I clicked off too quickly - Liz, you brought it all back to me … you are right. I believed that lie, and did not read our joint tax returns before signing them.

There is a glass ceiling - wrong! It’s cement.

WHAT? had to be my response; never did, didn’t even know what it looked like, or smelled until 1981. I’ve seen 3 attorney friends lose their good judgement, and go on to be removed from the Bar, and others who faced similar losses smoking pot into their careers and out. Frankly, I was too busy with school and work to do much else.

Too many to choose only 1; I’ve kept my list for my Fantasy Dinner Party Benefit for the last 16 years…I’d be delighted with one of those invitees, or the man I didn’t marry because I felt his teenaged daughters really needed him. KICK.

My sentiments, exactly. Fashion today seems to be primarily in the mouth. Fabrics are just as poor…take a look at the cable show that does fashion make-overs on poor unsuspecting woman. But, for myself, other than finding something perfect at Filene’s, or Pricilla of Boston, as a student that wasn’t going to be possible in the early 1960s. I sketched my dream-gown, in 3-pieces so each could be worn again, yet lavish, and formal for my wedding, then set off to visit a few seamstresses. The once I chose did not need a pattern. The incredible small-business expert from Portgual wrapped me in French peau d’swate, and trimmed out appliques and a bolero-mandrarin collar “jacket” from Chantilly lace, in many fittings. After the affair, ‘Pricilla’ phoned me regarding my news photo, and asked if they could purchase my 3-pc gown. It was unique but could not ever be reproduced without my consent. Like a fool, I declined. The 2nd mistake I made. It’s still hanging in my closet, perfect as that day back when.

Great Scott, Marci - you jolted me out of my chair. I’d forgotten that my X had re-financed MY house (found out at a Closing!), and also applied to the Diocese for an Annullment of our marriage (after 6 children!) so he “can remarry,” but he’d already been “remarried” in another faith! And, she stayed with him - poor, desperate woman.

Most of the above, but two hit me right on, “This won’t hurt (doctor to me as a child—setting me up for life), and much of what X told me, too, about money, love for his family, etc. In fact, I was so deeply in denial, even when I divorced him, I insisted to my attorneys, “There is no money elsewhere…he doesn’t lie — I know that, for sure.” It took me 10 years to realize he did, repeatedly.

WowOWow, Joanie, thank you … felt puffed up watching that segment this morning, then seeing it again, right here at home.

Linda, I think you have something there. When I attended intermediate and high school, we had to stand when we were addressed by a teacher, or elder, and we stood to recite, and before class began, until being invited to be seated (private girls’ school). When I was in grad. school, I was a substitute teacher at all levels. So, while ‘teaching,’ I noticed an incredible lack of attention, and respect among the students for one another, so joyfully implemented my early ‘training,’ and did not give up, innocently enforcing the “Stand UP - now — ” approach. I told the students in one class that they deserve to be heard - “After all, you are reading!” One by one these 4th grades would rise to recite, read, or ‘work a problem.’ In this particular class, the teacher had left me a note that a certain student “won’t be called on to read …” because she could not read! I was stunned; however, when that youngester’s turn came, as I called on her, the other students began to wave their hands, raise an arm, or whisper to me, “She can’t read, teacher…” etc. Ignoring the objections in an innocent way, I called on the little girl, encouraging her to “just go ahead and stand up - everyone will listen …” as if I didn’t know she could not read. Letter by letter began to be sounded out, until the others in the class were wide-eyed, and some even trying to help her with ‘sounds,’ or leaning their little faces towards her to ‘help.’ That was the first day that child read aloud in school.

Look what I have, Eunice! http://www.breastcancer-experience.net/About-metzger.htm

Shell’s Chairman is retiring, and his interview by Charlie Rose tonight was most enlightening, since the oil execs have kept in hiding since scooping up billions the past 7 years — check it out on www.pbs.org. Marlo, I think we’ve grown beyond the 2-party system, which I fiercely defended 10 years ago - so no longer believe putting any Party in the White House is wise … if fact, we need to convert it to a colletions vault for the Smithsonian. In fact, I believe we’ve grown far too large for the patriachial structure of the Presidency, period. It’s right in keeping with those who must have a god-head to rely upon, blame, curse, or use as an excuse, aka “WWJD.” J would be out there making everyone help the sick, the poor, the hungry, the thirsty, the aged, the meek, the war-raveged, and … he’d close all the bloomin’ churches that have sprung up (at least in the SW), equalling gas stations in number. He (and Mohammad) would cry out, and condemn us for putting gambling before people’s needs, and against the repression of women, and the hate crimes, all so cleverly done in the name of “Faith.” We need to think, and act out of the proverbial box, now. In other words, NRA - Never Re-elect Anyone. Until the voters reign, this shall continue.

The Chappa-what, Mamacita?

Agree, Jane …

gulp - sorry, knee-jerk reaction.

Growing up in the Detroit area, and having many friends there, still (most have moved “farther out”), I shocked at what has become of that great city. It’s overrun with ignorance, that’s perpetuated by crime, fraud, and marginal leadership for decades. Yes, the city looks like it’s been bombed, in fact, my son exclamined, “Haven’t these people heard of Bonds?” It broke my heart at first—once driving by Briggs Stadium, the strains from “This Used To Be My Playground,” came over the car radio…but GP isn’t doing much better, now…and that was a real horror. Things change, yes, but this Kirkpatrick has caused incredible strife in that city since he dawned on the scene. The first horror I heard about with him was greatly reducing trash/garbage pick-up, forcing residents to take their garbage to collection locations — knowing full well it isn’t possible for a high percent of residents to safely travel the streets at any time of day or night (shots ring out at night on the East Side - which is incredible to me - I could believe ‘West Side,’ more easily), and the average age of its long-time residents who have stayed there - and those too poor to haul their garbage and trash. In a city suffocating under garbage and rats (a huge one boldly waltzed past our car at the front entrace of the best hotel in Detroit) his early actions against the residents forced me to write a letter to the “Editor.” All I can think of now, is how wonderful it was to grow up in that area, when education was excellent for all students, where diversity existed, and I’d skip school to go to the DIA, or DHM (when still in grade school), and each friend was a different “culture.” For those who are hanging on desperately, they must realize that there’s a greater reason for Detroit’s decline in the scheme of things, and they need to move, otherwise they’re like toads slowly heated up in a pot of water … vs. those thown into a boiling pot - the latter jump out to live. No place is worth living like that…it’s very sad. GP - shudder the thought. It’s no long GP - sorry, but it can’t be with Detroit imploded, and the leadership of Michigan, Detroit, Wayne County, and the voters should be ashamed of themselves; this did not happen over-night.