That Girl’s Blog: From Cat to ‘Cougar’?

For the second time in as many weeks, I was called (or referred to as) a “Cougar.” Let me clear up any speculation: I am a 45 year old recently single woman. I live independently – as I have for some time. I have an amazing job and I have 2 dogs and an old cat. I ride a Harley and I have tattoos and I like my wine and my friends. I enjoy living by the ocean and I sing off-key to songs I like on the radio. I try to find the humor in everyday life and I am far from a perfect person, but I try to be the best I can be. And apparently, I am a “Cougar.”

What the heck does that even mean? According to the poor guy who called me a cougar this weekend, it means I am “on the prowl.” Images of Kim Cattrall as Samantha from Sex in the City flood into my head when I hear the term. But what’s wrong with Samantha? She was beautiful and strong and “fabulous” – and for a very long time, had a much younger companion. Courteney Cox starred in a series called “Cougar Town” for half a decade, too. It was a little funny, but they did eventually cancel the program. I cannot remember the first time I heard the term ‘Cougar’, and I suppose of all the things I have been called throughout my life, it’s not the worst, but it’s not my favorite, either.

Just because I am single does not mean I am hunting for the weakest member of a herd of antelope. I have many friends my age – both men and women – who at some point in their adult lives have found themselves single. Some have made the decision to be self-sufficient and do not need someone else to make them “complete.” Others are simply trying to regain the confidence after a breakup or divorce to move on and trust another person enough to let them into their lives.

Did you know there is a dating site called “CougarLife.com”? It boasts: “Meeting Cougars Made Easy! 2 Million Cougars Seeking Young Men! The Largest Cougar Site · 5 Million Members!” How do I know about this site, along with “ChristianMingle.com”, “SeniorSingles.com”, “FarmersOnly.com”, “OurTime.com” and “ProfessionalMatch.com”? Apparently when you remove the personal status from your Facebook page, the digital marketing sharks smell blood in the water and start circling to let you know there are “PlentyOfFish” in the sea… UGH!  There is also a top-ranked site (according to its own ads) called “Zoosk.com” – which, to me, sounds like a Shaggy expletive from the old Scooby-Doo show… As if I needed my personal life to turn into more of a cartoon!
Cat Swimsuit ModelI will admit, soon after the realization that I was now in this mid-life crisis category, I lined up every John Cusack movie I owned or could download, and had a Bridget Jones evening on the couch with my dogs, a bottle of wine, and a bowl of ice cream. “Must Love Dogs” momentarily pushed me over the edge. As I dug into my quart of Honey Jack Daniel’s ice cream from Four Seas Ice Cream, I actually thought about diving into the mysterious world of online dating. After all, you can be anyone you want in the fantastic world of FakeBook. You can be smart, talented, beautiful and a superhero in your exaggerated profile. You can photo-shop your pictures to give yourself a supermodel figure, flawless skin, and white teeth. You can even borrow your neighbor’s puppy for added effect. Why not? It’s not real. We are all starring in our own movies; why not paint ourselves up to be the best character?

Despite all the pop-ups, I have not clicked through to create a “PICK ME” page on any of these sites. Please don’t get me wrong. One of my best friends met her husband through an online dating site and has the most amazing “happily ever after” story I know. It makes me smile every time I see her post a picture of her son and her husband. Seeing her smile makes me happy.

I asked one of my best friends what she thought the term “Cougar” meant. She laughed and said “It’s not a bad thing. I wear that badge with pride!”

So where am I and what am I doing? Am I staking out laundromats and knocking over displays in grocery stores? Am I sitting woefully at the end of a bar sipping on cosmopolitans from martini glasses, wearing skirts that should have been donated once I graduated from college? No. I wake up at goofy-o-clock in the morning and go to a job I love. I throw a ball for Zorro and take Mazzy for walks. I meet my friends for cocktails and ride my Harley when the weather permits. I might remember to mow my lawn and I may forget to wash my car. I will occasionally eat my dinner standing up at the sink and I may leave the dirty dishes until the next day…or the day after that. I will sing off-key to country songs and I will laugh too loud every chance I get.

cat-with-puppy

About Cat Wilson

Cat Wilson is "That Girl" on Cape Country 104 – a Cape Cod native and longtime Cape radio personality. She is a passionate supporter of Military and Veteran causes on the Cape and also hosts local music spotlight program, “The Cheap Seats” on Ocean 104.7.

Comments

  1. Rosemarie Sirois says

    Start a blog. You’re entertaining!

  2. Cat, this was hilarious. lol Thanks for the early morning laughs.

  3. Lauren Finn-Jesus says

    Thanks for the chuckle, Cat!!! If you’re a cougar, it’s in the best sense of the word!

  4. You ROCK Cat! I met you this summer at Sunnys…..Country night! Fun! Be happy whether that’s being a cougar or not!

  5. Cat, I’ve got a few years on you, but my impression that cougars were ‘older’ women trying to pick up young boys. Doesn’t sound like you

  6. Your no “Cougar”… Your still a College Girl to me !

  7. Cat I think we went to the same high school, I’m from the cape . but have been in Newport for 36 years ! too funny this write up, great read. smiles & maybe a ride together sometime,,,
    Captain Bret

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