17 May—The overflowing recycling bins at the Litchfield post orifice proved an especially copious treasure trove the other day. There were the usual Catholic Transcripts, college alumni magazines, assorted medical and dental and veterinary journals (but never Medical, Dental, or Veterinary Economics), political and charitable begging letters, boutique catalogues, and exceedingly heavy Uline catalogues.

One envelope from a charity contained five brand new (possibly brilliant uncirculated) nickels in the hope the recipient would return the favor in spades. Even better, an envelope from a casualty insurance company contained a crisp new dollar bill. You wonder how much good (brand new, fresh, clean, crisp) money is discarded by people who can’t bother to open their mail. What a shameful waste. And a gift to government spenders.

Back to catalogues, then, at the very top of one bin was a catalogue from a high end (of course) New York women’s clothing shop touting a 15 percent summer discount. Back side up. One couldn’t help but notice the illustration of a model’s back side. But what really drew one’s attention was the semi-opaque skullcap the model was wearing. It’s also known as a yarmulke, kippah, zucchetto, and beanie.

The woman modeling the uncomfortable-looking swimsuit must have been an orthodox Jewess, one reckoned, probably married. Because according to Jewish law (halacha) married women are supposed to cover their hair in the presence of men other than their husbands or other male family members. Don’t ask why. And it’s likely that there were lots of men on the photo shoot.

But wouldn’t you know? The Haredi honey theory got blown. Because on closer examination, the model wasn’t wearing a yarmulke at all. It seems that one of the semi-opaque tape dots that held the catalogue closed for mailing blended with the aqueous background but showed up subtly on the model’s hair.

Is that a French braid?