I’ve gotta admit, when I turned sixty a few years back, the number stuck in my throat. Here I was writing a blog, Feisty Side of Fifty, and I didn’t want to admit exactly how far on the feisty side I was. Then I met Barbara Rose Brooker.

Barbara is an inspiration in a number of ways: she’s an artist, author, university instructor, and has her own one-woman show. But Barbara is even more than that—she’s an activist and a role model for celebrating life fully no matter how old we are. To these ends, Barbara launched the first ever Age March held last August in San Francisco.

Now this revolutionary idea is really taking hold. Barbara is heading up the second Age March, which will take place this Saturday (May 21^st) in Los Angeles. All are invited and age is definitely not an issue. I got a preview of the festivities on Feisty Side of Fifty Radio so you’ll want to tune in to hear all about it. Also, Barbara will be a featured guest on The Talk this Wednesday, May 18^th. Check your local CBS listings for the time in your area. And, for specifics on the March, go to AgeMarch.com.

For those of you who live in the LA area, be sure to come on down to join Barbara, Hollywood notables, and us regular revelers—all celebrating our age by claiming it. I’m 63 and I’ll be marching. How about you? As Barbara says: Aging well isn’t about Botox—it’s about spirit!

So show up and show the world just how feisty and spirited a woman over fifty can be!

But we all realize that real life is different. Surprisingly enough, life can be all too real… even for a soap star. One of the brightest and longest shining stars told me all about it recently on Feisty Side of Fifty Radio. Tina Sloan, who played Nurse Lillian Raines for 26 years on Guiding Light, has written a wonderful new book, Changing Shoes. It deals with Tina’s experience of growing older using footwear as a metaphor for the multiple transformations that take place with age.

One of my favorite quotes from the book is: “No one knows more about aging than a soap star who started out as the star; then become the mother of the star; and then became the grandmother of the star.” Tina writes with great candor about how her role began to change, how her character moved from the center of the action to more supporting plotlines, and what she ultimately did about it.

But Tina also shares some intimate and profound lessons she’s learned from personal experience. She writes of a number of ups and some big-time downs, her various real-life roles, and her insights into growing older (but not old!) with style, humor, and grace. There’s plenty of solid information and practical steps we can take to make our lives better. Tina covers everything from make-up for the mature face, to adding a touch of the frisky to your love life, to getting your affairs in order.

Also, the book offers it’s share of delightful, laugh-out-loud anecdotes as Tina gives us the inside story of some of the more memorable moments in the sudsy world of soap operas. She also shared some rollicking tales with me in our 15-minute interview. So I invite you to take a break, take a listen, and then head over to Tina’s website and check out Changing Shoes.

Why not celebrate the Feisty Side of Fifty with some feisty new footwear? If it’s good for nurse Lillian Raines, you can bet it’s just the prescription to cure any of your ills!

According to the subjects interviewed in this film, you likely have a while to wait before the best years of your life roll around. These feisty folk are adamant that life begins at ninety! Yep, you read that right—ninety!

Over 90 and Loving It is one of those shows that will touch your heart and lift your spirits.  Susan Polis Schutz, acclaimed poet, author, activist, and filmmaker has gifted her audience with a film for the ages… literally! Acting as director, executive producer, and interviewer, Susan sought out and spoke with nonagenarians who shared their thoughts on living a happy and productive life well into old age.

You’ll recognize Pete Seeger (well-known to boomers for such songs as If I Had a Hammer and Where Have All the Flowers Gone?), but Susan also interviewed a ninety-plus year-old cabdriver, a newlywed couple, a recent college grad, and a social activist who mounted a solo march across the country to make her point.

Aside from the belief that their tenth decade on earth is a total blast, these amazing individuals share certain traits in common: they keep a positive attitude, don’t dwell on aches and pains, nor do they worry about much of anything. They keep physically active and stay as healthy as possible. They choose to be around happy people and avoid the nay-saying, negative downer types. They’re curious, engaged, and want to make a difference in the lives of others. And, given this positive and uplifting outlook on life, these senior citizens aren’t afraid of death—rather a great way to live I’d say.

So do yourself a real favor and take the brief 15-minutes to listen to Susan share her experience interviewing these inspiring role models. After that, check your local PBS listings for the next showing of Over 90 and Loving It. If ever there were a show to put a smile on your face, this is the one.

And I thought being over 50 was great—now I can’t wait ‘til I hit the big 9-0—it’s gonna be amazing!

Those of you who are regular readers of the Feisty Side of Fifty already know about The Transition Network. This fine organization was created to meet the needs of women over 50 who wish to celebrate the second half of life by “channeling their skills, energy, and education in new directions.” TTN began in New York City and now has 11 chapters across the country, with 4 new chapters forming as I write this post. Members enjoy a wide range of benefits—not the least of which is making a new circle of like-minded friends, meeting in small groups to explore areas of particular interest, and celebrating their age with perspective and pride.

The second bird I’m stoning is a fabulous new online magazine called NYCityWoman.com. Yes, New York City is in the title and there are some pieces focused solely at Big Apple dwellers. But, by far, the articles travel well and appeal to women our age throughout the country. The title of this post and above mentioned quote came from just such an article. Written by Deborah Harkins, well-known writer/editor and enthusiastic member of TTN, “Savoring the Second Half of Life” showcases the numerous benefits of belonging to The Transition Network.

I was able to snag both Deborah Harkins and Betsy Werley, Executive Director of The Transition Network, for an interview on Feisty Side of Fifty Radio. As with most of my broadcasts, it’s a brief 15-minutes and I encourage you to take a listen. This particular interview just might give you some tools for positive change. I’m also excited to report that I interviewed Barbara Lovenheim, Founding Editor of NYCitywoman.com, several days ago—so be sure to check that out as well.

As you know, I’m fond of saying we boomers are “revolutionizing the spirit and style of aging.” With resources like The Transition Network and NYCitywoman.com, it’s a sure bet we’ll succeed. The pen (or, in this case, the digital media) is mightier than the sword and you can’t stop a group of menopausal women on a mission—so I’d say we’ve got two surefire ways we’ll be savoring the second half of life… and you can’t get much feistier than that!

But first a bit of background… One fine day, three mature artists got together and the conversation led to a topic familiar to many of us over fifty—frustration at the attitude so smugly held by this country’s young-uns regarding us “senior citizens.” Are we frail, confused, helpless—endlessly needy or goodie goodies too old to make trouble? I think not and neither do the coots!

Being creative types, these feisty folk decided not to take things lying down and latched upon the idea of channeling their aggravation into something artsy. Thus the Coot Avengers were born and, from that day forward, this band of seniors began their fearless fight to defend our dignity and rally against the aforementioned stereotypical and downright offensive adjectives.

And, believe, me they’re willing to put their might where their mouth is. Check out the Three Pillars of Coot Power and you’ll have no doubt as to their dedication:

1. Coots have a lot of free time because ageism keeps them from being employed in jobs they are perfectly qualified to perform.

2. Coots have little lingering respect for authority — not for governments nor the marketplaces, because both have lied and broken promises endlessly over the years.

3. Coots can’t always change official policies, but can cause so much trouble, consume so much time, generate so many extra costs, that screwing coots becomes less appealing and therefore ceases.

Better yet, as artists, these coots already knew the pen is mightier than the sword—especially when it’s used to draw cartoons that pack a punch. So off they went to create their special brand of visual vengeance. (You’ll see an example of their work below. To enlarge, just click on the cartoon.)

Be sure to tune into my 15-minute interview with Granny—the spirited founder and head of the coots. Just like Superman posed as “mild mannered Clark Kent,” Granny might seem like a normal neighbor but, a word of warning: Don’t mess with her or her team. If you do, you just might find a fired up old coot, pen in hand, and ready for battle!

There’s one special club that embodies our celebrated joie de vivre and legendary spunk, and this remarkable organization has become the largest women’s social club in the world. Although attendance at this group’s events will have you seeing red, members are encouraged to pursue the five F’s: fun, friendship, freedom, fulfillment, and fitness. (I might suggest a sixth F—for feistiness. That particular descriptor may have been officially omitted, but it’s certainly implied.)

The Red Hat Society is dedicated to reshaping the way women are viewed in today’s culture and, in pursuit of this mission, has created an impressive legacy of achievements. One of the most recent accomplishments this legendary club can boast is inclusion in the premier cultural collection of the land: The Smithsonian Institution! Yes, the original red fedora purchased by founder Sue Ellen Cooper as well as her purple-feather boa are now nattily displayed in all their colorful glory.

Sue Ellen, the Exalted Queen Mother herself, and Debra Granich, CEO of the Red Hat Society, have graciously shared their thoughts on what it means to wear the eye-catching combo of red and purple in a recent interview on Feisty Side of Fifty Radio. Be certain to tune in to this very special broadcast with these two remarkable women.

In fact, you won’t want to miss a single word. With advice such as “gaudy is good” and “give yourself a title and call yourself a queen” you know these women are celebrating the feisty side of fifty. In the oh-so-colorful fashion befitting the boomers’ spirit and style of aging, the Red Hat Society is one fabulous group. And, better yet, there’s not a single invisible shrinking violet in sight!

The name Sigrid Olsen conjures up all sorts of vibrant colors and joyous thoughts. Speaking for myself, I know every time I wear one of her beautiful outfits, my day goes incredibly well. The happy hues give me energy, add a spring to my step, and put a blush in my cheek. I seem to smile more and, since like attracts like, I’m greeted with scores of welcoming looks from passersby.

Sadly, Sigrid is no longer in the apparel industry and countless of us have mourned that loss. But, take heart! Sigrid is now turning her considerable talents to her new business and her fabulous wares are only a click of a mouse away.

This famous fashion icon ditched the stress-filled corporate life for one of balance, serenity, and a return to her roots as an artist. Happily ensconced in her own studio located in the Rocky Neck artist colony of Gloucester, Massachusetts, she’s busily creating her new line of ceramics, stationary, original, art, and a host of other products.

Sigrid is also blogging and sharing her personal thoughts and experiences—including a double mastectomy that transformed her life. She now practices yoga and focuses on achieving a healthy lifestyle. One of her latest ventures promotes just that and she’s inviting us to join her.

Along with her sister, a yoga teacher, Sigrid is leading retreats. And, believe me, these aren’t just any old retreats. They’ve taken place in such magical destinations as Tulum, Mexico and Tuscany. And Sigrid is considering holding new ones in Provence, Sedona, Sonoma, Martha’s Vineyard, and Vermont. The idea behind these inspiring journeys is to step out of your daily routine, travel to an exotic local, renew your life force, and get in touch with your creativity. To find out more, visit Sigrid’s site and sign up for her newsletter.

I had the great fortune to interview this lovely and inspiring woman on Feisty Side of Fifty Radio. She’s a boomer just like us, has weathered the ups and downs of life, and come out the other side to return to her true calling. Do yourself a real favor and take a 15-minute break from the cold and dark of winter to experience a ray of sunshine. Sigrid creates her art from the heart and she speaks from her heart as well. And, yes, as a boomer feeling her true flower power, Sigrid loves being on the feisty side of fifty!

So let’s turn that tired, old age thing on it’s ear and be proud of all the positive aspects we bring as seasoned employees. Simply by being a member of our amazing generation, you can boast of certain outstanding qualities.

You are likely to be a trailblazer. Boomers embody the “forever young” spirit that  keeps you remaining youthful, vibrant and active. You want to continue to contribute, grow your skill set, and keep up with your chosen profession.

You’ll likely be working past the traditional retirement age. You may cut back on your hours, find new and more fulfilling careers, or take on consulting work, but boomers enjoy the mental stimulation and income that employment provides.

You have staying power. Workers over fifty remain in positions three times longer than younger workers and this provides real bottom-line benefits to companies.

You have market knowledge and a skill set gained over years of experience.

You bring a mature work ethic and life skills honed over a lifetime.

And these are just a few of the pluses you bring as a candidate of depth and maturity. Please tune into my 15-minute broadcast on Feisty Side of Fifty Radio for more ideas of how you can beat out the competition by highlighting the positive aspects of age.

So be proud of all you bring simply due to your age and maturity, and learn to present yourself as the candidate of choice. Don’t rely on outmoded techniques that guarantee you’ll be overlooked. And please check out Land the Job You Love: 10 Surefire Strategies for Jobseekers Over 50. For the price of a couple of lattes, you’ll learn the key techniques you can use to turn your age into your advantage and land your next job in record time!

If you’re less than truthful with your responses to these and other moral quagmire questions, you’re not alone. Beverly Mahone, author, media specialist, radio host and blogger, explores the thorny topic of our penchant for lying in her fabulous new book, Don’t Ask And I Won’t Have to Lie: 50 is the New 30 and Other Tall Tales.

We do, in fact, lie much more frequently than we would like to admit even to ourselves. Beverly knows—she’s done her research. The average person will tell 88,000 lies over their lifetime, which amounts to more than four lies each and every day!

It begins in childhood when our parents manipulate our behavior by telling us such blatant, although socially acceptable, fabrications such as “Santa won’t bring you toys if you’re naughty,” “this is going to hurt me more than it hurts you,” or “the stork brought you.” We, in turn, pass these falsehoods along to our own children… all the while telling them “honesty is the best policy.”

There are several reasons we lie. To name a few, these include circumstances such as: we’re embarrassed to share the truth about ourselves or those close to us, we want to spare our friends’ feelings, we want to get out of doing something we don’t want to do, or we want to avoid issues and topics that could lead to uncomfortable conversations. Many times our lies are merely “sins of omission,” but they often serve the same purpose as the worst of our whoppers.

So do yourself a favor, pick up a copy of Don’t Ask And I Won’t Have to Lie, and get ready to laugh out loud in self-recognition with this fun and informative read. Beverly also created a card game to play with your friends that’s certain to make for lively conversation. You’ll have a blast sharing your own tall tales, getting to know and accept each other’s foibles, and maybe even swapping a fib or two. It’ll make for a heck of a girlfriend confab and, believe me, that’s no lie!

• The first actor destined to wear Dr. Spock’s pointy ears?
• William Shatner’s involvement with our generation’s favorite little woodenhead?
• Albert Einstein’s #1 TV show (yes, he was still alive when we were kids) and
• Who passed on the starring role in “Gunsmoke?”

Be the first kid on your block to find out the answers to these and numerous other burning questions from our youth by tuning in to your local PBS station starting January 18^th. There’ll be lots of familiar faces including James Garner, Linda Evans, Angie Dickinson, Robert Conrad, Nichelle Nichols, Bill Cosby, and the man who’s signature style graced many a boomers’ head with coonskin elegance, Fess Parker. Kelsey Grammer, fellow boomer and no TV slouch himself, narrates the broadcasts so our romp down memory lane will be accompanied by the dulcet tones of the one and only Frazier.

Yours truly got a preview of all the nostalgia to come on Feisty Side of Fifty Radio. Steve Boettcher, director and producer of the show, joined me for a 15-minute appetizer of what we’ll be viewing.

Be sure to take a listen and then mark your calendars for four unforgettable evenings of high drama sci-fi, a roundup of your favorite cowpokes, the secrets behind the whodunits, and the kids’ shows you loved. Yep, we may be on the feisty side of fifty but there’s nothing like turning back time to the days of yesteryear and no better way to do it than by tuning in to the PIONEERS OF TELEVISION!