I didn’t choose the name of a movie. I chose a play on words.

I used to sing with a community chorus in Long Beach, CA. One rehearsal the director announced that the amounts we paid for our dues (which took the form of a donation to the chorus; one could choose one’s own amount) would be listed with our names in the next program. I rebelled, and the day before the program went to the printer, I asked the person overseeing the project if he would change my name to “Bertha Venation” * -- the first name that came to mind when considering a pseudonym -- in that section of the program. He did. Of course everyone in the chorus figured out that it was me (process of elimination), and I was henceforth known as Bertha Venation.

* “Bertha Venation” is the name of a drag queen in Harvey Fierstein’s play/movie “Torch Song Trilogy.”

because he has advanced Alzheimer's.

Mrs. V. is heartbroken. She has never cried over her dad's condition, but she is crying now. She wishes desperately that she were in TN to take him to the home. Her mom will be alone for the first time in over 60 years.

Please keep Mrs. V. and Mamaw V. in your thoughts today. Thank you.

Dear god, I wish I knew of something to do for my beloved.