Dear Mr. Keillor,
A classmate from medical school and I were at the Saturday afternoon Rhubarb Festival show in Lanesboro last weekend. We both agree that it was one of the best days of our lives. There is one problem though, this week we have our microbiology and pharmacology final which is notoriously difficult. Between the rain, being excited for the show, and looking for rhubarb pie in Lanesboro, we didn't get in much studying on Saturday. Do you have any suggestions for last minute study techniques? If something goes awry, do you think you could talk with our professor, please?

Lauren G.
Rochester, MN

Sit down and read what you need to read in the time that you have and then sleep. Sleep is good before you take a big test. You know more than you think you do, as Dr. Spock used to say. It's all up in your head. The Lanesboro show was plagued by power outage, satellite malfunction, rain and distant lightning, but it was all fun, especially when I got to come out and stand in the rain and sing. (Why didn't I do "Singin In The Rain" and go splashing around in that mud puddle near the stage? My daughter's favorite musical, and she was there at the show. Dang it.) Anxiety is counter-productive. Some focused reading, a good walk, a good night's sleep.