Lynyrd Skynyrd

KATE SIMON'S MOTHER used to warn her, "Katherine, beware of people who drink before two p.m." My mum advised me to keep that first glass at a party firmly affixed to the right hand and stretch out its contents over the course of the evening, keeping a sharp eye and firm resolution for those only too eager to top up the wassail bowl. If they could only see us now, Mrs. Simon's daughter consorting with people who slip into their first drink before noon.