The Old Glamour of Smoking

Funny I was born in '68 and I remember all the same things you described.  My mom had special ashtrays for "company".  And my folks smoked everywhere too.  Heck I smoked in college and it was still an ok thing to do. 

It is such a good thing that it is not anymore!

Thanks again for your post - always a treat.

All the best, sue

i wasn't always happy about smoker's.  especially in a closed station wagon with three children, two chain smoking adult and an icy wind preventing a lowered window  (like cold air was the big risk.  but eventually the glamour got me;  my mom's best friend, reed thin in 1968  with pucci beach robe over crochet bikini, matching scarf.  bright pink toes and finger nails that matched the pink lipstick prints on the butt.  even the lip stain looked like she had kissed a loved one.  my fantasy was that i was like jennifer beals in flashdance... gracefully slumped on a deserted acoustic bathroom floor.  one slim shoulder vulnerably peeking through the arm of a cut sweatshirt.  the level of contemplation, the way she drew in gratefully and breathed out one drag closer to a larger truth.  as i grew older, sitting at a bar the cloud of smoke was a veil showing only the outline of my face, with pronounced lips.  i was tres chic exhaling by slowly, sensually extending an elegant neck.  ha-ha.  i looked like a characture and smelled like charred sweat socks.  that's why i love your columns.  your sensibilities make me reestablish my own.  it gives validity to those memories and then injects reality.  i think sometimes that i don't have to be an overjoyed ex smoker.  i can't come up with a fantasy that involves abstinence.  instead, i read your posts and get the laughter endorphins and they work just fine.  thank you again.  i feel so less alone.