When I worked at the INDY, I wrote a column—or I should say it wrote itself—called Urban Archaeology. It consisted of found objects, overheard conversations and other ephemera that documented life’s small moments. The column became quite popular; when people met me, they often said, “Oh, you’re the person who picks up stuff off the ground.”
Yes, that’s me. And I’m still finding gems like this. I stumbled upon it on Halloween in Durham Central Park. Scroll down for more links to other prosaic discoveries.

A box of prayer requests from 2001, found outside the Center for Responsible Lending, West Main Street:
A note from the Durham County jail
A child’s critique of modern art at the Ackland Museum:
Dancing in the streets, found music
The boulevard of broken toys
When people disrobe in the street
A Christmas wish list that does not include a library card