When you reach those Golden Years, you expect everything should be wonderful. Actually, it is.
Most of us have more money than we did when we were raising our children. But then came college, weddings, births of grandchildren and great-grandchildren and constant doctors' visits. And we're back to square one. No money.
Almost every day I get an email or a note from a friend or acquaintance, who knows I write this blog. So, I figured I'd share some of what they have written and hopefully it will make you laugh like it did me. After all, laughter is your best medicine.
No. 1 on my list follows: Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my shape to keep. Please no wrinkles. Please no bags. And please lift my butt before it sags. Please no age spots. Please no grey. And as for my belly, please take it away. Please keep me healthy. Please keep me young, and thank you dear Lord for all that you've done.
No. 2: The 5 pounds you wanted to lose is now 15 and you have a better chance of losing your keys than the 15 pounds.
No. 3: Remember when your mother said "Wear clean underwear in case you get into an accident." Now you bring clean underwear in case you HAVE an accident. Amen.

Socialite, horse owner, philantropist and Queen of Saratoga Springs, Marylou Whitney, had a starring role July 17 at Saratoga Performing Arts Center before a packed crowd.

Marylou was the first person to be inducted into SPAC's new "Walk of Fame." Dressed head to toe in a spectacular pink suit embellished with a rhinestone bodice, Marylou dabbed her tears as she gracefully walked along the red carpet on the arm of her husband, John Hendrickson, stopping only to give each tiny ballerina a peck on the cheek. A crowd of more than 200 friends and admirers cheered and clapped.

No one deserved the star more than Marylou, who, as Marcia White, SPAC's president and executive, said just prior to unveiling of the star encased in dark pink marble with her name engraved on the star's face.

White explained how Marylou, and her late husband, Sonny, fulfilled their dream along with financial help from several other philantropic members of the community and from the late Gov. Nelson Rockfeller.

Marylou has since invested and raised funds for SPAC. And on that night everyone in the crowd let her know how much they appreciate what she has done for the city of Saratoga Springs and for all the people who come to enjoy the New York City Ballet, the Philadelphia Orchestra and dozens of incredible concerts.

As one woman was overheard saying: "She will always be our star."

That says it all.

One of the most difficult tasks as you get older is remembering names and spelling them correctly. My only saving grace is this adage: "You forget names ... but it's OK because other people forgot they even knew you!!!"
But for me that's no excuse. Since I write a society column, Inside Saratoga, it is necessary for me to know the correct spelling of people's names.
Here is a few secrets I use. Have a husband that has a better memory than yours. I'm lucky that way. When you recognize someone, but forget their name, ask how to spell it even if you are embarassed. Try to correlate the person with an object or another's person name. For example, I recently met author Candace Bushnell and her husband, NYCB principal dancer, Charles Askegard. So, I wouldn't forget their first names my husband made the correlation between Candace and Charles Wait, who we know well.
And finally, I get a list of the party guests' names, but make sure that it has the correct spelling.
After all it could be Brown or Browne or Smith or Smyth. There is nothing more embarassing than an incorrect spelling in the newspaper or online.
If anyone has a couple of other tips they use let me know. Just email me at jjordan@saratogian.com or put a comment at the end of this blog. Thanks.

Ed and Maureen Lewi have decided to retire from their highly successful marketing and communications firm.
I know for a fact, Maureen is more eager than Ed to retire. She claims she would like to play golf three times a week, and even try her hand in the kitchen now and then. Since they nary had a free day, the couple usually went out for dinner. Maybe it would be nice to stay home for a change.
Now here is the reason for this blog. I love these two. Early on, they took a somewhat timid (hard to believe, but true) society columnist and encouraged her to become what she is today, whatever that may be.
We also became friends. Ed has a wonderful wit - something he probably picked up from his good friend, John Hendrickson, who had me flustered for quite some time until I realized I was being taken.
I want to recall one thing that happened between me and Ed that he has never let me forget. Just as John calls me "Scoop;" Ed calls me "Bare Facts. And this is why.
As any reporter knows, occasionally you get a writers' block. When it does, it is paramount that when something good pops into your head you must jot it down immediately before it escapes the brain.
Well, I was at a gathering with Ed and Maureen and several others when John decided to tell a few comical stories. Not to be outdone, my husband jumped in with one about me. I was amazed because it is so unlike him. But here it is anyway.
I had just climbed out of the shower when something worth writing came into my head. I ran to the computer in the buff and jotted down my thoughts. If you can visualize that sight, you can understand why my husband said: "For heavens sake, what are you doing?"
After everyone stopped laughing, Ed came up with a name that still sticks today, "Bare Facts." Now you will understand how I will miss these two so much. And I'll never forget the name that was given to me in jest, but has always made me feel endeared by Ed. I will miss all the times we worked together and hopefully our friendship will never fade.
You are both my favorite people. Have a good life!

I've lived a long time through many ups and downs and I don't mean in my marriage. I'm talking about several wars, several trials and tribulations, and still came out with what I thought was a lot of knowledge.
But sometimes I wonder. When my four children were growing up, they hung on my every word and looked to me and their father for all the answers - in their early years, anyway. But now that they have all grown up, graduated from college and have their own successful lives, I no longer feel their need. Maybe I need a therapist.
Of course, we always wanted them to be independent and successful. However, we still would like them to think we've learned quite a bit over the years. And could still offer an intelligent word or two if asked.
Just remember, some day you'll be in your "Golden Years" and may wish your children wanted some of your knowledge.