Artists, Writers and Fantasies

Eighty plus years ago my mother and father moved to Indianapolis. She, to be a writer and he, to be a painter.

But that was an unrealistic fantasy.

She had three babies, became ill and, after a seven year bout with T.B., died at age 34. He struggled, trying to raise and support these children (but not actually doing either of these things very well.) He became relatively successful as an artist only after retirement.

I've been a writer, among other things, all my life. I met a man late in life who's been an artist, among other things, all of his life.

It dawned on my only recently that we, in some ways, are fulfilling my parent's dream.

Last year we were in Paris for several days. We talked about renting an efficiency apartment and staying for 3 months. He to paint, me to write.

But that was an unrealistic fantasy.



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Bus Drivers

A few years ago, I, myself, had a commercial driver's licence. It was required for the work I was doing - but I never once used it.

The test was hard. I was amazed when I passed. I could legally drive a bus - with passengers. There's no way I could have actually done it but I had a license and liked to brag about it.

So I'm way impressed by Lady Bus Drivers. A few weeks ago in Miami we boarded a bus headed for Ft. Lauderdale's Port Everglades where we would then board our luxury liner.

The bus driver was female, large and in charge. She was a riot. First she manhandled all of the bags into the storage department - by herself, with seemingly little effort.

She delivered a great monologue during the 30 minute trip. She apologized for not got faster (faster ?) but the company put a 73 MPR governor on her bus because she had so many tickets.

She congratulated us for cruising. Said that she's recently been on her first cruise, "The Booze Cruise" out of Miami.

Upon arrival at the port, she hauled all of the bags out lickity split. As I was leaving she complimented my haircut - and the said "I know haircuts because I'm also a hairdresser!"

So a big "thanks" to all of you bus drivers/comedians/hairdressers.

And a big "thanks" to the folks at Great Clips.







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Ooowee, Ooowee, Baby

Won't you let me take you on a sea cruise?

In a couple of days my Boyfriend and I are cruising to Europe. Some people don't like transatlantic cruises but we love being on the ship. There's lots to do and lots of interesting people to do it with. We think we'll take dance lessons.

I've been a little under the weather the last few days but things are looking up. Hey, it's a cruise - so having lost a couple of pounds is a good thing.

And here's more good news! (I'm sorry, I mean good news for us.)

We've been upgraded to the top deck with a large stateroom and sliding glass doors opening onto our veranda. Plus private concierge service.

We didn't pay for this - it just happened.

I'm hoping to put all the problems of the world - that I usually tend to take on - aside for a few weeks. It's not likely - but I'm hoping.

Here's what my Boyfriend said to me a while back to begin the cruise discussion:

Well I gotta get a a-rockin', get my hat off the rack
I gotta boogie-woogie like a knot's in my back,
So be my guest, you got nothin' to lose.
Won't you let me take you on a sea cruise.

Or was that Frankie Ford?



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I'm Still Sharp as a Tack

I've always prided myself being observant. When I walk into a room I notice everything. I know what people are wearing and am sensitive to their moods.

Nothing gets by me.

There's a young woman that I've gotten to know in the last couple of years by being in classes with her. She's sharp and funny.

A few weeks ago we were meeting and she mentioned to the group that she wasn't up to par that day. "But I guess it's just because I'm so hormonal."

I immediately began wondering what the problem was. Others in the group didn't pick up on it but I knew that she was too young to be menopausal - so something must be terribly out of kilter.

At the break when we were standing at the refreshment table I expressed my concern.

She laughed and patted her protruding belly. "Haven't you noticed? I'm pregnant."

I looked down. Yep, she was pregnant. And obviously had been for a while.



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Abraham, Martin and John

Martin Luther King, Jr. was killed 40 years ago today. I remember the day very well. My Real Husband was in Divinity school at Emory University in Atlanta. I worked at the university and we both worked as volunteers at East Lake United Methodist Church.

This downtown church was newly integrated. How did this happen in Atlanta in the 60s? The neighborhood changed. After lots of white flight from the church a few people wanted to stay and intentionally open the church to the neighborhood - and welcome everybody.

Along with the new, young, white minister who was a good friend we started Saturday morning programs for the neighborhood. What kind of programs? Anything anybody was willing to teach. We offered auto mechanics, cooking, art, basketball, woodworking and lots more.

Pretty soon the neighborhood people, mostly African American, mostly young began to feel comfortable enough to come to church on Sunday.

When the news came that Dr. King had been shot, the neighborhood (unlike some others) remained calm. We were all devastated but we had work to do. Dr. King was killed in Memphis but buried in Atlanta.

People began coming in from all parts of the country. We set up cots on the gym floor, we gathered food, we drove visitors from the bus station and the airport.

The day of the funeral my husband and I went to see the procession to the cemetery. There were celebrities and politicians but mostly thousands of average people mourning the loss of a great leader.

Dr. King's life of advocating peaceful change had been an inspiration to us - and still is to me.

It would be hard for people to imagine how life in this country was at that time. Racial hatred was the norm. Just seven years prior to this assassination, president John Kennedy was killed.

On the day that Dr. King died, Bobby Kennedy, himself running for president, was in Indianapolis. He had to deliver the news to a mostly African American audience.

A few months later, Bobby Kennedy was shot and killed.

I'm sorry that we had to suffer through that terrible time in the life of our country but I'm proud to have been a tiny part of the healing.



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Why Do You Love Us?

My Power Rangers and I were talking yesterday about how our lives are changing - including our priorities. Most of us no longer have careers. Many of us don't cook on a day to day basis - but we do like to entertain.

Most of us have downsized so keeping the house up is no longer a big issue.

When we were discussing the lack of domestic chores one of my P.R.'s told us that her husband laughingly said to her "If you die nothing will change!"

So what do we do all day?

Lots.

And how are our relationships with our significant others?

Better than ever.

I was in a another group recently with My Oldies. "He" was telling the group how much he loved "Her." He sort of went on and on about how he feels about her. By the way, they've been married for 65 years.

Another man spoke up and said, "Isn't it wonderful to have a wife cook for you and clean your house and yada, yada, yada?"

I spoke up and said "She doesn't do any of those things!"

They don't have that kind of relationship.

My Boyfriend and I don't have that kind of relationship.

My Power Rangers and their husbands don't have that kind of relationship.

It's deeper.



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Judaeo Christian Lifestyle

Here is a trick question: "Is the Bible prejudiced?" The answer is "Yes." It's prejudiced toward the poor.

From the beginning to the end. Old Testament through New Testament. The clear message is "Take care of the poor."

Those cranky Old Testament prophets got the establishment all riled up about the subject.

Jesus did the same later on.

My favorite local newspaper columnist, Mike Thomas, has a remarkable column today. All through it he liberally (sorry if that word offends you) quotes the Bible. Mostly Jesus.

Our state is in a fiscal mess. But, rather than eliminate tax exemptions for wealthy residents and corporations we're going to do things like eliminate hospice care for terminally ill poor people.

Thomas says, "The arrogance is stunning. (These legislators) are about to spread misery they can't begin to comprehend. And it's all to protect tax loopholes."

What kind of people are we?



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Do You Like Jokes?

I'm not crazy about "formal" jokes. I spend a good deal of time teasing and joking with people but it's all pretty spontaneous. When I was a platform speaker I occasionally told a joke or funny story that illustrated a point but I worked hard at rehearsing so that the words, timing, etc. were right.

Most people, including me, are not good at spontaneously telling a joke.

Yesterday I read an article on the healing powers of laughter. Of course, like other things, it's been studied to death. Some professor has done a global study on jokes and discovered that countries differ in what they think is funny.

The article listed the one joke that those in each country in the study thought was the funniest.

Here are the only two that made me laugh.

BELGIANS - "Well, you see, there are basically three kinds of people in the world. Those who can count, and those that can't."

FRENCHMEN - "You're a high priced lawyer! If I give you $500, will you answer two questions for me?"

"Absolutely! What's the second question?"

But the number one funniest joke in the world - I did not find to be very funny. And it was predicitable. So I'm going to repeat it here - minus the punch line. I'll bet you can figure it out.

THE OFFICIAL WORLD'S FUNNIEST JOKE - "Two hunters are in the woods. One collapes - with his gun at his side. The other guy dials 911. He gasps, 'My friend just died! What can I do?' The operator says: "Calm down, I can help. First, make sure he's dead."

(You fill in the rest.)


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