Thoughts from Mark "Hat" Rackley

Sarah said, “God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me.”

• Genesis 21:6

Our mouths were filled with laughter,
    our tongues with songs of joy.
Then it was said among the nations,
    “The Lord has done great things for them.”

• Psalm 126:2

He will yet fill your mouth with laughter
    and your lips with shouts of joy.

• Job 8:21

A cheerful heart is good medicine,
    but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

• Proverbs 17:22

The New Boilerplate

My wife filled a small book with “Angel” on the cover.  It was hidden with a box of crafting things.  On 18 July 2025, I thought I had posted the last of these.  But this little angel book held a prayer, followed by 71 quotes.  So, the “with a little help” series is back in business for a while.  And it will be fun for me.  She did not attribute any of the quotes.  The first quote was from James A. Garfield, the 20^th president of the USA.  The next one was disputed, with some thinking it originated with Teddy Roosevelt and others saying Fred Astaire.  After the prayer, these might be on the lighter side.

Her quote

“Laugh, and you’ll live without Medicaid until you’re 100.”

• Julie Newmar

The Discussion

Julie Newmar was my favorite Catwoman, but then again, in the 1966 Batman movie, Lee Meriwether played Catwoman.  I have like most of Lee Meriwether’s roles also.  But Ms. Newmar must still be laughing.  She is in her 90s.  Then, again Lee Meriwether is also.

The odd thing is that people over 65 get Medicare.  Medicaid these days is for people with disabilities under the age of 65, but her point is a good one.

There was another role that was earlier in her career that I will always remember.  My senior high class put on a performance on the Broadway Musical, Li’l Abner.  Julie Newmar had a cameo role as Stupefyin’ Jones.  Stupefyin’ Jones had a special “power.”  She could cause any man to become paralyzed by him seeing her as she wiggled her hips.  In our production, I played Marryin’ Sam, and I was rooting for Daisy Mae to catch Li’l Abner, but those who were against them getting’ “hitched” were counting on Stupefyin’ Jones messing up Daisy Mae’s plans during the Sadie Hawkins Day festivities.  Ms. Newmar thought it was just a short cameo appearance, but she stayed with the musical through the end of its run including the movie.

Her role as Catwoman combined sexy with campish humor.  She was perfect.

She practiced what she preached.

And in spite of her medical issues, my wife kept laughing.

She has been gone three and a half years now, but I can still hear her laughing.

Soli Deo Gloria.  Only to God be the Glory