I had a few logistical stops to make. First, I stopped by the drugstore at the corner of Hamilton and Chase, Schaeper's, to buy batteries for my camera so I could take pictures for this post. Next, to Ace Hardware.

Now, this errand was in no way related to Christmas, but I have to say a few words about Ace. This is a great place. Many people assume that going to a big box store is always cheaper. At Ace, the prices are low and I can't imagine that if I wasted the gas to get to a Lowes or Home Depot I wouldn't spend more overall. Moreover, going to Ace is fun. The store is jam packed and the staff friendly. Instead of wandering through many isles searching for what I want in a massive store, at Ace I have always been able to simply ask for what I am looking for. Usually, the item I am looking for is something I have to describe, such as, "one of those things you put on the end of your faucet and it twirls around," or "those plastic things you put it outlets to keep the babies from sticking stuff in there," or, today, "that mesh thing you put on the hose from the washing machine into the sink so the sink doesn't get clogged."

Inexplicably, the owner or another employee always knows just where the item is and, even more inexplicably, can just reach out and hand it to me. Why is the item I am looking for always within arms reach? I can't explain it, but it works.

Next I stopped into Sidewinder for a cup of hot coffee to get me though the afternoon. Sidewinder has delicious coffee, and I will likely return to look at their merchandise to look for possible gifts. I then crossed the street to Darou Salem. They have a good selection of imported groceries and staples, and some other general merchandise like music and DVDs. I checked out their tea and coffeepots and was being indecisive, but may return to buy one as a gift. For today, I just bought some plantains on sale 2 for $1.

On to my final destination - Shake It Records. Shake It has lots of great music along with books, magazines, DVDs, postcards, buttons, toys, and items that cannot be easily classified (knick knacks?). I have had luck finding gifts there, primarily CDs but also, once and Ugly Doll (www.uglydolls.com/). Today, after browsing the used CDs, I went to the Americana section to buy a John Prine album, "In Spite of Ourselves," a compilation of duets. The title track contains great lyrics such as, "She don't like her eggs all runny/ She thinks crossin' her legs is funny/ She looks down her nose at money/ She gets it on like the Easter Bunny/ She's my baby/ I'm her honey"

On impulse, I also bought a mug made out of corn for a librarian friend.

Schaeper's Pharmacy
4187 Hamilton Ave
Cincinnati, OH 45223

(513) 541-0354

Mon-Fri. 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Sat. 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Ace Hardware

4171 Hamilton Av.

Cincinnati, OH 45223

Sidewinder Coffee

4181 Hamilton Avenue

Cincinnati, Ohio 45223
513-542-8321

M-W 7a-9p

TR-F 7a-10p

ST-SN 8a-8p

Darou Salem

4158 Hamilton Ave

513-681-6321

Shake It Records

513-591-0123

Image: atp_tyreseus (flickr)