I'm old and I don't have time in my life or space in my brain for anything but to be me. These days, I get why my Gran still did stuff that embarrassed the daylights out of me when I was a teenager – and why she giggled so over my embarrassment. She went through it all, bore down the stares and judgement, and figured out most folks aren't even really paying attention to you. Most folks are only worried about their own crap and you just blipped by like static in their own constant undercurrent of "what if" and "who's looking" buzz.

I really just don't care any more, especially when it comes to bigotry and injustice. I'm ready to set 'em all straight: "I'm old, ya dang whippersnappers! I've got my stick and I'm not averse to punctuating my points with it!"