An Ugly Tomato is a Beautiful Thing.

February is a tough month (and I'm not even talking about Valentine's Day).

But on a recent cold, dreary day, I found an fat, bright red, flavorful ugly tomato. At a Publix. In the dead of winter.

I did a double-take. Then I bought three--along with bacon, lettuce, mayo and sourdough bread and made a delicious BLT.

It was an unexpected delight that provided outsized pleasure.

So why am I relaying this produce-related fable?

Because it reminds us of the power of surprise. As a writer, I try to give readers word-related delights.

I think of them as verbal ugly tomatoes.