Why do some younger women get so mad - when an older woman looks great?

It's not like we are trying to compete. We're not. We have far too much savvy for that. Trying to compete with someone who is half your age is just stupid. And one thing older women are not, when it comes to the age cap, is stupid.

We were young once. And then we were stupid about age. Didn't we think we would look youthfully fabulous for just about ever?

And didn't we think once you were out of your twenties, you were well over the age hill?

With age comes wisdom. And there is no reason to believe that beauty can't come along as well.

In fact, I would go so far as to say, a mature women who has taken trouble over her appearance, looked after her skin, keeps her hair well groomed – out classes any youthful appearance that does none of these things.

Everyone gets old – there's no escaping old age. It's how you handle it that counts.

Why should a mature woman give in to the stereotype image of a short hair cut, thick waist, and frumpy clothes? She shouldn't. She should rebel, and do her damnedest to look as stunningly beautiful as she can. Not to compete with her younger gender, but to feel fucking good about herself.

And what about sex? 

The younger woman may attract a man because she's slender, with a skin like alabaster, thick tresses of long burnished hair (yeah right) – often as not, the attraction is simply because she is young, and with any luck doesn't have wrinkles. Shallow Hal, obviously hasn't heard about stretch marks!!

The thing is, does the younger generation always know what to do with their bodies once they have got this male of little emotional depth in bed with them? Stamina is no substitute for expertise.

With age goes sexual experience. And you can't get experience without having lived a bit first.

To quote - Joni Mitchell from her song Big Yellow Taxi– you don't know what you've got 'till it's gone. That's youth. You are young for such a short time – then you are not so young any more. It's a loss, you grieve for those heady days of no aches and pains, of freedom to think the world is yours for the taking. Of when getting yourself a man wasn't that difficult.

The older woman, can either give in, and let everything sag, including her self-esteem – or – she can decide to celebrate herself. And if that means making a few selfish cows envious – well so be it.

It doesn't matter at what age you stand up and say to yourself – enough – I'm sick of being thought of as an old bag. I'm going to make as much of myself as I did when I was younger.

I started weight-training in my mid-fifties. Studied, for a professional diploma, and changed career at about the same time. Got my first book published by an American publishing house in my sixtieth year. Got another one accepted at 61.

At 66, I've discovered Yoga.

Grey hair? Shit no – I've gone blond. As to my hair being cut short. Another - shit no - my hair is long.

My message to every older woman who has any doubt about herself, her worth or her ability to look fabulous.

We're smart. We're beautiful. We're good at sex.  And we love our age.