Pink Think: “As long as I’m having fun, I’m not quitting.” – Sue Johanson
Several days ago, Madonna, the singer, was in the paper because she turned 50.
In the newspaper photo, she was wearing a black tank top which was see-through at the midriff. I was admiring her well-sculpted arm muscles and told my husband, “Wow, doesn’t she look good for being 50?”
He looked at it and said, “Nah, she just looks 50.”
“But she’s all muscular,” I sputtered.
“They’re a 50-year-old’s arms,” he said.
“When I’m 50,” I said, “will you tell me I look 50?”
“Probably.”
I scowled.
“Anyway, this isn’t about you,” he said. “It’s about her. She shouldn’t be dressing like that anymore.”
“And how exactly should a 50 year old dress like?” I asked.
“I don’t know. But not like a 20 year old.”
“I shop at the junior section at the store,” I pointed out. “And my capris are hip huggers. Just because that’s the style now.”
“That’s okay,” he said. “She just looks like she’s…trying too hard. She ought to quit while she’s ahead. Just look at Kansas. They used to be one of the best bands, but now they perform for free at community colleges. That’s just sad.”
***
A few days later, I went to Zim’s, an art store, to buy colored pencils for my oldest daughter. I knew they were going out of business and asked an employee why. He said they were still making a profit, but they wanted to quit while they were ahead.
I thought of Madonna. Maybe my husband was right.
But then the other morning when I was deadheading my garden, I noticed my neighbor across the street had pulled out all her annuals from her flower bed. I had been admiring her flowers for some time now this summer, and when I saw that the flower bed was clean but bare-looking, with just some proper-looking bushes, I felt really sad.
My flowers in the garden are still blooming, even though they are past their prime. But they can still give me pleasure late into the season.
***
Would I want to be remembered at the height of my powers, or do I want to fade into old age? When is it a good time to quit? I’m not sure, but I certainly don’t want to just because I have 50-year-old arms.
I remember being in high school in the 1980s and thinking how outrageous Madonna was but at the same time loving her songs “Borderline,” “Crazy for You” and “Material Girl”.
Now that she’s 50, and still going at it, I kinda admire her.
Follow
I think agewise, never quitting would not be a bad idea: Those ninety year old women who swim the English Channel are awesome. Otherwise, quitting while you’re still a little ahead sounds good.
First of all, thanks for reminding me to tend my garden this morning. Also, I think Madonna looks better than most twenty year olds and I’d rather see the outline of her midriff than the exposed ‘muffin tops’ of the girls around here.
There’s something to be said for showmanship, but really folks, 50 ain’t old. Maybe it’s a fetish, but I think older women can still be hot – if they make the effort.
Course Madonna’s kind of scary.
Have to say, I agree with your husband about Madonna. I just saw a video of her where she was prancing around in almost nothing, and all I could think was: You could be a grandmother. When are you going to grow up?
But yeah, I always leave my flowers in until they’re almost dead.
Q: Wow, swimming the English channel at 90! I think the key is to not rest on your laurels, and to keep striving to be better.
Serena: You are welcome 🙂 I tend mine when I just absolutely cannot stand it any longer.
I positively admire women who carry their age well. Takes some effort to get there, though, like V says.
Though if you are blessed with the genes like Raquel Welch, you’d probably still be beautiful regardless of how old you get:-).
V: I was glad to see Madonna settle down to some respectability after her 1990’s craziness.
50?!!! Wow!
So, I’m trying to revive my writing blog. haha My Queen of Chaos blog gets all the attention. Now that kids are in school I can focus on it more and my writing. 🙂
Madonna bashing seems to be the flavour du jour.
I will not be a part of it!
She is sacred and I hope to look as good as she does at 50.
There, I feel better now.
Elizabeth, waiting to go see her in October for the first time, floor seats!
PS BPV older women ARE hot.
I prefer an older man as well.
That’s a really good point. But Madonna is Madonna. By the time all the 20-year olds are 50, they’ll be critisizing 70 year olds for wearing tank tops and tight jeans.
Janette: Yeah, I honestly think she should leave her pants on more.
Autumn: Nice typewriter 🙂 I’m with you…I have more time now during the day to um, write fiction… yeah, right. 🙂
Elizabeth: Glad you feel better :-)Have fun at the concert!
Blonde Duck: Yeah, I’m not too sure how I’ll feel about it when I turn 50 myself.
I saw some pictures of Helen Mirren in one of those dreadful gossip rags you see at the grocery store. She was vacationing with her husband and she was wearing a two piece suit.
She looked fantastic.
I think Madonna looks good for fifty, too, but she does seem a little too thin.But, who am I to criticize.
You are absolutely right, Prince.
Madonna probably looks better than most women younger than her.
Heck, she looks better than ME in a two-piece suit! Not that anybody (but my husband) will ever know:-).
(Thanks so far to all with your respectful comments. My husband lurks, but never comments, so he is not able to defend himself. On his behalf, thank you!)
I’m on the side of–if you love doing something, why stop? Unless, what you loved was the fame it brought you and in that case you’d better quit while you’re ahead.
On the other hand I don’t appreciate anyone dancing around practically naked, no matter how great their bodies are and no matter what age they are!
Well said, Shanna. Thanks for the comment.
Getting old sucks, but it inspires me when people take care of themselves and continue to put their best self forward–inside and out. I think that’s all we can do. I admire many things about Madonna, but I have to agree that she could dress a bit MORE 🙂 and still be as powerful and inspiring. I hope my garden blooms for a long time–better go do my crunches.
Josi, I love that concept, of not only improving the outside, but the inside as well! They BOTH make for a lasting kind of beauty.
My ex-husband left me to find a younger woman just before I “expired” by turning age 35 and could no longer fit in a size 6.
Maybe your husband should give him a call. They seem to have a lot in common.
Personally, I have no intention of giving up just because some man thinks I’m too old to be worthwhile.
Would your husband declare invalid the work of Grandma Moses because she was old and ugly when she began her work?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grandma_moses
And is it different for a man?
Would he say the same of Sean Connery (who was voted sexiest man of the year by Time magazine when he was over 60)? Or is it okay because Connery is male?
Would he have participated in the witch burnings to get rid of older, non-sexy, influential women who were threatening to the “old boys’ club” men in the community?
I’m no Madonna fan, but good for her to be out there still looking that good.
My fear of stopping while I’m ahead is that maybe I’m not really ahead. Maybe the good stuff is still around the corner and I’ll miss it if I stop.
If I’m about to take a nose dive, like Brittney Spears, please stop me. That’s just embarassing.
A paperback writer: He probably would also say Sean Connery shouldn’t go around with a halter top and bare midriff. Eww, what a thought 🙂
Melinda: Don’t we all want to know what lies ahead in the future?
Really guys and gals, my husband’s not the jerk that I inadvertently make him out to be. 🙂
(Sorry Drew. Love ya lots!)