You just never know how things are going to go

When I was a kid growing up in Ohio, I was a big fan of American history. (I know you are astonished by this.) I loved mastering the basic facts of history, what are often inaccurately called trivia. Knowing all the states, all the capitals, all the presidents, I loved it. Knowing the obscure facts, of course, was more satisfying than knowing the easy ones. So Millard Fillmore, with the oddball name, was perhaps one of the most satisfying figures to know something about -- just that he existed was pretty good.

I was in the United States recently, and brought back some change. And it is with a peculiar feeling indeed that I report to you that a Millard Fillmore dollar coin sits on my desk right now.