Treated like a Queen FOR Smoking at Office Christmas Party

[frazzled]

240. I remember years ago

It must've been, like, 1994 or 95, because it was the height of the "culture wars," we were invited to a benefit to raise money to hire a lobbyist to advocate for the arts in Washington. It was in someone's back yard. So after an hour or so of milling around, I needed some nicotine, and I sneaked around to the front steps of the house, sat down, and lit a cigarette--hiding, so no one at the event would see.

Lo and behold ... who comes and sits down next to me on the steps? Garrison Keillor. And he says how sorry he is that I have to sneak around like a criminal, and that he used to smoke, and would if he could ... but he can't because he has to protect his radio voice. He was so sweet and understanding ... even supportive! I smile still remembering how someone took pity on an evil smoker and tried to make her feel better.