I was born on December 3, 1930 in Tampa, Florida, the only child of Osmonde Bie and Viola Bradbury Bie (nicknamed "Peggy"). Later that same day when my father returned to visit my mother in the hospital, she told him that she had just given the baby's name to the nurse. (It had been agreed that I would be named after the first names of their respective mothers, Martha and Carol.) But when my father heard that, he impulsively left the room and ran down the hall after the nurse. Returning, he explained to my mother sheepishly, "I changed the baby's name to Peggy, after you!" (removing his own mother's name). Thus I was called Peggy Carol (or Piggy Carrots) from then on. Before I was two years old I was taught to tell every stranger, "My name is Piggy Carrots Spinach, and my Daddy's a good lawyer!" My birthdate had been chosen in advance by my mother, who was interested in astrology. She had read a newspaper account about certain conjunctions of the planets which meant that anyone born on Dec. 3 of that year would have a specially fateful life. It didn't specify "good" or "bad" fate, however. Mother discussed the idea of having me born on that date with her doctor, instead of three weeks later at Christmas time. He agreed to cooperate with her wishes. So on the evening before my planned birth, my parents invited family members and friends for a "birthing party." At precisely 9:30 p.m., according to the doctor's directions, my mother drank a small bottle of castor oil and quinine. She quickly went into labor, and I was born just after one a.m., weighing five pounds. As you read on about my life, see what you think fate and the stars may have had to do with my many life experiences! Was it good or bad?

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