Wild Wild W

Not Bush! No -- BarbP sent me a letter, and it was "W", not realizing that I'm a true blue Democrat. What a challenge! Here goes -- 10 things that start with the letter "W" that have impacted my life. Don't be mad about the first one ....


1. Wabbit: As in “wascally”, as in Bugs Bunny. Seriously. I love Looney Tunes, Bugs in particular. As a kid, it was my first exposure to classical music. Think “What’s Opera Doc?”. Think “The Rabbit of Seville”.

And his whacky sense of humor. My FOO (Family of Origin) is known (well, at least among ourselves) for a wicked sense of humor. Example: My Dad, who passed away 17 years ago, had surgery for a brain tumor. Upon regaining consciousness after the operation, he was greeted by his children singing, “If I Only Had a Brain”. He loved it.

2. Weddings: I’ve had more than my share. My brother calls me a “serial monogamist”. My friend says, “Just because you slept with him doesn’t mean you have to marry him.” But that’s in the past. Found the right one, the last one. In fact, I often tell him that “He’s my last first kiss.” (Okay, I can hear the retching sounds – I’ll stop.)

3. Water: I have a love/hate relationship with it. I love to: drink it, bathe in it, watch it as it roils and plummets over Niagara Falls. I hate: to be on top of it, because …. I can’t swim. Never learned. Every time I try to, I panic. Who knows, maybe I drowned in a previous life – say on the Titanic? Yes, that’s it. I was Mrs. Astor in a previous life! (More likely in Irish steerage, to tell the truth)

4. Whimsical: If it’s cute and funny, I love it. I’m a sucker for little doo-dads that line the edges of my bookcase, the ridge behind my kitchen sink, the shelf above the stove. Most recently -- two chicken salt and pepper shakers.

5. Warp Factor 2, Mr. Sulu: The only way I figure out how to get Star Trek in here. I’ve been addicted since it first aired. If I ever got a tattoo, it would be of the original ship, complete with “NCC-1701” on the saucer section. When I die, I hope heaven is the bridge and I’m Spock’s assistant.

6. Wizard of Oz: One of my favorite movies. See reference to “Brain” above. I could watch it over and over again.

7. Walter: My grandfather’s name – last, not first. He was a great reader, got me hooked on sci-fi, taught me how to play chess. A very quiet man, who could do the Sunday crossword puzzles in ink. I’m not there yet.

8. Wool: Need I say more?

9. Women: I have three daughters who are absolute gems, a sister who’s my best friend, and was blessed with a mother who I miss every single day. Two aunts whose size is not indicative of their strength of personality, and a grandmother who, quite frankly, was a bitch on wheels, but who lived through events I can only imagine. I hope I can live up to all of them.

10. And finally (dare I say ‘whew’?) … Wealth: No, not money. But the wealth of living in the woods, enjoying the sun rise everyday with someone I love, having good friends, a great dog, and a hockey team that’s top in the Eastern Conference!