Dress codes

Dress codes.

They are much in the news these days as area school districts either enact such codes, or they are contemplating such action.

Tamaqua was the first district to go in this direction several years ago. Other schools such as Panther Valley have followed suit. Now districts such as Palmerton and Pleasant Valley, and others, are looking for some uniformity in the way their students dress.

Some students are against the idea. So are some parents.

And while the districts wrangle over what is appropriate and what isn't proper to wear in the classroom, what about us adults?

One reader claims senior citizens should adhere to a dress code. And he compiled one.

He explains his reasons for doing so.

"Many of us 'Old Folks' ( way over 50) are quite confused today about how we should present ourselves. Feeling 'young', we try to conform to current fashions and present a youthful image. Contrary to what you may have seen on the streets, the following combinations DO NOT go together and should be avoided:

1. A nose ring and bifocals

2. Spiked hair and bald spots

3. A pierced tongue and dentures

4. Miniskirts and support hose

5. Ankle bracelets and corn pads

6. Speedos and cellulite

7. A belly button ring and a gall bladder surgery scar

8. Unbuttoned disco shirts and a heart monitor

9. Midriff shirts and a midriff bulge

10. Bikinis and liver spots

11. Mini skirts and varicose veins.

Another reader sent in his observations on growing older which I somewhat related to.

He contends:

Your kids are becoming you... and you don't like them but your grandchildren are perfect!

Going out is good. Coming home is better!

When people say you look "Great"... they add "for your age!"

When you needed the discount you paid full price. Now you get discounts on everything, movies, hotels, flights, but you're too tired to use them.

You forget names ... but it's OK because other people forgot they even knew you.

The five pounds you wanted to lose is now 15 and you have a better chance of losing your keys than the 15 pounds.

You realize you're never going to be really good at anything, especially golf.

Your husband is counting on you to remember things you don't remember.

The things you used to care to do, you no longercare to do, but you really do care that you don't care to do them anymore.

Remember when your mother said "Wear clean underwearin case you get in an accident"? Now you bring clean underwearin case you have an accident!

You used to say, "I hope my kids get married. Now, "I hope they stay married!"

You miss the days when everything worked with just an "ON" and "OFF" switch. When GOOGLE, iPod, email, modem were unheard of,and a mouse was something that made you climb on atable.

You used to use more 4 letter words "what?"..."when?"

Now that you can afford expensive jewelry,it's not safe to wear it anywhere.

You read 100 pages into a bookbefore you realize you've already read it.

Notice everythingthey sell in stores is "sleeveless"?

What used to be frecklesare now liver spots.

Everybody whispers.

You have three sizes of clothes in your closet, two of which you will never wear.

But old is good in some things: old songs, old movies, and best of allOLD FRIENDS!!