ENID — Here it is the second day of the month and I’m just finding out February is “Spunky Old Broads Month!” It’s a whole month dedicated to the spunky broads out there —refusing to be defined by age and who are enjoying life to the fullest.

These are women embracing the second half of their lives with a sense of freedom that comes from having lived long enough to no longer give a hoot what others think; women who have reached the age of liberation in thought, word and deed; women ready to practice the three Rs: reinvention, regeneration and revitalization.

As Maxine (Hallmark’s own spunky old broad) says, “You’re never too old to really hurt yourself trying something new.”

In my youth, I never imagined I would someday think of 60 as being a good (and fun!) age. My grandmothers, both in their 40s and 50s during my childhood, seemed pretty old and settled to me, what with the house dresses, aprons and sensible shoes. I mean, it’s absolutely “epic,” as my grandson, Will, would say, how our lives have been enhanced by inventions and opportunities of the last 50 years.

And, it’s not just microwaves, Velcro, pacemakers, Teflon, diet soft drinks, ATMs, and iPads (some of my favorite things), we’re also living longer — into our 80s for the average American woman of today. We’ve got time on our hands, and a million ways to make the most of it.

You could surf the ’net all day long and only see a sampling of resources available to women of a certain age. Besides the books, articles, organizations, clubs, continuing education opportunities, and yes, even single senior dating services, there are the websites and blogs – with names like “Baby Boomer Divas,” “The New Old Age,” “My Primetime,” and “The Feisty Side of 50,” where it doesn’t matter if you’re estrogen-challenged and can grow your own whiskers, you still can flaunt your “boomer” style and spirit. (Speaking of whiskers, for my best friend’s 50th birthday a few years ago, a group of us sang a little ditty to the tune of “Yellow Submarine,” with the chorus going a little something like this: “We just need a little tuck and nip, less belly, thigh and hip, no moustache on our lip.”)

And, I don’t know where I’ve been that I did not know this: There is a special “pageant” just for senior women! Yep, the Ms. Senior America Pageant held each year in Atlantic City, representing the “age of elegance.” You must be older than 60 to enter (the Oklahoma Ms. Senior pageant is held in June) and exude a good share of confidence and inner-beauty. There are four areas of competition: talent, evening gown, interview, and inner beauty —which, thankfully, replaces the more traditional “swimsuit competition!” — in which contestants share their “philosophy of life.” (Look out “Toddlers & Tiaras” – “Crones & Crowns” could by vying for your time slot!)

Not being much of a girly girl, I thought I’d skip the pageant this year and concentrate on something that doesn’t involve geriatric baton-twirling or exposing my jiggly upper arms in a strapless evening gown. So, later this month, me and nine similarly aged-to-perfection gal pals will gather for the first official meeting of the Book Biddies Book Club, and let me just say we’re feeling pretty spunky about it.

For this remarkable time of our lives, it’s not just about the 15 percent discounts, joining AARP and the beauty of mature trees in our backyards; it’s not even about knowing our secrets are safe with our best friends because they can’t remember anything, either, or the fact our lifelong investment in health insurance is finally paying off. It’s about continuing to challenge ourselves, to repurpose our lives intellectually, socially, spiritually and physically.

After all, it’s not over ’til the fat lady sings, and I’m not ready to learn the words to THAT song!



Peck is a local mother and grandmother who works in Enid Public Schools. She can be reached at peckaroonie@yahoo.com.