Nice Old Ladies
June 15, 2009 
I like old people.
I mean, the elderly. I mean, those in their twilight years. I mean, those who are getting along in age. I mean, seniors, and not the high school or college type.
I mean........ Old people.
I love old men. I know that sounds bad, but it's true. I love how some of them are sweet, some are ornery, and how some no longer feel the need to apologize for being set in their ways. I love old man whiskers and hands. I love seeing an old man sitting in church and shedding a tear for reasons that only he and God know.
Last weekend, however, I had the opportunity to spend a little time with some nice old ladies.
Sort of.
My father-in-law wanted to go to a nearby car show, and somehow my husband, two small children and I ended up tagging along. I really don't know why I chose to go, other than that I had a hankerin' to get out of the house and do something... Anything, really. It had been a long week of stalking my children around my sister's house, so even a car show seemed appealing.
Not that there's anything wrong with car shows. I just don't know anything about cars, especially old ones, so it wasn't the sort of thing one such as myself would normally do.
However, as we began walking down the rows of these vibrant, beautifully detailed old cars and trucks, I found myself becoming somewhat enamored with them. I found myself drawn to their deep, saturated colors, clean lines and shiny chrome.
Hey, I'm a woman who doesn't know anything about cars. One of the first questions I ask when my husband tells me about a car or truck is, "What color is it?"
Anyhow, I immediately started thinking of them as old ladies. Classy, respectable old ladies, each with their own personalities and flair.
This is Myrtle...
She grew up in Chicago and had an illustrious but brief career as a singer, but became a country doctor's wife back in 1962. Even after five children and three foster children, she never lost her girlish figure or charm. She and her husband still go dancing every Saturday night and she sings in her church choir every Sunday morning.
This is Mae...
Mae is an island girl, born and raised. Her first husband was an air force pilot. They shared a passionate, fiery romance that burned out as quickly as it had ignited. When he began spending more time drinking with his buddies than with her, she left him in the dust and traveled around the world for several years before meeting her second husband and partner for life, Pablo, while in Spain. She and Pablo returned to the islands where they now run a booming seafood restaurant, enjoy long walks on the beach and watching their grandchildren play in the surf.
In her spare time, Mae enjoys teaching hula lessons and yoga for seniors at the local health and wellness center.
Next we have Lila...
A classy lady to her core, Lila is the widow of a retired senator. As a young woman, she accompanied her husband on the campaign trail when she wasn't at home raising their two children. Almost her entire life was that of service to her family and her country, except for a wild affair she had with her best friend's older brother while in her teens. She sees him from time to time, but her loyalty still lies with her late husband and her sense of duty. Now living in Sonoma, she belongs to the orchid club and is an avid gardener, when she isn't busy with one of her many charities.
Here we have Bertha...
Bertha has lived her whole life in Queens, NY, where she spent her formative years looking over her dad's shoulder as he worked as a mechanic. After high school, she took a job as an elementary school cafeteria cook, but eventually she became the first female mechanic in three states. She loves being covered in engine oil and grease, but you'll never find her without a fresh coat of red lipstick.
Meet Dot...
She was the queen of the rodeo circuit back in the days when country wasn't cool, then used her horseback skills to become a top notch trick rider. The walls of her bedroom are adorned with pictures of her roman riding her two white stallions, Blaze and Royal, her skirt tails rippling through the air. She married her husband Jeb in her mid-40's, shortly after she ended her trick riding career. They never had children, but instead started a shelter for abused and neglected horses, where Dot now gives riding lessons and trains the horses.
Jeb still tells her how her pretty brown eyes are the window to her soul.
And last, but not least, we have Emma...
Emma grew up as a farm girl in the midwest. She met the love of her life at a young age, and they moved to Colorado shortly after they were married. They enjoyed life in the mountains for many years before moving back to the midwest to live on her husband's family farm. Emma enjoys spending time with her family, being involved in church activities, horseback riding and photography.
I don't know what it is, but I felt like Emma and I were kindred spirits. More than that, even... It's like we were the same person. Huh..... Small world.
The thing I loved the most about this ladies, like a lot of old ladies I know, was that they were just as beautiful on the inside as the outside.
They're beautiful all the way to their core, even the places that you can't always see...
I hope I'm that beautiful someday.
Reader Comments (6)
Loved this!
Very Cute!
I love Bertha! And I can defiinitely see myself behind the wheel of Emma...I love old trucks...oh, and Jeeps.
LOVED reading this. You really drew me in and kept me captivated with all the stories of these *women* and their lives!! You were definitely blessed with creativity . . and well, of course, with superb photography skills!! :) Now I want one of those old cars! LOL
Very Clever! I feel like each one has a personality. I bet if they could talk, they would have some stories to tell! I enjoyed your descriptions so much! Looks like you had a fun time out and about!
Another cute and clever post. You're really creative to look at a car show in this way. I love it.