Kathleen - Donna is certainly an inspiration and sharing her on Bloggers Pitstop is a kindness to your readers :)
DeleteOh. Donna, I want to be you when I grow up! My mother and her sisters had great attitudes about aging--they just got on with it, as you do. Ever since I began reading Cresting the Hill, I've found so much inspiration from Leanne and her community.
ReplyDelete