"O, I have suffered with those I saw suffer." (The Tempest)

.....My son, JR, e-mailed me suggesting I audition for the TV show, "America has Talent". He proposed that I enter the stage on my scooter and recite a monologue from Shakespeare, or read a poem in the Scottish dialect, or do the number, "Trouble" from Music Man. Or perhaps do it all. He wrote that being 85 years old would wow the judges. It's a wonder that he didn't suggest I sing "Rich Man" from "Fiddler". I replied that my skills have deteriorated with time and I also have no doubt that I would get the gong or three X's. JR replied that even with the deterioration I'm so far ahead of all other 85's it wouldn't matter. JR said that I could make a video and submit it, but I don't know anyone with a camcorder and I don't even have a camera. I stopped taking pictures long ago. You look at them once and then stick them in a drawer someplace never to be seen or organized again. I was flattered by my son's recognition of my "accomplishments" and I suggested that he and his brother audition for the National soccer team since the coach would be wowed by the skills of fifty-year olds.

.....As I have mentioned, the lift for my scooter is now attached to my car, and I have the freedom to go to the casino and scoot around from slot machine to slot machine. I would love to play black jack, but I have not seen a table for less than $5 a deal. I'm not that good. I don't want anyone to believe that I'm going to enjoy this scooter, because actually I am embarrassed by the need for it. I also have bitter memories of my dad, legless, in a wheelchair, and I'm not thrilled about being mobility deficient as he. Or my mother, also, as a matter of fact was confined to a chair in her later years. Oh, well...at least my sister only uses a cane.

.....But, now at last, I am free from the pain I suffered from the melanoma surgery. I fought fiercely and viciously through that calamity in my life, and weathered the storm it caused me. It was my own hurricane or tsunami, and now the cloud has dissipated. Believe me, it was almost as much of a trauma as WWII....and memorable. I'm sure I got through that pain-pill-filled three months because of the encouragement I received from my family, and especially that of my good friend, and hero, Phil Bergovoy, the Count of Guttenberg. And if not for the love and life of my good caregiver, RH+, I would probably be long gone from this world. I was constantly reminded of the words of my alter ego, Hamlet, who wished "..... that this, too, too solid flesh would melt; thaw and resolve itself into a dew; or that the Everlasting had not fixed his canon 'gainst self slaughter." He continues in his misery for the lack of a VA shrink for the remainder of the four hours of the play, and in the end, his wish is consummated.

.....For those in the know or who own a good calendar, today, 9-11, is also Patriot Day, and wearing red, white, and blue is in vogue. Tonight RH+ and I are going to a "Boomers Club" meeting in our clubhouse where Patriot Day will be celebrated with food and entertainment. I have red, white, and blue suspenders in keeping with the theme, and I will remember those who lost their lives on that day, not to be forgotten.