(See companion poem, "earth-healers")

Dr. Debbie is one of only a handful of what I admiringly call "hippie doctors" in town. The reason I like her style of practicing medicine is that Dr. Debbie is:

LAID BACK!

Visiting Dr. Debbie is an experience that's more like an outing with the girls. We talk about everything that could possibly drive a woman nuts from men's smelly sock laying around the house to what's the best stain remover that won't ruin a fabric.

Since both of us are staring down the barrel of having lived one-half century, we both can relate to hot flashes, dreams of kids leaving the house, and speaking our minds whether people like it or not.

Sure, she may have lost a few patients with her no-nonsense ways, but then again, what person who speaks their mind hasn't lost a few fans along the way?

Dr. Debbie is a person who really cares about people. You really get your money's worth when you go for an office visit. Sure, you may wait longer than expected, but there are plenty of talk shows and soap operas to watch on tv. Either that, or one can just stare at the white clouds painted on the walls of her waiting room, heckle drug reps for free samples as they come in, scour thru all kinds of magazines, mostly that deal with women's health issues, depression, diabetes, you know, all those "make you fat" illnesses.

Plus, the best thing about it is everyone who enters the office (except for the drug reps) act like they are all on the same level. It's like Woodstock, only medical.

Once in the exam rooms, it's more like a patio scene. Neat wicker furniture, nothing "cold," and garden-type decorations painted on the walls. The exam tables are "short people friendly," and you can weigh yourself on the scale and she trust you to tell her the truth. (Who else would I dare tell that I sport a sassy 5 ft 4 in' frame that carries 214.25 pounds?--Whoops! Well, I DO hide it real good! But my blood pressure doesn't lie.)

What I like are the inspirational humor books on faith in God, the ones written by people like Barbara Johnson, who to me is the Erma Bombeck of Christianity. If you can't laugh about life and how to overcome its obstacles, what's the point in livin'?

Anyway, with Dr. Debbie, patience with her patients is a virtue. We laugh, ponder the mysteries of life, and are respectful of each others beliefs. We also talk about things that get on our nerves and that sometimes, taking a little pill to keep you from going off the deep end is NOT a bad thing.

And the most amazing thing about Dr. Debbie is that she is a writer, just like me. If there is something she does not know, she won't pretend about it. She recommends others who know more than she does, people whom she respects.

Moreso than that, she's one of those independent women who could teach young ladies alot about respecting themselves, respecting others, and most of all, not beating up on yourself for not having "the perfect body."

So thanks to Dr. Debbie, I'm starting on a journey to lose at least 1/2 pound a week. Anyone in the Authors Den who wants to join me, feel free. The newsletter "TWIRP" for the next 3 months, (June thru August) will strive to feature what I call Tortoise Wellness stories of my food temptations, emotional eating outbursts (you know we all have them if we deal with LIFE), and just a personal diary of how it feels to wage war against fat that I've had on my thighs now for the past 20 years.

Almost 50 this fall, and I've decided that it's time to shake, rattle and roll this cellulite out the door! I like being able to shop at the Good Will for clothing that everyone else outgrew. I look forward to blessing someone else with clothing at the Good Will that they can find that's size 16-18, and they won't have to pay plus-sized prices for it.

And for the months of June, July and August, I want to document all of this on my newsletter here in the Authors Den. Those are the "all you can eat at family gathering" months. Those "barbeque ribs with sauce so good it makes you wanna holler" months. Those, "eat-sit-sleep-lazy-hazy-sit-by-the-shade tree" months. And I'm going to be setting my target at one-half pound a week minimum, that's six pounds.

Nothin' to scream about, but that's like six packs of one pound butter off my butt. Just go to the supermarket and get six, one pound squares of butter. Then do like me if you please and see just how significant that is!

Then in September, we start all over again. Just 1/2 pound a week. I'm lookin' for some buddies in this endeavor where we can swap email addresses, stories, etc. The biggest thing about losing weight is there's no one to talk to. And I'm creating the Tortoise Wellness Network, ala Authors Den. No fee, those who want to be part of it just pay with the pounds they don't lose. So if you have ideas to share, I welcome them. Please, none of that fat burn, carb block stuff. I'm looking to help myself and others lose weight the old fashioned way. . .

SLOW AND STEADY, like a tortoise. Some of them Galapagos reptiles lives to be 100, so I figure, why shouldn't I?

I'm looking forward to feeling healthier, living a better quality of life, and being able to enjoy wrapping my legs around my husband's back and giving him the ride of a lifetime.

My goal for the newsletter is 100 people. So far, 92 more people need to sign up. And don't sign up if you think I'm going to post the details of new lovemaking positions. Go get a copy of Kama Sutra. I intend to in 90 days.

So, what are you waiting for, first newletter comes out May 31st! Sign up to receive it at my main page, www.authorsden.com/cynthya, and click on the Newsletter link to subscribe.

(Look in the lower left margin of the newsletter page where it says "Subscribe to the cynth'ya lewis reed Newsletter."