I offer my own sad misunderstanding, with pictures. I was walking around downtown and found some really wonderful purple tulips. They were fast approaching the end of their short lives, gorgeously falling apart, spewing pollen, throwing their all into sexual reproduction.  I took some pictures.

Then, I noticed a youthful couple, and I automatically assumed they were involved in a more mammalian version of the same process.

But when I looked closer, I saw that the woman was collecting money for some charitable cause that I will not mention.

Then, I saw a woman also taking pictures of the tulips! A kindred spirit! A fellow artist!I almost spoke to her and then I noticed she was just frowning into her smart phone.

So much for humans.

A piercing line from Brazil’s most important author, Clarice Lispector, from her last work, “Hour of the star”. I’m very excited to announce that the Americas Society is honoring her on April 22. Fear not, the event is in English and without cost.