2Homes*2Lives

My maternal grandmother used to play a song on her grand piano called, "Enjoy Yourself, It's Later Than You Think"....enjoy, yourself, while your still in the pink...the years go by, as quickly as a wink, enjoy yourself, enjoy yourself, it's later than you think. I remember sitting next to her on the piano bench and belting out the tune, as she accompanied me. Retirement looms in the near future and I think of how I want to spend the time. You get to a point in life when you realize you have maybe 15 to 20 yrs. to go where you may have decent health and then it's the roll being called up yonder. Bob, Beth and I were driving through a small town south of us where they happen to have a small "head" shop with a pool table that sells posters, shirts and God knows what else. I bought my Janis Joplin shirt there . Saw her perform in the Grande Ballroom in Detroit above a bar and she was stunning. I told Bob when I retire I want to dress in hippie dresses...

Husband Bob is taking care of our daughter Beth trying to get her back to health. She was bone thin and not eating, fighting taking seizure meds., not getting exercise or outside enough. She is making small progress and it warms my heart to see it. Today Bob proudly renamed himself. Instead of Manny, he's House Bitch. It s with his favorite name for me...Witch Face. When I came home from work today the house was picked up and scented candles were lit everywhere. I told him how romantic of him. "Not really" he replied, " I had Beth out in the car with me all day and we weren't home...when I returned, I lit some candles because the house smelled funky." So much for that!

Years ago a librarian friend gave me a book by Pearl S. Buck about her experience in the early 1900's putting her handicapped daughter in an institution. I don't recall the a name of the book, but I do remember being surprised that our thoughts as mothers, despite the span of years between us, were very close. (Anyone know the name of that book? I'm looking for another copy). So when I found another book by Ms. Buck called "Pavilion of Women" I had bought many years ago I thought I would read it and pass it on to my sister in law who is travelling with my older brother to China next month. By the 15th page I was so engrossed in the book, I could hardly put it down. I carry it in my purse to read any free moment I have. The main character, Madame Wu reaches her 40th birthday and decides to acquire a concubine to satisfy her husband's needs so she can move to the other side of the court the family occupies and "have her body to herself once more." Ms...