We recently inherited an umbrella stand, and an eclectic collection of umbrellas and canes, from Kish’s Mom. We have frilly, polka-dotted umbrellas and sober black umbrellas, umbrellas with bone handles and umbrellas that could easily be hurled, javelin-like, at an approaching foe. We have rattan canes, and riotously colored canes, and canes with sturdy black handles that are all business.
Whenever I look at this umbrella stand and its contents, I inevitably think about England’s most famous nanny and Princeton-Plainsboro’s irascible diagnostic genius – two very mismatched fictional characters whose signature accoutrements nevertheless fit quite comfortably together.
A study has concluded that, 
