May I add to your defense of “old maids”?
My grandfather was orphaned when his mother died in childbirth during the 1880’s.
His father could not handle the tragedy and drank himself to death, dying a couple of years later.
My grandfather was raised by his “old maid” aunts who were his mother’s sisters.
And they did a fantastic job as my grandfather became successful as self made businessman as well as a father who raised five children.
I barely remember meeting them when I was three or four right before they passed away and even at that young age they left quite an impression.
That’s my take on old maids and I don’t have any take on the the other gender’s equivalency of “old maids” who Garson Keillor referred to as “bachelor farmers”.
Much like my neighbor whose late wife was a dear friend to me.
He turned 85 last month. He, too, was orphaned when his mother died during his birth. His father left the family soon after. He was raised by his “old maid” aunt and his grandmother. That was during the non-nonsense days in impoverished rural Kentucky.
He became successful in Engineering as a mid-level Manager for a large electric company.
Things are so different now, aren’t they?