Dearest: My guest tonight giggles every time she recalls, "I graduated from the same high school as Dr. Seuss!" She's done everything from sell diamonds in Israel's largest diamond establishment to teach first grade, which she still does today. Joyce Silverman Ben-Kiki says, "I think that real life stories are the most humorous, and I have many that I have shared and entertained my friends with for many years." And humorous she is! Joyce is a teacher and author of the very funny new book, "I Love Menopause Because . . . ". Welcome to Power Surge, Joyce. Share with us how you've used humor to cope with menopause and all the umm.. wonderful changes at this juncture of life. Thanks :) Joyce Silverman Ben-Kiki: Hi, everyone! Joyce Silverman Ben-Kiki: Thank you for having me on tonight. I guess I've used humor to get through menopause like I have gotten through other things. Such as I can disrobe for sex as quick as a flash (because I am in the middle of having one). Dearest: Ha! Dearest: Joyce, when I say "menopause" what's the first thing that comes to mind? Joyce Silverman Ben-Kiki: I don't have to look for feminine hygiene coupons. Dearest: Hahaha! What made you decide to write a humorous book about menopause? Joyce Silverman Ben-Kiki: The art teacher at school and I wanted to write a book. One morning I woke up and heard on the radio at 6:00am "Happy Menopause Day". I knew this was the subject. Dearest: Great. I've always used humor in Power Surge. Have you found women offended by this type of humor? Joyce Silverman Ben-Kiki: 98% think it's funny, the other 2% will unfortunately not get through it as easily as the rest of us. Dearest: Thanks, Joyce :) OSea, go ahead. O SEAPEARL: Aside from harmones etc.. doesn't attitude play a big part in dealing with Menopause? Dearest: See, "harmones" is funny :) Joyce Silverman Ben-Kiki: Attitude! Absolutely! I don't have to worry about being too hot or too cold because I know that in a flash it will change. Dearest: Joyce, don't you think we have to look at the humorous side when the largest segment of society, the baby boomers, are now in menopause? LOL Imagine a country hot flashing. Joyce Silverman Ben-Kiki: Of course. For instance, when I had my first book signing, I wanted to check my hair before signing any books, so I thought I went into the bathroom in the bookstore but instead, I went into a pitch black closet which locked the minute I got in. I started screaming, "help, help". No one heard me, but I could hear women outside saying, "where's our author?" Dearest: Hahaha! Funny... Dearest: RWarte, go ahead (please remember this is a "humorous" chat about menopause) RWarte4742: What can be done about vaginal dryness, other than estrogen, or hormones? Dearest: Please remember my guest isn't a doctor or medical expert. Joyce Silverman Ben-Kiki: I learned that a lubricant is more than something to take the squeak out of my car door and I've also learned that my sense of humor isn't the only thing that is dry. Dearest: LOL <anyone who wants to "LOL" feel free to do so, please> SPP212: LOLOL Dearest: How do you use humor in your personal relationship, Joyce? Rockin711: LOL !!!! PianoMary: Can we ROFLPIMP, too? Dearest: Yes, Mary, you sure can :) Ute110: LOL! Dearest: My question, alone, is funny <g> Joyce Silverman Ben-Kiki: I am divorced from an unhappy marriage, but certain things in our marriage, such as my ex putting Elmer's glue up his nose instead of nose drops, just made me hysterical. I always try to laugh at things aren't even funny. Dearest: Only Elmer's glue? Couldn't he find the Crazy Glue? <g> PianoMary: lol Dearest: Mary, go ahead. PianoMary: What day is Menopause Day that you mentioned? Do think that there are Hallmark cards (or online/bluemountain) cards to celebrate? Dearest: <~~~ has menopause day every day :( Joyce Silverman Ben-Kiki: That's going to be my next project! I really don't remember the exact date. I just remember laughing at 6:00 am. Sally1019: LOL PianoMary: So, we can make up our own date then :) Dearest: Joyce, I love that line about Dr. Kegel. Can you share it? Joyce Silverman Ben-Kiki: Sure. I would like to see if all those years of practicing my Kegels have paid off when I sneeze and I could never figure out how Dr. Kegel knew about this. Dearest: ROFL!!!!!!!!!!!!! Dr.Arnold Kegel :) PianoMary: lol Joyce Silverman Ben-Kiki: As long as you don't know that it's a horse's urine, then go for it! Dearest: Kitkat, go ahead, please. Kitkat4888: Joyce which high school did you go to & when did you graduate? Joyce Silverman Ben-Kiki: I went to Classical High in Springfield, Mass. and I graduated in 1964. Kitkat4888: I think that school has been made into condos. Thanks Joyce Silverman Ben-Kiki: you're absolutely right! Dearest: Mary, go ahead. PianoMary: I went to Tech across the street and graduated in 1966 Small world! Kitkat4888: Tech has been replaced by Central High. PianoMary: drat :( Joyce Silverman Ben-Kiki: It is a small world. I come across things like that all the time. Dearest: Well, at least it hasn't been replaced by condoms, too.. oops.. condos :) PianoMary: LOL Joyce Silverman Ben-Kiki: Like the time, two weeks ago, when I was at an off-Broadway show with only three people in the theater, and one of those people's granddaughter was in my current first-grade class. I love talking to people because I always find a connection with someone, even when I lived in Israel. Dearest: Joyce, what does one say to the doctor who tells us menopause is all in our head? Joyce Silverman Ben-Kiki: I don't know, because I never remember what he asked anyway! PianoMary: lol Dearest: Hahahaa... so you don't use Ginkgo? Joyce Silverman Ben-Kiki: I don't use Ginkgo because I no longer have to remember about where to place the adhesive strip from the pad. And I don't have to worry about keeping track of the string. (you know what I mean!) Janice0927: Help us to find humor in aging (tomorrow is my 60th birthday!!) THRV Sue: ROFL Dearest: Hahaha! Janice, happy birthday!!!! PianoMary: lol Dearest: Joyce, did you see Janice's question about finding humor in turning 60 tomorrow? PianoMary: Happy birthday, Janice :) Joyce Silverman Ben-Kiki: Janice, happy happy birthday, and just remember, that evening primrose oil is something to swallow and not to rub on your lover. PianoMary: lol Dearest: Hahahaha Kitkat, go ahead. Kitkat4888: If you don't mind my asking do you use HRT? (I would go crazy without it LOL) Dearest: Many of who haven't used it go crazy, too, so don't feel alone, Kit :) Kitkat4888: When I don't use it I am ready to kill people. Dearest: Don't use it for a few days and I'll give you the names of some people I..umm.. never mind :) Joyce Silverman Ben-Kiki: Hopefully you don't go that nuts, but it's good to know that HRT has replaced PMS PianoMary: lol Kitkat4888: Menopause is PMS 24/7 Dearest: Joyce, what do you think about herbs? Joyce Silverman Ben-Kiki: I don't have to worry about looking for wild parties, I just have to concentrate on looking for wild yams and instead of going to a happy hour at a lounge, I can find happy herbs at a health food store. Dearest: And stress incontinence? Joyce Silverman Ben-Kiki: Well, Dearest, I learned that stress incontinence doesn't mean political unrest in Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Europe, Australia, or Antarctica. PianoMary: LOL Dearest: Hahahahaha Janice0927: Love it! Dearest: Mary, go ahead PianoMary: What are your favorite happy herbs? Dearest: Are there sad herbs? <g> PianoMary: :( LOL Joyce Silverman Ben-Kiki: Herb Rabinowintz and Herb Alpert. Dearest: Hahahahaha! PianoMary: There you go! Thanks! Are they hanging around your health food store? Dearest: Joyce, how is the book doing? Joyce Silverman Ben-Kiki: We've sold many thousands of books throughout the country, which I'm happy about because I only thought that my sons and friends would buy it!! Dearest: What pearls of wisdom can you offer in closing about coping with our changes? THRV Sue: ...and where is it available ?? Joyce Silverman Ben-Kiki: I hope the people tonight will get a laugh and help my push the book's second printing. Dearest: It's an hysterical book. I recommend everyone read it. You can buy it at amazon.com right here on the Internet. Joyce Silverman Ben-Kiki: To everyone, tell yourself when all is said and done, I am still me!!! Dearest: Great! Joyce, thanks for a fun chat in Power Surge. Anyone interested in reading Joyce Silverman Ben-Kiki's book, "I LOVE MENOPAUSE BECAUSE.." can find it at amazon.com. You'll love it! Joyce Silverman Ben-Kiki: Thanks a lot, this has really been fun. Disclaimer: Every guest in Power Surge is a highly respected professional whose opinions are his/her own. An appearance in Power Surge does not constitute an endorsement of a guest's views. None of these transcripts may be reprinted or reproduced without the express permission of Power Surge™ and the respective guest. Read other transcripts by returning to the Library. Dearest aka Alice Stamm Power Surge Founder, Facilitator, Host Copyright©1994- by Power Surge. All Rights Reserved.