Small adventure.

    Small adventure.
     Was a fun day.  Started with a trip to the second Dr.  All good, we've decided to reduce the new poison I'm on.  Told him another story about the previous hospital visit.  The one I never finished here because I got bored and the timeline issues.

     Basically they wanted to do something called an echo cardiogram.  Gave me a form to sign.  Of course I questioned it.  The tech said it was just for the contrast they were using.  It couldn't be used on someone with a congenital heart defect.  I pointed out that I was one such person.  He looked at me and asked if I was going to sign it.  I said of course not.  At which point he called someone else in.  I refused and was wheeled out of the room.  We must be our own advocates and ask questions.

     After the appointment I was to meet my friend for lunch.  He'd texted me that he was not far at a meeting.  He told me of a diner he knew of.Well I had no idea where it was.  I knew what had to be done.

     Without hesitation I pulled out the phone.  Got directions and was on my way.  Now you may remember I just got a wire to connect my phone to my radio so I can listen to my podcasts.   

     For those that were here for the 5K entry, you understand, well I did this without trepidation.  Anyone wondering can go look for those entries. 

     The place was actually not that far from the hospital, a diner south of us.  It is a very congested place  to drive in.  Not one for a mid day drive trying to do a look around.  So I trusted Suri completely.  I know....odd.  I've really come to look at the phone as a tool.  I do text, not much.  And now that I know of the ease of getting to that town, I may explore it a bit in the Spring.

     Just a typical, overcrowded place.  Nothing remotely special.  Only appeals to the intrepid explorer within.  The car drove well and we found the diner.  Parking was tight and I found a spot to back into.  Damn it had been to long since I'd been to a diner.  Sent a text that I found it, received one that said he'd be about 15 min.  

     Place was busy enough that they wouldn't seat me until my friend arrived.  He did, we sat and talked like old friends.  It was good to see him again.  Hopefully we'll do this again.  No I didn't order coffee and fries.  That belonged to a younger version of myself.  With less care and responsibility.  

     We parted, I told Suri to find me the highway.  Lit a cigar and was en route.  I knew that I had to hit the cancer hospital for my sisters prescription.

     Got home.  She was in a full blown nicotine withdrawal fit.  I obliged.  And that's about it.  Let us see what today brings.  

-later

A pleasant day.

     Morning.  It's about 5 in the A.M. right now.  Waiting to put on heat and take a shower.  It's Sunday yet again.  Funny how they come this time every week no?  Oh and coffee will not be here either.  To early to make it.  But I assure it will be enjoyed later.  Had a pretty good time yesterday.

     Woke up to wet and dreary skies.  I don't know why I was putting credence in a weather man.  I'm a general believer in dressing how it feels in the morning.  Which is often quite a mistake.  Anyway.  I decided to leave at about 8:30. Had to hit the bank.  

     Did my budget the other morning, so knew what I had to accomplish.  My IPhone was fully charged.  Headed Eastwardly when it hit me.  And since the mall was in that direction I went straight there.  Next to the mall is a little strip that has been there forever.  I headed for radio shack.

     I must admit that is one of my favorite stores.  It's almost like an old school 5 and dime.  You can generally find it there.  I asked the woman behind the counter for, "A wire to plug into my aux and to my smart phone so I could listen to it on my radio."

     She smiled and showed it to me.  Even with a personality.  It came in 3 or I think 5 inch length.  We laughed and chose the 3.

     I was and am happy as hell now.  I can now listen to podcasts in my car over my car stereo.  It is a sheer delight.  Especially since I devoured Tell Em Steve Dave.  It took years of hearing of them on SModcast for me to listen.

     I also added to the dang was going for a word that didn't fit, list the following.  The Nerdist.  Not something I can listen to at the gym, but not bad.  The tenderloins, one of the crew of Tell Em Steve Dave is on it.  

     Also one which I thought would be a guilty pleasure.  It is instead a little tedious.  Especially when I did some research on it.  

     I think back in the day I was a fan of Eve Arden.  I seem to remember a show called the Mothers in Law with Kate Ballard.  Anyway I found an old time radio show that started Eve called Our Miss Brooks.  I don't see myself listening to all of it.  It's cute, very 1950's.  And very tedious.  Apparently she never gets the guy.  We'll see.  I usually like most old time radio programs.

    So Eastward and onward I went.  The road dried and the clouds parted for me.  It was wonderful.  The air warmed, think it got into the 50's today.  It was just an enjoyable Saturday drive.  

     I felt I over shot my goal.  I asked Suri.  Well she couldn't quite understand me apparently.  She kept getting the name completely wrong.  So I went to the map.  Anyone who came along for the 5K entries can tell you this is a big step for me.  I hadn't reached it yet.  

     So onward.  Laughing along with the podcast, driving without much traffic.  Passed a few farms, some places to eat, other stuff.  Got onto the correct next road.  Passed a bunch of farms, lots with stuff to sell, it was getting on after all.  Must've been 10ish.  When I hit my first winery I rechecked.  Yup drove right by it.  Found it fairly easily, after I near drove past it again.

    I can see it being a local place and a place for tourists.  Wine enthusiasts, summer renters, people out for a drive.  The pies here are delicious.  I actually think the crust is so good that they must be using lard.  It's a twice a year habit so who gives a damn.

     The space inside is crowded and cramped.  And everyone is in there for pies.  Another good reason not to get there late in the day.  Can be quite claustrophobic.

     Heard 1 person placing an order for 10 pies, another picking up 5.  I just wanted 3.  2 apple and one peach and raspberry.  I think I was in time for the day old special.  What's that?

     The pie was made the previous day, so is a little cheaper.  Since 2 are frozen for Thanksgiving and the other for Christmas, it matters not.  They are a treat to look forward to.

     I also snagged some cookies.  I'd seen them to late last year and had not gotten there early enough.  By the time I saw them I had to grab my pies and fight my way through the throngs of people.  Can get very crazy later in the day.

     Anyway, that was the highlight of my Saturday.  Did some other stuff.  Got a haircut, some cloth shopping.  Stuff like that there.  Can't wait to see what Sunday has in store.

-later.

Part - 4 It's the journey not the destination.

     It was still a bit of an ugly day that was trying not to be.  Getting out of the parking lot was easy, also because of the aisle spot.  I pulled onto a side street.  I was near some railroad tracks, the building had once been a business, long since abandoned.  Called inmates and left a message all was well, race over, headed home, hung up.

     Keeping my wits about me, because, well you never know who's hanging around abandoned buildings, even at 11:30 on a Sunday I reckon.  Clipped my cigar, lit it, rolled back out onto the road I'd just come off of. 

     Driving wise it was a nice early afternoon.  The humidity seemed to have dropped.  Pretty light traffic.  I was enjoying the drive.  I wanted to be going West.  The sign assured me I was on the road I wanted, under that was a sign that said East, under that a road I never heard of.  That didn't surprise me, because I'm really not all that familiar with the area anyway.  The top road sign was the one I wanted, so figured I was set.

     I was enjoying the ride, the traffic the sight seeing, it was really pleasant.  One point I passed a place to eat, sounded good but I was making good time.  Next was a Hotel right by the water on the left.  I was thinking that was strange.  Then the sign hit me as I was thinking it.  I'd been going East all along.  I'd hit the outskirts of Green port.  The last town out here.

     Undaunted once again I turned around.  I'd been driving 30 min the wrong direction.  It was time for help.  I turned once more to Suri.  She found the directions and we were on our way.  There was a little more traffic now, not that bad, just saying there were a few more cars on the road.  Drove back past Hotel, the place for lunch, I was now getting hungry.  I often find a good cigar will increase my hunger.  Then it was time to make a left and go to the end of another road.  So I made the left, passed the same abandoned business, over the railroad tracks, made a right at the end of the road.  Yup.  60 wasted min, but I was at least enjoying myself. 

     Went back through Jamesport, passed the small building Cliffs elbow room.  Seemed to have customers at 12 on a Sunday.  5 miles later I turned around.  Damnit, who the Hell new when I'd get back out this way.  Turned around, parked just past it, near a cemetary and across from a pizza place.

     It is a restaurant on the small side.  Trust me elbow room is a good name for it, tight quarters.  Greeted by an older polite woman.  Told her party of 1 and asked for the bathroom.  Again the bathroom was tight manuvering.  Literally could probably stretch out my 2 arms and touch both walls.  But clean.

     At the table I was presented with the menus.  Was told I could order off the lunch or dinner menu.  There were about 3 other filled tables.  I perused a bit.  I asked for more water, knowing how important hydration is to the body. 

     Seemed a bit pricey for dinner, but that is to be expected for the area.  They offered a marinated shell steak on the lunch menu, was like $13 or such lower than the dinner one.  I went with it.

     They brought out an okay salad.  Lot's of iceberg lettuce, some greens, red cabbage, 2 tomatoes, got excited for a second when I spotted an olive.  Wasn't though.  I wasn't brought up to waste food and tucked right in.  It much of been the humidity and such, because I really seemed to enjoy it.  Finished, plate taken away, water refilled, the steak was brought out.

     Now I suppose it was the lunch menu, I certainly didn't do any reading of the menu to see what came with it.  My steak arrived, ordered medium rare, with french fries on the plate.  As the woman set it in front of me she cautioned me not to salt it without tasting it.  I guess she just wanted to be sure I knew what I was doing.  Not only do I never use salt.  I never season without tasting.

     The steak on its part was delicious.  Perfectly cooked, boneless.  The fries were a nice touch, but to many of them in my opinion.  I munched my way blissfully, watching as tables filled.  Not bad I thought to myself at 12:30 on a Sunday afternoon,

     One more water, asked for the check.  It came to a total of $15.16.  That is a very fair price for the area, for a good quality steak and a decent meal.  I left a nice tip and went out to my car.

I think one more entry and we are done with this tale.
TO BE CONTINUED...