Speaking of packaging,

a reader wanted me to use this soapbox to gripe about how her favorite type of Girl Scout Cookies (the "Thanks-A-Lot" - had not even heard of these!) has been saddled with being the first of the brand to be packaged in a non-boxed, environmentally favorable manner, thus save three zillion tons of paperboard a week or something.  Problem is, someone mailed her some (we don't have these in D_____) and they arrived with half of them broken-in-half.  Sure, one can eat broken cookies, but why must it be these [although maybe they thought that the vegan treats would be a good starting point - "planet"-loving vegans would merely nod sagely at the crumpled, broken desserts as they stitched together burlap playclothes for their dirty-faced offspring? - ed.]???

Hey, Girl Scouts of America!  THANKS-A-LOT (storms off, hot tears, etc)!!!