I sometimes buy antiques as gifts, and I was just thinking sadly about my favorite place that had been in Old Town, called Richard II, which was eclectic and reasonably priced. The owner, Richard Paine, was a terrific guy, smart and funny, but had a series of disasters and is now long gone.

I've bought, as gifts, things like an antique purse, an antique teapot, a serving platter. Do you have any place like that which you like?

You may be aware that some cities can have a specific breed of mosquito, and this is the only place where I’ve run into mosquitoes that can actually attack through clothing! Including, for me, even through heavy denim jeans.

For the first time I have a skeeter or two inside, and I haven’t managed to whack them.  Do you have anything you use successfully?

I’ve bought some fly-strips, but no luck so far, and I don’t have high expectations.  And, secondly, if you’ve found a good solution, did you buy it anyplace special locally, or just a standard hardware store?

Hope it's a sign of a trend!

FYI, Safeway is having a sale on eggs for 47c a dozen.