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Finding love after 50. The
website for middle aged singles and senior singles, providing
information and dating advice for middle age dating and senior dating.
This column's topic:
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Column hits home with midlife singles
By TOM BLAKE Special to the Register
When people contact me, they often explain why they read a column about
being single at middle age.
Most of the half-million singles over age 45 in Orange County share a
common bond: They didn't expect to be alone at this age and weren't
prepared for it. They tell me the Register has filled a need and struck a
chord by providing a column written specifically for singles their age.
"Thanks for a column that gets people talking and gives encouragement to
all of us who are out there," e-mailed Marcia Wilson of Tustin. "Women
talk with each other but rarely hear the guy's side of things."
Jerry Barba of
Long Beach
e-mailed that he speaks from the perspective of still looking for a mate,
five years after his divorce. "Your column is popular because middle-age
dating is difficult. You remind us there is no guarantee that breaking up
with somebody is going to lead to finding your true love."
Mary Platter of Garden Grove reads the column because
"It's an eye-opener and godsend for me and others. I've been dating a guy
(or think we're dating), but he is out of town a lot, calls me the day
before he is ready to go back out of town, and we see each other for a few
hours. You got me thinking, why don't we see each other during the time
he's in town?"
A 58-year-old
Huntington Beach woman said she was too
high-profile to allow the use of her name but shared this: "I enjoy the
balanced and positive points of view you bring to the mature dating game."
Lin Holland of
Tustin teaches
workshops on John Gray's "Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus"
principles in Orange County. Lin says: "I'm a divorced 54-year-old male
(no children) who has done a lot of reading on the subject of
relationships/human behavior. Your column addresses a much-needed topic."
Seniors usually explain why they seek singles information. "We single
seniors (I feel like a junior) need all the help and advice we can find!"
Pam of Laguna Woods said.
Widowed people willingly share why they read the column. Phyllis Hollywood
of San Clemente e-mailed: "I just finished reading your column and want to
thank you for giving me hope for the future. My husband died suddenly two
years and four months ago. I joined a group of widows and widowers here in Orange County. It's been so good
for me. I have several new friends, and the club has lots of different
things going on."
Shirley Lemasters, a widow for four years, reads the column because she
wants to know what's she's doing wrong. "I was happily married for over 40
years. I think I scare men off. I'm outgoing, friendly, pretty, clean,
fun-loving and dress nicely. I would like to find someone to travel with,
go to movies, dance."
He doesn't have to be rich, but has to able to take care of himself," said
Shirley Glynn of Lake Forest: "I'm a widow who recently
moved back to
California
after living in Arizona for eight years. I'm not looking for a flaming
romance but would love to make some friends in the area so I might have
companions to go to the movies and local cultural events with. Want to
know how to overcome the challenges I face and where to go to establish a
safe and positive social circle."
People read the Register online. Donna Wilder, who lives near Bangor,
Maine, e-mailed: "I'm interested in your columns because I've raised our
kids (hubby died in 1980 at 35), got seven grands and am still only 54.
I'm interested in living MY LIFE now. I sure need some updating on life in
the 2000s for a single middle-age female looking for relationships and
whatever else."
Pattie Steeves of Orange wrote: "I'm a single mom 50 daughter 19, son 13,
divorced for over 10 years. Employed full time from my home so I need
info."
Most people seek information and ideas on where to go and what to do.
Also, reading about others who have met mates provides encouragement. And
some (I hope) even read the column for entertainment. Oh, here's an e-mail
I overlooked - from Alix Dones of Mission Viejo - "I enjoy reading your
columns and find them interesting and fun."
Thank you, Alix, thank you.
READER COMMENTS Julie Milburn, Brea: "Most of the
55-65 men I have seen are frumpy, lumpy, dumpy and grumpy." Response:
Sounds like the seven dwarfs from "Snow White" or the gravy I made last
week for dinner.
Diane Young,
Newport Beach:
"I'm a 55-year-old woman who has trouble finding men who aren't married,
over-the-hill physically, or looking for much younger women." Response:
We've heard that complaint before.
Jean Wendelsdorf, Orange: "Our new Skirts 'n' Shirts
Square Dance class started, and we have 13 single women and two single
men. Too bad more single men don't take to square dancing." Response:
Contact Jean at (714) 633-0733 for details.
Cheryl Kelly,
Newport Beach:
"It was interesting reading that men find it just as hard to meet women as
women to meet men." Response: I still don't believe it.
Jeanette Inouye, Irvine: "The majority of men want
the young, beautiful, silicone, Botox Babies, especially in Orange
County." Response: I think most older men prefer natural over silicone and
Botox.
Friday, February 21, 2003 |
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