You earned every bit of respect from your fans and peers, and every bit of relaxation you have coming your way!

Best wishes!

She seems like such a strong woman.

Peace

were rackin 'em up while I lounged at a table with my soda. We were the only patrons in the quiet little joint.

Suddenly, from the juke box - the intro of "Respect" bursts forth. Then this woman starts singing.
Without being conscious of it, I stood and slowly moved towards the sound of her voice and - aw, you know. I've just never been quite the same.

when I was a student there in 1970. We'd always stop and join in the song, being shameless Americans, you know. That and Percy Sledge, and Ike and Tina.

My parents freaked out when I started listening to Motown.(Super whitey white folks)

Best music ever.

Always danced through the house when I played her music.

there by then? Released late summer, '68...another "juke box miracle moment" for me the second it started playing in my college snack bar one subdued afternoon - OH!

And Marvin & Tammy. Honestly, the French were so into American R&B at that time. And they were also so happy to meet Americans, contrary to the popular belief at the time that they scorned us. Also into avant-garde American jazz. I learned more about jazz and also Latin American music there than I ever did in the States.

Glad to have this moment to recall long-forgotten memories of being young and hanging out in cafes playing "flipper" (pinball) endlessly and listening to the juke boxes playing our wonderful American music. It was like out of a Godard movie—only more Aretha inflected, with blue jeans and soul!)

nothing&quot - people should dance like this more often, n'est ce pas?! Less angst, dammit!

(loooove her black tights - I lived in 'em! - and the Kevin-Spacey-playing-Bobby-Darin precursor fella festooned in his ARGYLE!! - I had nothing but various colors of argyle socks in the early 70s, mmmm)

Merci beau coup, frazzled!

Her music has been part of the background of my life since the '60s. I wish her much happiness, whatever her next endeavor. This has always been a favorite of mine:

It made a beautiful day even more beautiful.

And of course, there was the hat...



"My country 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty..."

How things have changed.

Obama was a champion of the arts, of decency, of strength, of justice.

I ask myself every hour if I appreciated him enough.