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Dear Reader,
Sorry this column is so brief and so late. I am engaged in
writing the three-hour interview I recently conducted with
Lauren Bacall. You heard it right – THE iconic actress who
laughingly says she’s only famous in relationship to “Bogie.”
Talk about aging, she still looks like a goddess and is a
powerhouse. However, she does have her aches and pains.
More postings next time . . .
More Joys of Aging
My recently widowed 89-year-old friend and pen pal supports my
life and sends the bawdiest jokes. She’s been doing this for
years, having read my works in the local newspaper. She thinks
I’m a star and I let her.
When I go to the post office I find one of her letters among the
bills and they never fail to make me grin.
She’s fond of pasting little pictures on them, sparkly hearts,
cats, etc. Her words are always encouraging. She’s a one woman
cheering squad – “you can do it, go girl, I have faith in you.”
And so, naturally, I write her back.
One day I decided to phone her. It was strange. I expected her
to be somewhat rowdy. Instead, her quiet reserve reminded me of
my straight-laced Bostonian aunt Mickey.
We’ve never met nor tried to. Who wants to blow the perfect
relationship?
It’s absolutely true that some liaisons are best kept to
cyberspace, telephone, texting and, yes, that ancient practice
of putting pen to paper.
At any rate, here is an excerpt from her latest musings:
“In spite of a year of blows to the mind and heart, finances are
not a problem. But arthritis is, as it rampages like a tornado
through my ancient frame. Old four-letter words and Aleve pills
are helpful as I decide “snap!” “crackle!” “pop!” sounds are now
anatomy – residents forever more.
So, assuming I’m only as old as I remember: Monday, Wednesday
and Friday I’m 16. The rest of the week I’m 26. If this is
psyching facts, I have mastered that and will continue to fight
the unacceptable with exercise, diet and a swig of humor.”
Whatever tonic this woman is swigging - I want a bottle of it!
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