I've caught cold: my nose drips, my sinuses hurt, and my chest rattles when I inhale. But I have the good taste to drink plenty of hot liquids, the good sense to take a decongestant and a nap, and the good humor to keep grinning.

I read the rest of Simple and Direct yesterday. I enjoy Barzun's writing not solely because he has wit, style, and insight, but also because he states his opinions so forthrightly. I do not always agree with him, but when I disagree, I find myself framing counter-arguments, and not simply shrugging and reading on.

Next on my list is The Birds of Heaven: Travels with Cranes by Peter Matthiesen. I bought it last year, but it disappeared into my cluttered piles, only to emerge after I bought new shelves recently.