I spent the last week in Wisconsin teaching and speaking with writers about their goals and dreams. It was an exhilarating week of learning and growing on both sides of the desk and podium.  And as always I experienced some Slightly Off moments.  The first has to do with a jacket I brought along to help me look “professional” – at least more professional than my regular work outfit which consists of sweatpants and pink pig slippers. 

While I was away I also turned a year older and there is no way around it, I am now firmly planted in my 50’s. The combination of the jacket and the birthday hit me hard, one day, when I looked in the hotel mirror and saw this exhausted, but happy vision in black and white staring back at me.

My jacket sported big, bold, black and white zebra stripes.  I stood there staring at myself then turned to my husband and asked, “Does this make me look 50?!”

Unfortunately, my husband was back at home and couldn’t hear me from 200 miles away.  And I wasn’t about to blow my professional cover and ask my class of writers who seemed to find me rather astute or at least interesting.  So I wore the jacket to class and onto my speaking engagement the next day. 

Everywhere I went at least one or two ladies would look at me with envy and say, “I love your jacket!” However, these women were not in their 50’s; they appeared to be lovely ladies on the blush of 70.

So, now I’m asking, “Does a bold animal print jacket say 50+?!”
Maybe it depends on the woman, but I have a feeling my jacket is going to the back of the closet for another decade or two.