Well, my self-proclaimed title of oldest blogger has been challenged. Who am I kidding? It's been lambasted, whipped, crushed, vanquished, beat out, threshed, trounced, flogged, cut down, chewed up, mopped up, bashed, beaten, buried, busted, clobbered, crushed, drubbed, licked, made mincemeat of, pommeled, put away and routed: in other words I have lost the title.
The first victor I heard about was 97, now I hear of a woman who was still blogging the day before she died at the age of 108. My impression of being the oldest blogger began when I realized I was the oldest blogger on PNN– Personal News Network, the water cooler for women. http://Lynamber.PMM.com
Most of the women on that blogsite seem to be between 20 and 50 something. When I initially went on PNN, I was afraid my age would create a separation between me and all the lovely young women on that youth-oriented blogsite. Happily, I found that it doesn't--I have had more than one of them say "I want you for my mentor."
One of those young women made a statement about wanting to eliminate agism. Yes, a noble plan – agism is insidious and hurtful in many places and ways, particularly in the job market. I can't believe that people in their fifties are being aged out of the desirable bracket for hiring. I was just coming into my own and becoming a valuable resource to the schools that hired me in my fifties! However, I think a more helpful social change might be a return to the respect once afforded older generations, and a recognition of all they still have to offer.
I usually refer to my age in my blogs. It is deliberate. I am proud to be the age I am –76– and all the living and learning that implies. I hope I have a bit more wisdom than I did years ago, and I am always delighted to have anybody benefit from that. It shouldn't go to waste. One of my grandsons says "Give me a little of that wisdom, Grandma." Another grandson lives with the Snoqualmie Indian tribe, and has learned the Native American tradition of respect for one's elders.
Additionally, I am not at all insulted when young people offer me their arms or hold a door open for me. So what if it reminds me that I am growing older and more feeble? I DO need help.
A recent long plane trip was made far more bearable by all the sweet young men who offered their arms to lean on, or to help carry my luggage for me. One even offered to push the airport wheelchair to my parting gate if the attendant didn't show up in time!
Would I rather be young and sexy again and have them approach me with other intentions? Probably not. That was fun, but this stage of life has its perks, too.
So, with some disappointment, I cede the title I never really had.. But– I still am learning something new almost everyday. Who knows where it will lead? [rc]
Lyn Burnstine
grammylyn1@gmail.com
August 29, 2009
USA: Oldest Blogger– NOT
.
POUGHKEEPSIE, New York / The LynAmberTimes.PNN.com / August 29, 2009
By Lyn Burnstine
Well, my self-proclaimed title of oldest blogger has been challenged. Who am I kidding? It's been lambasted, whipped, crushed, vanquished, beat out, threshed, trounced, flogged, cut down, chewed up, mopped up, bashed, beaten, buried, busted, clobbered, crushed, drubbed, licked, made mincemeat of, pommeled, put away and routed: in other words I have lost the title.
The first victor I heard about was 97, now I hear of a woman who was still blogging the day before she died at the age of 108. My impression of being the oldest blogger began when I realized I was the oldest blogger on PNN– Personal News Network, the water cooler for women. http://Lynamber.PMM.com
Most of the women on that blogsite seem to be between 20 and 50 something. When I initially went on PNN, I was afraid my age would create a separation between me and all the lovely young women on that youth-oriented blogsite. Happily, I found that it doesn't--I have had more than one of them say "I want you for my mentor."
One of those young women made a statement about wanting to eliminate agism. Yes, a noble plan – agism is insidious and hurtful in many places and ways, particularly in the job market. I can't believe that people in their fifties are being aged out of the desirable bracket for hiring. I was just coming into my own and becoming a valuable resource to the schools that hired me in my fifties! However, I think a more helpful social change might be a return to the respect once afforded older generations, and a recognition of all they still have to offer.
I usually refer to my age in my blogs. It is deliberate. I am proud to be the age I am –76– and all the living and learning that implies. I hope I have a bit more wisdom than I did years ago, and I am always delighted to have anybody benefit from that. It shouldn't go to waste. One of my grandsons says "Give me a little of that wisdom, Grandma." Another grandson lives with the Snoqualmie Indian tribe, and has learned the Native American tradition of respect for one's elders.
Additionally, I am not at all insulted when young people offer me their arms or hold a door open for me. So what if it reminds me that I am growing older and more feeble? I DO need help.
A recent long plane trip was made far more bearable by all the sweet young men who offered their arms to lean on, or to help carry my luggage for me. One even offered to push the airport wheelchair to my parting gate if the attendant didn't show up in time!
Would I rather be young and sexy again and have them approach me with other intentions? Probably not. That was fun, but this stage of life has its perks, too.
So, with some disappointment, I cede the title I never really had.. But– I still am learning something new almost everyday. Who knows where it will lead? [rc]
Lyn Burnstine
grammylyn1@gmail.com
Well, my self-proclaimed title of oldest blogger has been challenged. Who am I kidding? It's been lambasted, whipped, crushed, vanquished, beat out, threshed, trounced, flogged, cut down, chewed up, mopped up, bashed, beaten, buried, busted, clobbered, crushed, drubbed, licked, made mincemeat of, pommeled, put away and routed: in other words I have lost the title.
The first victor I heard about was 97, now I hear of a woman who was still blogging the day before she died at the age of 108. My impression of being the oldest blogger began when I realized I was the oldest blogger on PNN– Personal News Network, the water cooler for women. http://Lynamber.PMM.com
Most of the women on that blogsite seem to be between 20 and 50 something. When I initially went on PNN, I was afraid my age would create a separation between me and all the lovely young women on that youth-oriented blogsite. Happily, I found that it doesn't--I have had more than one of them say "I want you for my mentor."
One of those young women made a statement about wanting to eliminate agism. Yes, a noble plan – agism is insidious and hurtful in many places and ways, particularly in the job market. I can't believe that people in their fifties are being aged out of the desirable bracket for hiring. I was just coming into my own and becoming a valuable resource to the schools that hired me in my fifties! However, I think a more helpful social change might be a return to the respect once afforded older generations, and a recognition of all they still have to offer.
I usually refer to my age in my blogs. It is deliberate. I am proud to be the age I am –76– and all the living and learning that implies. I hope I have a bit more wisdom than I did years ago, and I am always delighted to have anybody benefit from that. It shouldn't go to waste. One of my grandsons says "Give me a little of that wisdom, Grandma." Another grandson lives with the Snoqualmie Indian tribe, and has learned the Native American tradition of respect for one's elders.
Additionally, I am not at all insulted when young people offer me their arms or hold a door open for me. So what if it reminds me that I am growing older and more feeble? I DO need help.
A recent long plane trip was made far more bearable by all the sweet young men who offered their arms to lean on, or to help carry my luggage for me. One even offered to push the airport wheelchair to my parting gate if the attendant didn't show up in time!
Would I rather be young and sexy again and have them approach me with other intentions? Probably not. That was fun, but this stage of life has its perks, too.
So, with some disappointment, I cede the title I never really had.. But– I still am learning something new almost everyday. Who knows where it will lead? [rc]
Lyn Burnstine
grammylyn1@gmail.com
