You say I’m Samuel Guilluame MacGregor the third? I don’t think so!!!

There is no doubt that Gloria Steinem is alone among living women who have most impacted our lives as all of the later women that have been suggested would never have gotten there without her. We do owe much gratitude to so many women who are no longer with us who paved the way. Several First ladies come to mind such as Eleanor Roosevelt and Jackie Kennedy, certainly Betty Friedan along with Margaret Sanger, Margaret Meade, Sandra Day O’conner, Ruth Bader Ginsberg, Rosa Parks and we must not forget a little known Texan, Norma McCorvey, later know in court documents as Jane Roe (Roe vs Wade). Without all of the above, none of the rest would have even been a possibility.

The balloon man cometh………

Sam, I always enjoy your posts and this one is no different. Funny, too!

Joanie, you are so right…if it hadn’t been for Mag, I wouldn’t have survived!! I had no love at all but hers. My sister even hated me and was jealous. But, it gave me a fearlessness because I had nothing to lose and my spirit soared!! My mother grew up in a lovely family and had everything but love. All of that was given to her older sister who developed diabetes as a child but she was so beautiful that everyone fell at her feet but she could never give any love to anyone. My parents were only into themselves and my dad used me as the monkey to his organ grinder. I became a performer and am still on stage…can’t help it.

Fortunately, from the outside I had an incredible life that included wealth and adventures beyond compare. But, something happened in my late 40’s and I am just in the last year understanding that it was a breakdown and I was never the same again. She had a stoke with no money and no insurance that cost hundred of thousands and had to live with me with a housekeeper, my husband had an affair, my child left to go live with his father and I just drowned it all in alcohol for a while and wanted to die. My employees pillaged through my business. But, I am a survivor! I lived a life beyond my wildest dreams and feel that I am just so lucky to be me. I wish I had had some guidance as it would have been so much easier and who knows where I would have gone. But, I did it my way. I am now just feeling so good and coming out of an almost 20 year devastation that has left me with a little post trumatic stress. My main worry now is that there is enough time to do all that I want to make up for lost time. I am happy!!!! I love all of you for listening and caring. Hugs all around.

Joan, both you and Phyllis, are so fortunate and I think it shows in you both that you had wonderful mothers who "guided" your lives and showed you how to live to the fullest and THINK. Although I loved my mother, her life was wonderful and she had it all, she didn’t know it and self- destructed trying to find utopia and love when it was right there. She was a beauty and very mysterious but I think her self esteem was low. I was raised by my "black mama", Mag, who gave me all the essential important things and made me a free spirit with enough love for 17 lifetimes. Everything I am I owe to her and although she could barely write, she was one of the smartest people I ever knew. As I grew up, my mother wanted to be "me" and tried to do everything I did…even to the point of divorcing my dad just because I divorced my first husband. She just drove off into the sunset in her beautiful car not realizing that it took money to live! Her life became one disaster after the other but like Mag had done for me, I took her under my wing and became her mother for the rest of her life. She had utopia and love but never knew it.

Dis cuntry done gone to de dogs fur real…an ya kin quote me on dat!!!!!

Liz, I thank you for mentioning the truth about Micheal Jackson and the wonderful human being that he was. He was so good to all children that our dirty minds just knew it had to be more than was there. Shame on the press and on us. He gave more to children than anybody on earth. Just listen to the words of his songs and you will understand the man and all that he exspected of himself and the world.

Wonderful Lily, my insanely, fabulous, eccentric "inner bad lady" is screaming out to you………

HAPPY 70th BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I think we have just lost the greatest senator in the history of this country. If there is a heaven, I feel certain that Daniel Webster is looking down with envy. RIP Senator Kennedy,  thank you, and know that your great legacy and mighty words will live on and inspire always. 

Lesley, I LOVE you hair and your earring collection…did Don help with that , too? You rock!

Well said, Marigold. You sound like a pearl and the world is your oyster! I am in my 60’s and living life just this way and everyday is a big adventure. I know I bring happiness to others but I am the big winner.

Yah, Phyllis, same song, second verse… I buy quality and skimp on the junk.

I am once, twice, three times a lady!

Joanie…could we be two peas who fell from the same Pod?? I have always taken the road less traveled and even sometimes before it was even opened. On a road trip with a friend in my early twenties, I made a wrong turn on a road and we soon found it was new construction but we continued on. Despite some obstacles that we just drove around or through (one being a small creek), we arrived at our destination way ahead of time. And, must I add that we "did it our way"?