Wednesday, November 28, 2012

What's Sexy After Fifty





                                                                                                                                     

As I was perusing People Magazine's Sexiest Man Alive issue, I thought about how my definition of sexy has changed over the years. Though Channing Tatum looks great with his shirt off and is an amazing dancer, I don't know if he has what it takes to top my list. Sure he would be delicious arm candy, but would he ever stop doing push-ups long enough to give me what I really need?

While most of the buff men in the issue pump iron, I get steamy watching my husband iron his shirts. Instead of texting naughty messages like many celebrities do, my husband prefers a more personal approach. He lets me have a front row seat while he's cursing at bad drivers. 

Lately, I've found that simple sayings are music to my ears. Some of my favorites include:
No that doesn't make you look fat.
You were right Julie.
Cancel the service guy. I'll install it right now.
And my all time favorite is when he's telling our boys:
Listen to your mother.

Men who cook are incredibly sexy. My husband is master of the grill, and even our friends delight in watching him barbecue. Whether he's adding marinade, inserting timers, or slicing with the precision of a Samurai Warrior, it's always a treat to see him in action. My dad was known for his special London broil, and my husband has continued the tradition. Our sons are currently in training. 
 
Some of our neighbors could also be in the running for Sexiest Man Alive. There's Devin who's either outside mowing the lawn, raking the leaves, or shoveling the snow. He's always quick to smile and wave no matter how inclement the weather.  Stan drives carpool, and even packs his kids' lunches. Good neighbor Ted leads a dog walking group with other moms. He also volunteers at the local school, while his boys are off at college. I've never seen any of these men without their shirts on, and I prefer it that way.
 

38 comments:

  1. Loved the post, some men look great after fifty others well not so good.Thanks for an interesting read.

    Yvonne.

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  2. These young guys do nothing for me! I've always been a fan of older men as far as celebrity crushes go. I've been very open about my crush on Hugh Laurie, LOL. And Daniel Craig? Yum... Totally an entertaining post. Loved it. :D

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  3. Men who cook are sexy? Score one for the Ninja!

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  4. The best man is the one who can't be seen heard or smelled but who manages to lift the heavy stuff, reach the high stuff and clean up the dirty stuff. That's the guy for me.

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    1. So you're dream man would be an invisible Mister Clean type? This was great Delores! Are you sure that you're not related to Erma Bombeck?

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  5. Yvonne - I've had problems trying to get through to your blog. I'll try again later today. There are still a lot of men out there who look great at fifty, but I was focusing on the other qualities that make a man sexy. Thanks Yvonne!

    Morgan - Hugh Laurie was great on House, and he also gets points for being a musician. Daniel Craig is also a great choice for different reasons. I do love their British accents. Thanks Morgan!

    Alex - Is there anything you can't do? I'll have to add this to the list on December 10th.

    Julie

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  6. Julie - this is such a wonderful, heartwarming post about something that crosses my mind often. The perceptions of what's "sexiest" based on the media's interpretation and what sells.

    Like you I find my eye wanders to more than a buffed biceps or washboard abs...I see the attractiveness of a man helping me reach for an item on the top shelf, watching my neighbour pick his plums and offer me a bowl full...and so forth.

    Delightful, insightful - a post that makes a person think.
    Jenny

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  7. Oh, it's so true! I realize now that I'm older that the thing I find sexiest in a man is smarts and the ability to make me laugh. Cooking ability wouldn't hurt either. Oh, or admitting I'm right once in awhile. THAT would be a miracle though. :)

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  8. eye candy doesn't take out the trash, help pay bills or clean my yards...hahahaha...great post!

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  9. Eye candy is great, but I prefer nice, funny and always willing to help. :)

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    1. Ditto to nice, funny and always willing to help! Good call Melissa, when you find him see if he has a twin...! :)

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  10. Jenny - Thanks for the kind words! I love the idea of a neighborhood plum party, and I don't even like plums!

    L.G. - You hit the nail on the head with, "once in awhile." It took many years before I was told that I was right, and "listen to your mother," only happens once in a blue moon. This makes me appreciate these small pleasures even more.

    Great points Tammy! Thank you!

    Melissa - Being funny is key, especially when you can laugh about yourself! A little helpfulness goes a long way, and is important for being a good role model Unfortunately, many young girls don't take any of these things into consideration.

    Julie

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  11. When my husband woke up 2 hours earlier than normal to carpool with me to work on a regular basis (he's not a morning person) - I found that incredibly sexy. :)

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  12. This is my favorite blog from you to date. True dat!

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  13. Libby - I'm also not a morning person, so I really know how hard this must be for him. Now that is sexy!

    Sara - Thanks for making my day Sara! I really appreciate your kind words and support. Maybe you'll decide to start a blog in 2013, so I can happily cheer you on!

    Julie

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  14. Men who are good with babies are very attractive too. :)

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    1. You are absolutely right Tonja! Double points for changing diapers too!

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  15. Hi Julie - my eyes glaze when I see a youngster .. just not interesting any more - give me a bit of character, a good conversation and a twinkle in the eye - at me!! I do hate swagger!!

    Cheers Hilary

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  16. Watching a man take his shirt off never has 'done it' for me. I've always preferred the something 'deep and meaningful' in their eyes. But yes, these days it's watching Mr A dig the garden and tickle Charlie the Cat under her chin that does it for me!

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  17. Hilary - Theses are all great qualities, and the twinkle gets me every time!

    Rosalind - A good gardener is hard to find, and I also like his playful side! You know how to pick 'em Rosalind!

    Julie

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  18. I really like a mann with a few wrinkles on his face and the sound of his cello in the practice room. I like to see him in his dress up clothes. And yes I like a man with a shirt on.

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  19. I agree. I just don't see it in the magazines. Lucky for me, my hubby cooks :)

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  20. Oh, I so agree that men who cook are sexy! :D

    I have to say when I saw this People issue I knew beyond all doubt that I'm really getting old, because I barely know who Channing Tatum is.

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  21. Yvonne - It is always special when men dress up, especially because even most workplaces have become more casual. Cellists are sexy.

    Rhonda - It's great that your husband cooks. Any man who is adventurous enough to take his family on a trip around the world for almost a year is VERY SEXY!

    Julie - You are not old. Someone who is busy writing two books in less than a year isn't likely to be running out to see Magic Mike, but you might want to catch it on TV sometime. The guy can dance.

    Julie

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  22. I was sitting in the dentist's chair when her asst asked me if I wanting to look at any particular magazine from the lobby. I said, "Oh yes, the one with the sexiest man." She said she knew exactly what I was talking about, and brought Channing to me. If only it were so easy in reality. Being single, he defines sexy to me. I don't have to live in reality when only one, and not two, dirty socks on the coffee table gets me hot and bothered.

    On a different note, thanks for your support of my book, Julie.
    Be well.
    xoRobyn

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    1. Hope your teeth are okay.
      We all need to take breaks from reality once in awhile. That's really what the Sexiest Man Alive issue is all about. Come on, I know that you find guys who don't make spelling mistakes sexy too. BTW, Dirty socks also bother me, but they don't make me hot.

      I'm so happy that you've published your first book Robyn, and Just The Right Time is the perfect title for many good things to come!

      Julie

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  23. What a super post, Julie. I agree for the most part with what everyone's been saying, but come on! I've seen women in their nineties salivate (discreetly, of course) when a fine specimen takes off his shirt. There's no shame in admitting a certain shallow appreciation for aesthetically-pleasing visual stimulation, ladies!

    On the other hand, the purely visual doesn't really cut it when ya get down to the nitty gritty, does it? We want more. And what could possibly be more attractive than a man who tells you to go sit down, because HE'S gonna do the dishes? Than a man who'll courageously slay any dragon for you, but who also holds his grandchildren with immense tenderness? Who speaks intelligently on multiple subjects, but can also crawl on the floor and speak gibberish with a child?

    Youth may give us beauty, but age gives us meaning. (And I mean to keep looking at beauty as long as I can!)

    Happy weekend.

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    1. Susan - Your last line about youth and beauty fits in perfectly with this post! Now that's what Oprah would call "an aha moment!" Does your husband have a brother? You trained him well! Thanks Susan!

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  24. I must say, half-naked strange males really do nothing for me! I find men who can actually *do* something - like play the piano (phwoar) or philosophise - much more sexy than looking at muscles anyone can develop.

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  25. Great post! How funny and how true :-) Ordinary blokes with a certain 'je ne sais quoi' are the sexiest - especially if they don't realise they're sexy!

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  26. hmmmm i must admit that as i grow older, the younger men are looking pretty good too :)

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  28. Talli - I agree that there's so much more to a man than what meets the eye. I hope that you and Mr. TR have sing-a -longs together!

    Lynn - Well yeah, but do you think we could get them to take out the garbage?!

    Linda - A little humbleness does go a long way! It's great to meet you and I appreciate the follow!
    I'm on my way over to your place.

    Julie

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  29. I guess I qualify for sexy since I do all the cooking in our house. Although the way I've been cooking lately my wife and I are both gaining some unneeded weight. Thanksgiving really kicked us off. Think I better start cooking some low fat meals.

    Lee
    A Faraway View

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    1. It's great that you do all of the cooking Lee! I think it's especially hard to maintain your weight over the holidays. Low fat meals are a great idea, as long as you get to splurge once in awhile. BTW, I think that everyone will agree that cooking isn't your only sexy quality.

      Julie

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  31. Pumped-up biceps/triceps do not define sexy...
    Sexiness is that certain quality that a man possesses, the one that you can't really put your finger on?
    I say double-thumbs up to 50yrs+ sexy men...

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  32. I don't know; Channing Tatum looks mighty good...But you are correct. My husband likes to cook, will surprise me with accomplishing something I was going to do, and laughs with me. That's sexy.

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