Dec 24, 2021

Warning! I Shall Wear Purple!



Warning
by Jenny Joseph, written in 1961 when she turned 30

This was first posted in honor of my 60th Birthday on Dec. 24, 2009.
It is now 2021 and I turned 72 on my Christmas Eve birthday and I just realized I've stopped even telling readers that it's my birthday on Christmas Eve 😂

So this is a repost! It's just too hard to even cut/copy/and paste on a cell phone and everything that can go wrong does for me!

So here, my 2009 celebratory post. I cannot even believe now that at I once thought 60 was old! Hahahahaha!!


"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."

by Jenny Joseph, written in 1961 when she turned 30

2009:

My name is Michele. I turned 60 today. I am wearing a purple velvet cape, purple sun, moon, and stars pajamas with a pearl necklace and earrings, purple satin slippers with lovely sewn-on roses, a purple satin circlet with gold and rhinestones in my hair, lace gloves, and carrying a parasol. I am drinking tea from fine china with stars on both the tea cup and the saucer......and every where I go, and every thing I do, will be magical, today.

It is my birthday and I am wearing purple.

12/24/2009

about the poem:

Warning, When I Am An Old WomanVisit her web site to learn about the popular poem, "Warning, When I Am An Old Woman, I Shall Wear Purple" and to find out about Jenny Joseph.www.wheniamanoldwoman.com/

26 comments:

cottonreel said...

A very happy birthday to you , enjoy , enjoy---cottonreel

Donna said...

Wishing you the Happiest Birthday!!

ferne said...

Happy Birthday Michele! I have discovered that purple is actually a nice color and it does go well with red no matter what anyone says!

Another discovery...with age comes wisdom and it is nice be thought of as wise for a change!

Carolyn aka Silkquilter said...

Happy Birthday

Purple and Paisley said...

happy birthday! here's to everything magical...because you are magical...☺

Scrappy quilter said...

And the red hat...where is it??

Wishing you a very Happy Birthday friend. I'm 60 too. Wishing you a wonderful and Merry Christmas too. Hugs

Michele Bilyeu said...

I just knew someone would ask about a red hat..ha ha I figure the hat society is taking care of that for me ;) I do have a red scarf, but I was worried it was a little much with the purple pjs, velvet cape, lace gloves, satin slippers and all those rhinestones and pearls.

However, I shall wear it when I go out this morning in my cape to feed the chickens. I know Sophie, Matilda, and Penelope will cackle with delight at all of the colors, sparkle, and fun!

And thank you one and all for the birthday wishes!!!!!

Jeanne said...

Happy Birthday, Michele! That will be my new number in August. I hope you are having a wonderful day.

Shelina (formerly known as Shasta) said...

Happy birthday Michele. Hope you go outside and show the world your wonderful outfit and outlook.

Paula, the quilter said...

Happy Birthday, sweet Michele! How special this birthday is for you.

Quiltdivajulie said...

I knew it was coming, I knew it ... and still I neglected to get the card in the mail ... here's to you and all your PURPLE-ness!!!

Happy birthday, Michele!

Karen said...

Happy 60th birthday to you Michele! Yes, wear your purple with pride!

Hope you have a blessed Christmas!

Hugs, Karen

Anonymous said...

Have a very very happy Birthday!!

Sarah or Semmy said...

I can not believe you are 60. Maybe 33 or better yet 29. Happy Birthday, Birthday Girl!

Alice Grace said...

A very happy birthday to you!

Junie Moon said...

Purple is a wonderfully royal color and I love what you're wearing today to celebrate this special day in your life. You are a queen and deserve all sorts of special attention. A very happy birthday to you!

Kim said...

Happy Birthday!

Clare said...

I love that poem - have done for years!

Belated happy birthday my dear.

Hugs
xxx

julieQ said...

Hee!! Love your clothing description, and your day. Happiest Birthday.

Kim said...

Awesome way to spend your birthday. Happy Birthday and Merry Christmas.

Unknown said...

Happy Birthday! And thank you for sharing this poem wit us. I was looking for a copy for a friend who has a birthday coming up. She will love your pajamas on your birthday idea!

Stephanie D said...

Ahhhh, purple! My favorite color!

Happy Birthday, Michele, and many more purples to you!

Joyce Carter said...

cher said...

Michele Bilyeu said...

Marilyn McLeod @ Pink Paper Cottage said...