Catholic school

The guys at the coffee shop were discussing their Catholic school education and how tough the nuns were "in the old days." One said, "I got an excellent elementary school education, but I did get beat up a lot walking to and from school."

Coming and going

An overweight mama with a skinny girl about 4 and a well-filled out boy about 8 or 9 in a school uniform stopped at the sample table in Panera's on her way to the order counter. She bought each child a sack of goodies and a drink, and herself a bag of something. Then they all stopped at the sample table on the way out to the car for a second dip.

The new Tremont Rd. Starbucks

I tried the new Starbucks today and ran into a former neighbor. He's lived there about 8 years now, moving in shortly before we left, and I think everyone around him has moved. He has one of the more challenging homes in terms of upkeep, but I think they can afford it. I don't know what happened to the family who bought our house--in our opinion they ruined the floor plan (removed the dining room), then divorced and sold it--probably at a loss. As I sat at the table and looked across the street at the floundering, frumpy Kingsdale Shopping Center I did wonder what sociologist/ city planner/ architect came up with the idea of "mixed use, high density" for suburbia. Only a few of these condos have sold, and they are in the $400,000-$600,000 range. It's truly awful, both in design and concept. The 50s ranch style four-families that used to be on this land made much more sense.

Housing bargains in Columbus, Ohio

Three bedroom condos going for the price of a used car at auction. I showed the story to my exterminator consultant at the coffee shop. He knew the property and thought it might be hopeless. Story is in the Columbus Dispatch. This guy knows everything!

Put some clothes on

One of the messages of the Resurrection is that God cares about our bodies--he has a recycling plan. But some Christians over do. There's a guy I see at the coffee shop--really buff, slender, and scantily clad--reading his Bible. I do wish he'd put on more clothes to go out in public. It's not that his fine thighs are distracting me from reading my WSJ, but I'm afraid he'll catch oold.