I don't disagree with you entirely, but I'm not sure I would have chosen that particular story with which to make my point- it seems to me actually pretty low on the Stella-bashing scale, especially compared to many other stories I've read.

Well, sure, but I was coming at it from the other direction. I didn't think "I have this point to make" and choose Family Portrait to illustrate it; I read Family portrait and thought, "Dude." :-)

Otherwise, I pretty much agree with the rest of what you have to say here.