The young (20-ish) Starbucks employee with the dreads in her leaned out of the drive thru window to hand Jim my chai latte and said, “That’s very cool, that thing you’ve got going on there,” indicating my poncho.

“Thank you,” I said, somewhat aghast.  I’m not used to young hip-like folks telling me I’m cool.

“Did you make it?”

“Yeah, I did.”

“That’s very cool.  I always wanted to lean how to do that, but I have a hard time paying attention,” she said and shrugged in a very non-chalant I have dreads and you don’t sort of way.

“Oh, it’s easy,” I said and she turned away.  I guess I didn’t hold her attention.  However, it was definitely interesting for me, the definitely un-hip quickly approaching middle aged gal to be so complimented.  Perhaps it makes me a little shallow, but I was somewhat flattered.  Getting old isn’t all creaks and fly-away greys after all…