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!