In writing My Father’s House I’ve had several occasions to mention someone from my distant past. Given my age, the first thing I do is consult the obituaries. The success rate is astonishing – or maybe not so surprising. But I haven’t found Milt Turbiner.
If you are there, Milt, I want you to know that your efforts at Boston University back in the 50s were successful. This has to do with what I talked some about in my most recent blog – that Swedish barrier that prevents emotions from passing all the way through the body.
This story is not an outtake from My Father’s House because it was never an input, but the guys at Calumet Publishing thought it was worth telling.
So what’s the story? Well, Milt, if you are there, you might not remember doing your best to teach this Swede how to allow emotions to flood above the neck barrier. In other words, to blush. I’m happy to say I finally accompiished it – way back then I was teaching an Intro Psych class at the University of Vermont. The topic was masturbation. Standing in front of the class in my Poodle skirt, I suddenly felt the heat rushing from my toes to the top of my head. My whole face turned pink!
I stopped in mid-sentence and declared to the class, “I did it!”
“Did what, Miss Gustafson?”
“I blushed!” I declared.
There you have it Milt. A success story for you from many years back.
monagustafsonaffinito 
ohmygod this hilarious. And WONDERFUL. What a story, Mona. Will it be in the book then?
Nope. Not in the book. I had to take out so much. But thanks for enjoying it. And now I’m busy working with the editor on a daily basis. I guess it’s a good thing to be sequestered at home — time to do it.
I remember first “blush”. I’m half Swedish/half Norwegian. I was 22, having little experience with males. Being a large young woman, no male had shown interest in me until I was appreciatively looked “from head to toe” by a much older man.I found him recently and thanked him for helping me increase my self confidence.
Lois, I love this! Absolutely love it. Thanks so much for joining me here.
Congratulations! Another item on your bucket list!
One blood flow at a time …
I should have told you. What I told you took place 50 years ago.
I assumed so. I know you’re over the age of 22. But you can’t catch up to me