An escalating problem

At the St. Louis Public Library downtown

One of these things is not like the others

What an odd compilation of items, presumably left behind by one of the many homeless who loiter about the St. Louis Public Library. These canned goods look like they may be a few decades past their expiration dates.

The coffee reminds me of a funny Homeless Encounter, though.

One day, on my walk to the office, Stanley, whom I see almost daily, stopped me and asked if I could help him with a cup of coffee. Usually I say no -- I am not an ATM, after all. But I obliged and fished a buck out of my wallet and handed it to him.

Stanley looked disappointed. "Um, coffee is like a dollar and something," he rudely informed me.

"Sorry, Stanley."

I guess beggars really can be choosers.