My day began with a broken molar, so I went to the dentist to get it bonded. But me being me, I took it as a sign that yes indeed teeth can crack and so the crown on another tooth I’d been putting off for financial reasons needed to be scheduled and dealt with.

I sat in the chair to wait for the good doctor and what is the artwork on the wall before me? The classic 1951 photograph by Ruth Orkin called American Girl in Italy (check out the woman’s outfit — totally in style right now). I had to laugh at the irony, since the aforementioned crown will cost me roughly the same price as a trip across the pond to lay eyes on the Tuscan hills.

Ah, priorities.