The Sanguine Sixties

 I hesitate to write about this because it is personal and a little embarrassing. But this is America after all. So. . . I've wanted to quit drinking for a long time. I'm a chardonnay drinker who has a few glasses several times a week. I think I over-rely on wine to take the edge off a bad day and to help me become more convivial at social gatherings. While the first glass or two may help accomplish these tasks, they usually lead to a third and fourth glass with the corresponding physical and mental decline. Plus as I've aged, even a single drink in the evening can destroy my sleep leading to pain and suffering the next day. Then there is the increasing amount of research that tells of alcohol's detrimental affect on health. Cancer. Dementia. Inflammation. Bloat. Weight gain. Blood sugar problems. It's a neurotoxin. All of this seems like too much harm for the feeling of a few hours of buzzed relaxation.  I haven't hit rock bottom regarding my alcohol use, but I

 I have not met many celebrities in my life but have had a few passing contacts with some. In the early 1980's, I was an RA (Resident Advisor) in Birnkrant Residence Hall. As RA's, one of our responsibilities was to plan fun events and outings for the students on our floor. Coordinating these events was not one of my strong suits, but one time I rose to the occasion. Somehow, I arranged for our floor (42 girls) to go to the Richard Simmons Show. The details of how this came to be are lost in the fog of memory, but one bright sunny California day, we found ourselves in his studio audience. If I remember, it was a fairly intimate setting and we were gathered around Richard, sitting on the floor. I wish I could remember more, but the feeling that this was a pretty cool thing to be doing remains. Now, here is what I do remember. During the show, Richard and perhaps a guest, whipped up some delicious, healthy low calorie treat. When the show concluded, we all milled around the set.