Checklists for Life

Acknowledgements

There are many people whose generous assistance helped make this book possible. Special thanks to my friend, Catherine Carlisle. Her advice and editorial assistance on matters as diverse as children, the law, personal organization, and the importance of having a really good time as often as possible can be found throughout this book.

I’d also like to express my love and gratitude to my multi-talented family for their significant contributions: My brother Bruce Lagatree, for his consistently wise and patient help on questions relating to computers and home repair; my sister Marion Lagatree, for her prompt and generous response whenever I had a question on crime prevention or personal safety; and my brother Donald Lagatree, for sharing his hard-won experience and secrets for growing gorgeous flowers and vegetables while foiling insects and other pests.

Thanks to my good friend Cai Glushak, M.D., FACEP, Emergency Medical Services Director at The University of Chicago Hospitals, for his great wit and practical advice on first aid and general medical questions and to Susan Fuchs, M.D., Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Northwestern University Medical School for answering questions on children’s health and first aid. Edward Fleegler, M.D., FACEP, an internist in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, was an excellent resource on medical checkups for men and women over age 40.

Thanks and hoison sauce to food writer Candy Sagon of the Washington Post for her practical and imaginative advice on stocking a kitchen pantry. Stuart Feil, writer, editor, computer meister, and generous friend, provided invaluable guidance on buying computers and keeping them healthy.

Appreciation to Jennifer Cockburn for her help with foreign phrases and to John E. Barth, Geoff Baum, Deb Cohen, Tad Daley, Lucia de Lisa, John Dimsdale, Kitty Felde, Sandy and Bob Hobbs, Kathy Merritt, Annie, Frank, and Suzanne Paine, Sharon Weissman (and many others I’m sure I’ll think of when it’s too late to add their names), who contributed enthusiasm, ideas and information. I’m especially grateful to my professional accomplices: my savvy agent Nancy Yost, who came to me with the idea for this book and then helped make it happen; and my dear friend and talented editor Page Edmunds, who made working on the book a joyful experience. As always, love and thanks to my husband John Barth, who served gourmet dinners every night and made the cats run on time while I was absorbed in list-making.

I happily acknowledge the help I’ve received from so many people, but must insist any mistakes that may have wormed their way between these pages be credited to me alone.