We drive the same route to and from work every day. It’s not an exciting route; in fact, it’s Route 1-full of car washes, gas stations, Dunkin’ Donuts (thank God), car dealerships, and a few strip malls. For the most part I don’t even think about the dreary sites, except when they become interesting.
During Halloween, Regal Limousine puts up the coolest display of pumpkin people. They stand very tall, wear tuxes, and the pumpkin heads are carved in many expressions. My grandson likes the “nice” faces, not the scary ones! It’s fun going by and seeing the different smiles, whether sinister or eerie toothless grins.
But, during Christmas, The Old Salt becomes magical (to me). Tiny white lights are put in the trees and all along the front. Plus, we had a couple inches of snow so there was a lovely snowy cover everywhere. Add to it that last night there was a light snow fall and I am telling you, going by as I came home I thought, “Man, would I like to go there tonight!” You see, the Old Salt is at a light in town so we often have to sit and we can see the people inside having very civilized meals!
Mr. Bumbles came home and said, “What’s for dinner?” Well, since he got a job at Sears and yesterday was his first payday, I said, “How about we go out?” He said,”Where would you like to go?” I said, “How about the Old Salt?” He hesitated because about 10 years ago he had ONE lousy meal (I thought it was terrific, by the way). He thought the fisherman’s platter had been made earlier in the day, or something.
Anyhow, he said, “You really want to go there?” I said that I did and that it has always been good for me. He acquiesced and off we went.
We were placed right where I always see those lucky people sitting while I wait for the light to change. The snow was falling and with the little white lights shining were absolutely lovely. I kept saying how pretty it was. Our waitress, Karen, was awesome. The food was yummy-stuffed mushrooms for our appetizer, baked stuffed shrimp and garlic mashed with summer squash and zucchini for me, Mr. Bumbles chose lobster bisque although it was really a stew, and a salad. Bottomless bread baskets and interested spreads were brought. I chose pinto grigio, he had a martini. No room for dessert!
However, there was one eensy problem. There was another server in the room who had the loudest voice on the east coast. He did not understand the phrase to use your “indoor voice.” We could barely hear each other at times while he extolled the virtues of tonight’s specials or was talking about his ex wife or soon to be ex wife, his favorite foods, his life. I was almost frantic with trying to give him the silent body language of SHUT THE HELL UP but alas, he did not seem to get it.
Oh well. Otherwise, though, it was perfect.
