“A good dog does not lick people’s pants.” — Frannie, age 11, to her exuberant puppy

A rough day at work that’s not over yet. I will take this time for an extended break with Ichiro videos and a Portillo’s chocolate cake shake. Because I can.

A Deadspin commenter on Ichiro’s inevitable induction into the Hall of Fame, presuming the entire nation of Japan will descend upon Cooperstown:

“Every AirBNB from Rochester to the Berkshires is gonna be booked, and every guest will leave the place cleaner than they found it.”

This passing of the torch during Ichiro Suzuki’s final game as a major leaguer reminds me that I don’t have enough tissues at my office.

I’ve been on Micro.blog/Twitter sporadically lately, so forgive me if someone has posted this here: The New York Times discovers email newsletters: The New Social Network That Isn’t New at All.

Maybe I should come up with one after all.

I really hadn’t planned on driving around the block a few times in tears with “Misirlou” and “Mr. Eliminator” at full blast on the car stereo this afternoon, but these things happen. Rest well, Dick Dale.

Windshield this morning. Bright and sunny, but a bit frosty.

I guess the auto parts business is trying to diversify.

Vegan friends: So, when are nuts and berries not vegan?

When you wake up with a glimmer of wisdom and hope after a dismal day, celebrate with breakfast, indulge in Pokemon silliness with the family, and move on.

You know it’s a lousy day when the Google doodle wishing you a happy birthday feels more heartfelt than anything else that has happened to you today.

Best birthday gift ever: a notebook filled with artwork by my sister, who has been making cards and mixed media art since she retired more than a year ago.

I wish Pico Iyer was on Micro.blog. From Twitter:

”’Attention,’ Simone Weil noted, ‘is the rarest and purest form of generosity.’ Is it any surprise, then, that the Age of Distraction seems also to be the Age of Detraction and Incivility?”

Repenting in the age of iPhones and instant gratification (America Media)

Lent is the moment — or 40 days of moments — for us to turn away from our constant and public self-curating and turn towards God.

Starbucks is launching a drink with Ariana Grande. Sadly, it will not be called the Ariana Grande, thus denying one the opportunity to order a grande Ariana Grande.

Last paczki-themed photos for a while, especially since today is Fat Tuesday and we’ll be done with this stuff until next year. The line at Lilac Bakery in Lombard, Illinois, was maybe 20 deep. The wait was worth it.

But next year, I’m pre-ordering and pre-paying.

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Outside the bakery where the line was 20 deep for quality paczki: “Oh please, oh please, oh please — I will gladly pay you next Tuesday for a paczki today.”

It’s almost Lent, and all I can think about is how much I want to give up on my church home and move on. I don’t think this is the point of Lent. Pray for me.

Our annual haul of dog paczki. Two of each—coconut, sweet potato, peanut butter, and chicken—but I can’t tell one from another. I would have taken a photo of Puppy’s First Dog Paczki, except he inhaled it in less than a minute.

Neat to see lots of people here talking about digital spring cleaning. It’s inspiring—and given that it’s just before Lent, what a perfect time to do some purging!

Puppies are tiring.

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It’s hard to be roommates with an awkward four-legged toddler.

Valid question.

Good morning.

A little Cowbell Zen. (garciabuxton.com)