There's a semi-permanent produce stand about three blocks from my house. They sell a variety of fresh fruit and veggies there. I imagine they grow the stuff themselves and bring it into "town" to sell to "city slickers" like myself. At this particular stand, I've been waited on by people aged from 5 to 45 years, I assume they're all related otherwise there are some child labor laws being broken.

At any rate, I've been buying a lot of sweet corn from them this summer, and Holy God it's good! And cheap! You can get half a dozen ears for the low, low price of $1.75.

It occurs to me that getting six of anything for $1.75 is a great deal. Six sodas from the vending machines where I work cost $3.60. For that matter, even six plain cups of coffee would run you $3.00, Propel Fitness Water, $7.50!!

If the price of food was based on a scale, say taste per square inch, they could charge 10 bucks an ear for sweet corn, and I wouldn't bat an eye! Especially since I'd be getting all my V8 for free. Hah, because it tastes so bad! Get it?

Back to the corn.

You see, I actually encountered a little mystery involving corn this weekend. Not crop circles or anything like that. Instead, I experienced a lesser known phenomena -- vanishing corn. It's not a full-fledged X-File yet, but it's possible that the two are related.

Here's the deal. I bought six ears on Thursday. I ate three for dinner that night, which leaves three ears (hah, you guys thought I wasn't good at math!). I had friends over Friday, so I didn't eat any that night.

On Saturday I was supposed to go the Rotary Corn Roast, so I didn't give the remaining corn a second thought until later in the day. You see, I didn't end up going to the Corn Roast because it was too darn hot. So I figured I'd grill some of my own for dinner -- I'm clearly addicted.

But here's the spooky part, when I went to get the corn . . . it was gone. Poof! Vanished! Nowhere to be found!

"Well," you say, "that doesn't make any sense." You're right, it doesn't. So, where is the corn?

Scenario one: In the cleaning frenzy that occurred before my friends arrived I accidentally threw the bag of corn away.

Scenario two: In the cleaning frenzy that occurred before my friends arrived I stuck the bag of corn in an OOSOOM (out of site, out of mind) location and will discover it when it starts to stink.

Scenario three: Aliens.

Knowing my luck, the second scenario seems most likely. Either that, or there's a fourth scenario, with even grimmer consequences lurking. Probably something involving mice, or possibly the opossum colony that appears to be living (and dying) near my house. I suppose the coming weeks will tell. . .

In the meantime, keep your hands on your ears, and Trust No. 1.
:-)