this year.

A leisurely walk to work in a very light rain can be nice, but it can also turn ugly in a second as it did today. Umbrellas are of little use in blowing heavy rain, and provide little protection when confronted with puddles that rival the great lakes and rivers that form in gutters and streetcar tracks. I was puzzled by the unexpectedly large number of broken umbrellas I encountered on my way into work, but suppose that people don’t give much thought to an umbrella until they discover they need its service. I’m looking to get a nice umbrella with a curved wood handle — classic look I think. My mini umbrella is virtually useless and I feel bad if I use my oversize golf Umbrella. I think people also need to be more mindful of umbrella control. A little bit of rain and people completely forget they are carrying a device that adds an extra few feet to their width, not to mention pokey ends that are great for poking out eyes or holes in clothes and skin.