I'd rather eat carrot and raisin salad than stand in a waiting line. I'd also like to believe that I'm above what in the negative vernacular is known as "instant gratification,” the common lingo for "I want it right now.” This is forgivable for a two year-old but an embarrassment for the 60 and beyond crowd.

This brings to mind the adage that you know when your parents are getting closer to senility when they start acting like children.

The upshot of a Taurus born with red hair (that has long since morphed from silver to a tinted strawberry blond) married to an A-1 type personality, my stress level rates show at risk for the normal ramifications of high blood pressure. In my defense, my problem with my distaste for waiting in a doctor's office, Wal-Mart or even a voting line is all about time urgency.

Being a senior, according to About.com: Health Stress Management, the reason for the sense of loss or time urgency due to waiting, is loss of time in general. It's understandable that seniors are more sensitive to time wasted because we are painfully aware that our years on God's creation are limited.

It's common knowledge that the process of going on vacation –  be it local, nationally or internationally -- that more time is spent getting in or getting off transportation, purchasing tickets, gifts and reservations than actually being on vacation.

When it comes to planning a touring vacation, rarely do we ask the basic question of what our personal expectations are: comfort and limitations (handicaps). Would a private group of maybe 30 with same interests fare better than a larger, touristy grouping with different backgrounds and all ages? (Read: small children)

Now much to my chagrin, I am sounding a bit like the comic strip Icon, Crabby Road  -- Maxine to most. Maxine and I agree on the subject of small children in public places. Especially in a lovely, elegant eatery you end up sitting next to a highchair with a demanding, precious baby. I think, "I am paying a high price for...?" One of Maxine's lines reads: "There are inconveniences and then there are real problems. And, if you are going to inconvenience me, then we will all have problems.”
It's the traveler's responsibility to choose a trip of one's dreams and if it doesn't turn out, blame it on yourself.  Basically it is yours truly's choice. Smart or senseless?

For example, when the day arrives and I am in Paris, I want to tour the Louvre Museum. I know that I have painful arthritic feet and wee, attentive patience for an art guide. My strategy is for my husband and I to organize our own tour according to our needs.

I clipped a cartoon that I saw in The New Yorker that depicts two plump matrons eating lunch at the Louvre's restaurant. On the floor next to their designer bags sit two sets of museum tee shirts. The cartoon caption reads: "At least we have proof that we came.”

During a recent visit to the High Museum in Atlanta, I watched an elderly lady walking solo with a Seeing Eye black Lab. She was obviously visually impaired and she listened intently to an audio tape. I both admired her courage and independence while thinking that she was pushing the envelope for an accident.

Good ole AARP.com is always available for viable, conservative advice. One article focused on the importance of blending into the environment in a foreign country and to expect long restaurant waiting lines at peak seasons.  The writer encouraged travelers to ask questions and then just listen –  without giving one’s opinion. When I think about it, this may limit the possibility of being thought of as the dreaded "ugly American.”

James Michener, author and avid traveler, said, "If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion, avoid the people –  you might as well stay at home."

The next time I wait in line at Brewsters to get my fix of peach ice cream, I might fantasize about a private limo service for just touring the city of London.  Note. I said “fantasize.” Or, I'll just stay at home and work in my garden.

A Quintessential Finishing School Saga

Meet Peggy