It's one of those days when my brain just won't work. I've written this copy seventeen different ways, and it still doesn't sound right.

Maybe chocolate will help.

I'm still wearing my snow boots though because they allow me to tromp through the deep and plentiful puddles like a little kid.

Love!

Maybe chocolate will help.

I feel certain that it will. You'd better check empirically.

I dug my car out and went to the grocery store! This was at least two storms' accumulation, plus, for the first time I can remember, the base of the windshield wipers was completely frozen up, I had to chip it all loose. (Not the blades, the mechanism that makes 'em move.)

You'd better check empirically.

Researching now. I want to be thorough.

I'm in Mountain View! There's no snow here. It's delightful.

In other news, I ordered some hats from Zappos. They sent me a wrong item. I returned said item at a UPS Store last month, and didn't think I needed to get a receipt. Now Zappos is claiming I never returned the item to their warehouse and that they'll charge me for the return item. The return item that was THEIR mistake in the first place.

I need to call Zappos and explain how they won't like me when I'm angry.

Zappos is messing with the wrong person.

I thought the stranger's interaction with the daughter was really dehumanizing for the mother. The mother was standing RIGHT THERE. And despite the fact that she was complaining and was a bit confused, she wasn't in la-la land. And the mother clearly understood she was being talked about when the stranger made the comment.

How awful. I mean, I understand that the stranger was trying to say something nice but way, way wrong time and place. And my heart breaks for the mother. Treated like she isn't there, isn't important, isn't human.

Have you guys read this essay about aging by the 93-year-old Roger Angell in the latest New Yorker? [link] He talks about being invisible in it. It's really moving and wise.

When my mom was on her downhill slide I would have given anything to talk with someone in the same situation

Suzi,

so maybe what the stranger could have done to attempt to be helpful is spend some time writing a quick note and handing it to the woman, saying "please read this later if you wish. have a good day?"

Have you guys read this essay about aging by the 93-year-old Roger Angell in the latest New Yorker? [link] He talks about being invisible in it. It's really moving and wise.

That was really lovely. Made me cry a lot but not in a bad way.

I should read that article, but not sure when I'll be up for it.

Grading right now, or at least supposed to be grading.