Test a Twin at Your Own Risk...

Earlier this week, beloved Grandma Ross came to spend a few days. Always one to make the twins' mama look good, she proceeded to tell Sarah and Darren that when I was five, she could name any state, and I could name the capital. (Didn't dare confess I couldn't do it now if you paid me...) Little did Grandma know she inadvertently threw a gauntlet to Sarah, who jumped at the chance to ensnare a new player for her recently created game---a game we've dubbed "The Presidential Death Quiz."

Grandma: "So Sarah, do you know the capital of Texas?"

Sarah: "No."

Grandma: "What about the capital of Virginia?"

Sarah (with relief): "That's easy! It's Richmond! (Reaching for her Presidential Facts book) Let's play the 'How the President Died' game instead."

Grandma (ever the good sport): "Okay, but I don't know how well I'll do."

Mommy: "Grandma, I've learned if you don't know, 'natural causes' is a good guess."

Sarah (curtly): "Not always. (turning to Grandma) John Quincy Adams."

Grandma: "Natural causes?

Sarah: "No, stroke. Zachary Taylor."

Grandma: "Natural causes?"

Sarah: "No. Cholera (which she pronounced with the typical "ch-" as in cherry.) Ulysses S. Grant."

Grandma: "Natural causes?"

Sarah: "No, throat cancer. Abraham Lincoln -- and Grandma, I'm sorry to tell you this, but if you don't know this one, you're not very smart."

[Grandma got the right answer. If you want to play Presidential Death Quiz in your home, we heartily endorse "The Presidents: Washington to Bush" published by Greenwich House.]