It may not have been as picturesque as last weeks Narcisi Winery, the food wasn't as fancy, but it was still a joyous trip. The day was cool but sunny, the ride was shorter and more fun, my lunch pals Paul & Dennis were there and always make things more enjoyable.
Something strange happened on my way to the senior center and then again inside the place. About halfway there, a woman passed me on the street and said "Good morning Reverend."
Wait, did she just call me Reverend? She was gone before I could say good morning back or bless her, so I just kept going.
When I got to the senior center, Paul was there, engaged in a conversation with a new member, a man I met a week ago. Paul came up to me and said "I told Bob you're our new pastor." I think my white collar was giving people the wrong idea or something? Anyway, here's a few boring pics of the day.
After we arrived at Cracker Barrel in Cranberry Township; pardon my blurry finger
While the women piled into the gift shop, Paul ordered some wine, Dennis a beer and I got this new Fall item, "Granny's Apple Tea". Very appley, very sweet.
Here's one of Pearl, back from the gift shop. It's strange, we live in the same apartment building, on the same floor. Yet this is only the second time I've seen her since last December.
Here's one of the wall above Paul's head, I was trying to get a closer look at those curious baskets. EDIT: Snowshoes! Duh! Thank you Kimba & Bobi!
My meal--fried chicken tenders and a "loaded" baked potato. I've had better loaded potatoes, but loved those green onions and gobbled it down. Those chicken tenders were juicy and seasoned just right, the best chicken I've had in a long time. They were also bigger than you think, after two of them I was stuffed!
I got a box to take the rest of my chicken home, and as long as I was there I bought a $5.00 TakeHome dinner for tomorrow. Actually, we all did--everyone got meatloaf except for me, only because I had meatloaf this past weekend.
When our server brought out mine, she included a bag of hot corn muffins and told me my apple tea was on the house. When I asked why, she said "Just because" and smiled at me. Honestly, I don't know why.
After everyone was finished, Paul told Dennis "We've got an hour before our shuttle returns, there's a cantina across the highway, you up for some margaritas?" Dennis handed me his food bag and off they went.
(I had to text them when Access arrived 10 minutes early--"Get back here or we're leaving without you!" I swear to God, Dennis was so tipsy he was blurry!)
I sat outside on one of Cracker Barrel's rocking chairs and chatted with Rose and Claire for a good hour, what kind, funny ladies. My LC symptoms started up again around 8pm, I think there was too much activity earlier, oh well. All I know is, for the day at least, I felt blessed.
Doug, you do look reverential in that collarless shirt. I'm glad the LC symptoms subsided enough for you to enjoy your lunch outing with the gang. Your meal looks delicious (what kind of dipping sauce for the tenders?). I'm also curious about those basketty things on the wall; they look vaguely native. I wasn't surprised Dennis would be off like a shot when booze is concerned. Lol. Great that you had a good time. Take care, buddy.
ReplyDeleteSteve from Toronto
PS. It was sweet of the waitress to not charge you for the apple tea.
DeleteSteve you are such a good guy, thank you my friend. 😊 Those dipping sauces were honey mustard, BBQ sauce and a "hot maple syrup" that I did not order, but boy I really liked, it was like liquid pepper! As for Dennis, he is pretty entertaining when he's mashed but I'd give anything if he stopped. 🙏
DeleteWait - when did Cracker Barrel start serving alcohol?? Shocking! So funny that you were sending out Reverend vibes! And I’m super curious to know why your apple tea was on the house AND you got complimentary corn muffs! You are a blessed man!😂 I think those baskets could be snow shoes maybe? So glad you had a brief reprieve from LC and that it came on a day when you could really enjoy it since you had a “field trip” with the senior center. Praying for more good days for you, Reverend Doug! Kimba🌻
ReplyDeleteThank you Kimba Kayak and YES you're right, snow shoes! I almost texted you that pic from the table! As for CB serving alcohol, I think Dennis and Paul were just as shocked--they each had a bunch though, why'd they run out for more? And haha "field trip", I love it. Appreciate your kind words and prayers my friend, thanks again. 😊🤎🙏
DeleteKimba already said what I was thinking, those baskets look like snow shoes and Cracker Barrel serves alcohol?? Hooray that you got to make the trip and congratulations on your new title, Rev. Doug!😂😂
ReplyDeleteHaha thanks Bobi! Gosh I feel like such a dunce with those snow shoes! 😄 Much appreciate the good thoughts my friend AND the cool 10-4 decal which now adorns my tablets front, heh! 💚🙏
DeleteOh, Dug... your first sentence mentioning "a reduction in LC symptoms" made my day... (although I realize it didn't last). At least it lasted long enough to enjoy an outing! What's the expression, "thank God for small favors". Your white collarless shirt does make you look a little pastor-like. Wouldn't hurt to just say "Have a blessed day" back. (ha!)
ReplyDeleteThe food looks good. And I'll bet the free tea was due to your 'white collar'... or she just thought you were cute.
As for Dennis and his cantina - glad you stayed and enjoyed a quiet time in the rockers with Rose and Claire. That was a good choice. Hope you have more days like that. : )
Rian, thanks so much. You are always so thoughtful in your comments, I always look forward to getting your feedback. Well, I know they say no white after Labor Day but I think it worked out pretty well here. 😉 I sure hope you're doing good my friend.
DeleteI'm happy to hear you were able to join the group at Cracker Barrel. A bit of relief from your LC symptoms seems to be a hopeful sign, maybe?
ReplyDeleteI've only been to CB once, and to be honest the food did not impress. AND I really dislike the gift shop - I'd probably have started across the street at the cantina. :p
Haha! Maebeme, thank you and I enjoyed your honesty. I'm not a CB fan either, I went for the company of others and just to get out to be honest! 😄
DeleteNo offense, I can't find a translator, so I will just compliment everyone and send you my regards, Andreja!
ReplyDeleteThank you Andreja, it's nice to hear from you. 🙂🙏
DeleteI think your white collar is a winner! You know--winner, winner, chicken dinner! Or in your case free drink. Maybe wear it every time you go out and see what happens! It may also be because you are very kind and caring of others, paying attention to the small details. People notice that.
ReplyDeleteMy gosh dkzody, this was funny and sweet, thank you. I do wonder about that free apple tea, I see more white shirts in my future. 😉
DeleteDoug, you look very reverendy and serene in your white shirt, I am not surprised you were mistaken for a member of the clergy. Your meal looks delicious! Very sweet you got some extras from the server. I am so glad you had a great outing. Take care.❤️
ReplyDeleteRobin, thank you so much. It really was a serene afternoon at that. I hope all is well my friend. 🧡
DeleteI'm delighted that you got to go! I love your shirt, but it does look a little like a priest's dog collar. Perhaps people thought it was a modern day one? Loaded baked potatoes are one of my favorite dishes!
ReplyDeleteThanks Margaret, I wasn't sure if that old rule about no white after Labor Day still applied, I was just in the mood for something bright. And yes on the loaded potatoes! I'm thinking this may be a new food blog thing... 😋
DeleteGlad you got a reprieve to go on an outing Rev. Doug, just wish it would have lasted longer. And glad your previous lunchmate wasn't with you on the trip!
ReplyDeleteI was shocked when Cracker Barrel started serving alcohol since around here they are known mostly as a breakfast/lunch place and also thought of as very "family friendly". I was a big fan of Cracker Barrel before Covid . I don't know if it was Covid or the addition of a bar, but I just don't think the food is as good as it was. When we traveled back and forth to my daughter's when she lived in Florida - we passed a certain Cracker Barrel in Tennessee on Sundays. I always got their Sunday chicken special (not the one they have now) and it was the best chicken I ever ate. I do like all the "stuff" on the walls.
Those $5 meals were a good deal!
Thank you Miss Merry! Actually, a certain senior was there too, but they had us split up into 2 groups at opposite ends of the restaurant. Since Dennis, Paul and myself were the last ones off the shuttle, we lucked out. 😉 MissM, everything you said about the old Cracker Barrel, I'm in complete agreement with. This one wasn't so bad, but there's one back home in Morgantown WVa where my niece Sophia has worked when she wasn't in high school or college and it was just like you described above. Food there is I believe a lot better, and in fact a couple times when I visited my sister and we had dinner there, I also loved their Sunday Chicken special! As for the $5 meal, I just heated mine up and enjoyed it a half hour ago, it was surprisingly good. I wish I could cook chicken like them. 😋
DeleteBless me Father for I have sinned - it's been too long since I've left a comment on your wonderful blog. Happy to change that with such a positive post. I like Cracker Barrel more for the atmosphere and the gift shop than the food, which is certainly fine as well. Hope your symptoms will continue to recede.
ReplyDeleteHaha thank you David, always glad to hear from you Keeper of Classic TV Memories. I just read your recent post the other day about the updates to your book. I hope it does well. I appreciate the good health wishes and sure hope all is good with you. 🙂
DeleteHi Rev.
ReplyDeleteBack in the sixties I had a shirt with a high collar and had a similar response to you. I didn’t wear it again as I didn’t want to be thought of that way. Since then, I’ve only worn shirts with regular collars.
It’s good that you could get out even if you had to pay for it afterwards.
I quite like backed potato, but it’s not my favorite way to eat that vegetable. I only mention it as I’ve never heard of “loaded” baked potato. I’m a huge fan of green onions.
Apart from T-shirts, of course.
DeleteThanks for sharing Peter...well, I remember in the late 60s when those Nehru collars on mens shirts and jackets were in vogue...they did have a holy look to them. As for baked potatoes, that one awakened a love for them in me 😋 I'm going to have to come up with a couple versions of my own soon...
DeleteBeing mistaken for "Reverend Doug" not once but twice, and then getting free apple tea and corn muffins for it, is such a fun little mystery of the day! Glad the long covid symptoms let up long enough for you to actually enjoy the outing with Paul and Dennis.
ReplyDeleteThanks Diana, it did make the day a little more special 😊. Hope all is well with you, take care my friend.
DeleteSo....Reverend Doug. Do you have a new favorite shirt?
ReplyDeleteHaha, I do Debby. The white one. 😄
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