The Seven Ages of Man
From As You Like It A Few Stages of
Being Kathy Dorn
Being Kathy Dorn
By William Shakespeare
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| Age 1 |
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| Third Grade |
And all the men and women merely players,
They have their exits and entrances,
And one man in his time plays many parts,
His acts being seven ages. At first the infant,
Mewling and puking in the nurse's arms.
Then, the whining schoolboy with his satchel
And shining morning face, creeping like snail
Unwillingly to school. And then the lover,
Sighing like furnace, with a woeful ballad
Made to his mistress' eyebrow. Then a soldier,
Full of strange oaths, and bearded like the pard,
Jealous in honour, sudden, and quick in quarrel,
Seeking the bubble reputation
Even in the cannon's mouth. And then the justice
In fair round belly, with good capon lin'd,
With eyes severe, and beard of formal cut,
Full of wise saws, and modern instances,
And so he plays his part. The sixth age shifts
Into the lean and slipper'd pantaloon,
With spectacles on nose, and pouch on side,
His youthful hose well sav'd, a world too wide,
For his shrunk shank, and his big manly voice,
Turning again towards childish treble, pipes
And whistles in his sound. Last scene of all,
That ends this strange eventful history,
Is second childishness and mere oblivion,
Sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans everything.
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| Engagement Photo, 1965 |
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| Maryetta and Kathy, Junior High |
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| Kathy Birk and Cora Birk, 2010 |
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| Mr. and Mrs. Dorn, 1966 |
John reminded me of this passage from Shakespeare's play, As You Like It. I think it is apropos of the human condition., but of course the first lines are brilliant. We are merely players.
So, might as well play well.
I will try to add to this blog this week, but if you don't hear from me or one of my surrogates, this act of this play is going well.
The Caringbridge site has not been established yet. When it is, we'll forward the information.
I love you, cherish you, and look forward to spending time with you during the next act.
The address of the place where we are staying:
Hope Lodge
2500 University Ave. SE
Minneapolis, MN 55414
612.379.6352
cancer.org/hopelodgeminneapolisOne note about the Hope Lodge: they will not accept floral or plant deliveries. Neither will the hospital. If you were thinking of sending some, don't bother. Save your money, or send some to yourself and enjoy them in my honor.
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| 50th Class Reunion, 2011 |
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| Happy to Be Me, 2008 |
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| Sans Hair, April 4, 2012 |
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| Maryetta and Kathy, April 4, 2012 | Showing Solidarity |
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| Wigged Out, April 4, 2012 |
Happy Easter!
'Twas Easter-Sunday. The full-blossomed trees
Filled all the air with fragrance and with joy.
~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Filled all the air with fragrance and with joy.
~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
This is extraordinary, Kathy, so inspiring, deep and whimsical at the same time. Thanks for putting this together. (You truly look cute bald, by the by!)
ReplyDeleteI offered up Sunday Easter Mass for you. Here's hoping prayers go a long way as you embark on this stage of your journey. Pray to the Blessed Virgin -- she is so lovely and loves you, and is so willing to help you.
You are a beautiful woman, Kathy. I love you!
~Betsy
Thanks, Bets. See you soon!
DeleteLove,
Kathy
Red threads, dutifully hanging on,
ReplyDeleteSticking out from skin,
Within which little pale arrows in tentative array,
Push and jostle for their day.
Oh, Kathleen, my little sister, your red hair
was never more ready to be minted into silver.
Love and kisses, Ann
We will look even more alike! Lovely poem.
DeleteLove,
Kathy
I loved the pictures. You look pretty cute bald. The picture with the wig is great. I will be thinking of you every day. Love you dear friend. Anne McQuaid
ReplyDeleteShould I add the photo of you and I in our swim suits?
DeleteLove you, too!
Kathy
I just saw your new 'hair' - love it. All the life photos of you are wonderful - what a good idea. Somehow you always look good - I think because of your lovely smile and twinkling eyes and beautiful interior! I hope your 'vacation' is going well. You're in my thoughts daily - and at night when I can't sleep and look over at your dark house. Miss you! Blessings and miracles, Kay
ReplyDeleteThanks for taking up the plant watering duty. I'll be needing to get rid of them once I get home. Boo Hoo! If you start to get attached to any of them, let me know. :-) The spider plants are from a plant I rescued when my mom died. It had been neglected during her illness and was ready to be tossed when I intervened and brought it home. Many shoots have since been planted and placed in other homes.
DeleteThanks for all you do, neighbor.
Love,
Kathy
Hi Kathy, Mom has been keeping me updated. Hopefully all the glitches get worked out and everything will go as planned. And you without your hair, look SO much like a female version of Tom. There is no denying the strong Ruddy family resemblance. NOW you know how Tom and Marty and I feel :) Well todays my birthday and we are all going out for Texas BBQ, followed by a few Margaritas at my favorite watering hole. It's supposed to start raining so although we might get wet on our bikes, we need the moisture and we'll take every drop we can get.
ReplyDeleteKeep up being as positive as you have been, and know you are in my thoughts and prayers. Say Hello to John, Chris, Becka, Megan, Rob and everyone else
Love Scott
Happy Birthday, Scotty!!
DeleteWish I could join you for margaritas. Have a great time and say hello to any of the rellies that are partying with you. Yeah, Peter captured some great photos of Tom and me all hairless. We are definitely related!!
Love,
Kathy