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Dear Friends,

Well, I have withdrawn my mother's name from the casting call for "Arsenic and
Old Lace," and I put my copy of "Toxic Parents" (subtitled "Overcoming Their
Hurtful Legacy and Reclaiming Your LIfe") by Susan Forward, back on the shelf.

I laughed so loud at some of the story responses to my post about poisoning at
the hands of friends and relatives, my husband came to see what was going on.
As soon as I have time I will put together a summary so all can enjoy them and
the good advice, too.

I guess I should have known. Changing the way one prepares food is VERY
difficult, even if others' well-being depends on it. Seven years ago I had to
change from working on a drafting table to a computer. I yelled. I screamed. I
cried. I threatened to quit. (You can't do that with your sick kid.) I thought
of it (the computer) as a black box whose performance was based on whim. Now
we get along pretty well, the box and I, except during upgrades.

There may be hope for Mom yet. But, I'd better watch out for any upgrades.

Many thanks and warm holiday wishes,
Mara in MA, USA

P.S. To the dear parents on the list who continually research what is best for
their children: They will repay your kindness. When my son was 16, he
announced he was a vegetarian. I never offered him meat again. Now (at 21 and
married) he is extremely thoughtful about my diet, which I announced 2 years
ago.