The Little Old Lady in Lavender Silk

I was seventy-seven, come August,
I shall shortly be losing my bloom;
I've experienced zephyr and raw gust
And (symbolical) flood and simoom.

When you come to this time of abatement,
To this passing from Summer to Fall,
It is manners to issue a statement
As to what you got out of it all.

So I'll say, though reflection unnerves me
And pronouncements I dodge as I can,
That I think (if my memory serves me)
There was nothing more fun than a man!

In my youth, when the crescent was too wan
To embarrass with beams from above,
By the aid of some local Don Juan
I fell into the habit of love.

And I learned how to kiss and be merry--an
Education left better unsung.
My neglect of the waters Pierian
Was a scandal, when Grandma was young.

Though the shabby unbalanced the splendid,
And the bitter outmeasured the sweet,
I should certainly do as I then did,
Were I given the chance to repeat.

For contrition is hollow and wraithful,
And regret is no part of my plan,
And I think (if my memory's faithful)
There was nothing more fun than a man!

Dorothy Parker

Coda

There's little in taking or giving,
There's little in water or wine;
This living, this living, this living
Was never a project of mine.

Oh hard is the climb, and sparse is
The gain of the one at the top;
For art is a form of catharsis,
And love is a permanent flop,
And work is the province of cattle,
And rest's for a clam in a shell--

So I'm thinking of throwing the battle--
Would you kindly direct me to Hell?

(Dorothy Parker)

Hi all,

I would like to share one of my favourite stories--this is by Dr. A.J. Cronin from
his autobiography "Adventures in Two Worlds."  He was forced to take leave from his
medical practice at the age of thirty-three, for health reasons, and decided to pursue 
his lifelong ambition of being a writer during that time.  This is what he writes 
about his experience; enjoy!    *** 

( Story under cut for length: )

What do you all think about the proposed U.S. healthcare reform?

Just wondering...

Thanks,
Cat