Many, many years ago, I was a contestant on “Wheel of Fortune.” I haven’t thought about it in ages, but the recent news that Pat Sajak is retiring stirred up old memories. Those memories were further evoked by the disposal of a cooking pot... let me explain.In 1991, I saw a spot at the end of the Wheel of Fortune episode I was watching, that said that auditions for the show were being held in New York City, and to apply, one could mail in a postcard asking for a spot. I did so, never expecting to hear a thing, but about a month later I got a phone call telling me the date, time, and place to show up to vie for a slot on the show.At the time, my eldest daughter (now 33) was just turning one. We traipsed into the city and I went in to audition, while Caity’s dad wheeled her around in a stroller outside.Auditions were interesting. We were told that they wanted to see enthusiasm and personality as we played mock games of Wheel. I did my best, and left thinking that it was fun, but I’d never get on the show.About a year later, much to my surprise, I got a call from someone at Wheel, asking me to come to Los Angeles to be on the show. At the time, I’d just found out that I was pregnant with my second child, and when I mentioned this, I was told they’d put me back into the “waiting” line and I’d get another call in a few months, with another invitation.It took several more years, but that call finally came... and this time, I was pregnant with my third child! However, not wanting to decline and risk never getting on the show, I took the opportunity, and, six months pregnant and with my dad in tow, I flew out to L.A. to give Wheel of Fortune my best shot.Needless to say, I didn’t turn out to be the big winner in my group of three. In fact, it felt like I barely got to play at all, due to one very long puzzle and a very lucky contestant who spun about 20 times for that puzzle, never hitting a “lose your turn.” The other person playing against me won, of all things, a Picasso, worth around $25,000 at the time. So while I ...
