So yesterday I was in the Clayton/Ladue area. I had someplace I needed to be at 8, and then again at 8:45. So I went looking for someplace to get a cup of coffee and something to eat.

There's no shortage of coffee shops in Clayton, but most of them looked expensive--and not only that, you also have to pay to park, and the cost of parking in Clayton is pretty close to what I was looking to pay for the cup of coffee.

Finally, on the outskirts of Clayton, I found a plaza. I saw a sign that said "Three Dog Bakery." That sounded promising. I pulled in. I quickly noticed a sign that said "Please, no food or drinks." No food or drinks in a bakery? That's like a "No firearms allowed" sign on a gun shop.

I looked at the storefront again, and I realized this wasn't the kind of bakery I was looking for. This particular establishment sold gourmet dog biscuits.

I had strayed pretty far out of my element.

A little further down, I found a grocery store. I got an 89-cent cup of coffee there.