Rotary Speech Today

It's me (or is it "I"?) again. But, then, who else would it be? Welcome or welcome back. Thanks for visiting. I've got a quite a few thoughts rolling around in my head this morning, and I'd better type a few buzzword reminders or I'll forget before I finish this paragraph (Rotary speech today, prostate problems, e-zine final touches, Blue Canyon dinner last night, Molly's "retro" Valentine, Charlie's independence, the traveling 'rents, late workout, and NCA). Whew!

I deliver a speech at noon today to a different kind of audience for me. Usually I stand in front of young mommies (at MOPS or Early Childhood PTAs or Mothers of Multiples) who may or may not be listening, depending on how badly they need a nap! But today I enter the lion's den--my husband's Rotary Club. Though the group boasts approximately one-quarter of its membership as female, the majority happens to be men. Middle-aged--though they still think of themselves as young--professionals who use the weekly lunch out as their opportunity to tease one another, delivering one sarcastic zinger after another. Oh, and did I mention, their favorite pasttime is heckling speakers. I'm offering the requisite marriage talk--with it being Valentine's Day and all, but my dh Bret insisted I steer clear of anything resembling seriousness and stick to the humorous side or I'd be toast. So I've settled on the differences between men and women. Yes, I'm perpetuating stereotypes, likely demeaning both sexes before it's all said and done, but hey, you don't know these guys. They're ruthless.

One of the stories I'll share is straight from a friend whose husband encountered prostate problems. Upon a visit to the specialist, the doctor told my friend's husband, whom I'll call Bob, that he needed a sexual release every 48-72 hours or he could be looking at some serious prostate problems and possible surgery.

Bob calculated the numbers in his head and bug-eyed responded, "But that's every two to three DAYS!" After the doctor nodded, Bob said, "Well, I'm gonna need a prescription for that."

Though funny, the underlying point of his comment makes me a bit sad for all the husbands out there. After all, Willard Harley and other experts conclude that sexual fulfillment isn't just a "want" for men, it's a "need." If pinned down, I bet most of us would admit we struggle to understand (let alone meet) that need. Hmmm, let's get back to that one later.

Well, I'd better get back to work. I still need to finish that speech. More later.