I don’t know how Ben Nelson feels about being called Nellie, but my daughter

is fine with it. Her name is actually Eleanor, after Edward I’s wife

(THIRTEENTH CENTURY!), with whom I have a sentimental connection; but we

settled on “Nellie” early on, and now she’s “Nellie” to everyone (except,

for reasons I don’t understand, her school music teacher).

The first song she learned was “Hang on the Bell, Nellie” & I still

play it for her once in a while when I’m feeling sappy.

If there are any Nellies out there who would like a mention on The Corner,

I’ll see what I can do.