Orland Park Ordinariness

Townhouse complexes dot the suburbs of Chicago, usually hidden behind grand-looking stone entrances bearing names like Royal Woods and Cherry Hills and Cove Manors.

But like most things in life, the hype is always bigger and more important than the real thing.

These are places so ordinary, you can't even get a decent photo of them.

Where even newer furniture has a drab and aged look.

And discontinued items can still, somehow, persist.

Despite the proof of their unhappy future.

Things are no brighter in the basement.

Down here, even the sparkle and magic of Christmas appears tired and worn.

Stay away from these places, if you can. Or at least avoid their estate sales.

Purchased: New KitchenAid rotary cheese grater, $1.