I’m three years your senior and that much walking is stupendous. Congratulations! Also, for the part-time work. (I worked full time till 75, ran out of gas.)

Maizie, that’s the best comment yet.

Yes to Caroline Mulvey. Joan, keep it up!

To get back to the original subject, do we really want to live forever? I, for one, do not. I’ve had a TREMENDOUS ride, starting out with one parent when that was a stigma, starting out with a minimal socio/economic position, and realizing my fate was pretty much my own responsibility. That realization, together with hard work and real luck, led me to the ability to work until I was 75 … when physical decline made retirement suddenly immediate. I’m now on the cusp of my ninth decade. Feel I’ve had at least my due and probably much more. I’m enormously grateful. (Afer all, what else is there but gratitude, appreciation?) The next generations are totally welcome to this world. I’ve had fun!

Being satisfied with one’s life? Feeling you’re taken opportunities and feeling gratification? Liking (quite different from loving) one’s own family? Experiencing joy at friends’ happiness?

Oh, Dr. Klein - You’re putting us on! You wanna see a lot of ladies get excited!

Saw the movie. Too bad Those In Charge no longer believe in a light touch.

Re Cynthia McFadden’s comment on shoes: With hip replacements and other oddities that come with the years, one doesn’t have all these options. Now the big challenge is to find attractive shoes that provide all the necessary qualities, and are still acceptable from a fashion standpoint. Why orthopedics have to look like that I’ll never know. Incidentally, it’s not the medical men who indicate I must wear flats; it’s my own framework.

Pantyhose aren’t QUITE dead. I have chronically cold feet; and pantyhose keeps them warm!

What wows me is Sheila Nevins’ hair.

Your observation of overcompensating for lack of effort … probably true more times than we care to think!

I like Black. I like the term “black”. I like the color black. I think if one refers to a black person with respect, it’s highly desirable.

Your shoe dissertation is higly amusing. (Not snide; sincere.)

Having it all means being satisfied, gratified. Is more attainable through acts than through possession. Depends largely on finding the humor in life. It’s only involved in a minor way with material things. It’s having joy.

Let’s think about this. Not everyone subscribes to Clinton-mania. Lots of folks voted what they felt. I’m female. White. College educated. No longer young. Independent, possibly learning to liberal. My vote for Obama reflects ONLY MY OWN THINKING.