Interesting, but I have seen the contrary in 3 different instances … the men became ill (brain tumor in one and massive stroke in the other two) and the wives were the ones to abandon ship (one had,in my opinion, a valid reason, the other two said they had been unhappy before it happened). Two of the husbands remain living, but elsewhere with caregivers.

I preface this with the fact that I fortunately haven’t been faced with this, but from where I sit, it would be difficult for me to abandon my spouse under those circumstances, if we were still married. Apart from the fact that I couldn’t face my children if I were to abandon their father in a comparable state, I would hate to be kicked when I was down. Divorce isn’t always the answer because it significantly reduces the pool of money available. Better to try to find some relief by hiring someone to come in periodically — or daily if finances permit it.

I am all in favor of people learning to read, but I think this article that appeared in Fortune magazine is very interesting.

http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune_archive/2002/05/13/322876/index.htm

He had managed somehow to get through college and get a BA, just barely, and he built two companies from the ground up and the last one was sold to another company and he then became CEO of it. And yet for all intents and purposes he couldn’t read. 

That is often the case with all those successful dyslexic entrepreneurs.  They tend to be team builders and delegate effectively.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/06/business/06dyslexia.html

Linda,

Click on the link below to learn that that is just another urban legend…

We’d like to respond to your concerns raised about Oprah’s thoughts on
tipping. The truth is that Oprah has never said that people should tip
less during the recession. She believes in generously compensating
waiters and waitresses. I hope this is helpful. Please know we hope
good things for you.

-HarpoBear, Oprah.com Community Producer

http://www.oprah.com/community/message/1145750

"Younger women have more pliable bones, and can accommodate the shape of their shoes more readily than the more rigid feet of their older counterparts, therefore experiencing less pain in a short span of time."

I have wide feet and high arches. When I was in my 20’s and 30’s I walked all over Manhattan in heels. Now that I don’t wear heels very often anymore, and have spent the summer in flip-flops (although I understand after a certain age one should give those up!) I find my feet quickly become sore in heels. After reading this I think I haven’t done my feet any favors and should do some serious, careful, shoe shopping.  I have to wear heels this afternoon and tomorrow — and am dreading it!

Newzie,

I beg to differ.  

Yes, there are those, who are living productive and stable lives, but one can most certainly not talk about them as one uniform unit. The Kennedy family, as a whole, is a very complex and complicated family that has not consistently depicted class.  Loyal to each other they are, many committed to public service for sure, but one should take a look at each individual.

Ted Jr. gives every impression of being a low key grounded man, who is committed to his marriage, children, and the road he chose over politics.  His father, Ted Sr., however, despite being an effective senator, he spent his later years, while married to Vicky Reggie, making amends for a far from exemplary life.  We can’t discount the fact he was, by many accounts, desrespectful and sacrificed his first marriage and the life of a young woman. 

Robert Kennedy’s children have also battled their demons, misbehaved, abused drugs and alcohol, treated their spouses disrespectfully, and at least 5 of them have had very messy lives indeed.

Jean Kennedy Smith’s son was acquitted of rape, but what he was accused of was rooted in his own bad behavior one night in Palm Beach, while in the company of Uncle Ted and his cousins.

Their own cousin, John Kennedy, jr., desccribed his cousins as "poster boys for bad behavior"

I am often amazed by how many women fawn over the Kennedy family, when they have a history (from old Joe Kennedy right through to his grandsons) of treating women so poorly.

It is not easy to come by organic free range beef in the United States, even Niman’s beef comes from feedlot cattle. And Argentine ranchers, who one could count on producing grass fed beef, are now abandoning this practice. I think this is such a shame - profit over what makes a truly tastier and healthier cut of beef.  Growth hormones, cramped, filthy conditions (fecal dust & contaminated water) have become the norm —  Certainly, Mother Nature didn’t intend for it to be this way. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/09/AR2009090903211.html

My new assistant took her hand, smiled, and without missing a beat said, "that’s nice, but who are you?" 

That is one the best responses I have ever heard in under those circumstances!  But now I wonder, did Mrs. X make a substantial donation or did she turn on her heel and walk out?

Belladora,

What a terrible place to be.  Do you have the emotional strength and the financial means to extricate yourself from what sounds like an intolerable situation? If you truly are strong, pick yourself up and get yourself out of there before you disappear entirely.  I suspect if you ask your friend for a hand, she’ll extend it.