We spent Independence Day in Los Angeles, where I had just gone back to work on new episodes of Boston Legal. My husband Marsh and I set out on a big hike in the early morning. A few yards out, we both were panting and realized that it was not hiking weather for the elderly. We turned around to hang by the pool pretending to read but basically snoozing. Then, around four o’clock, we drove to our new weensy house overlooking the coast where we plan to move for the "downsizing period" of our advanced lives. There is, yes, a hot tub (the turbo kind) where we planned to watch the fireworks. It promised to be a real Cialis moment. But, alas, we could not figure out how to turn on the hot tub much less heat it, so we watched the news instead and ate Whole Foods takeout. Fresh and tasteless. After that, we watched a couple of "Law and Orders" by which time it was nine o’clock. Fireworks time. They were of course gorgeous.

Before we went to bed, we decided to spend next July 4th at the house. By then we’ll have figured out the hot tub thing. Or maybe we’ll just have a few elderly friends over to watch.