WHY RUIN A BEAUTIFUL DAY?

     Late last fall on a simply gorgeous October day and while just starting out on a walk around Gray's Lake, I noticed something all too common today. There was a group of 5 or 6 people coming toward us and each was looking down and into their smart phones concentrating on something or other--all of them! I couldn't help wonder if they will ever remember what a glorious Sunday they missed out on?

AFRAID OF WIFE?

           There was this guy that stopped to sample some cheesecake that I was demonstrating at the Westlakes Hy-Vee and his comment gave me my laugh of the week! He took a spoonful of cherry cheesecake and while doing so was looking around. He commented that he hoped his wife wouldn't  catch him eating something maybe he or she thought to be decantant?

             I simply asked him, with my twisted sense of humor, if he was afraid of his wife. He looked right at me and replied:  "You bet I am!" I couldn't help stop laughing for a bit! Whether he was serious or just responding like some great comedy duo, I'll never know!

REMEMBER ANCHOVIES-YUK!

        The Westlakes Hy-Vee started a few months ago a spot where they will make a custom made pizza--"Mia's!" They have over 30 or so toppings which some I'm not sure I would even want to try. 

         All those choices made me think about when pizzas first came out in the 1950's (in this area) and,  you could get "Anchovies" along with the usual toppings of the time--sausage and pepperoni. Anchovies didn't last long as I recall. It was very salty, didn't look real appetising, and, after-all, was---fish! Funny thing is that now we think Sushi is cool! I need to pick up a couple of cans of sardines for a snack tonite!     

PRETTY GOOD MEMORY- BUT!

           I've always thought that my long term memory was pretty good about "trivia of long ago" until the other day while talking to a customer at the Westlakes Hy-Vee in West Des Mines. 

          It all started because this guy resembled my late cousin Larry Laverty. This fellow also had worked for the railroad and had spent time in Marshalltown, Iowa and his eyes lite up by his memory of Taylor's Maid-Rite. 

          In addition, he brought up the restaurant down by the railroad tracks that served the great chiffon pie. Do you think I could "spit out" the name of that long time local icon eatery. I know its name like my own, but, do you think I could come up with it. Even "Lloyd's" came immediately to mind as the two were owned by the same individual. 

           Yes, a little later "Stone's" popped back in to my brain, but, not until the Larry Laverty look-a-like had left the store. Sometimes you have to wonder what goes on up there or not. And yet, close to a dozen people from my past have come into the store and I recognized them all despite not seeing them in close to 40 years--and their names. Go figure!

DON'T ASK/POLITELY DEMAND!

           I over-heard a young lady ask if she could have a certain pastry in the bakery at the local Hy-Vee here in WDM. It reminded me of years ago, my son, Darrin, was always "asking" if he could have some particular thing at a restaurant.

         Eventually, I taught him to politely say---"I would like a sandwich or whatever-please!" I always thought it would have been interesting if someone, after my son was asking-that person, would have said NO- you can't have that! A thank-you at the end of ordering is always the right thing to do!

"YOU BET I'M SCARED!"

          A few days ago, while demonstrating cheese cake at the Westlakes Hy-Vee, an older gentleman  came up for a sample. He kept looking around like he was looking for someone and mentioned that he hoped that his wife wouldn't see him eating the sample!

         In a very dead-pan manner, I asked if he was actually afraid of his wife. His reply cracked me up! "You bet I am!" The situation made my day with a good laugh! I love my job!