"Reconciliation with reality," I said when someone asked me the other day why I bother writing. Not that reality is always so harrowing. Not that I don't like wearing long scarves as I walk and stare into strangers' faces. Yet even pleasant things may have their transformation coming. We may all grow antlers, among other appendages. We may lose others in the process. Once we do, I tell myself things will starting becoming clear to me. For now, I'm only guessing.