Got taxes? Use the short form.

All done with your tax returns?

Or do you face a miserable week-end, as you try to collect your records of last year's income and expenses?

My favorite Form 1040 is the Really Short Form, which has only one question and one direction:

1. How much did you earn last year?

2. Send it in.

Every April 15th I think of John Young in Denver. He came to an April 15th party I had in 1985 at the Philadelphia Filly, a small restaurant that was usually closed on Mondays but opened for the party. John showed up wearing a 3-piece suit (those were the days!) and went directly into the men's room.

When he came out, he was wearing his trousers, tie, vest, and suitcoat - no shirt! It was hilarious! John was the hit of the party.

After the party, we all carpooled to the downtown Post Office to mail our returns.