Hello, I Must Be Going

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Hello, I must be going.
I cannot stay,
I came to say
I must be going.
I’m glad I came,
but just the same
I must be going.

— Groucho Marx in the film, Animal Crackers (1930)

Don’t you just love the Marx Brothers? (For those of you not familiar with them, start by watching Duck Soup. Then, watch A Night at the Opera, and Horse Feathers. I promise you, the Marx Brothers will absolutely tickle your funny bone.)

Of course, Groucho was my favorite.

Some would say, Harpo, with his big curly wig, wide eyes and childlike manner, was the adorable one. You could just hug him and his horn, and I’d certainly agree.

Chico was the romantic one, who’d bungle his words,with his phony Italian accent. He also knew his way around a piano.

Zeppo was supposed to be the handsome, straight man, by which I mean, he wasn’t a comedian at all, but more like a board. His only purpose seems to be to serve as an object for which his brothers could bounce their jokes off of. To me, he was a fish out of water next to his talented and gifted, comedic brothers.

But of all the Marx Brothers, Groucho was THE one. He was the witty, bold and cracker smart one, right down to his signature cigar, and greasepaint mustache.  (Bonnie’s Blog: The Balcony and Beyond, has a wonderful tribute to Groucho, so I encourage you to check it out, to learn more about his comic genius.)

Who else, but Groucho, could get away with lines such as:

  • I wish you’d keep my hands to yourself.
  • Marriage is the chief cause of divorce.
  • Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.
  • I was married by a judge. I should have asked for a jury.
  • From the moment I picked your book up until I laid it down I was convulsed with laughter. Someday I intend reading it.
  • Now, there’s a man with an open mind. You can feel the breeze from here!
  • There’s only one way to find out if a man is honest…ask him. If he says “yes,” you know he is a crook.
  • Who are you going to believe, me or your lyin’ eyes?

Left to Right: Chico, Zeppo, Groucho and Harpo.

Groucho Marx delivered his lines with rapid fire. Blink, and chances are you’d miss his snappy repartee, and his hilarious facial expressions—a roll of the eyes, a raised eyebrow, a quirky look.

He sang many a song in his movies, but the one I love best is the one from Animal Crackers. “Hello, I Must be Going.”

Which is a fitting way for me to start, and end, this post. For, I’m going, too. On hiatus, that is.

I’m going to miss you, and miss reading the many wonderful blogs I follow. I’ll also miss our interactions and the laughs. I just love the blogosphere, but sometimes life gets in the way, and vacations happen.

And, while I’m away, I’ll be taking photos of all the beautiful scenery I encounter, and keeping a journal of my adventures, which I hope to share with you when I return. Until then, arrivederci. Ciao, Toodles. Hasta la vista. Until we meet again.

While I’m away, feel free to check out and leave comments on past posts. To paraphrase Maria von Trapp, start at the very beginning. It’s a very good place to start. When you read, you begin with A, B–oh, never mind. You get my point!

Newbies to my blog will learn so much more about me, while, for the rest of you, it’ll be like a walk down memory lane. 😉

So, what are your plans this summer?  Do share!

49 thoughts on “Hello, I Must Be Going”

  2. I like the Marx Brothers…a lot! Their type of humor definitely tickles my funny bone…multiple times. 😀 Hmm…this summer, since I’ve already gone on vacation, is going to be filled with rabid students wanting financial aid money. Hey, at least I have a job, right? 🙂

    • Nate, somehow I knew you would like the Marx Brothers. You’ve got such an old soul deep in the heart of your youthful persona. Plus, you’re so smart and smart people can appreciate all the Marx Brothers have to offer. I’m sure many of today’s comedians were inspired by them. Hope you got my letter by now. I expect to see a response waiting for me by the time I return! 😉

      Now, hurry up and make some financial aid happen for those rapidly rabid students! As a student who works for me would say, “Time is money!”

  3. Enjoy your mental siesta and happy journaling. The rest of my summer is unknown at this point other than finishing the second novel. I am hoping to find a sandy patch of beach, but that remains to be seen at this point. Do take care of yourself my sweet.

  4. Ciao Monica. Enjoy every minute of your time away. Happy adventures await you! I am still re-living my trip to Europe, I can’t wait for more. I wish you all the best, safe travels, great weather and not too many crowds. Come back to us with lots of photos and wonderful writing. I love the Marx Brothers too – Groucho is my very favorite. Hugs

    • Thanks, MM! I haven been away yet one wee, but already I’m knocking on wood. The weather forecast predicted plenty of rain, so I brought an umbrella, but so far, clear skies. I was told Barcelona would be miserably hot, but again, no dice. It’s been lovely. Warm but manageable, with gentle breezes at night.

      • I am knocking on wood for you as well Monica. I just watched a House Hunters International in Barcelona and wondered if you were already there. How lovely to hear from you. Eat, be safe, enjoy the Catalan hospitality. Take extra photos of La Sagrada Familia. Thinking of you and sending you hugs.
        P.S. I loved San Diego, we didn’t have time to explore but I will be back. It is so green and lush.

  6. A totally delightful bon voyage . . . Will look forward to those photos, keen observations, etc., when you’re back.

    • Thanks, Deb! Am taking advantage of free wifi in my Vienna hotel, to respond. I have already seen such wonderful sights and am in love with the work of Gaudi. Today, I discover Vienna. I’ve already taken more than 300 photos!

  9. Have a GREAT, relaxing, beautiful, fabulous, remarkable Vacation, Monica.

    I shall MISS you ❤

    Sending you MUCH love, hugs, appreciation, & Kisses From Minnesota. Xx

    • Oh, Kim, I’m so glad you stopped by to say farewell. You’re one of the reasons I love this blogosphere. You do so much to enrich it, keeping it edgy and fun. Sweet Kim, stay well!

  10. Monica, you are an inspiration and a wonderful cheering voice. I hope you have a wonderful time wherever your travels lead. Thanks so much for being here for so many people, myself included, who are relatively new to the blogging world.

    Hugs to you and safe travels!

  11. Mr and Mrs Marx and George and Gracie Allen were the most intimate of friends and spent many evenings together doing homey things like playing cards and stuff like that which would be considered very hokey today.

    • Somehow, with all of Groucho’s energy, it’s hard to imagine him doing homey things. But on the other hand, it’s so refreshing and gratifying to hear, that’s how they spent their evenings. I love George and Gracie, too. What a couple! They had such a funny TV show.

  12. Monica, I am so behind in my reading! Please forgive me! My sister finally made it to Spain, yesterday as a matter of fact, and the Son flew in today. It’s been a whirlwind of activity! I hope you made it safely to your destination and that you will have a wonderful time! I am going to catch up on my reading and leave comments. I will also write you! Have a lovely, lovely vacation! Hugs! 🙂

    • Glad to hear everyone’s arrived safely. Thanks for your well wishes. It’s moment of truth time. Hope I packed everything I need and that I didn’t overdo it. Travel light has never been in my vernacular but I’m trying. So, wish me luck! I do hope you get to read some of my recent posts. Would mean the world to me!

  14. Bon voyage, Monica! Have a wonderful trip. I’m a wee bit jealous, but thrilled for you that you can get away. I’m miss reading your blog while you’re gone, but look forward to hearing all about it when you get back.

    • Oh, thank you so much, Becky. I’ll miss learning about the great photographers and their stories that you’ve been regaling us with. I was so impressed with Curtis’ life story. Thank you for sharing. See you real soon!

  15. I’ll miss you too, Monica. Glad to keep looking over past posts too. I hope you have a great, restful summer and take lots more great pictures. I love the Marx brothers too. One thing that always amazed me was how much all 4 of them looked alike once you removed the make-up and wigs. They all pretty much looked like Zeppo in the photo you have above. I had a biography of Groucho once (Called, fittingly, “Hello, I must be going”) and it had a photo of Harpo dressed as Groucho. You could hardly tell the difference!

    “See” you when you return … 🙂

    Lisa

    • Oh, Lisa, I look forward to seeing you and reading your personal stories when I return. I’m so impressed with your honesty and genuineness. And, yes, it’s amazing how much the Marx Brothers looked like each other. Would love to have seen a photo of the parents.

  16. Happy vacation, Monica! Lucky you — I just got back and have all this work piled up and screaming for my attention. Sigh. Safe travels, and happy recharging your batteries. Might Sir Henry be tagging along??

    • Thanks, Shary. Hope you and Lola continue to enjoy your summer. We’ve been lucky to have such pleasant weather when the rest of the country is suffering from the relentless heat.

  18. I hope you’re doing something incredibly beautiful and wonderful, like starting the morning at a cafe in Paris, having dinner at a charming bistro, flying the next day to the Royal Opera House, waltzing the night away in Austria, and seeing that charming man across the crowded room, and somehow you know……. I love the Marx Brothers, too, sometimes Harpo was a bit much, but the three of them together were really something something, and then add Mrs. Dumont (not sure if that’s the right last name) to the mix, and humor everlasting. I also liked Laurel and Hardy and W. C. Fields. Well, bon voyage, have a wonderful trip, goodbye, farewell (keeping up the “Sound of Music” theme).

    • Yes, I am, and I’ll be sure to share when I return. Oh, and you’re thinking of Margaret Dumont. She was a gem to put up with the brothers and their shenanigans. Happy Summer!

  24. Have a great trip Monica, and I am sure your band of blog followers will be looking forward already to your return and your pictures. I await your pictures with interest.

    I will hang on to the wet weather here in the UK and do my best to stop it spreading to Europe.

    Enjoy yourself…

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