The emotional support of my spouse, Diane, has brought me the most happiness. My 3 Abysinnian cats make me laugh every day. Creating art work that has a personal content. Travel to places, like Paris, that once seemed like far away fantasy places.

Let’s see …where do I start…I envy women with long slender legs. I envy people who grew up with inner confidence and got on their way with life without counseling and crippling insecurities. Most recently, I envy people who have loving happy adult children. As an artist, I envy the artists who have the confidence to promote and gain exposure of their work, rather than storing it under the bed.

Since I buy most of my clothes at thrift stores I spend very little yearly. If something is bought new, it must be an extreme bargain, at least 1/2 off. Clothes made for us big girls are SO UGLY there is no incentive to go shopping in clothing stores. Clothing construction is shoddy and the fabrics will not hold up. I have started buying underwear online so as to avoid dept. stores! So, I will continue to look like a frump in my comfortable, loose fitting clothes.

Years ago when I was much, much thinner and prettier I had a couple of experiences that were embarrasing and humiliating. After chit-chatting (innocently I thought) with men I was invited to either join the guy at his hotel, get off the plane in an early stop, and one jerk even offered me money to be his companion during his business trip. Now that I am older and far fatter that situation has never re-occurred, thank goodness. More recently, I have been trapped by a fellow Grandmotherly type who praddled about her Grandchildren, dog, etc. When I travel I really prefer to be left completely alone to think great thoughts between episodes of being terrified that a small bump or noise will lead to a deadly air crash.

Afraid to ask for my score! Everything was just fine until job losses hit and periods of unemployment. Now we are strictly on a cash basis and have built a savings reserve. No more credit cards EVER, EVER, EVER! They are a trap and spend you money in advance.

If I am going out my choice is determined by whatever does not need ironing. I hate to iron. If I am staying in, comfort rules. Whatever I wear must be soft and have no scratchy parts like abrasive seams or cheap lace. Also, I do not wear restrictive clothes. Nothing is more uncomfortable than a top that is a little tight across the shoulders or pants that bind when you sit down. Once I put clothes on I do not want to think about them, such as having to adjust parts or be reminded I have clothes on.

This is a tough question. Health care is absolutely vital and the cost is out of control. Insurance companies and drug manufacturers make big money while average folks struggle desperately if a major illness occurs. I have no solutions to provide better, lower cost healthcare. Somebody more knowledgable about the options needs to push for changes to benefit all of us…rich and poor.

If I HAD to give the money away I would do some research and then give it towards a good art education program, probably for kids. In doing this, I would hope to unleash creative skills that are discourage by our popular culture. Kids watch far too much TV, need to read more, and use their imagination in positve ways.

Marie got a raw deal! She was sent to France, for an arranged political marriage at age 14 to an immature husband. She was isolated at Versailles and became the symbol of the King’s court extravagance and blindness to the lives of the poor. There were many players in the King’s court and I can not believe Marie had a strong influence on Royal attitudes. she took what was available to her, and I hope she had a great time while it lasted.

I must agree with Judith Martin…even though Becky Sharp is not a contemporary character, her survival instincts teach an important lesson applicable to today. If anyone thinks our present society is not repressive and limiting to women they are simply incorrect. The types of restriction and limitations have changed but exist none the less. I have read “Vanity Fair’ perhaps 6 times and will do so again. Too bad I did not read the book as a young woman.

“At the end of the day” is a phrase that makes me crazy. I worked with someone who abuse the expression almost hourly!

We just had a conversation about how much cash reserve we need to feel somewhat safe. Because of the stock market, job changes, layoffs, thiese are scary times financially. I have health issues that require daily exensive medication and insurance premiums are through the roof. Right now I think I would need a very large cash reserve to feel secure. Then there is the matter of banks collapsing!

So many of us love the internet…what did we do before Google? I can be in the middle of a job I dislike, such as folding laundry, and think of something to look up on Google. Then I am sidetracked and find the neglected pile of laundry a couple of hours later, full of cats. I truly enjoy searching out new info on the net, so I don’t think of it as procrastination.

Hey Gulliver and Step Away…i attended USF, University of South Florida, or do you mean University of San Francisco. I majored in Fine Arts and the most wonderful teacher was my first drawing teacher, Wesley Houk, now deceased. He was able to unleash the creativity I pent up for years in my former restrictive enviornment. His drawing classes gave me a strong foundation for the other arts I was to pursue. Mr. Houk was a true southern gentleman and wore a coat and tie to class…always perfectly groomed, gentle spoken and kind. Years after graduating when I won a NEA Grant I telephoned to tell him and again thank him for his influence, but his wife told me he had passed away. I was saddened to not be able to share my happiness with him. I will never forget him.

The contents of my purse have changed considerably over the years. Gone is the red lipstick and everything else in a make up bag, replaced by plain lip balm. I no longer need a brush now that my hair is very short. My wallet contains absolutely no cash because I can always find ways to spend any amount. I only carry my ATM card and drivers license…no photos. Somehow I accumulate many pieces of odd paper such as receipts and other bits that I do not want to throw on the ground. I have lost many nice ball point pens and currently only have a freebie. Since I use my ATM card, I never carry a check book anymore. ( ATM card swipers were in common use in California several years before the technology found its way to North Carolina) The only addition to my load is and emergency diabetic snack package (in case of low blood sugar), pills for upset stomach, and more keys.