Winter Low Point

Am walking down street on way to work today when see strange looking baby in stroller--sworl of black hair on top of head, very blue eyes, and is staring at me as though am strangest thing it has seen in its short life. Being stared at so intensely a bit disconcerting, and forget to pay attention to what is going on underfoot. Before know it, find self on dirty, icy sidewalk. Hip and left hand have taken brunt of fall. Baby cranes head around side of stroller and continues to stare. Get up quickly before anybody can offer to help, in fact, make vigorous effort to not notice anybody else around me. Hand muddy, but otherwise unhurt. Shove hand in pocket while walking quickly away. Once immediate feeling of extreme mortification passes, feel almost pleasurably embarrassed. While am at Murray's to get fortifying bagel and coffee (avoid l" (or variation, "ate it"; question: as in ate the ground?) Am sharply reminded that it is not socially acceptable to giggle to oneself in public--tee-hee a bit and woman wearing earmuffs, leg warmers, and purple down coat edges away. Do not care about her, though. Feel that--this probably unoriginal and stolen from elsewhere--feel that once have fallen, there is no lower to go. All else is up.