Of Great and Precious Men

June is Men’s Health Month

The applause erupted like a valve. The men clapped, signaling their desire for LJ to prolong the discussion of Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison. It was another successful book club meeting. When the invite went out months ago to the members, there were so many requests to bring friends that an unusual decision was made to move the home-based meeting to Ruby’s Café. It proved to be a perfect setting. The Next Generation Jazz Orchestra, sponsored by the Monterey Jazz Festival, performed during dinner setting a mellow tone for the evening. The reading, comments, and questions flowed, culminating in a deep feeling of connection, satisfaction, and well-being. Finally, being together after a year of pandemic isolation was like the balm in Gilead, healing. Ruby moved through the crowd offering a nightcap, a Cherry and Banana Yogurt smoothie. It consisted of soy milk, a dash of vanilla extract, half a banana blended in a cup of tart cherry juice. All designed to calm the nervous system and prepare for sleep. The tart cherries a rich source of melatonin, the sleep hormone, and the banana loaded with magnesium, the calming mineral mixed with the tryptophan in soy, the sleep-inducing amino acid, made for the perfect drink to guarantee sweet dreams.

Ralph thanked Ruby and took a sip. He looked at Herb, “This event was great; just what my doctor ordered. She…