From Custard and Mustard, Carlos in Coney Island: This delicate pretzel, all lacy and white? Don’t let it fool you, you’d better hold tight. Your fast beating heart could end up in your mouth, when the car inching northward decides to plunge south.

From Christmas Feet: Synchronized skaters were keeping the beat, as I rounded the park, holding fast with my feet. Their legs kicked so high that their toes cleared their noses. Those must be industrial- strength panty hoses.

From Ankle Soup: My mistress was meeting her sister and brother, her sister’s beau, Scott, and her Long Island mother. To head off with me on the Metro North train, for turkey with friends and to drink their champagne.