Returning to Work

I returned, well sort of, to work today. My friend Barb had gotten me this cake to commemorate the birthday celebration from yesterday. I am on sugar over load to say the least. I am off for the next two days then I go back and work the next eight days before having a Thursday/Friday combination off. The summer is just whizzing by and before you know it we'll be doing this all again. Anyway, I just wanted to show off my cake and say thank you to everyone for making my week a wonderful and fun filled week. Family also went out of their way this year too. My nephew drew me a beautiful card that is now on my fridge. I guess until next year it's a wrap.

1908 & 1967

The title is two numbers that don't appear to have anything in common when you just put them out there, but let me tell you these two dates are connected. How one might ask? For me it is easy. The dates are fifty-nine years apart and have always held a place in my heart and in my mind. The first is the year of the birth of my grandmother Lula who was born at a quarter till midnight on June 27, 1908. The second date, my birth year. Ok so now you'll know how old I am. I never hide that anyway. I am proud to have lived my life to this age. Never thought I would be this old or feel this young at this age. I was born on Tuesday, June 27, 1967 at a quarter till midnight. Now has anyone noticed a correlation there? My fraternal grandmother and I were born exactly to the minute fifty-nine years apart. Tonight as I walked with my dad at first and talked of sports and Obama, and Michael Jackson and Farrah, my mind wandered and then as my dad headed back in the house after forty minutes of the walk and I continued on my way I remembered the story of the day I was born that I have heard so often. My mother had started feeling contraction early in the morning, but she didn't want to go to the hospital and sit where they would poke her with needles and pester her, so she had my dad and his brother Pearlie Jr. Take her to the Fort Wayne Childrens Zoo with my brother Ritchie of course. She spent quiet a bit of time there and took a ride on the Koonville Express (The zoo's train). Then dad and her headed back home. They lived in a little apartment down town and their phone was a party line. For those that don't know a party line was a phone that several people shared the lines to. So to use the phone no one else could be using it at the same time. Does anyone see where this story is going all ready? About eight o'clock in the evening my mother decided they should head out. Guess what? Dad's car wouldn't start. So he went over and picked up the phone. He says these two old biddies (old women) were yacking about garbage. I don't know if he meant literal garbage or he didn't think their conversation was important. Anyway, he says he politely explained to them he needed the phone and they promised to be off shortly. This went on until around 10pm and they were still not off the phone so my dear old dad pulled the phone over to the stereo speakers and blasted them full force into the phone. Can we say OUCH? Dad says he was called back by the phone company and he explained the situation to them and they got off the phone and allowed him to call a cab. Yep, I was extremely close to being born in the back seat of a Fort Wayne Taxi, but I wasn't. They arrived at Parkview at 11pm and I was born at 11:45pm. Talk about cutting it close. This should have been a good heads up for them that I was going to be trouble. That and other stories of my pre-birth that I will be happy to share at a different time. My dad was so excited he forgot it was his mothers birthday. My mom named me Sheila. It was after a song my dad loved at that time. Yep I was named after a song. "Sweet little Sheila, you'll know her if you see her. Blue eyes and a pony tail." That would be me. My grandmother never let them forget that they didn't name me after her either. Nothing personal grandma. I loved you, but I am glad I am Sheila. Coincedently my first job was at "The Fort Wayne Children's Zoo". So here we are forty-two years later. I love my family and my life. Of course my mother thought I was turning forty-three today. Hum. I'm certain she was there. :>)

Bugs Bunny, The Road Runner & The Flinstones

I miss Saturday morning cartoons. There was absolutely nothing better when I was growing up than waking up to the Saturday morning line up. I think it's sad that most of Saturday morning local television these days has little to nothing to do with children. I know we have cartoon networks and such, but it was always such a treat in the fall to watch the previews of up and coming fall cartoons. Saturdays' we didn't have to go to school and there was a ritual in my house. We would get up and my brother and I would just sit in front of that television until it was time to go to lunch or shopping. Most of the shows we liked were the same. I mean who didn't love "The Bugs Bunny - Road Runner Show"? Then there was "Heath Cliff", "Alvin & The Chipmunks", "Space Ghost", "The Flintstones & Jetsons" and not to say the least "Fat Albert". In the later years when Channel fifty-five hit the airwaves we had these same cartoons during the weekday evenings, although we were often told to go outside and play. We got more exercise that way. Saturday's were always special all the way around in my house. Saturday's were family day and time. Rarely did we do our regular routine of going out and playing with the neighborhood kids. We were content. Mom would almost every weekend make a home made chocolate cake and we would sit down together and watch television in the evening. If memory serves we would watch Marcus Welby, Barnaby Jones or Emergency One. There was always a wholesome family program. We would also play old made or board games. Sometimes mom or dad would read to us. We did this well into the teen years. They are some of the best memories I have of growing up. Sometimes we even got to go to a park and play. Sometimes just with mom and dad and sometimes with cousins. These cartoons were the start of a great weekend almost always. What I think is really sad is that people today want to say these cartoons were violent and shouldn't be watched. I never took them for reality. I really think children are smarter than that. Society with it's every child must win and never be told no attitude is what is harming our society, not the old day cartoons. Besides who on earth would let their children watch "Rug Rats". What a hateful child on that show. Anyway, I will be forty-two years old on Saturday and I still love nothing better than to sit down to these old time Saturday morning cartoons. I can never get enough of them. Those were the good days. Thanks Bugs!

Happy Fathers Day!

There are so many out there that I have spoken with whom no longer have their dads with them this holiday, but I say celebrate them anyway. If your dad isn't here celebrate the memories you have of him. If you are a dad celebrate the joy of your children in your life. And if you are lucky enough to still have your dad as I am, thank God for him and celebrate the life that he is sharing with you. So I know men don't usually get flowers given to them, but I took these pictures of my morning Glory's and I thought I would share them with you. Happy Fathers Day to all the dads and many more full of joys yet to come!

A Year Tomorrow....

.................................. May 1988 - June 21, 2008............................

Yes, I'm going to be a crazy cat lady and pay respect to my beloved cat Basil. Tomorrow will be a year since he passed away. I still miss him and I still catch myself expecting him to be in places where he isn't anymore. I know I know I'm delusional or something but I have that purring sound in my bathroom again. It started about two weeks ago. Basil use to sit on the edge of the tub and watch me wash my face or do miscellaneous things. His purr was always so loud I was sure it would cause him to fall off the tubs edge. Last year when I heard it I had bees and took it as his warning me so this time when I first heard it I took a flashlight and went out hunting for bees around my ceiling. Didn't find any. I'm unsure of why the sound is back. Perhaps Basil just wanted to make sure I remembered him or maybe them dog gone bees will be reappearing. Either way there is no way I would have forgotten such a wonderful friend as Basil, but seeing as tomorrow is "Dad's" day, I thought I might want to post a little something more upbeat tomorrow. So a year tomorrow around four in the afternoon I'll stop for a brief moment and pay my respects to such a wonderful friend that I still miss.

Crowded Out...

Picture at the Entrance of the African Journey... taken June 14, 2009

I hate crowds! The thing is I don't think I always hated crowds and I can't tell you why I do. I just know that for the last twenty years I can't stand being in a crowd. If I am going to meet friends for drinks or go to movies or parks I prefer a day when there are very few people there. I hate being elbow to elbow with people. So yes this means I'm not a big amusement park goer or festival goer. I do love them though so there in lies the conflict. I'm not sure what caused the phobia, although there are a few guesses I could take on things I would rather not open up about right now. I'm so bad on the crowd thing that I try to have my Christmas shopping done well before the season so that I don't have to be in crowded stores. I rarely go to stores on weekends either. I will, but I really don't like to. So Sunday my brother and his kids, my niece and nephew, went to the zoo. To my chagrin it was wall to wall people. I survived though. It was a people watching opportunity as Joe would say though. I just can't imagine though what goes through some peoples minds when they get dressed. If you are more than five pounds over weight you should not be wearing daisy dukes. Not to mention the chick who had on the wholesome looking top and a long ankle length white skirt. OK, should I mention that the chick in the white skirt didn't have a slip or any panties on under it and when the sun shined behind her there was no mystery left for the imagination. I guess none of this is a matter of need for discussion though. I loved the new African Journey. The people who constructed it did a wonderful job at creating an experience that is well worth the trip to the Fort Wayne Children's Zoo. I spend a little over four years of my life working in the old African Veldt several years ago and some day I will pull out some pictures for you all, but for now I advise you to go check it out. There are some very tranquil (even with all the people) settings and you get to actually pet the Giraffe's now. I would have to say I'm glad I went and I'm glad I wasn't crowded out.

If Today Was Your Last Day

What is new? I'm sharing from my walking experiences. I have been listening to this song for weeks and every time I hear it I think what a wonderful song. I really want the album. Walking has reconnected me with the music world and I really didn't know how much I missed it until it and I hooked back up. The group that sings my magical song is called NICKELBACK and the song is "If Today Was Your Last Day." The concept of the song is old, but very well stated and wonderfully sung. Take a listen and share your thoughts. One can't help but think about how profound it is and really what if today was your last day?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQyZBU28q88

If Today Was Your Last Day

Songwriters: Kroeger, Chad;

My best friend gave me the best advice

He said each day's a gift and not a given right

Leave no stone unturned, leave your fears behind

And try to take the path less traveled by

That first step you take is the longest stride

If today was your last day and tomorrow was too late

Could you say goodbye to yesterday?

Would you live each moment like your last

Leave old pictures in the past?

Donate every dime you had, if today was your last day?

What if, what if, if today was your last day?

A Squirrel & A Nut at Meijers

What is it that makes people think they can just start up a conversation about whatever it may be that you are looking at in the store? Tonight I went to Meijers and I have more than one story so we'll ration it out. I was standing looking at the squirrel feeders and the squirrel food. I love watching the little squirrel that I feed. She is so fun and friendly. So this old man (Why is it always an old man with me?) that was standing there. He pointed to a Red Barn birdhouse. "I got one of them things and it fell to the ground. Damn squirrel ate the top of it right off." I just looked at him half acknowledging what he said and went back to reading the package I had picked up. This little old man was determined he would get my attention or shock me. "I heard them squirrels taste like chicken." I looked him squarely in the eye and said "Not really. I have eaten grey squirrels, but never red. They aren't bad." He got an unequivocal look in his eyes and said: "I wouldn't eat them things they would be like eating a... " Rodent I replied. Yeah he acknowledged. I went on and told him I loved squirrels and I feed them. I think they are fun to watch and I have one that will take nuts from me. "You gotta watch them things, they'll turn mean on you just all of a sudden like." I looked at him half amused and said: "All animals can turn on you, but none quicker than the two legged kind." With that he told me "Uh, yeah.. you have a good night young lady." I said you too and turned and walked away. I guess one might say that I ran into a little old man feeling squirrely and one heck of a nut right there in the Meijers.

The Reflecting Pool.

Memories are a wonderful gift that I believe we all take for granted from time to time. Our memories help us grow and develop. The memories we have can bring us happiness or sadness. They our in essence our own reflecting pool on our own lives. I suppose it is natural for one to periodically sit, or walk as in my case, and reflect on periods of time and what lessons we learned. Today as I was walking I thought about a friend that I have re-introduced into my life. I thought about where we were twenty some odd years ago and how much I have changed. I thought about how sometimes in life we remove people and places in our lives so we can grow. Back when I hung around with him before I cared deeply about him as a friend, but I was incapable of being a true friend to anyone. I was confused and sad more often than not. There were years of my trying to establish in my own mind who I was and what I wanted. There were years of anger because I didn’t have the picture perfect life I wanted and disappointment that life wasn’t handed to me on a silver platter. I don’t really recall when we drifted apart. I just remember myself slowly and methodically removing people from my life. I didn’t even really know why. I isolated myself to a small group of people and I rarely got out or did anything. Then I devoted myself to my work and to my family. I did a lot of praying and a lot of thinking. Slowly I raised myself out of the anger and pain. I came through the fog with the help of different memories we won’t go into right now. I brought myself to a place where I am happy as an individual. I’m not saying I don’t ever get depressed or have moments of confusion or sadness, but they are rare and usually I can talk myself out of them. So once I was in this place of spiritual and self assurance I decided I wanted to look back and see what from my past was worth bringing back into my present. One person stood out in my mind. So I took a chance and re-introduced myself and thankfully I was welcomed back. I just wonder if he knows how much I cherish our friendship and how special I think he is. I then looked for other friendships I felt were beneficial and special and cultivated them back into a meaning in my life as well. I’ve found that sometimes we leave relationships because we have no choice. For me I have had to do that to a few in the past because I couldn’t be around them without them bringing me down. On some levels I believe the old me was this type of person that would bring people down. I wasn’t capable then of being a good friend. Now I feel I am and I hope all my friends know I am here for them. Life and memories are a reflecting pool of sorts and I for one will keep them forever in my mind.

Driving Down Memory Lane.

Today, Friday, as I was taking my walk at work on my lunch break I watched a dad and his daughter in the parking lot in what looked like an old Buick of some type. The dad was giving his daughter driving lessons. She was doing fairly well too I might add, but she seemed really nervous. I was a little nervous myself as my car was parked in this lot. It took me back in time to when I learned to drive; however, my dad was not the one who taught me to drive. My dad was in no hurry to teach me to drive in as he really didn't believe woman needed to or should drive. He's come a long way over the years since then. He sort of had no choice seeing as how his only daughter was somewhat of an independent soul. He probably would have eventually taught me to drive, but my brother stepped in to do the job before he could. I remember the car my brother had. It was so funny how I had joked him when he went looking for his first car that he would get a rusted out old junker to drive. He sort of did. He had a 1975 Mercury Comet. It was yellow and actually in decent shape except for the back fenders which were pretty much rusted out. I loved that car. It was a beater car, but I loved it just the same. My brother took me out on an old country road and we would just drive. Eventually he sold that car and got a 1979 Oldsmobile Omega. It was blue and was a really nice car. I liked it but not as much as I did that Comet. My brother was a trooper though and kept giving me lessons until one day I was ready to go get my drivers licence. I remember that day so well. First let me start by telling you that my brothers Olds had an issue with dying if you cut the wheel too hard. On the morning my brother and I drove to Ossian we made sure we were there right as they opened. I remember I was the first one going out. I had missed one question on my written test. All that was left to do was to pass the driving test. The lady got in and inspected the car. She told me that she had not had her morning coffee yet and that we would need to get this done so she could get back and get her coffee. At that time there was only one red light and about three or four stop signs in Ossian. I had been down there and practiced the driving route a few times. I was not very good at parallel parking though and was not looking forward to that part. Finally she found a spot with a car and asked me to parallel park behind it. I pulled up to the front door of the car that would be in front. Just as I had rehearsed over and over at a park in Waynedale between logs. Every time I would cut the wheel to try to get parked behind this car though the engine would die. I tried over and over and each time it died. Finally the woman got out and told me to scoot over. I did as I was instructed. She got in and expertly parallel parked my brothers car behind the one she wanted. She looked at me and asked me if I thought I could do that. I nodded. She goes OK lets go on to the next point. When we got back to the licence branch she marked my score as a hundred percent. She put I had passed with flying colors. All I remember is her mumbling something as we got back about finally being able to get her coffee. I am thankful to my brother for teaching me to drive and I am thankful that I still have the memories to cherish. So for me watching that dad and daughter practicing driving today took me back in time for a little while. Back to a more innocent time when my brother first taught me to drive. So for a while tonight you might say I took a drive down memory lane.

The Benefits of Nuts.

One of the new things in my life is nuts. I've never been a fan and hardly ever ate nuts in my past life; however, as we grow older and wiser sometimes we find a need to try new things. For me trying nuts came from a need to raise my good cholesterol levels up to where my family doctor wanted it to be. It also fills a need for a healthy snack now and then. So on my desk at work now I have containers of nuts. The three I have chosen to add to my diet are peanuts, cashews and almonds. Now you really need to be careful though with nuts that you get lightly salted or unsalted. You can do more damage to your health than good if you eat nuts saturated in salt. Peanuts are a good source of protein. Peanuts also have antioxidant's and reservatrol. Reservatrol is helpful in helping fight the aging process and it helps keep the heart healthy. Then there are Cashews. Cashews contain protein, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, copper and zinc. Cashews help lower the rick of heart disease, help lower blood pressure, give us a natural energy, raise our good cholesterol and help lower our bad cholesterol. There is some research that shows cashews actually help fight tooth decay as well. Lastly I have added Almonds to my diet. Almonds have virtually no carbohydrates. They are a rich source of vitamin E and they also are high in mono saturated fats. Almonds are good for the complexion, help move food through the colon and also help lower bad cholesterol levels. As you can see all the nuts help with cholesterol. You can also see how these nuts can bring some very important health benefits into your life; however, you must also be careful not to over do it on nuts. As with anything else, nuts should be eaten in some moderation. A handful or two of nuts a day is OK. Cashews should be eaten more sparingly than peanuts or almonds. Cashews are high in fats and a handful a day is more than enough. So if you haven't tried them and you're not allergic to them I would recommend you join me in replacing some less healthy snack foods with this wonderfully healthful snack. Sometimes you feel like a nut, some times you don't, but adding these little guys to your diet can help you feel better. This is after all the benefits of nuts.

What I Think About When I Walk.

My left ankle has finally healed I believe. I would have to say it's about time that I got over the pain from hurting it almost two months ago. Now though I have a new pain. One that is slowing me down some on my walks. I have sharp pain that shoots through my right shin and knee. It's sporadic and the knee feels swollen. I'm not one to let it stop me though. I am walking on. I have a goal in mind. I want to be healthier and I want to be able to live a normal life. So last week on my Sunday evening walk I encountered my first heckler. Not a supporter at all. A young guy of about twenty give or take a year either way shouted out: "Hey big mama shake that sweet ass, shake that thing." I was all ready not in a good mood so I flipped him the bird and told him to grow up. As I was walking today my actual fan club of supporters were out. It was hard for me to get motivated to walk today since my leg hurt and I didn't get enough sleep last night but I put on my shoes and my Walkman and watch and headed out. The first bend had the kindly older gentleman who shouted way to go you're doing great and keep it up. Then my neighbor lady smiled and waved and another gentleman asked how it is going for me and told me to keep walking. It was much needed support on a day when all I wanted to do was stay in bed. You see when you're heavy and a social pariah so to speak, you know people are going to look at you differently and there are those people who would have stopped walking the moment the heckler had tried to shame them or embarrass them. Not me. I won't be stopped. I'm going after what I want, but I wonder how people can be like him. It's nice though to know that the majority of people are being supportive and understanding that to start an exercise program and to change the way one eats is a form of rehabilitation. Food is an addiction of sorts. One that brings comfort to fill a void. It's the same for people who fill that void with drugs or alcohol. The trick is to realize the problem. The trick is to find other avenue's to fill that void and emptiness and not to let people tell you things that will make you do otherwise. I could get up every day and feel sorry for myself but I refuse to. I need to find the positive in the day. So on I walk. I am adding exercise bike time and weight training and Nintendo Wii activities to help me on my journey. I have the Jillian Michael's Wii training game. I did a thirty minute cardio work out last night and a fifteen minute one this morning and I am going to do as much as I can in a week. So all this went through my mind today as I walked. Along with the fact that I have some friends that seem kind of bummed lately. I wish I could pick up their mood for them, but I can't. Hopefully they just know they are loved and they are loved as whom they are. Each person needs to know that they are most important and at their best when they are their own person and understand they are loved for whom they are. I also saw and took this picture of the ambulance being towed away and wondered if it was headed back from dropping someone at the hospital or if it was headed to pick someone up and how unfortunate for an ambulance to get broke down along I69. I also thought about this field that has been for sale for over a decade now. It's right in front of the Indiana Department of Transportation. It is easily seen from I69; however, it is not so easily gotten to. There is one entry way in and one out. I am of a conflicted mind on whether I would ever want anything back there or not. I kind of like the peace and tranquility that comes with the empty land. So this is what I think about when I walk. This and so much more. Walks are very good for the mind and soul as well as the body. So what do you think about when you walk?

Remembering David Carradine

Growing up there were many shows that held a special place in my mind and in my heart. One of those was "Kung Fu" and later "Kung Fu the Legend Continues". I loved watching David Carradine act. There was just something about him that was so inviting and comforting. There was also a little mystery in the characters he played, not to mention I thought he was an
extremely good looking man. Even when he played characters of questionable intentions and virtue, such as Bill in the "Kill Bill" series, I found myself rooting for him. In as his life was filled with so many accomplishments it seems sad that it has come to an end and such a tragic one at that. At seventy-two years of age David Carradine, born John Arthur Carradine, was found hanging by a yellow silk tie in a closet in his hotel room in Bangkok Thailand. The government in Thailand announced that Carradine had taken his own life and called it a suicide; however, there were rumors that his hands may have been bound behind his back making it a little unlikely that this was a condition he placed himself in. The fact that it was a silk scarf and his appendage had black twine around it as well insinuated that this may have been a case of taking sex to the edge way too far. Some people believe that the highest state of arousal occurs when one is close or near death and some practice Erotic asphyxiation. Carradine's family has released statements that they do not believe this was an intentional act of taking his own life. For me it's just one more in a series of childhood actors and actresses that have slowly faded into the sunset. It seems everything in live is changing from the people who are living to the buildings that are no longer standing. I guess this is life and it goes on. I will continue to watch the works of Mr. Carradine and smile because his characters brought strength of character and virtue even when he was playing the villain.

A Suggestion for President Obama:

My mind is always turning and spinning and sometimes so much it even makes me dizzy. Here recently I got to thinking about how people come into our country from another country, get a green card, get a TAX EXEMPTION, and send their money back to their own countries. I really don’t feel this is fair. I think if you are working in the United States and you are not a United States Citizen you should have to pay a flat tax for your privilege of working in our country. Say twenty percent. Yes twenty cents for every American dollar you earn and every American job you take. I for one Mr. President am sick and tired of foreigners taking our jobs and getting all the free health care and government assistance and they don’t pay taxes either. What the heck is up with that? No, they don’t get any special benefits from paying it. They are here in our country and that should be the benefit they get for their money. If they want fair let them LEARN ENGLISH well enough for everyone to understand them and let them become an American citizen. With that it means respecting our laws, our taxes and most importantly our FLAG! No they don’t need a social security number. Give them a green card ID number which they will use to pay their taxes and we can also use to track where they are in our beautiful country. Now with that being said here is one more thought. Let’s put PRIDE back into our working world. That means you employers out there need to start being proud of your products and your employees and the fact that your business is here in the United States of America. Let’s stop saving the pennies we use to spend on making our properties beautiful. Keeping your lawns done, your buildings in good shape and flowers planted helps keep everyone feeling good about their environment. When did we become so greedy we would rather see our properties in ruins? As for that matter that goes for home owners to. If you are on a budget the government does have ways of helping with free paint and free flowers. The programs are out there. We also need to stop big business from shipping our jobs over seas. Again, if all our jobs are gone and we can’t work, who is going to buy these products. I say tax the heck out of companies that ship jobs over seas. I say stop gas companies from raising our gas prices at the pumps just because its summer and you think we don’t have high heat bills at home so you are freaking entitled to our money. The government horns in on everything else and it’s about time that you take a stand and fight for us. That is why I voted for you Mr. President. Because I believe you will, but I also believe Americans have to help. We have to do our part and we have to get back to having pride in ourselves and our work. We have to get back to earning the respect we want and living to our means not to what we would like to be able to afford. Flowers grow by God’s hand into beauty. He works to make this world beautiful. Now it is time for each and every one of us to work to make it beautiful as well. One thing I know is if you live in the U.S. and you are not a citizen you should not have the right to not help fix up our country. You should pay a tax for that right. You should help to improve this country you came to take advantage of. I know it’s only my opinion, but I also know the FLAG blankets and afford me the opportunity to speak freely under our constitutional rights. I’m proud of our country. I would love to see it get back to where workers and families and all take pride in their work, their products and in their lives.

Fried Green Tomatoes

On Sunday I took a drive up to Auburn Indiana to meet my parents, my brother, my nephew and my niece at Ryan's. There use to be a Ryan's restaurant here in Fort Wayne on Clinton in front of the Scott's. I miss that restaurant at times, but the management that had taken over there had let it become a less than appealing place to eat. It didn't look clean and there was no variety towards the end. If you're going to eat buffet foods you want variety. We had eaten at the Ryan's on Clinton for years but in the last few months had rarely entered it's doorway. The Ryan's in Auburn had started out trying to make a fresh start. I don't know if they thought the name of their restaurant would be marked as bad because of the decay of the one in Fort Wayne or not. It opened as a Fire Mountain about four months before Ryan's closed and it just recently renamed itself back to what it actually is. If you like southern cooking it's a good place for you. It is like the old Ryan's from years ago. There is plenty of variety and lots of southern food to be found. One such item was being introduced this weekend was fried green tomatoes. My dad had never had them, which I found a little odd seeing as how he grew up in the south and I had the opportunity to eat them on more than one occasion, but I prodded him to try them and he did. When we came back to Fort Wayne he was out looking to buy some tomato plants. Mom said he really liked them. Yes there was even a movie made from the name of this delicacy. They are quiet good and you may find recipe's at:

http://www.elise.com/recipes/archives/001506fried_green_tomatoes.php

Auburn isn't really that far up the road and if you're looking for a pleasant drive and a good meal at a fair price I would definitely recommend this restaurant. I would also recommend the fried green tomatoes if you haven't tried them. I really can't say I liked fried pickles very much though. In case you're looking to go you'll find the directions right here. Take a drive and go hungry. That way you can savor every southern bite.

AUBURN, IN - Ryan's 1411 SHOOK DRIVE AUBURN, IN 46706 (260) 920-1170

A Bill Cosby Style Breakfast.

One of my favorite comedic bits is one of comedian Bill Cosby's. In it he tries to explain to his wife why their four year old daughter is eating chocolate cake for breakfast. He goes into how it has eggs and milk. He says the eggs and the milk are in the chocolate cake. Saturday as I watched my niece and nephew and the yard sale my nephew around nine-thirty in the morning finally proclaimed he was hungry. I asked him what he wanted and he said he didn't know and went in and opened the freezer. I asked if he wanted eggs or bacon or cereal. Nope he wanted corn dogs. Really? Corn dogs for breakfast? Well that is what he wanted and my niece quickly agreed. So I fixed them. Ketchup and mustard and they were all ready. I suppose it wasn't the "motherly" type thing to do, but since I am the aunt and it's my duty to spoil and do things out of the ordinary I believe I fulfilled my auntly duties. Either way it's a new one on me. I mean really corn dogs for breakfast? Bill Cosby would be proud after all this was a Bill Cosby style breakfast.