How to have one of those days.

Wake up. Immediately deduct a day from “Now how many days is it until we can try again?” Make a cup of tea. Sip it while looking at Facebook, dangerous grounds these days. Click on male friend’s photo of his 24-weeks-pregnant wife (“Isn’t she gorgeous!” (and in case you were wondering if she really is gorgeous, look no further than the sycophantic variations of “Oh yes she is!” comments bestowed by 18 of his closest friends)). Skim through all 49 comments on the request of another friend, a pregnant friend, for stroller suggestions. Groan. Close Facebook with a sneer and a sigh.

Decide to do something productive other than crying over spilt … pregnancies. Go to the library to hunker down and study for the big French language certificate examination next month. Choose the table where an unconscientious undergrad left a stack of books. Pick up the top book, face-down, out of curiosity and procrastinative tendencies. Flip it over. “The Body of Desire: A Psychoanalysis of Pregnancy.” Of course it is. Skim through it, paying special attention to the chapters on “the desire for motherhood.” Groan. Close book with a sneer and a sigh.

Consider going home to produce a negative pregnancy test, replete with its own groan, sneer, and sigh, just to complete the trifecta. Don’t. Consider that a victory of sorts.

Muddling through, indeed.