It was a cool 48ºF, and had been raining (we need the rain) as I walked out to my garage, this fine, cloudy Saint Paul morning (our heat wave was of the one-day variety, we’re back to late-March normal temperatures), to engage the services of my new travelin’ companion” for our trip to the coffee shop. I picked Medford up at his place, and we proceeded to the Cyber-Café.

As we sat at our usual table, the one in front, by the plate-glass window, where we can (and often do) observe passers by, and make our comments (always pro-social), and got our (January Edition) porcelain, not China (but made in China) Codger Collectible™ Mugs (have I mentioned the spiffy March Edition is still available?) full of hot organically & shade-grown, Fair Trade, French Roast coffee, when Carl, placing his mug on the table, looked our way and asked: “What is that? And where’s Hank?”

“I sold it,” I announced, “and now I have a new travelin’ companion.”

“What’s this I hear?” Fred looking up from his ever-present St. Paul Pioneer Press, “you found yourself a foxy old lady to travel with?”

“No Fred,” Medford jumped in laughing, “a new car.”

“Oh, OK,” the obviously unimpressed Fred mumbled, and went back to his paper.

“Did Roger and his neighbor,” Carl asked Harold, “learn any more Smith’s and the garage?”

“Some,” Harold answered, “it seems they shut down all operations last January, and have since filed for bankruptcy. There was a notice in the window of their building with the name of their attorney, and Ralph, Roger’s neighbor, contacted him.”

“So what recourse does Ralph have?” I asked, “any?”

“He submitted a claim and he’s in line with everyone else,” answered Harold, “but it’s unlikely he’ll get much if anything.”

“How ‘bout his homeowners insurance?” Medford asked, “will that cover his loss?”

“Only part of it,” Harold answered, “he hadn’t upgraded his coverage.”

“Expensive lesson.” Carl stated, and then turning to me, asked, “So, tell us Jay, what about this new FOL (Foxy Old Lady) you’re seeing!”

“Step outside and take a look,” I said with a smile.