The Magnificent Modern Mature Woman

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Ten years from now, I see myself back in up north Michigan living a full life with my beautiful fur babies.

My full life will include but not limited to riding my bike near Lake Michigan, swimming in Lake Michigan when it’s warm up, walking into town from my residence and seeing my immediate family on occasion. Plus, I will open my windows of my residence to feel the breeze from the lakes. And, experience lake effect weather. Plus, I will go downtown to a longtime local bar to visit with friends. Finally, I will find a place of worship too.

As of now, I’m relying on my Faith to make it happen. Not ready to pack up and leave Texas yet because I’ll likely go from my subdivision home to a single wide mobile with maybe a car port from a garage.

In truth, the water is therapeutic for me listening to the waves of northern Lake Michigan which I need a lot of now.

Leslie Elizabeth David.

What are 5 everyday things that bring you happiness?

My “High Five” are the simple things that bring me happiness and joy daily.

My normal happiness is Bella and Luna who are my feline divas and my heart. They love treats and naps like me. The third is my home painted in Michigan State University colors in north Texas. My fourth item is my Toyota Corolla LE in red that is reliable and good on gas. Finally, technology that allows me to stay in touch with friends and family.

In closing, I believe that it’s the simple things that bring the most joy as mentioned by thousands of others through time. Finding five were easy especially my felines that are my reason to never give up.

Leslie Elizabeth David.

Describe something you learned in high school.

Having been born & raised in the metro Detroit area then moving to the rural area of northern Michigan, I got a hard lesson of acceptance.

For the most part, I was coming in as a new freshman to a class who many didn’t have drive or ambition to make a difference in the world outside of town. Most of my class has always lived post graduation within an hour of the town of we went to high school at.

As I anticipate moving back, I know that old feelings will surface despite the fact that we have matured in age and in experience. Working together of acceptance will make life better for everyone. Accepting our differences and celebrate our commonalities will be best although not expected.

Acceptance in high school and now afterwards is my only hope.

Leslie Elizabeth David.

Describe one positive change you have made in your life.

For many years, I drank sugary soda/pop in the morning because I’m not a coffee drinker and I didn’t want to microwave water for tea. Although, using a tea pot wasn’t the best either because I needed something quick.

Years later, I bought a Keurig mini in pink with generic pods so that I could use my tea bags by pouring contents into them. In addition, Target and Amazon sells Tazo breakfast tea plus Teavana in bags for Sundays. Teavana is associated with Starbucks. Problem solved.

Since then, I have lost weight and I have no dental problems. Tea offers being able to wake up but not the problems of Coke or Mountain Dew in the morning.

A change for better that came around later in life that, so far, timing hasn’t proved to be a problem.

Leslie Elizabeth David.

What book could you read over and over again?

To me, it’s not just one book but many by the infamous author of Danielle Steele who was big in the 1980s writing romance novels.

All of her books like the current Hallmark Channel followed the same basic story line of life before meeting someone then meeting that person followed by conflict and strife that tests the relationship. Finally, reconciliation after the test.

Go to the library and find her books. Worth reading for high school aged students and older that aren’t too graphic in the storylines.

Leslie Elizabeth David.

What’s the most fun way to exercise?

As my life changes living in different areas so has my exercises. I think that working out has emotional benefits on top of the physical ones.

Lately, I’ve been walking since I’m no longer at my part time job where I spent 8 hours on my feet constantly on cement. In addition, I prefer my indoor spin bike over riding outside.

As a former American Council on Exercise certified Aerobics instructor who never taught, I used to work out with videos such as,” Step Reebok,” with Gin Miller plus Jane Fonda and others. Plus, I have a spin bike from HSN.

As I hope to be moving back to northern Michigan, I look forward riding my bike along the Lake Michigan shoreline where fighting to stay on my bike during gusts of winds coming off the lake will be challenging once again.

In addition, shoveling snow off of my car ad my driveway may not always be fun but a quick workout outside tests my ability to do physical work when half asleep in the morning. Plus, a clean safe driveway looks good.

Working out or exercise may not always be going to the gym but just doing chores around the house or walking around the neighborhood.

As Nike says, “Just Do It.”

Leslie Elizabeth David.

If you could be a character from a book or film, who would you be? Why?

My dream role would be to act in all of Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple in all of the author’s series of the character.

Miss Marple is a mature unmarried woman who has a heart of gold and smart as a whip plus dresses modestly so people who don’t know her are forced to look beyond her exterior appearance. She is wise and is alert to her surroundings. “Murder, She Wrote,” starring Angela Lansbury worked with the author and got permission to create a modern American version of the character.

In closing, I would not encourage you to make presumptions about a person based on age, gender or appearance. Miss Marple proves that the younger generations can learn from grandparents that educators or parents can’t teach them.

Yours Truly,

Leslie Elizabeth David.