Dan, there was a story that dealt with male puberty and we were all struck by how few stories actually deal with the physical changes boys go through. Girls, yes. Boys, not so much.

Jenn, you can't convince me you're not a badass, sorry! Heh. Sorry to have misrespresented how dangerous you are, though!

David, Tim tells me I told the story wrong, that it was the plainess of the shells I was presenting to him and the brokenness of the sand dollars that underwhelmed him. I love love love your description of a Midwestern thunderstorm, and it made me completely nostalgic. I think I've lived out here in thunderstormless California long enough now that I'd be the one standing in the cornfield, rapt, while Tim went to make the sandwich. Tim loves sandwiches!