Thursday, January 22, 2026

Keeping Up Appearances

On 'class day' at the gym, I generally get there early. I get the equipment I need for the class, find a chair, get set up and then use the time before class to walk laps. I can get about a half mile in before class.

I am not the only person who does this and another woman and I sometimes walk together. She is a fast walker too, and we tend to 'lap' people, coming up on slower walkers, and passing them without comment. 

Last week, we passed a guy. I don't know him but he seems to know everyone else. He is a talker. Anyways. As we passed, he made some comment to my walking partner that I didn't really attend to. 

Then much to my surprise, he spoke to me, calling me 'crazy hair'. 

This is interesting to me. 

One thing that I have noticed is that a lot of women come to their classes with neatly styled hair, full makeup. Jewelry and cute little workout clothes. 

Then there is me, I suppose. My hair is combed but truth be told, it needed to be cut. I had an appointment. I imagine that by the end of class, I probably looked a sight. I just never bothered to look. I don't wear makeup because (to call a spade a spade) I sweat. I am not wearing jewelry. My workout clothes are a pair of sweatpants and a baggy tee-shirt.

I just find myself coming back to that comment and wondering why a man would call out something like that to a woman he doesn't even know. 

Anyway.

Supper is planned, recipe sent to myself.

We got through the cold snap. It is lightly snowing and very windy. Another storm moving in. The weather folks are not giving any estimates on snow amounts. The official quote seems to be 'it all depends...'


In the time honored tradition, we will pick up a gallon of milk after gym. We do not need bread or toilet paper.

This morning, I woke up early. I finally just gave up and got up. While I was making my coffee, I became aware of a plane. It sounded very low. Maybe it was a trick of the cloud cover. I don't know. I stood there at the coffee pot, listening. Both Freddie and Houdi stopped and stood staring curiously at the southern windows.

It suddenly struck me how surreal it is to be living in a time where a situation like this immediately leads to thoughts of 'dear heavens, who has he pissed off now?'


One last comment: Chris in the UK sent me a link in yesterday's comments. You know, Chris, I appreciate that. We are carefully vetting our news sources, and I am sorry to say, I get a far more accurate idea of what is going on from foreign news agencies. Gwynneth does a great job of that too. I welcome it, and am grateful. 


8 comments:

  1. I'm heading to my Zumba class today in sweatpants and a sweatshirt because it is cold out. Some of the ladies dress in cute workout clothes but nobody judges anyone and we all smile and laugh and try to follow the steps if we can and just keep moving if we can't.
    Stay safe and warm!

    ReplyDelete
  2. From where I sit that guy's comment was completely out of line.

    ReplyDelete
  3. You're welcome ❤️
    Some people... usually men...feel that they have a right to comment on other people's appearance... usually women.
    Definitely not acceptable... unless it is done in a well meaning kind manner...and even then.....

    ReplyDelete
  4. I tried to read that article Chris referred to. Not available! :(

    ReplyDelete
  5. Well I don't know about your neck of the woods, but the men in my family... they would say something like that to a lady and think that they are being charming and friendly!! I guess it depends on how he himself was turned out... EIther way, "crazy hair day" is a wonderful book ... so I can't see how crazy hair can be an insult... :) Cathy.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I love that meme "Snow Predicted" oil on canvas. I laughed out loud.
    Why do men do that? He is a man who is entitled and thinks the rest of the world should listen to him, especially women I'm guessing. I'm so done with old, white men, entitled men, the young ones too. I don't need your opinion, I never asked for it, fuck off.

    ReplyDelete

I'm glad you're here!

Keeping Up Appearances

On 'class day' at the gym, I generally get there early. I get the equipment I need for the class, find a chair, get set up and then ...