Because my mother is the de facto protagonist of my book How to Live,  some have asked how Ann is doing. Swimmingly. More specifically, though, people wonder how she is shouldering the burden of having been called by Oprah magazine, in their review of How to Live,  ”a role model for the ages.” Well, it’s been all muu-muu-wearing and elevated diction from Ann ever since; don’t expect to be granted an audience unless you are bearing a tape recorder or honorarium. If you do happen upon her in the environs of a certain North Carolina retirement community or the local Costco, and you’re unsure of the appropriate tone to take, consider hushed awe.