Ever notice how you learn a new word, then hear it everywhere you go? When you’re pregnant, all you see is pregnant women walking the streets or moms pushing strollers? You’re thinking of going to Paris, and suddenly every newspaper, TV station and poster has something to do with France? In recent weeks, it seems that poverty, welfare and hunger have permeated my brain. And I keep overhearing snatches of conversations. Yesterday the clock radio went off really early — maybe 5 a.m. From a dead sleep, I heard a man say, “Well, those deadbeats on welfare don’t want to get their hands dirty when they can stay home drinking…

Saw this at Walgreen’s on deep discount, so I bought 2 of them. There’s nothing wrong with it. No idea why it was marked down. It tasted delicious, with a splash of red wine and the rest of the leftover pizza sauce mixed in. I could have added some mushrooms but I forgot until just now. Oh, well. I am wryly amused by the “Last Chance” sticker, though. Don’t miss out — this stuff is going, going, gone… This is the kind of thing one can buy and be glad when one is on food stamps. I recount this little victory because today has been another one of those days…