FROM THE NOTEBOOK

I spend a decent part of my day stuffing little feet into snow boots, opening store-bought lunches and snacks, and hearing my name called out with deafening, repetitive frequency. I devote the remaining minutes of the day to hearing bells go off -- not the bells signaling recess or home time -- but the ones that sound silently, with a smile, a raised eyebrow or a big 'o' made with the lips.  Those are the internal bells that say 'a-ha!'  Or, 'I get it!'  Most days, the bells remain relatively silent.  But today, there were a few loud chimes.

And for those, I am indebted to Roald Dahl and Louis Sachar.