The constant rains and blustery, weirdly unseasonable weather have wreaked havoc on our umbrella collection. The little pop-up umbrellas, in particular, have taken a beating — which is why you see lots of soggy, downcast Columbusites trudging around carrying massive, ultra-sturdy golf umbrellas.
Today as I walked to work it started misting. After feeling proud that I had remembered an umbrella, I discovered that the canopy on this one had become unmoored from two of its ribs, leaving the cover flapping in the breeze. Embarrassing, to be sure — but half an umbrella is still better than none. So long as I could position the umbrella to keep the rain and mist off my glasses, I’m OK.
I’m guessing that Columbus-area stores have never sold as many umbrellas as they have this year.