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



THRV Sue:   LOL (not PIMP)


Dearest:   ROFL  Rockin, go ahead.


Rockin711:   I had a question about the meaning of MENopause?  Why this 
name for us?


Dearest:   Does wombopause sound better? <g>


Joyce Silverman Ben-Kiki:   Good question. The only thing I can think 
of is, even if we think we're sagging, the good is that the men are 
sagging too!


Rockin711:   LOL...luv it..more visual for me :)


Dearest:   Hopefuly, not in the wrong places :(  Nothing like a saggy 
man.  For the once a year we're in the mood for a non-saggy man :)  
Ahem!  AK, go ahead.


PianoMary:   roflpimp


Ak5322:   What's your best advice for hot flashes?


Dearest:   Remember, this is a humorous chat :)


Joyce Silverman Ben-Kiki:   My best advice is, just get into a heated 
discussion with a bunch of menopausal women in the same room. That way 
you will not feel alone. 


Dearest:   That's what we do in Power Surge :)


Joyce Silverman Ben-Kiki:   Also, go to the gynecologist when you have 
a hot flash. The cool instruments will feel good!


Dearest:   Hahaha!


Sally1019:   LOL


PianoMary:   LOL


Dearest:   Mary, your turn :)


PianoMary:   Me, again??   About your book - is it one-liners or 
stories about menopause or does it give suggestions about how we can 
bring more humor into our own lives?  


Joyce Silverman Ben-Kiki:   They are one-liners with funny 
illustrations by my co-author, Robin.


Dearest:   Is your dog named Phyto, Joyce? <g>


Joyce Silverman Ben-Kiki:   No, because I found out that phytoestrogens 
are not hormones for dogs, so I call my dog Max. That brings to mind 
the time I came home and tied Max to the garage door, not knowing my 
son was coming home in about five minutes, and used the electric door 
opener, while poor Max went flying in the air! Thank goodness he's 
alive and kicking, but we had a good laugh. 


Sally1019:   LOL


Dearest:   LOL!  How do you handle the hot flashes in the classroom? 


PianoMary:   lol


Joyce Silverman Ben-Kiki:   I tell my first-graders that "I'm going to 
exercise now and tighten my biceps and triceps by continually opening 
and closing the windows! 


Dearest:   Hahahahaha!!!!!!!!!!


PianoMary:   lol


Dearest:   ROFL  Sue, go ahead.



THRV Sue:   Dearest just stole my question :o).....I was just wondering 
if you had any silly stories explaining your hot flashes to first 
graders?  So let me ask about your thoughts about male menopause.


Joyce Silverman Ben-Kiki:   Well, I look at it this way. When a male 
goes through menopause he starts looking at sports cars. So I decided 
to go through my change and encourage him to buy one for us. Also, 
I can boost my man's menopausal ego by getting really sweaty no matter 
what kind of time I'm having! 


PianoMary:   <VBG>


Dearest:   Has there ever been a time even humor didn't work? 


Joyce Silverman Ben-Kiki:   Of course, at the moment, yes.


Dearest:   This moment? LOL


Joyce Silverman Ben-Kiki:   But laughter always brought me back.  
Actually, it's very hard to type when you're in the middle of a hot 
flash! Anybody else having trouble? 


THRV Sue:   LOL


Dearest:   Any suggestions, Joyce, for how to handle the loss of 
libido? <and don't say, go out and find it> LOL


PianoMary:   lol


Joyce Silverman Ben-Kiki:   I've discovered that after estrogen 
replacement, I have the libido of a 25 year old male and fantasize 
about being with one! 


PianoMary:   So, give it back :)


Dearest:   Hahahaha  LOL And what about the inevitable......weight gain!  


Joyce Silverman Ben-Kiki:   Well, to control that, I've had the 
excitement and power of joining a resistance group (a resistance 
exercise group). 


Sally1019:   ROFL


PianoMary:   LOL


Dearest:   LOL
Joyce, your thoughts on women using Premarin (horse hormones)? 



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.





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Dearest
aka Alice Stamm
Power Surge
Founder, Facilitator, Host


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