I was cruising along in the Vocab Fun project, in the fast lane on an open highway, then–WHAM!–I hit rush hour. Or maybe it’s an accident. I can’t tell. Suddenly, I’m creeping along, if I’m moving at all, unable to see what’s ahead and not sure I’m where I want to be on the road.

I’m powering through, butt in chair, dragging ideas out as they kick and scream and cling to the dark recesses of my soggy noodle.

It’s weird. I don’t know why this section is so hard. There was a conceptual hurdle to get over, but I asked for help, the editors supplied it, I’m over the hurdle, and still I’m swimming in concrete.