Old Age Day by Day January 19, 2013

 The weather is warming up, and there might even be rain next week.  Perhaps our normal pattern is kicking in.  I can't quite decide what I want to do today.  I'm sure something will unfold.  Last night we watched "Call Me Madam", with Ethel Merman, and it has a couple of great songs and well, Ethel Merman.  She's terrific, and has some nice dance moves as well.  She's from before the age of tiny microphones, when belting a song was essential.  People don't sing like that any more, not even opera singers.  She was super attractive, with great legs, and had great comedic timing and a sass about her that was endearing.  You don't feel sorry for her like you do for Judy Garland or Kathryn Grayson.  Though she had tough breaks and often made a musical on Broadway a success and then was not cast in the film.  Unfair and common at the time.  The worst blow was taking away "Gypsy" from her and giving it to Rosalind Russell.  Totally wrong.  Through it all she prevailed and lived a long life.  Quite a gal, as they said in my parents' era.