Miriam L. Wallach: That's Life 1-30-09

Issue of Jan. 30, 2009 / 5 Shevat 5769

Dear That’s Life,

At some point on your average Monday it’s common to find me in my office on the phone with Miriam Wallach — Miriam L. Wallach, that is, who edits this column. This past Monday afternoon, I suddenly found myself speaking to Miriam Wallach in both ears — but no stereo telephone was involved and there were two separate conversations underway with me, literally, in the middle, relaying messages between both ears.

Miriam L. Wallach was on the phone in the left ear, discussing this week’s column and bemoaning the fact that nothing — nothing! — had occurred in her life thus far this week that would merit 200 or so words in the newspaper. Not for long was that to remain the case, as things turned out.

The other phone rang and it was “the other” Miriam Wallach — as I teasingly refer to her. She was wondering if the picture from her son’s bar mitzvah had arrived (it did; see below). When I realized that I was now conversing with two Miriam Wallachs at once, my involuntary reaction, offered out loud, was: “I think my head is going to explode.”

It is with great relief that I can report, that did not occur.

Publisher and Editor in Chief