I wish they had kept him.

Joni — if you lost your friends, then they weren’t your friends to begin with.

Thanks so much, Kitty. But I’m sure you’re much prettier than your avatar, although he is adorable!

I am the world’s biggest ham. As soon as I see a camera, I break into a big smile. This is probably due to my mother, who always made us smile when we were being photographed. My husband, who is a photographer, thinks it’s ridiculous, but he tolerates my little quirks. My feeling is that we should look as good as we can, and if smiling makes you look good, why not? As for the results — you can see them for yourself at the left.

I grew up in a neighborhood where everyone knew each other, and the kids used to play in the streets. Everyone also knew everyone else’s business, and gossip was rampant. I now live in a small New England town where the only time I see my neighbors is at the annual block party. Everyone is friendly to everyone else at the party, but that’s about it. In fact, the woman across the street remarked about the time a couple of months ago that an ambulance came and took my husband to the hospital. Fortunately, it was nothing dreadfully serious, and he was released in a couple of days, but it would have been nice if she had come over to inquire. I don’t know which is better — to live in a “friendly” neighborhood and have everyone know every detail of your life, or in a place where people mind their own business.

Love — without it, nothing else that you have means anything. I might also add my drive and determination to achieve things that people have said were impossible. They are truly real, authentic, true and genuine. They are within me and are self created. A long time ago I decided that I could do anything I wanted if I tried hard enough. I have achieved most of my goals and they give me a great deal of satisfaction. But they would be meaningless if my life had no love.

I know the feeling, Johanna. My father taught me to swim before I could even walk, and when I was a kid, you couldn’t get me out of the water. But then, the waters were clean and unpolluted. I went to camp in the Berkshires and loved the mountain lakes — you got used to the cold very quickly. I grew up near the ocean on Long Island, and even though the salt water hurt my eyes, I loved diving through the waves. Now I live near Long Island Sound in Connecticut, and it’s nothing like the ocean. It’s D-I-R-T-Y! I won’t even put my toes in it. And pools never really interested me. So I haven’t been in the water for years.

This conversation was fascinating! And so are the comments that followed. I hated High School — I was the ultimate outsider, but it really began in grade school. We moved from NYC to a Long Island suburb when I was ten, and I was totally rejected by all my classmates. In fact, they were often downright cruel. I was totally lacking in social graces, but I think they could have been a little kinder. It was a very painful time for me, and even though I’ve had many wonderful experiences in my life, sometimes when I think back on it, it still hurts. I did have a few friends in High School, and we did have a lot of fun, but I was never in the “right” cliques. I think I’ve learned a lot since then, but isn’t life a learning experience?

I posted one earlier, but here’s one I have carried around with me for many years. It was written by Thoreau: “In the long run, men hit only what they aim for. Therefore, though they fail immediately, they had better aim at something high.” It was on a placard in the bus that I took for my first meeting with my divorce lawyer in 1968. I was scared to death, but it reassured me and I copied it down. Of course, it applies to women, too, but I really don’t have to point that out, do I?

You’re thinking of Dorothy Parker.

“When life hands you a lemon, make lemonade.” I know it’s a cliche’, but it truly has helped me through a couple of very rough spots in my life.

I’ll drink to that!

Thanks — that’s why I chose it ;-)

“Eighty-year-old woman shot to death by jealous wife of thirty-year-old lover.”

Joni — you are amazing! This is an excellent addition to wowOwow. I look forward to reading the new book section, and hopefully reading some of the books, too.