Who's your zaddy, getting the boots and wild swings

Dear Rachel,

I have always dated older. Sometimes by months, sometimes by years. I’m now approaching 50 and back in the dating pool after a long hiatus, and I’m noticing a new phenomenon. People younger than me are flirting with me for the first time. I guess I could lean into it, but I feel like a bit of a creep. No real reason, I guess, other than it’s just strange. How do I get used to my new age bracket?

– Robbing the Cradle

Dear Silver Cougar,

Or silver fox? Doesn’t matter. Whatever your gender and your preference, embrace being the new zaddy on the block. So long as everyone involved is both enthusiastically consenting AND an adult, ride this wave as best you can. Clearly you’ve got something going for you. Where do you like to chill? I’ll keep my eyes open for you.

– Rawr, Rachel

Dear Rachel,

I picked the wrong winter to buy new snow boots. At least I’ve worn them a couple times now. But at this rate, I could have limped along my old pair and bought a new pair on sale at the end of the season. Still, there have to be other impending steals with this winter that isn’t. What other wintry deals do you think I could scoop?

– Winter Clearance

Dear Snow Speculator,

There is no such thing as affordable winter gear, unless you consider the free pair of cross-country skis I once scored when a friend was moving away. I then got a pair of cheap ski poles at the Humane Society Thrift Store. I didn’t even make it past the trailhead before those puppies paid for themselves. So I don’t think there’s any real strategy. You just have to be ready to seize the day (or the skis) at any moment, before one of those adirondack-chair builders beats you to them.

– Slushed out, Rachel

Dear Rachel,

Like most anyone paying attention, I’m swinging wildly between absolute despair at the state of the world, and (maybe unwarranted?) optimism that there’s no way this jury-rigged world order can hold itself together much longer. That back and forth is exhausting. How do you do it, Rachel? How do you keep yourself functioning? Maybe the rest of us can learn at your feet.

– Wild Swinger

Dear See-Sawyer,

I was way too excited by your sign-off, and then I read your letter. Who says I’m functioning at all? I think you can only do what anyone can do. Pet a dog. Take a walk. Stand up for your neighbors. Get ice cream. Take video of any masked agents you see. Hug your loved ones. Go on a date with that silver cougar and/or fox before they get snagged up again. Vote. We all do what we can.

– One day at a time, Rachel