Living Well

When I was a little girl,
there was a long list of all
the things “nice girls” could
and could not do. There was
another list of what “Ladies”
should and should not do. Do
you know that ladies do not
sweat; they “glow.”

If there is a list for crones,
I have not been presented with it
yet. So after a lifetime of rebelling
against and conforming to the demands
of others, I’m thinking of buying a
big red hat. This hat must be elaborate,
outrageous, non-conforming. I’m
going to wear it as a reminder to
avoid “shoulds.” Know where I can
get a big red hat? There are lots
of people who need one.