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redstatebluegirl

(12,659 posts)
Wed Apr 23, 2025, 11:50 AM 19 hrs ago

Today I turn 70.

I do not feel 70, but here we are. Losing my Mom when she was 40, makes me grateful for the 30 extra years I have been granted.

I have seen alot in my life, the turbulent 60's, gas lines and no jobs in the 70's, high interest rates in the 80's, the election of an amazing Black President, a woman of color as our Vice President, and the horror of a racist moron trying to destroy our country.

The changes in technology has been mind blowing, growing up with a "party line" and encyclopedias, to now where my phone and the world is at my fingertips.

I hope my 70's are calm but I doubt it. Racists and sexist aholes have come out from under their rocks. The world seems more unsafe than ever in my lifetime, this includes living through the Cuban Missile Crisis as a child, seeing the fear my Mom tried to hide.

Hoping for the best, preparing for the worst.

112 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Today I turn 70. (Original Post) redstatebluegirl 19 hrs ago OP
Happy Birthday! (and may you have many more trips around the sun to come!) Moostache 19 hrs ago #1
Happy Birthday! Irish_Dem 19 hrs ago #2
My mom died of cancer in 1989 when I was almost 40 Walleye 19 hrs ago #3
Happy Birthday! BeerBarrelPolka 19 hrs ago #4
Happy Birthday my friend. William769 19 hrs ago #5
Happy Birthday. redstatebluegirl. I turned 70 the end of February debm55 19 hrs ago #6
Happy belated, Deb! SheltieLover 17 hrs ago #41
Happy Birthday! Loryn 18 hrs ago #7
Happy Birthday!! Hope you do something fun and stress free. 58Sunliner 18 hrs ago #8
Happy Birthday and many or as many as you'd like. a kennedy 18 hrs ago #9
Welcome to the club! bif 18 hrs ago #10
I turned 70 last September, youngster! deurbano 18 hrs ago #31
Happy Birthday! Solly Mack 18 hrs ago #11
Happy Birthday! Quiet Em 18 hrs ago #12
From your keyboard to karma's ear! SheltieLover 17 hrs ago #40
:) Quiet Em 17 hrs ago #42
A Very Happy Birthday to YOU! NCgayguy 18 hrs ago #13
Happy Birthday to you, have a glorious day! SheilaAnn 18 hrs ago #14
Happy Birthday! stillcool 18 hrs ago #15
Happy Birthday redstatebluegirl 🎂 Clouds Passing 18 hrs ago #16
Happy Birthday!!!!! Peacetrain 18 hrs ago #17
Happy Birthday redstatebluegirl JMCKUSICK 18 hrs ago #18
Right behind ya Sistah! OMGWTF 18 hrs ago #19
Happy birthday! nt Dulcinea 18 hrs ago #20
Happy birthday. I'm a few months behind you. We're all in this together. 1WorldHope 18 hrs ago #21
Same here. SheltieLover 17 hrs ago #39
Brightest and most peaceful day MaineNative 18 hrs ago #22
Best wishes ILikePie92 18 hrs ago #23
I too was in my twenties in the seventies and now I am in my seventies in the twenties. twodogsbarking 18 hrs ago #24
Threescore and Ten.... Mustellus 18 hrs ago #25
Happy birthday young one... MiHale 18 hrs ago #26
Happy Birthday LetMyPeopleVote 18 hrs ago #27
Happy 70th Jughead 18 hrs ago #28
It feels weird I have to say. redstatebluegirl 18 hrs ago #29
Happy Birthday! LoisB 18 hrs ago #30
Happy birthday!! cate94 18 hrs ago #32
Happy birthday! greatauntoftriplets 17 hrs ago #33
Happy birthday! yardwork 17 hrs ago #34
"" AllaN01Bear 17 hrs ago #35
I Just Turned 72. BBbats 17 hrs ago #36
Right behind ya, BBbats. calimary 17 hrs ago #44
Happy Birthday & many happy, healthy returns! SheltieLover 17 hrs ago #37
Happy Birthday 🎂 Sailingdiver 17 hrs ago #38
Fellow Taurus here Colorado Liberal 17 hrs ago #43
Happy Birthday! redstatebluegirl 14 hrs ago #79
Happy birthday! H2O Man 17 hrs ago #45
Happy birthday to you, redstatebluegirl!!! BComplex 17 hrs ago #46
Congrats! 2naSalit 17 hrs ago #47
Congrats, you've survived the 60's TWICE! DinahMoeHum 17 hrs ago #48
Happy Birthday! Gak73 17 hrs ago #49
Happy Birthday and congratulations, you survived the 60s twice. surfered 17 hrs ago #50
Happy birthday Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin 17 hrs ago #51
Happy Birthday 🎂 🎁 underpants 17 hrs ago #52
Happy Birthday to a Generation Jones cohort! sarchasm 16 hrs ago #53
Welcome to being 70 BeneteauBum 16 hrs ago #54
Hiting that three score and ten feels like an acievement Warpy 16 hrs ago #55
Well then... TuxedoKat 16 hrs ago #56
Happy birthday 🎂 SocialDemocrat61 16 hrs ago #57
Happy Birthday malaise 16 hrs ago #58
Happy Birthday and a question Buckeyeblue 16 hrs ago #59
In some ways. redstatebluegirl 14 hrs ago #81
Great post and happy birthday! Nt spooky3 16 hrs ago #60
Happy Birthday! I remember driving alone across SW deserts in my old VW beetle in the 70's thought crime 16 hrs ago #61
Congrats, I "did" 70 6 months ago ... Dock_Yard 16 hrs ago #62
Happy Birthday! Eko 16 hrs ago #63
Welcome to the 70 club! nolabear 16 hrs ago #64
Happy 70th! 🍾 Celerity 16 hrs ago #65
Happy Birthday to you! Sanity Claws 16 hrs ago #66
Congratulations! area51 16 hrs ago #67
Happy B-Day! ProfessorGAC 16 hrs ago #68
Happy Birthday! Tree Lady 16 hrs ago #69
Happy Birthday, redstatebluegirl! CrispyQ 15 hrs ago #70
Love it! redstatebluegirl 14 hrs ago #80
Happy Birthday! I remember turning 70, long ago... MineralMan 15 hrs ago #71
Wishing you the happiest of birthdays!🎂🎉🎁 Phoenix61 15 hrs ago #72
Happy birthday Duncanpup 15 hrs ago #73
Happy Birthday. HarryM 15 hrs ago #74
Ah, to be 70 again. Happy Birthday redstatebluegirl! FailureToCommunicate 15 hrs ago #75
A very Happy Birthday to you, redstatebluegirl! HeartsCanHope 15 hrs ago #76
Happy Birthday "redstatebluegirl" Fla Dem 15 hrs ago #77
Happy birthday and I get it. Kath2 15 hrs ago #78
Happy Birthday! canetoad 14 hrs ago #82
That Seventies Show! Starring: SupportSanity 14 hrs ago #83
Happy Birthday, redstatebluegirl! MIButterfly 13 hrs ago #84
Happy Birthday! La Coliniere 13 hrs ago #85
Congratulations !!!!! beemerphill 13 hrs ago #86
Happy Birthday Girl! May we all survive to see another. I am of similar "vintage" so thank you for the post! Evolve Dammit 12 hrs ago #87
75 going to 76 in redneck city tmars505 12 hrs ago #88
Happy Birthday redstatebluegir, I an a couple of months ahead of you. c-rational 11 hrs ago #89
Happy 70th Birthday redstatebluegirl! Hope you livetohike 11 hrs ago #90
Happy birthday. love_katz 10 hrs ago #91
Just for you. Hotler 10 hrs ago #92
Happy Birthday 🎂 Emile 10 hrs ago #93
Happy Birthday !! IbogaProject 10 hrs ago #94
Happy Happy Birthday! nt Xipe Totec 9 hrs ago #95
Happy birthday!!! Saoirse9 9 hrs ago #96
Happy Birthday to YOU, Happy Birthday to YOU!!! 🎂 🎁 🥳 nt Raine 9 hrs ago #97
Happy Birthday and welcome to the 70's mountain grammy 9 hrs ago #98
Happy Birthday!!! CaptainTruth 9 hrs ago #99
Happy Birthday! Scrivener7 9 hrs ago #100
Many happy returns of the day! lapucelle 8 hrs ago #101
Happy Birthday bdamomma 8 hrs ago #102
Happy Birthday, redstatebluegirl! sheshe2 8 hrs ago #103
Happy Birthday!!!!! Katcat 8 hrs ago #104
Happy Birthday! redstatebluegirl 7 hrs ago #106
Happy birthday 🎈🎂 MustLoveBeagles 8 hrs ago #105
Congrats its a milestone Figarosmom 7 hrs ago #107
I turned 70 last March... William Gustafson 7 hrs ago #108
Happy birthday!! ❤️ littlemissmartypants 5 hrs ago #109
Happy Birthday 😁🎂 Meowmee 5 hrs ago #110
Happy Birthday AKwannabe 4 hrs ago #111
Happy birthday, youngster! Straw Man 4 hrs ago #112

Moostache

(10,454 posts)
1. Happy Birthday! (and may you have many more trips around the sun to come!)
Wed Apr 23, 2025, 11:53 AM
19 hrs ago

Hope you have a great day and many fond memories to come.

Irish_Dem

(68,459 posts)
2. Happy Birthday!
Wed Apr 23, 2025, 11:53 AM
19 hrs ago

Your post is very well stated. I agree with all of it!

Celebrate your milestone birthday!
Enjoy what we have right now.
We don't know what the future holds for us.

Walleye

(39,752 posts)
3. My mom died of cancer in 1989 when I was almost 40
Wed Apr 23, 2025, 11:54 AM
19 hrs ago

She was 70 and now I’m 76 so I have six years on her. The past 30 years have brought a lot of advances in cancer treatment. She probably would have survived, these days. Of course RFK Junior wants to mess up all our cancer research. happy happy birthday, keep a good thought. There really are many good people left. They’re just being beaten up right now.

bif

(25,203 posts)
10. Welcome to the club!
Wed Apr 23, 2025, 12:04 PM
18 hrs ago

Happy Birthday. I turned 70 Last October. I feel like I'm about 30. We'll get through this. Just like we got through Reagan and the Bush idiots. Hang in there!

deurbano

(2,965 posts)
31. I turned 70 last September, youngster!
Wed Apr 23, 2025, 12:58 PM
18 hrs ago

I feel much younger, too, but maybe I was just wrong about how 70 would feel? (I went back to finally finish my BA at Berkeley at 68, and now I'm planning to attend graduate school.)

Yes, we will get though this! (Not sure about the 401k...)

Quiet Em

(1,807 posts)
12. Happy Birthday!
Wed Apr 23, 2025, 12:14 PM
18 hrs ago

Here's hoping we eventually return to calmness for your 7th decade by ridding this country of the con and his cult.

twodogsbarking

(13,400 posts)
24. I too was in my twenties in the seventies and now I am in my seventies in the twenties.
Wed Apr 23, 2025, 12:44 PM
18 hrs ago

Give peace a chance. Eat some Ice Cream.

yardwork

(66,311 posts)
34. Happy birthday!
Wed Apr 23, 2025, 01:07 PM
17 hrs ago

I'm close to your age and am very sad that the country has come to this.

I believed that Harris would win the election and that the good reforms Biden put in motion would continue.

As bad as I thought Trump II would be, it's even worse.

Tough times to live through.

SheltieLover

(66,752 posts)
37. Happy Birthday & many happy, healthy returns!
Wed Apr 23, 2025, 01:11 PM
17 hrs ago


I know what you mean about how fast tech has evolved.

I think about my parents' generation & I'm sure they felt the same way living through The Great Depression, the advent of cars, WW II, the highway system, etc., etc.

Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin

(121,904 posts)
51. Happy birthday
Wed Apr 23, 2025, 01:59 PM
17 hrs ago

I'm only 2 1/2 years behind you.

In spite of all the bullshit in the world one can still remain positive. One thing about getting older is you learn to count your blessings.

sarchasm

(1,261 posts)
53. Happy Birthday to a Generation Jones cohort!
Wed Apr 23, 2025, 02:02 PM
16 hrs ago

Right there with you bluegirl! Analog to digital. ... (71 in may.)

Keep up the good fight, and get in some of that good trouble.



BeneteauBum

(125 posts)
54. Welcome to being 70
Wed Apr 23, 2025, 02:04 PM
16 hrs ago

Got there three years ago……and yes, we are living in scary times.
Peace ☮️

Warpy

(113,237 posts)
55. Hiting that three score and ten feels like an acievement
Wed Apr 23, 2025, 02:06 PM
16 hrs ago

along with a large dose of "How the fuck did this happen?" Age really does tend to creep up on you except when it starts to gallop. There's also a bit of satisfaction when we reflect on some of the rotten assholes we've managed to outlive, Limbaugh comes to mind immediately but there have been others.

So happy birthday. May you have many others in good health, going forward like the Energizer bunny, banging the left wing drum for many years until the batteries just quit and the exit is peaceful.

And my own feeling is that anyone over 70 should be able to eat any food or drug s/he desires. Period.

TuxedoKat

(3,827 posts)
56. Well then...
Wed Apr 23, 2025, 02:07 PM
16 hrs ago

a very, very Happy Birthday to you and a wonderful year and wishes for many more!!!

thought crime

(160 posts)
61. Happy Birthday! I remember driving alone across SW deserts in my old VW beetle in the 70's
Wed Apr 23, 2025, 02:21 PM
16 hrs ago

The retread tires had inner tubes, and sometimes they would wear through until I could see the tube. But off I’d go! With Stevie Wonder’s “Songs to the Key of Life” playing crackling on the radio. Now I don't leave home without the cell phone fully charged.

But love is certainly still in need of love today.

Dock_Yard

(194 posts)
62. Congrats, I "did" 70 6 months ago ...
Wed Apr 23, 2025, 02:25 PM
16 hrs ago

... just as Election Day happened. I was so crestfallen and angry and mystified.

The first 26 years of my life, it seemed net progress towards a "more perfect union" every 4 years was largely assured, despite the criminality of Nixon/Watergate and plenty of more minor Nixon/Agnew gross-ness prior. Then came Reagan in 1980, which definitely swung the tide for the next (ongoing) 44 years. Yes, we have interrupted the "bad tide" for terms (Clinton X 2, Obama X 2, Biden X 1), but overall the negative societal trends and attitudes have become much more entrenched. We all know why and how, I won't get into that here ...

With my life-span split approaching 1/3rd of a "progressing" nation and 2/3rds of a "regressing" nation, I've decided to just the rest of my life how I want to, no matter how negative the trends are. I worry -- a lot -- for what my adult children will have to confront after I'm gone. I will continue to vote and protest, as we all should.

nolabear

(43,666 posts)
64. Welcome to the 70 club!
Wed Apr 23, 2025, 02:36 PM
16 hrs ago

I’m a few months ahead of you. Seeing the things we believe in and have worked so hard for beaten bloody is dispiriting at best. But I plan to hang around out of pure cussedness and work as I can for my kids and grandkids’ (and everyone else’s too!) future.

Happy Birthday! All in all it’s a time of strength and perspective.

Sanity Claws

(22,179 posts)
66. Happy Birthday to you!
Wed Apr 23, 2025, 02:40 PM
16 hrs ago

It won't be long until I'm at the milestone too.
I'm hoping for the best too --- for you and all of us.

Tree Lady

(12,362 posts)
69. Happy Birthday!
Wed Apr 23, 2025, 02:57 PM
16 hrs ago

I know the feeling the years go by so fast especially as we age. I hope you have a wonderful day.

I am not far behind you, turn 69 soon.

CrispyQ

(39,504 posts)
70. Happy Birthday, redstatebluegirl!
Wed Apr 23, 2025, 03:02 PM
15 hrs ago


I consider myself a winner in the human lottery in terms of when & where I was born, especially as a woman. Here's a BD card to cheer you up! Okay, I stole it but I love this map!

HarryM

(355 posts)
74. Happy Birthday.
Wed Apr 23, 2025, 03:33 PM
15 hrs ago

I am close to 70 myself. Less than 3 weeks away. We have been through a lot. As an activist for the past 55 years or so, it has been almost a full time second job to keep up with all the crap we normal folks have had to fight for. I get depressed when I think about all that we have worked for, only to get it wiped away by a schmuck from Asstoria, Queens. (my misspelling). It was a lot of work to get all the things for WE THE PEOPLE that we have worked for over our lifetime. I am not as energetic as I once was, but will fight until my last breath, to do whatever I am able to do. Granted, I am not in very great health, and cannot physically do what I once did, but I feel that things may get worse if we all don't step up and work hard for out rights, the environment, and against greed, future generations will suffer.
There are some young folks who have taken on the banners that we used to carry, and I look forward to the day when they take the leadership out of the hands of greed, and uncontrolled capitalists.
Godspeed. Stay healthy and happy.

Fla Dem

(26,538 posts)
77. Happy Birthday "redstatebluegirl"
Wed Apr 23, 2025, 03:57 PM
15 hrs ago

As you can tell by my posting name, I too live in a red state. One of the most deplorable one. But for the 1st time in a long time I'm seeing Dems stepping up and pushing back. It's a steep hill to climb but we're climbing it.

Have a great birthday.

Kath2

(3,154 posts)
78. Happy birthday and I get it.
Wed Apr 23, 2025, 03:59 PM
15 hrs ago

66 here and these are terrifying times. Absolutely appalling. And, yes, the racists and sexists are out in force. Hang in there sister. We are in for long few years. Hopefully, his crimes will catch up with him and he will be impeached.

SupportSanity

(1,387 posts)
83. That Seventies Show! Starring:
Wed Apr 23, 2025, 04:52 PM
14 hrs ago

us!

Happy Birthday to ya’

70 was so last year.

I was told it’s all downhill from here. I’m still looking for the hill.

I’m not all seventy.

My eyes are 80
My teeth are 60
My belly is 95 and way too old for exercise
My one hip says it’s too old and is asking for a replacement
My nose is 105 and should be smelling smells that are now only a memory
And my brain is a twenty year old trapped in an older man’s body.

All in all, it’s as it should be.

Happy Birthday!

MIButterfly

(301 posts)
84. Happy Birthday, redstatebluegirl!
Wed Apr 23, 2025, 05:17 PM
13 hrs ago

I wish you many happy returns of the day!

I can relate to every word you wrote. It's been a heck of a ride these past 70 years. Some good times; some great times; some not so good times; some awful times; a lot of laughs and a lot of tears.

Sto lat! (meaning: 100 years; it's a traditional Polish song for best wishes and a long life.)

beemerphill

(554 posts)
86. Congratulations !!!!!
Wed Apr 23, 2025, 05:36 PM
13 hrs ago

I am 75 myself. I can remember talking to my grandmother. She went from a time when people used horse drawn carriages for transportation to seeing a man walk on the moon on live TV. We live interesting times, and I am glad that we do.

Evolve Dammit

(20,516 posts)
87. Happy Birthday Girl! May we all survive to see another. I am of similar "vintage" so thank you for the post!
Wed Apr 23, 2025, 06:28 PM
12 hrs ago

tmars505

(9 posts)
88. 75 going to 76 in redneck city
Wed Apr 23, 2025, 06:59 PM
12 hrs ago

just wait. One day you will wake up and realize you've never been this old before

livetohike

(23,387 posts)
90. Happy 70th Birthday redstatebluegirl! Hope you
Wed Apr 23, 2025, 07:47 PM
11 hrs ago

are having a wonderful day. I can’t believe all that we have seen in our years (I’ll be 73 in July).

love_katz

(2,999 posts)
91. Happy birthday.
Wed Apr 23, 2025, 08:04 PM
10 hrs ago

We're the same age. Welcome to your seventh decade of life.

Those of us who have lived this long have seen a lot of changes.
Sadly, we don't get to relax and enjoy our golden years.
We fought for social justice and environmental healing throughout our lives. We just have to Keep On Truckin', as Freewheeling Franklin used to say in the old Zap Comix.
Sigh .

Saoirse9

(3,856 posts)
96. Happy birthday!!!
Wed Apr 23, 2025, 09:16 PM
9 hrs ago

I am right behind you. Turning 65 Sunday. Definitely a depressing time to be getting old.

mountain grammy

(27,719 posts)
98. Happy Birthday and welcome to the 70's
Wed Apr 23, 2025, 09:27 PM
9 hrs ago

I’ve been here 7 years.

It’s a challenge but we’re still here!

Figarosmom

(5,288 posts)
107. Congrats its a milestone
Wed Apr 23, 2025, 11:20 PM
7 hrs ago

I'm right there with you. I hit 75. Never thought I'd see 50. But, man, when you think back at the developments in science, it's amazing. A Black President brought tears to my eyes, but then I knew the racists would rise to the surface and try to make us pay. I just hoped there were fewer of them.

But wow, we can talk to each other face to face from anywhere with our phones. I remember what a big deal a speaker phone was. And color TV.

William Gustafson

(444 posts)
108. I turned 70 last March...
Wed Apr 23, 2025, 11:36 PM
7 hrs ago

I agree with your sediments to the change we experienced.
From growing up on a small horse farm, where we got our first tv... Black and white monster that could heat the entire room from the vacuum tubes and picture tube heat.... there was the evolution of the TV's to now flat screens, we got to witness.
Our home was a few miles from my hometown, so as I grew older, I would hitchhike into town to hang with my friends, and had to be back home before the sun went down... We never worried that anyone would kidnap us, because most people were happy to give me a lift...
We had great music, great cars, great friends and great family's.... There wasn't one weekend a month where the family would get together, with Aunts and Uncles and all our cousins. We were close back then....
We, too... had a party line, but when my father worked for Bell Telelphone, we got a private line because he was on call all the time.... with five teenagers, the phone was always used. We had to remember our friends phone numbers by heart because phonebooks were scarce until the 60's.
In order to find our friends, we looked for bikes in front yards, and then later, look for cars in the driveways... there was always a lot of them either way.
Vietnam affected me because my oldest brother went there... thankfully, he came back. We worried everyday he was there. The protest on the TV... Kent State shootings by National Guard... I enlisted in 1974 into the USCG, one year before the war ended, and luckily, my draft number came up, but I was already signed up with the Guard... spent five years in the guard.
A lot of things have changed, and I have been able to keep up, but this last 8 years, what I have witnessed going on, and now with this administration doing everything they can to destroy what millions of people before us, created. It's astounding to watch everyday people believe that this group of Administration officials are actually making "Make America Great Again".
We lost Allys we have had for 80 years, turn our backs on the people that are being bombed by Russia, Destroying the economy and any retirement that people saved for - gone! Destroy the government, including 80,000 getting fired for the VA... It's all been done in just 90+ days...
I hope I get to live to see the end of all of this, so I can see the justice that will be required and "Build Back Better"

Meowmee

(8,693 posts)
110. Happy Birthday 😁🎂
Thu Apr 24, 2025, 01:15 AM
5 hrs ago

Yes we lived through or remember a lot of that too... what is happening since psycho is far worse and not even comparable imo. I had hoped to finally have some peace after the disasters caused to my family. But it seems it will only get worse.

I also have outlived my mother by a long time now. I don't want whatever is left marred by this insanity anymore.

Straw Man

(6,860 posts)
112. Happy birthday, youngster!
Thu Apr 24, 2025, 02:37 AM
4 hrs ago

(I turned 71 in February, so I can say that. )

It's strange to have lived through things that young people now think of as ancient history: the assassinations of JFK, RFK, and MLK; the Vietnam War; the Kent State massacre; Watergate; the Iran hostage crisis; 9/11 ... Well, happy birthday, and many more!

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Today I turn 70.