MODEL HOMES

Today's adventure took me across the highway to check out a huge community of upscale homes for people "better than" 55. I wandered through the models stunned by the grandeur of stainless steel appliances and granite countertops displayed bravely in this faltering economy. The home prices were high, the salesman delighted with their amenities and size, the living rooms large and lavish and set up for entertaining. But entertaining whom? The married children? It was hot outside, well over 100, and looking at the houses was depressing. There was a sense of great lonliness about them, empty and large as they were, situated with nothing around but a golf course and club house. I thanked the salesman for his hospitable bottle of cold water and said the houses were not for me.