Hi NED,

Glad you found it inspiring, too. Interesting perspective in attitudes towards adultery today verses then.

To me, one of the saddest scenarios was that Hamilton was more interested in protecting his political legacy than his wife and family. 6 years after-the fact, when he was accused of speculation with government funds, he exposed his cheating on his wife, Eliza. Talk about an exposure letter---this was a 37 page first person published document with intimate details of the year-long affair. He showed little or no regard to how it might impact his wife. Amazingly, it did not end his political career. But it didn't help it, either.

Eliza is my hero. She somehow forgave him, she endured his avoidable death---Hamilton was so far in debt that she lost their home temporarily--- she raised their remaining 7 children alone, and she worked tirelessly to preserve Hamilton's legacy. Along the way she helped raised funds for the Washington Monument, she started the Hamilton Free School in Washington Heights and she was one of the founders of the first private orphanages in New York City, which is still operating today.

Since you mentioned not knowing much about the history of Hamilton's impact on our nation's foundation....that's because his enemies---including most of the other Founding Fathers, hated him so much that they used all the power they had to denigrate his legacy.

And they were quite successful; hence most only know of Hamilton as the "guy on the $10 bill" and the "dude who died in a duel" from the Got Milk Commercial in the 1990s. Our history curriculum barely mentions him. If Eliza and her son, John Church Hamilton, had not been able to preserve his thousands of pages of writings, that large chunk of history might have been lost forever.

Thanks for your reply,
Ace

Hey Hold....someone mentioned being an "overachiever" but I think you've given it new meaning. You and my DD40-something are the only ones I know who have lost weight while quarantining. She does fitness bets on the web....works for motivating her and she's winning money and getting really healthy, too.

Our Curves has reopened with strict protocols..... work-outs only, no weigh-in/measurements allowed. But I jumped on the scale and have only gained 6 since March 3 so I'm feeling pretty good and getting back on track.

Thanks for all the healthy tips on this discussion. I can't believe it's the top trending thread....of course when we have so few of us brave enough to bypass the faux warning, it doesn't take much for a thread to trend.

Thanks again,
Ace

Yay for progress! The process is very intense and everything is scrutinized. Just hang in there as you get through the interviews and home visits. Reward yourself for every big day so you aren't feeling too much emotional burn out. Hugs!

Yes Mark thanks for mentioning the alternatives. I’d be happy to get together on any platform.