"Utica is the chief market for cheese in the United States."
--Encyclopaedia Britannica (Ninth Edition--1890)

Some things never change. This would explain our asses, which are unparalleled in magnitude. As a third-generation Utican, my own is a matter of destiny--and decadence. My typewriter-shaped chickens are at last coming home to roost--and our dining room resembles a Mailboxes, Etc. outlet. The L.C.Smith #2 is a doll--the serial number places it in about January 1906. I have restored it to full showroom condition, save for a frozen tabulator and a couple of missing rubber feet. Its ugly step-sister arrived today--a #1 from 1910, as it turns out. A piece of cast iron has been snapped off the carriage, the spring seems broken, and a few parts are missing--thus making it only more of a challenge. The older noiseless arrived the same day as the l890 Britannicas, and it works nicely (I have been too mesmerized by the good Smith to focus on it)--with only the other Remington and a nifty "flatbed" Royal #5 (purchased the other night) to come. Oh, and the partial set of the Britannica Eleventh I JUST won (to upgrade and fill in volumes on my Kirkland Book Sale set)--plus some cheap red/black ribbons and a kitschy pug t-shirt (for Sue).

What the frig. If all this keeps me from thinking about politics for half a minute, it's worth every blessed cent. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go eat some cheese.

"Nothing succeeds like excess."
--Oscar Wilde (1854-1900)