Pop a la Mode

I am concerned about today’s children if their parents are letting them watch things such as Yo Gabba Gabba on Nick Jr.

What exactly is this teaching children? That food can talk? That’s freaky.

Robyn and I went exploring the Birmingham suburb of Bessemer on Saturday as part of our “Get to Know Birmingham” initiative. For one, we’re trying to figure out any shortcuts we can and second, why not?

So to Bessemer we go and first hit United Textiles. Both of us had been told to find any fabric under the sun, that’s where we should start. Well neither of us really had a project we were working on so it was a little overwhelming. Too much to look at and take in.

Next, as we were traversing the streets of Bessemer we came upon the Bright Star Restaurant. If you have lived in Birmingham for any length of time, you have heard of this place. It opened in 1907 and is still going strong today. Neither of us have ever been so in for lunch we go.

As we enter, we both feel a little underdressed but considering the guy didn’t look at us funny, we plugged on. The little girl walks us back to our table through the bowels of the restaurant. We go through one dining room, part of the kitchen, another dining area, a drink station and finally into a room with more seating.

As we sit down, I look across the table at Robyn and see this look on her face. Mine is pretty similar. Something smells. Just as I put my finger on what it is, Robyn leans over and whispers, “does it smell like pee in here?”

Yep. That’s it. It was horrible and we couldn’t believe that the dozen or so people sitting around us weren’t noticing it. Grant it, they were all very elderly and probably couldn’t smell anything at all but still. As we discussed our options, the waitress comes up and we figure we’re stuck. At this point, the odor is not as noticeable although I’m mostly convinced that we’re just getting used to it.

The food was fine but nothing to write home about in our opinion. We steered clear of anything that had the word “throat” in the description and settled on some safe bets. We were informed that we had to try the pie so we both had a piece. Robyn had chocolate almond and I had lemon ice box. Tasty and probably the best part of the meal, but they failed to mention to us that one piece of pie cost $4.50! It was good, but it wasn’t that good.

As Dad says, “Jesse James took his with a gun.” And if he had smelled what we had, he probably wouldn’t have even bothered.

This blog entry is courtesy of my mother who said if she had a blog, she would put it up herself.

Mom and Dad own this business that employs about six office workers. The parentals run a tight ship but everyone seems to enjoy their jobs and enjoy each other.

Well the other day, a rain storm was headed for Danville and one of the men in the office pointed out that the black cloud was approaching. He tells everyone that if they have windows down, they better get them rolled up.

So as four of them are headed toward the door, a huge gust of wind stirs up some dust from a nearby construction site. Mom said it made everything look hazy but this is the conversation from the Jethros (as I will affectionately call them):

Jethro #1: What in the world is that outside?

Jethro #2: Is that rain?

Jethro #3: Driest rain I’ve ever seen.

Jethro #4: It’s dust!

Jethro #1: A duststorm? I thought we were supposed to have a rainstorm.

This 100+ degree weather is not fun. I am really over it.

I’m having trouble sleeping and I’m convinced it’s the weather. I can’t get comfortable, even if I kick the air conditioning way down. I’m tired all the time, I’m cranky, and I’m not working well. Which makes me more cranky.

And in my business, cranky doesn’t achieve anything. It just makes me seem mean. And I’m not mean - I’m hot! And irritable. Those are two totally different things.

Is it October yet?

I love the Atlanta Braves - but not as much as these two Auburn students. They wrote a song about the Braves new first baseman, Mark Teixera and it caught the eye of those at Turner Field. They’ll be performing at an upcoming game and it seems a new hit is on our hands.

It’s pretty catchy - you have to watch it a couple times to catch all the words.

Sure that’s a breakfast cereal but up here in Western Massachusetts - it’s a lifestyle. I have been to some very eco-friendly places before but up here, it feels like all the old hippies decided to settle down and keep their pot-smoking ways.

We went to a cafe for lunch yesterday called The Lady Killigrew Cafe. It’s a very cute place next to a creek but the minute I walked in, I could tell something was off. Everyone that worked there looked like they had just rolled out of bed, pulled on yesterday’s clothes and forgotten to brush their teeth. Also, there was a definite lack of deodorant. There were no “Secrets” if you know what I’m saying.

Come to find out that the place is run by a commune of 20-somethings. Well good for them. But they could still bathe.

Next we went to a small town nearby for an excursion this morning. Everyone rode bikes, carried reusable shopping bags and again, looked like they just rolled out of bed. I don’t get it - can’t you be environmentally friendly and still take a shower?

Then tonight, Pat the Chef and I went to dinner at this little place in town called the People’s Pint. Pretty much a pub with all organic food. There was nothing really wrong with the place until our neighbors sat down at their table. He looked like an old hippie - balding on top with long, curly gray hair down his back. She was probably my age and very cute. Oh and he carried a man purse.

They sit down and both of them take their shoes off! At the table! In the middle of the restaurant! Then they pull their legs up and sit yoga style in the chair. But wait - I’m not finished.

After they order, they start staring at each other while clasping hands. And the girl starts reciting poetry to him. Something about she didn’t really understand herself until she understood him and how all his wisdom has imparted on her a knowledge she would have never known.

I was dying. I have never seen anything like that before. It took all my manners to keep from staring at them but they probably wouldn’t have noticed. They were totally “connected” or whatever you want to call it.

Cheers Crunchy Granola and here’s to all-natural deodorant. I know they make the stuff, you may want to look into it.