I have lived a charmed life, made so by moments of magic. I'm 86 years old, healthy and happy. I have not yet spent a night as a patient in any hospital. I've had two personal relationships that were important to what I am today.  I'll keep these private. I've accumulated more than 3 million air miles, mostly on Star Alliance. Been on a dozen, or two, cruises. Have had maybe 15 around the world trips. Written five books. Worked on the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence for NASA. Wrote the the legislation that became law for hydrogen when I worked in the U.S. Senate. In my 27th year of retirement. Not sure who said SOMETIMES MAGIC CAN HAPPEN IF YOU TRY.  Checked with various AI sources and got nothing. In a way, though, that thought has driven me through most of my life.  The first time was when I was a junior in high school.   That was 70 years ago. Through all of my life as a student, I was just above average.  In my sophomore year at McKinley...