Because I have a blog, I’ve become addicted to my laptop. Forget the remote, just give me my mouse and I’m content. I do love Extreme Makeover—Home Edition and the good cry that comes with watching that show.

I agree with Carol that power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely. For whatever reason, Spitzer couldn’t handle the increase in power that came with being governor. Sad thing is that his family now has to handle the absolutely awful pain of his absolute corruption.

Liz—One of the great things about the Internet is the opportunity for Boomers to blog. I confess that a year ago I didn’t even know what a blog was but now I post everyday. Blogging is a wonderful way to stay in touch with friends and family, especially in our 50’s when we’re losing loved ones all too frequently. It’s also a way to share the authenticity and significance we find in midlife, the fun new things we do with our time now that we’ve decided what we want to be when we grow up—again. Better than a letter or card, blogging offers a woman in midlife the opportunity to fully express what a wonderful person she’s become.

I imagine that what Silda Spitzer feels like doing will change from moment to moment over the next months. Right now maybe she’s numb with shock or maybe not. We can armchair “quarterback” here and think that she didn’t have a clue. But after so many years of marriage maybe she knew her husband was a jerk and let it slide. Whatever the case may have been, her private pain is now public. My guess is that it’s darn near impossible to go back to whatever was the status quo in their marriage. It’s so sad that she is being subjected to such public humiliation and that her every move will be flyspecked by everyone and their sister-in-law. She and her daughters are in my prayers.

Completely agree with you Charlotte. My grandmother always used to say that pretty comes from the inside out.

Translated that meant the woman who got the job in 1943 was young, single, peppy, plump and physically fit with all her marbles. She was also speedy, efficient and content if given plenty of instruction, no criticism , a baggy uniform, a variety of things to do and several lipstick breaks a day.

From one woman on the web (I’m at http://midlifesatrip.com) to the rest of you, what a wonderful new community! From the moment I saw the homepage, I truly felt at home. Thanks to the NYT for bringing wowOwow to my attention.

First I have to say that 33 years ago when I was pregnant with my son, I had this incredible Diane von Furstenberg maternity dress that made me feel so beautiful and fashionable with my huge belly. Hope a thank you to Diane for the great design isn’t too late!! As for fear, there’s a great acronym that I always keep in mind: F false E evidence A appearing R real

It’s tough to comment after such great suggestions—a lot of whom I would “ditto” like Rosa Parks, Eleanor Roosevelt, Harriet Tubman, Laura Nyro (blast from the past), Mother Teresa, who did good with so little and Oprah, who does good with so much. But I have to add that despite my fear of heights, I would climb Mount Rushmore and use a chisel until my hands were bloody to hand carve the image of Joyce, my best friend of 50 years, a brilliant, caring and accomplished woman who but for her struggle with early onset Alzheimer’s would be adding her wisdom to this discussion.