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"The real voice of reason sounds like Bea Arthur..." - David Sedaris

Indeed.

I got so much joy growing up watching the Golden Girls and as an adult I have found fresh joy and comfort from the show. It remains my favorite tv program even after all those viewings.

I always related to the characters Bea played (Maude and Vera Charles amongst them) and when we went to see her perform on Broadway a few years back I found I connected with this larger than life, somewhat curmudgeonly and fabulously devilish character even more than I thought.

I just loved her.

***

Blanche Devereaux: Dorothy, you're a mess!
Dorothy Petrillo-Zbornak: I just spilled orange juice on myself.
Blanche Devereaux: Oh, really? I didn't notice that.

***

Dorothy Petrillo-Zbornak: Listen, you keep your bloomers on, Scarlett. He's taking me out tomorrow night.
Blanche Devereaux: But he wants me, I can feel it.
Dorothy Petrillo-Zbornak: Let somebody else feel it.

***

Blanche Devereaux: My Mammy, the woman who took care of me when I was little.
Dorothy Petrillo-Zbornak: Oh, I'm sorry, I don't think I ever heard anyone called Mammy before.
Rose Nylund: What about Mrs. Eisenhower?
Dorothy Petrillo-Zbornak: Mammy Eisenhower... I think only the Nixon kids got to call her that

***

And finally some words from the woman herself.

I especially love the last quote here - very fitting given the way things have been going lately.

"...I think I am a bubble-pricker... I don't like anything phony"

"I guess just, I don't know, I didn't know I was that vibrant, I just love being alive, and I love people, and I find something wonderful everyday."

"Life is filled with a lot of stuff, you know. There is never a dull moment."

- Bea Arthur

Thank you, Ms. Arthur, you've made my life better.