But when I found myself hanging on to my husband’s arm while crossing Broadway at Lincoln Center, and clinging to the railing on stairs, I started to have second thoughts. Then two things happened that spurred me on to phone Dr. Macaulay.

At my grandson's graduation from prep school, I couldn't walk across the 'Great Lawn' without stopping twice. The second thing - I had to stop in the middle of a benefit tennis competition and call for a substitute.

How embarrassing! Was I falling apart, like so many of my friends?

I called up Dr. Macaulay, drove to Columbia University Medical Center from Fairfield, Connecticut, for X-rays and a long talk. Yes, I needed the operation — when I felt ready, and yes, I would be able to play tennis and garden and do almost anything, even ride, but not fall off the horse. Then and there I decided to have the hip replacement.

Now it's 6 o’clock in the morning, and while it's still cool, I'm heading out to work in the garden, thanks to Bill.