The Left Lane
From song to book

• "America did not invent human rights. In a very real sense, human rights invented America," — Jimmy Carter
• "We are going to have peace, even if we have to fight for it." — Dwight Eisenhower
• "One man with courage makes a majority." — Andrew Jackson

One and only

The American ideal of having two kids and a dog may be changing. One-child families are becoming the most popular family size in the United States.

Blame the rise in divorces for disrupting families, delayed marriages, career-mindedness or late-in-life pregnancies, but one-child families have grown from 10.9 million in 1972 to nearly 20 million families today, U.S. Census survey figures indicate. Onlychild.com, an Internet newsletter and support group, says a third of those starting families today will stop at one child.

Poi m'boy, poi m'boy, poi m'boy will make a man outta you-ou. So the song says. But if you're living in a poi-free environment on the Mainland, just the thought of a nice, big bowl of the purple paste will drive you to tears.

If you've got a friend or relative in this predicament, The Poi Co. has an answer in the form of a product introduced last month and already selling briskly: freeze-dried poi. They start with pa'i'ai — thick, unwatered taro paste, the original "poi concentrate" used by Hawaiians when they were traveling or needed to store poi for a period of time. The pa'i'ai is immediately frozen and shipped to Oregon to be freeze-dried. The resulting 7-ounce vacuum-packed cans of poi powder ($15) last about one year on the shelf and make 3.5 pounds of poi with the addition of water. The Poi Co. also ships fresh poi via second-day air; check poico.com for information.

A few tips on sexy holiday frugality

It's a challenge for frugal followers of fashion, but it is possible to save money while still looking ahead of the curve. InStyle magazine's December issue offers ideas: Instead of fishnet stockings, try "point d'esprit" (black dotted stockings); instead of a camisole, try a lace shell; and instead of a pashmina shawl, try a faux fur stole. Trade in big flashy belts for antique ones. Wear a ruffled top instead of a velvet shirt. Another holiday dressing rule: Know what's naughty and what's nice. Worn alone, fishnets or a satin bustier give off a tantalizing touch. But, say the editors, "Limit yourself to one provocative piece."