h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

When I am an old woman I shall wear purple
With a red hat which doesn't go, and doesn't suit me.
And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves
And satin sandals, and say we've no money for butter.
I shall sit down on the pavement when I'm tired
And gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells
And run my stick along the public railings
And make up for the sobriety of my youth.
I shall go out in my slippers in the rain
And pick the flowers in other people's gardens
And learn to spit.

You can wear terrible shirts and grow more fat
And eat three pounds of sausages at a go
Or only bread and pickle for a week
And hoard pens and pencils and beermats and things in boxes.

But now we must have clothes that keep us dry
And pay our rent and not swear in the street
And set a good example for the children.
We must have friends to dinner and read the papers.

But maybe I ought to practice a little now?
So people who know me are not too shocked and surprised
When suddenly I am old, and start to wear purple.

-- Jenny Joseph


I found this the other day! definately something to live by!

Now that's something I'd love to aspire to!

When I get old, I'm going to pretend to be deaf to annoy young folk

That really is good Toc! Thanks for posting it....
Now...where did I put that purple dress?

Well, I did buy some Cadburys purple fabric to make a fancy dress costume, however.....

People here in the States have actually organized clubs based on the theme of that poem. I think it's called the Red Hat Society or something like that. You have to be 50 years old to join.

I saw a group of them come out of a restaurant a while ago, all looking so elegant in their purple dresses and red hats.

http://www.redhatsociety.com/

yes its a brilliant poem, one of my favourites having found it a few years ago.....thanks for posting it on here Ruby