The Pandemic edition of "Treading Water" is a greatly expanded, slightly damp, collection of Noreen Braman's previously published essays and columns. It includes the "Evil Pants" series as well as rat adventures, disasters that became funny, and a few chapters that might even be serious. You'll be grateful that your life isn't full of watery adventures, misbehaving dogs, careful plans go awry and varmints of all kinds that don't give up.