Pot got many, many of us through the Nixon and Reagan administrations.

I adore that version of West Side Story! Still have it on the original vinyl, bought when it first came out. He and Kiri te Kanawa are perfect together. And Tatiana Troyanos... Adding a listen to my new year’s weekend to-do list.

You started it!

Especially in the coming age of Trump, if we can’t all give the benefit of the doubt to people who are on the same side as we are, we’re all fucked.

What? Being married to Lyle is the coolest thing ever to happen to her in this lifetime or any other.

Exactly. For me she renders anything she’s in unwatchable.

Tangent: You reminded me of this great Harrison Ford story. Quoting from a Yahoo Movies page: “As he recalled in an interview with Conan O’Brien, Ford was chastised by Walter Beakel, the head of the New Talent program, for not seeming like a movie star during…

I have thought that same thing so many times. How I’d love to read the book she could have written about this election.

Tangental, but I’m so sorry for the loss of your daughter. What a terrible thing to be knowledgeable about.

Kellyanne has that one locked up. She’s Katrina 2.0.

There’s a sad ton of truth there. SIGH.

I break out in a sweat just looking at those blankets.

Yeah, Jackson was reprehensible. And he got knocked out of an earlier term after the Electoral College kicked it back to the House, who gave it to John Quincy Adams. (A fact I just learned today.) At this point I’m honestly wondering if we don’t have a chance in the EC - not because of the popular vote because every…

Which, sadly, is sounding more every day like where we’re headed.

As someone upthread said, it’s putting marketing ahead of the music—and Madonna’s always been far more of an envelope-pusher in marketing herself than she has been musically. But you’re right, it’s a question of taste, so enjoy! I’ll be over here listening to some Mavis Staples. If she’s in an envelope I’m perfectly…

I’m of the same vintage, and I get what you’re saying. But for me and most people I know there’s a little bit of self-awareness that kicks in at some point. You look at younger people (especially if you have grown kids) and you’re conscious that you’re on different parts of the path. I still feel like, as someone said…

It may be my bias talking here, but I’m not convinced she’s being truthful. She’s a person who will do or say nearly anything for attention (especially of the “ooh, that’s so outrageous!” sort), and he’s not around to contradict. Who answers a query about a friendship by saying, “So you want me to kiss and tell?”

Right. Look at people like Chrissie Hynde, Annie Lennox, Stevie Nicks, Cyndi Lauper, Susanna Hoffs, Kate Bush. Of course they face various forms of ageism, but they’re all out and about and not being tarred with the same brush as Madonna.

The worst kind of heartbreaking news to begin with, topped with having to fight so hard to get the care you need. I’m glad it’s at least within reach for you. Sending love, light, and heartfelt sympathy.

I didn’t get the adulation of Ashley’s essay. I’m sure it was well intended, but for me it was filled with humblebrag and denial of her own role in the system she was lambasting. Minority opinion, I know.

I’ve tried it and it’s OK in a pinch, but it just isn’t buttery.