acknowledgments

I would never have written this book without the incredible enthusiasm of Jessica Anya Blau, though I believe she was hoping there would be more sex. Also key were Betsy Boyd and Suzy Dunn, editor and publisher of my column at BaltimoreFishbowl.com, where some of these chapters first appeared. I thank heaven, appearing in the graceful form of Sue Resnick, for sending me Lara Asher of Globe Pequot Press.

There are so many other friends and neighbors and writing buddies and colleagues I am grateful to; I hope you will accept a group hug. If you not only smiled on the writing of this book but were forced to appear in it, I might be able to offer you a Starbucks gift card as well. I must name the person who made every day of these mixed-up years a joy: my daughter, Jane Winik Sartwell.