Tom Hanks and Joanna Sitting in a Tree...

... Magical Thinking!

We are all capable of Magical Thinking. The kind that tucks us in at night.

My husband's biggest is the Missouri Power Ball. He faithfully hands over his two dollars every Wednesday; never forgetting to check the winning numbers in The Star the following Thursday morning. He does this week in and week out regardless of the fact that he has NEVER gotten more then 3 of the 6 numbers right. Ben's booster shot of hope comes when the Billion Dollar winner adorns the television saying that they are not going to work another day in their life and are now going on a world holiday with their new winnings. And he knows that this everyday winner could be him next time.



Ever since we both acquired Bosoms, Tom Hanks has been my bedtime story. I just KNOW if fate would bring us together, he'd bench Rita and let me pinch hit.

After all, I am his number one fan. Who else in the United States has forgiven him for The Bonfire of the Vanities.

Twenty something years have passed since his television debut. Time has brought Tom two golden awards and me two golden children. Unfortunately, time has not closed the 1625.97 miles gap between Tom and me.

Fate brings people together everyday, why not us. After all other then a few small things like:

he is rich . . . I am not . . .
he is famous . . . I am not . . .

we have a lot in common.


I was reminded of this a few weeks ago when I watched Tom on Inside the Actors Studio with James Lipton. At the end of the interview James asks every guest the same set of questions compiled by Bernard Pivot.

I could hardly believe it. His answers were perfect and exactly what I would have answered.

And that my friend is how I got my newest Booster Shot of Magical Thinking!

Here are Tom Hanks answers:

Q. What is your favorite word?
A. Dad

Q. What is your least favorite word?
A. Bitter compromise

Q. What turns you on?
A. Laughter

Q. What turns you off?
A. Eggshells. Not the kind you eat. The kind that you walk on.

Q. What is your favorite curse word?
A. *uck

Q. What sound or noise do you love?
A. The families conversation when their in the other room.

Q. What sound or noise do you hate?
A. The ringing of the telephone.

Q. What profession, other then your own, would you like to attempt?
A. Weekly columnist.

Q. What profession would you not like to attempt?
A. Lawyer, that's like doing homework for a living.

Q. If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?
A. Different then you thought, ain't it?