A Deal

I told you on Wednesday I had an invitation to write a monthly column for a weekly newspaper from a nearby town if you recall.

As of today now, I have a few things set up - yes, I will take the editor up on the offer and boy, will I struggle to write a clean, crisp, comprehendible copy. That will take some doing on my part.

It's been decided I do not have to submit a photo (headshot) to use in my header for the column. As much as I hate having my picture taken, the few I do have are of a terrible caliber and I would much prefer there be no photo and he says that is ok.

Name of the column is still at this time up in the air but I am leaning towards "Down River Journey." Someone had suggested I use the name of my blog but I don't know if that would be kosher or not. But, I would like to incorporate the "Down River" as part of the column name plus, the fact that the editor would like me to write it with the "Down River" area in mind so we shall see what he thinks of my suggestion above.

Topics - that hasn't been discussed per se. But, since he wants me to write about things as they impact me, and since I am also often a very opinionated individual too, I was thinking maybe I'd open with a nice calm subject - like illegal immigration. Now there's something to think about, huh? Nothing like starting off with something akin to preaching hell, fire, brimstone and damnation, huh?

My first deadline will be the Tuesday before the third Friday of September. Confused? So am I when I put it down like that -but then, to try to remember the actual date - which would be September 18th as being my deadline, hmmm - which way will be easier for me to keep track of? That's debatable there!

On another note - last evening, Mandy and the kids and I were going to run into Philipsburg to pick up some groceries but prior to doing that, we decided to stop at the West Branch Dairy Diner and have a bite to eat there. It's nice little restaurant - often referred to as "The Pumpkin House" since the building is painted a nice bright orange color. The current owner is a "home-town" girl - Maxine Fenush Orwick - and although I can't afford to eat out very often, I like to patronize her place now and again as the food is decent - nothing fancy - and reasonable prices too.

When we entered, as Mandy and I were surveying the seating availability, Maya just decided for us that we would take up the booth near the door. Even before we ordered, Maya had looked the place over and spotted some people seated at a table across the room from us - a man, three young girls (teenager-types) and a little girl in a high chair. And immediately, her refrain began - "Wan' see the peoples? Wan' see the baby?" Over and over she chanted that -and not in a low voice either I might add.

At one point, she was trying to crawl under the table and planning to sneak out and away from us to head over to that table all the while saying "Wan' go see the Dad and the mom and the other Moms and the baby?" (When Maya talks, sometimes her sentences are not actually questions to begin with but her tone of voice makes them sound like a question - hence the question marks here.)

Before the family left, the girls brought the toddler over to our booth so Maya could "See" her -and what does she do? Well naturally, she then promptly ignores the little one! However, Kurtis thoroughly enjoyed the visit as the toddler, who it turns out is three months older than him, reached up to him in the high chair and tried to give him a big hug!

It turned out the lady who was our waitress is the mother of the little one and of two of the teenagers too so it was her family Maya wanted so much to communicate with.

An older couple who had been seated behind us, when they went to leave, the gentleman came back to our booth and handed Mandy two little rubber balls - the size one would use if playing a game of Jacks - saying these were for the kids. He and his wife stood there and chatted with us for quite a while and then, we got around to talking about where we live, etc and it turns out they live in the little village of Lanse which is right up the way from where we live. "Oh, how nice and who are you?" became the question then with a surprise for me. (And, also for Mandy)

It turns out their youngest daughter works at the grocery store where Mandy had worked for about the past two years - till taking on the new job she has now. And furthermore, to my surprise, their two oldest daughters used to babysit my kids a long, long time ago - like about 30 years back in time!

It had been so long since I'd seen either of these folks I didn't recognize them at all.

I do need to get out of the house more often! LOL