* After unloading a truck the other day here at the paper, I had an interesting conversation with the driver. I heard on CNN the night before that it costs about $1,300 to fill up a semi. There's no way that could be true? Well, it is. The driver told me that the over-the-road semis have two, 150-gallon tanks. Diesel is well over $4 per gallon.

* I still haven't figured out why "healthy" foods cost so much more. Sugar is way cheaper than the other stuff. Fat free items are much more than the regular foods. As prices go up, and wages flatline, we can't afford to eat healthy.

* Every time I read, listen or watch something about the mortgage foreclosure crisis, I remember something my dad told me when I was much younger. He said never have a rent or house payment that is more than a week's salary. He said if you do that, you'll never get yourself in trouble.

* Shakamak High School is now looking for a boys basketball coach. I know someone who has a lot of time on their hands: Joe Hart. The former Union High School coach may be able to talk Billy Packer into being his assistant coach.

* Speaking of Joe Hart ... I haven't had a chance to see the Thunderbird he painted on the new Eastern Greene gym floor, but from what I heard it's pretty impressive. Joe does good work.

* There are a lot of good local candidates in Tuesday's primary. It would be a shame if at least 50 percent of the registered voters didn't turn out.

* There has been a lot of talk about smoking lately. Nancy Cummings has done a good job of bringing that debate to the forefront. Both of my parents were smokers, but I never picked up the habit. I'd be lying if I said it doesn't bother me when I'm around a group of people who are smoking, but I don't judge them because they want to smoke. It's their choice. Just like it's my choice not to go places where people smoke.