Winter in Minnesota is like gravity. You can jump in the air and pretend for a second that it’s gone but then it smacks you in the face when you fall hard.

The Storm of the Year, left me pinned and hunkered down last night. The hot coco was brought out. Sammy Davis Jr. scratched and swooned from the hi-fi and several volumes of Dostoevsky were read, or…perhaps it was Dickens. In either case it was first edition and leather-bound with gold leaf ridges. My friend Joel brought me back some sacred smokes from the shores of Communist Cuba not long ago. A few of those were also enjoyed. The brand was “Romeo y Julieta”. What a great name for cigarettes. Communists got class.

Today I find special amusement in odd comfort toys. Some of them I’m not sure I would give to a child but I find funny nonetheless.