White Christmas and Waffles...

It looks like we have some wintery weather moving in within the next 24 hrs. Snow! I have never in my life not wanted snow!

Now comes the exception. My wife has a Dr's. appointment coming tomorrow which she really needs to keep, so in this case, I am praying that the snow waits until late Wednesday night. At the least, that the roads don't freeze over.

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I also have to go get some firewood today, which kinda angers me somewhat. A couple of years ago my Father-in-law had asked me to come over and cut down some wood (trees), which I did. They were elm, which takes a couple of years to season before you can split it. This morning my wife tells him I am going to come and get some and he say's it is gone. Was bad wood and burned it all up. Now, I know he hasn't built a single fire since then, and most likely he sold it or gave it away. I should have expected as much.

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On another note, We went into Fayetteville for some last minute shopping. What an adventure that turned out to be. The traffic was unbelievable! Seemed like everyone who could be out, was out...lol. The foot traffic in the stores was just as bad. Once we made our purchases, there was no time wasted in getting to the interstate and get out of the main part of town.

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On our way in, being as neither my wife or me had been to IHOP (International House of Pancakes) in quite some time, we decided to eat a breakfast supper there. After fighting all the traffic to get there, I pull into the parking lot and look up at the sign to find quite a surprise! Our beloved IHOP is now an establishment called, "the Flying Burrito!" Talk about a shock, expecting to have waffles and pancakes, and being hit by a flying burrito instead! We decided to go on to the store and eat somewhere else later.

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On the way out, we stopped at the "Waffle House" on the outskirts of town, and talk about an adventure. This establishment could easily be envisioned as the backdrop for a dark movie. Kind of a mix between Mel's Diner and a greasy spoon. The patrons have their appointed times to visit.

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The roughest time for the staff is from 10 pm until about 4 am. You will find bikers or bar patrons stopping in to sober up or just fill up. The staff has learned how to be firm with a smile. They put up with what most would run from. Their world during this time is an adventure to some and a nightmare to others.

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From daylight till noon you will find farmers on their way to and from the local livestock auction stopping in. Talk of cattle prices and various adventures of the farm-life will be the topic of discussion. The waitresses work hard for their meager tips while this group leaves a wholesome hard working breath of adventure as their lives move through this diner. To this group, the Waffle House serves almost like a Union Hall with members being of the same trade. A sense of ownership can be felt during this timeframe, and the employees are compatriots in a struggle to save and reinforce a dying breed.

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The next group to hit will be those getting off work mixed with truck drivers hitting this landmark on their trek across the country. They stop in because that is what they do when in this part of the country. It is a respite and a destination in a long and solitary trip; a mile marker. The crowd getting off work......most often men of a failed marriage, with no family to look forward to, or maybe a marriage that is not working. They are people who have stopped dreaming and accepted what and where they are. This group is a tired group, not much to look forward to other than having this place that substitutes for the family gathering around the supper table. They are most always men who are served by waitresses that are filling the roles of Mother, wife, or daughter. This group truly treats them well. The cook holds the role of a favored uncle. He in this timeframe is a trusted and beloved provider. To watch from the outside, one will observe a relative sense of familiarity...love and trust. This group of lonely people will sift through these doors between the hours of 5-10 p.m. and this is the time during which me and my family walked into "their" world.

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It was about 8 pm when we pulled up to the front door in our "minivan", which really fit just about anywhere but in that particular place. The parking lot had vehicles ranging from the 70's to 80's and were in various states of "repair"; we were parked by a '77 chevy pickup with "el' Rudy" hand painted on the drivers door.

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As me, the wife, and four kids ranging in age from 2-13 disembark the van and head in the door, I noticed seven patron's, The head cook (the only cook) in his food stained apron, and two waitresses in ill fitting pink "waitress" dresses; just like you would imagine them to wear. The manager must have purchased these uniforms at a good price because they seemed to be from a one size will fit everyone sale. The first of these two young women was rather thin and reminded me of a young girl playing "dress-up" in Mother's clothing. They just hung off her, while the second, a slightly robust young lady, was hard pressed to be contained withing her bindings, as the buttons pulled terribly at the holes showing their resolve to stay on task. I swear they must have been the same size.

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The cook in turn, was an elderly gentleman who reminded me of many others I have known who had not won in life, but rather, had existed. This gaunt gentleman in his once nice slacks, commanded a kitchen with a small degree of pride. It was clear that it was his direction which kept the boat afloat and on course, and in this, he found his reason for being. He never looked me directly in the eye, but took note of our presence as he tried to sum the task being presented. What would we expect? Would his fair meet our standards, or fall short? We were going to be his challenge for this night, for he had already conquered the regulars as they and he both knew how their exchange would go. We on the other hand, gave challenge due to our being interlopers into his world. Yes, we were the invaders and it was up to him to please us.

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TO BE CONTINUED......

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If you want to be right....the DO RIGHT!