Judy Price is Writing

“Age is just a number”, my daughter assures me! 

At her age I could have said the same thing, and believed it.

Throughout my youth I always dated boys/young men older than me.

In fact, I was barely out of my teens when I married my first husband, who was three years my senior.  It just seemed that with my maturity level this was the natural order of things.

When almost three decades of marriage ended and I re-entered the dating scene, I once again gravitated to men older than me.  Only now I seemed much too young for them!

At this stage of life’s journey, my age expectations are almost non-existent, provided the younger men whose company I find myself enjoying have no problem with my number.

Some believe I am their junior until they determine the reverse to be true, and then cannot handle the possibility of being with ‘an older woman’. 

Others don’t give age a thought.

The men who date women a decade or two, or even three, younger than their own ages, would never refer to themselves as ‘predators’ or ‘dirty old men’, as some women perceive them to be. 

Yet, when these same men view women dating in a similar fashion, some label them ’cougars’, which conjures a negative image of ‘huntresses’ on the prowl for young males.  

Once again the old male-female double standard adage rears its head! 

The first time I was referred to as ‘an older woman’, while my daughter wondered aloud whether a seven year age difference would be problematic for a man she thought might be a good match for me, I looked around the room to see where this ‘older woman’ could be hiding!

Since I feel ageless most days, and genetics have been kind to me, I do keep them guessing, at least for a while.

Then, when I refer to my ‘first’ husband in conversation I usually get a double-take. 

If asked whether I have a second (or third) husband I answer, “Not yet!”

Or, on a shy day/date, I might reply, “I am my former husband’s first wife since he has a second wife, which makes him my first husband”.

In retrospect, he actually might end up to be my ‘starter’ husband

Couldn’t let this date slip away without a Happy Independence Day wish to all of my American friends and neighbors wherever you may be located!

Just know I did a little celebrating myself today on this perfectly beautiful summer’s Monday.

My attire wore a bit of red, white and blue to honor you. 

Of course some hiking was included which was satisfying enough, although less arduous than on Canada Day

Yesterday marked the 144^th anniversary of the confederation of my birth country.

No better way for me to celebrate that perfect summer’s day than hiking through forests alongside waterfalls, traversing up and down the rocky escarpment in Ontario, my provincial birthplace and home.

When I decide to undertake a 20+km trek on a hot sunny day, I don and tilt my Tilley hat as I begin my adventure.

I’ve mentioned before that I feel a little like Indiana Jones when I gear up this way. 

Since I am not from Indiana nor is my last name Jones . . .  well, you get the picture

By the way, as businesses were closed on this Canadian holiday, I have no idea whether or not my province’s costs increased yesterday!

I do know that Will and Kate, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, graced my nation’s capital city which, for those of you who are unfamiliar with Canada, is also located in Ontario. 

Their royal presence alone ups our value considerably! 

We treasure and appreciate them.

The charming prince and his bride having chosen Canada for their first official overseas visit as a married couple, is indeed a priceless gesture

A very Happy Canada Day to all, belated yet no less sincere!