I cannot remember a time when my life was mundane or boring. I have my Aunt Dick to thank for many privileges and opportunities offered me from age three. My Aunt Dick(I never knew that was an unusual name untill recently) was my substitute grandmother because her sister was in a mental institution. The time given me was often spent in showing me off. She trained me well in the humanities and art came naturally in my maternal heritage. Aunt Dick's father had his own orchestra and played all the instruments. My mother could sing like an angel and my grandmother performed along side Aunt Dick in the world of entertainment. Aunt Dick lived with me in her latter years until she was placed in a care facility. She died at 93 with Alzheimer's. My first remembrance on the stage was at three. My stage was the kitchen table and all my family and friends were my audience. With thumbs in my suspenders I recited "The Raggedy Man" by James Whitcomb Riley. There was joy in the giving and an addiction to the applause. The dimes thrown at my feet just sealed the deal. I performed locally as a majorette, cheerleader, dancer, and stage performer until age sixteen. At age 59 I was told the problems of confusion, going back many years, could be "nothing other than early onset Alzheimer's".