In 1976 I wrote a lot about women trying to claim the right to work.

Food ... love ... mother ... career ... Live every day to the fullest. Partake of the four basic guilt groups.

Mothers send strips to daughters to make a point. Daughters smack strips down on the breakfast table to make a point. My own mom sometimes cuts a strip out and sends it to me to make sure I understand her.

What happened to the good old days of "Woman as passive recipient?" What happened to being courted? What happened to sitting back under a parasol and granting someone a chance to try to win us over?

So often, happiness is the extent to which we balance our grandiose expectations with reality.

Every time I get something under control in my own life, the world provides more material.

Where's my tax form? Where's the file that's supposed to hold my W-2 form and interest statement? Where's the mileage log I specifically asked be kept last year?? Where's the monthly check summary? And who's been stuffing Visa receipts in the aluminum foil drawer??!! How embarrassing. I'm surrounded by idiots and I'm the only one in the office.