What if I am neither a lady nor nice?
I am neat and clean and kempt and stand up straight. I believe that people around here judge me by my cheerful smile and pleasant attitude, including my interest in their day.
But that’s here where there is an unwritten rule about flaunting it. When I was part of a Quaker community that believed in simplicity in dress, we laughed at a family who gave the most money during annual giving.
They drove not one but two matching beat-up old and dented VW vans, thus giving the impression that they were a one-van family.
If you go to Tanglewood in the summer, except for a small minority who have Martha Stewart picnics with candelabra and tablecloths and gel noticed, everyone is there to enjoy the music and not the nonexistent fashion show.
I have a beautiful collection of rainbow colored long-sleeved t shirts (that I got from the consignment shop) and jeans, cargo pants, sweats, and 8 old cashmere sweaters that do me for winter.
At the back of the closet is a pair of decent black pants, a black skirt, a black silk jacket and black dress sandals. They, as I, are aging well. And as I have said before, I do not scare the horses.