Sure, I could be a vegetarian if I could eat only fresh vegetables and someone else did all the washing, peeling and chopping. Frozen or canned vegetables just don’t taste as good. I guess I am too lazy to be vegetarian because it is less labor intensive to grill a piece of fish or meat. Right now, I am trying to not buy the bagged salads due to cost, and don’t like fooling around with gritty lettuce leaves.

Attending college was the best thing I have ever done for myself, closely followed by leaving my first husband. In college I learned how to learn and certain classes opened intellectual door I never knew existed. I graduated in 1975 and my 2 dearest friends were fellow students. Art classes opened up the creativity I was born with and allowed me to say “I am an artist”. All this has certainly enriched my life and I cannot imagine what other path I would have taken without my education. what a deal!

I came from a family of 5 kids which was too many for my Mother to deal with emotionally and financially. We all suffered as a result. So, back to the question of how many is too many….you may not know until you have too many and can no longer cope. At this time, with such rising costs I do not see how anyone could afford to clothe and healthfully feed a large family, even if they have a bottomless well of love to give.

I also vote for the “none of the above” catagory, also. So who should care how other people live their lives as long as it does not harm others? Living in North Carolina, I know there are many who take it upon themselves to decide what is a right way to live and their decisions are based on their religion. What I do not understand is how some folks believe they know what their God wants and thinks. How many have ever had an actual conversation exchanging and discussing ideas with their God?

I have a fantasty of being able to do ANYTHING and ignore my body completely, such as flying, climbing trees, or dancing all night. Wouldn’t it be great to do whatever you want and not have body limitations? At one time I could eat anything, including habeneras, and have no effect on my “guts of iron”….no more! Then there are the stiff joints and limited range. The only part that has gotten better is my brain because I now allow myself to be as smart and creative as I always was. Also, my brain is not much bothered by intrusive thoughts about sex since I am long past menopause. I am trying really hard to ignore all the fat I am lugging around, in hopes it will just GO AWAY!

When I was young I felt rather odd about wanting time alone and not liking big groups or parties. Everyone else seemed to enjoy lots of people around, so what was my problem? Nothing. Now that I am older I can say out loud “I need alone time” or more quiet. I have gone into restaurants that have such loud music it is impossible to talk in a normal voice, so I ask that the volumn be lowered. Long ago I stopped going to swimming pools because there were always several screeching children having a great time, plus making me deaf. Being quiet and alone is wonderfully restoring.

I’ve always needed time alone and cannot really understand people who must have someone with them at all times. When I am alone, I enjoy the wonderful quiet, think great thoughts, and contemplate my navel. Being alone restores me so I can cope with lifes demands and all the bad news from the stock market, hurricanes and poisoned baby formula.

Edna find her fabulous glasses? The dress I can make, but good glasses are almost impossible to find…too many are made to coordinate with beige personalities.

OK, I guess you had to be there to get the point. I missed it entirely.

Living in the deep south I am fluent in “neck” and understand all our peculiar expressions and terms….authentic regional dialect. I can read enough French, and Spanish, to get the basics of what is written, however speaking French is another matter. In either language I can read a menu, or recipe, and ask where to find a bathroom. I would like to be fluent in both languages, just for the fun of it.

Years ago I was a member of an arts organization which had a member who tried very hard to give the impression she “ran/owned” the organization. She made herself very visible and community members, city officials, and the media got the impression that she wanted. There were several problems, such as her missing deadlines, spelling errors of names being published in news releases, and not following through on important matters. All this was in addition to her incredibly slovenly appearance, including dirty fingernails and smelly clothes. At a meeting she did not attend, I was brave enough to speak out and say “she gives a bad impression of the group”. The room was silent and then a few people squirmed in their chairs. No one followed my comment with their own…silence. It amazed me that the group had allowed this unkempt, disoganized and self serving woman to gain such a visible position, while the members considered themselves serious professionals serving the community. When I became chairperson over a particular area, I did not involve her and did all the work myself. She became furious when I contacted, and met with, the curator of a local museum to propose a joint event. (The event was very successful). Slowly she was squeezed out of her self defined domain, by myself and others. It all had started with me speaking out and apparently saying what others were thinking.

Yes, I agree it is creepy and also controlling. What does this say to the daughter? I think it puts a load of guilt on her if she “betrays” her promise to Daddy. In the photos I have seen, most of the girls look VERY young and I suspect have not had a romantic relationship. Controlling, controlling, controlling…

Sex is so personal, that I have never understood how someone could talk the morning after. I am married for a second time and had my share of fun times…along with maybe part of someone elses share…and I have never spoken to my current spouse about that part of my life. I am who I am now, and have no regrets, however past sex adventures are off limits for discussion.

I do believe that my soul and spirit has been in this world before, but do not have a clue as to who or what. The reincarnation theory that you come to this world to improve/purify your soul, sounds right to me. I was born with the gift of creativity and feel most at peace when I use my gift to express concerns and problems of women, such as child rearing, domestic duties and relationships. My own life has undergone huge change over the years and I am far from the person I was as a young woman. I have accomplished some things that I never thought possible. Definately, I am on a path, even though I don’t know where it leads.

Art…right now I am working on ceramic sculpture, an old love. Art takes me away from everything else and is its own therapy. After a couple of hours in the studio, I am dirty, my shoulders ache, and I am much happier. My work is highly personalized and allows me to vent my deepest woes without boring anyone else. Hooray for art!