It’s time again for the crew at No Facilities Bar to…, uh oh, I don’t see Cheryl, that can’t be good. Anyway, Linda G. Hill has given us what seems to be a straightforward Stream of Consciousness Saturday prompt:
“Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is ‘clean/dirty.’ Use one, use both, use ’em any way you like. Enjoy!”
Somehow, I don’t think this will take long.
If we were having a beer, Skippy would be getting under your thin skin again.
“Hi Brad.”
“Hi Dan. Your buddy’s not here yet. Can I get you a Corona?”
“Yes, please.”
“You want a glass, lime?”
“A slice of lime I can shove in the bottle, will do fine. Corona is better in a bottle.”
“No problem.”
“Sigh…”
“What’s with the long sigh? Were you worried I wasn’t coming?”
“No. It’s just that I had been looking forward to an easy afternoon.”
“What’s going to change that?”
“Here’s your Corona, Dan, and I shoved the lime in for you, it was kinda fat.”
“Thanks Brad. You remember David, right?”
“It’s hard to forget you two, especially him.”
“Him? Him is right here.”
“I know, sorry. Are you having bourbon today?”
“Yes, please.”
“I’ll get right on that.”
“Dan, where is Cheryl?”
“I wouldn’t know, it’s not my day to watch her.”
“I wish she’d give us a head’s up.”
“I asked her never to do that.”
“Why? Why would you do that?”
“Because if you knew Brad was going to fill in, you wouldn’t come.”
“Here you go, a glass of whatever you call this bourbon, a glass of ice and a snifter of seltzer.”
“Um, Skippy.”
“Yes, Dave…”
“The glass with my bourbon in it is dirty. Very dirty.”
“So, …”
“So? What do you mean, so? Look at the glass, it’s got something stuck on the side.”
“So, I didn’t mean ‘so’ like in ‘so what,’ it’s just a figure of speech or something.”
“It’s an adverb, and you don’t normally begin a sentence with it.”
“So, everybody I know starts sentences with ‘so’ – it’s a thing.”
“So is a clean glass, a thing that is. In fact, it’s a thing I’d like to see.”
“I’ll get one.”
“Oh, and Skippy, I’d like a new pour, you can throw that bourbon out.”
“No problem.”
“I think that’s called an interjection.”
“What? What are you talking about, Dan?”
“The way you used ‘so’ to start the sentence; I think that’s an interjection.”
“That’s unexpected. Are you taking a correspondence course in grammar?”
“No. I looked up what kind of word ‘so’ is. Brad’s right, people start sentences with ‘so’ all the time.”
“It’s annoying.”
“It is, David, but try not to let it get to you. It’s not worth it.”
“So, here we go, a clean glass, and a fresh pour of bourbon. Can I get you guys anything else?”
“Skip…I mean, Brad? Could I trouble you for a couple cherries for the bourbon?”
“Maybe you should try a Manhattan – they come with cherries.”
“Just the cherries, please.”
“No problem.”
“Sigh…How was your week, Dan?”
“Pretty good, I was up in Woburn.”
“Massachusetts?”
“Is there another Woburn?”
“Why do you pronounce it, woo-burn?”
“It’s how they say it. Trust me, I’ve been corrected, many times.”
“What was in woo-burn?”
“The AIIM New England planning meeting.”
“I thought you guys meet in Burlington.”
“Usually, but it was a small group, and Burlington was too expensive.”
“Here’s a couple of cherries. Let me know if you guys want any food or something.”
“Thanks Brad. I think we’ll have some wings in a bit.”
“No problem.”
“How was the bartender in woo-burn, Dan?”
“Actually, I was the bartender in Woburn.”
“What?”
“Our meeting was at three o’clock. The bar at the hotel doesn’t open until five.”
“So, what did you do?”
“I bought a bottle of wine, a few plastic wine glasses, some cheese and crackers and pepperoni.”
“Aren’t you the little Suzie-homemaker?”
“I’m not sure Brad would get that reference.”
“Brad doesn’t get that glasses should be clean.”
“That’s true.”
“Besides the cheese and crackers, what did you eat up there, Dan?”
“There was a sports bar next to the hotel. That had a lobster roll special, with fries and a cup of chowder.”
“Chowder? In this heat?”
“David, I will try clam chowder any time, especially with a lobster roll.”
“Was it good?”
“It was. The closer you get to the coast, the better they are.”
“So why are we having wings?”
“We’re not that close to the coast.”
You know I couldn’t have Cheryl serving up dirty glasses, but we did hear from her this week, as she shared another chapter of her work-in-progress. We also heard that readers decided to have Teagan move forward with “The Delta Pearl” as her next serial. You can read the Prologue over at her place.
No Facilities 
This David doesn’t know Suzie-homemaker! Also, a guy writing in my paper was complaining about the modern use of “so”. He then started a sentence with “And” – as you Americans say, go figure
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I think I would have known this was David ;)
Suzy Homemaker was a brand of toys in the mid-sixties that looked lie model kitchens and other household things. Today, women would rail at the notion of enforcing the stereotype behavior, but in that period, it was all good stuff. My cousin had a relatively complete set.
It’s so easy to fall into the traps of these “crutch words” as they used to call them when I was in Toastmasters. We are so afraid of natural pauses, or having to take a second to collect our thoughts.
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Dan, I didn’t mean to be “anonymous “
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Maddie loves her sitting time. I can almost see a smile. :-) I’m thinking I need myself a Rose of Sharon – beautiful.
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Thanks Judy. Once you get one, be ready for a dozen. They seed themselves pretty quickly. We bought several of them, but we have others that we didn’t buy/plant – I’ve had to move one that grew right in the corner where I make the turn with my snow blower. It almost didn’t survive, but it’s doing fine now.
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“It wasn’t my day to watch him/her” was one of my mom’s favorite phrases. Living in Maine for so many years, Lobster rolls were a regular menu item. I will say I had a fantastic roll at a little restaurant in Salem, MA.
I break all the grammar rules, I fear. That’s my dirty little secret. Great post, Dan.
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Thanks Maggie. I was going to say “the closer you get to Maine” but I have had many good lobster rolls in MA. Seeing that special on the menu was just too tempting. I’m not good with grammar. I had totally forgotten what an interjection is/was and I’d be the last person on earth to correct anyone’s grammar/sentence structure. Still, I am surrounded by a few word-nerds, so…
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Word-nerds. My favorite new colloquialism.
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Ha! I love them, but…
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Ha. Thanks for having me sit this one out. Truth is I was having a rare afternoon at another bar myself. It was very relaxing. And good food. No dirty glasses. So..what you’re saying is Skippy might have been about to say, “So..let me get you another glass..”? Nice spread you set out for the meeting. Maybe your retirement job could be company planner? 😉 That Lobster Roll looks wonderful. While I’m not a clam fan, I can undersatnd eating chowder anytime you want. People tell me that about gumbo and chili. What gives really? I mean, most foods are served hot, so what makes soups and stews exclusive to cold days? Thanks formthe shout out as well. Hope you have a relaxing Free48, Dan.
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Thanks Cheryl. We’ll never know what Skippy was about to say. He’s not as bad as David thinks, but he’s no Cheryl ;-) I feel bad for the guy, in that I only put him back there to screw up. Still, I run into so many bad bartenders, the story lines are endless. My normal bartender is crazy about having the wine glasses clean. They are always clean, but she wipes them to remove any spots. The other bartender does a half-hearted job of washing and could care less about spots.
I’m glad you have a relaxing start to the weekend. It always helps to begin early.
I’m with you on soups and stews and chili. I have a special weakness for fresh corn chowder. Have a great Free48!
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Thanks! So far, so good. 👍🏻
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🙂
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Loving the gallery. Especially the birds. Always takes me away to somewhere different.
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I’m glad, Jill. I haven’t seen that many gulls at the river for a long time. I’m not sure what’s going on, but I love seeing them.
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Ewwwww, a dirty glass, or dish, or silverware in a bar or restaurant! Not a good thing.
Love the hazy picture of the plane. It looks like its own shadow! Double Rose of Sharon are so beautiful.
Maddie looks so perky. I’m sure she’s enjoying the cooler temperatures, but alas, not for long. And MiMi still can’t get her full quota of beauty sleep. You know Dan, if one day your cameras are nowhere to be found, I’d check out MiMi’s favorite places. Just sayin’.
Have a terrific weekend.
🐾Ginger 🐾
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Thanks Ginger. That plane looked like it might be from a different dimension, like the Twilight Zone. I don’t recall seeing one that low at that point, it’s about 10 miles from the airport, but moving away from it.
Maddie is loving the early starts and the late afternoon sits. We walked before 7:00 today and we sat well before 8:00. I’ll likely sit with her this afternoon. She just loves it, and we are powerless to say no, except on the most miserable days. MiMi is never happy when I take these pictures, or turn on lights, or make noise, but she’s so darn cute – I can’t resist.
I hope you have a good weekend, too.
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A bar in a hotel that doesn’t open until 5? This seems implausible to me. What kind of pretentious swanky joint were you staying in?
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Ha ha – no, the opposite. The pretentious swanky joint we normally meet at, wanted $705 a night for the first night of my 2-night stay. My employer was paying, but I couldn’t do that. I stayed at a Courtyard in the next town over. The bar is open from 5:00 – 9:00, but they didn’t care if I brought a bottle of wine in, and they do sell cold beer by the bottle at the front desk.
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Great use of the prompt, Dan! Dirty glasses at a bar is a huge turn-off. I love your photos, particularly the white double Rose of Sharon – beautiful.
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Thanks Gwen. There are certain things that seem to freak everyone out. Dirty glasses is high on my list. The Rose of Sharons are bursting with blossoms – I’m glad you like them, because they might be featured for a while.
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LOL! A grand discussion.
So, I use so often…darn, I’ll need to work on that. I’m right there with you on dirty glasses – they must go back.
A Corona in the bottle with lime is best, as long as the bartender has clean hands when he pushes the lime in it. So, there’s that too. Maddie must’ve had to wait a long time for you to finish the long-wearing out kinda meeting – where whoever sat in the chair wore the front edge of it off? I can’t help myself, you find the greatest photos to comment on! Happy Saturday!
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Ha ! Sharp eyes. Maddie gets mad when she sees my suitcase come up the stairs. She actually snubs me a little before I leave.
I’ve had Corona in s frosted glass, but I really do like it in the bottle.
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Dogs know when the humans are about to go! There’s just something about the bottle with the lime – it mixes better that way.
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I think you’re right, on both counts.
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:-)
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Other people’s dirt is foul! My own . . . I’m not so fussy if I’m using the glass. As for grammar . . . I never learned the rules but I read enough well written books that I picked it up by osmosis! hahaha . If it sounds all right to me and moves the story along . . . I’m good.
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Thanks Pam. Dirty glasses at the bar are never good. It just gets you thinking about everything else. Grammar and me – yeah, not a close couple.
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Ugh… getting dirty glasses or silverware when you’re out is unpleasant to say the least. It was fun to see everyone at the bar, Dan — even Skippy. Sorry Cheryl couldn’t be there. Terrific photos. The garden is gorgeous.
Thanks for the shout-out about the new serial at my place, The Delta Pearl. Wouldn’t you know… Launch day for a new serial and WordPress is giving me pure hell about maneuvering around. Onward.
Hugs on the wing!
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WordPress likes messing with folks. I was happy to see the Delta Pearl set sail.
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WAAAAHHHHHH! I WANNA LOBSTER ROLL!!!!! Oh, Brad. I was ready for Brad when I saw what Linda’s prompt was this week. :D
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Ha ha – you know I couldn’t get Cheryl to serve a dirty glass ;-)
The lobster roll was very good. It’s a simple thing, but most places get them wrong.
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Dan–as soon as I read your post title, I thought ‘this sounds like a Brad post.’ And it was. Yes, bad grammar there….. You and I had a discussion about ‘yes’ and ‘so’ and ‘right’ starting sentences (looking at you, NPR!) a while back, so this definitely had me laughing. What a hoot. Maddie and Mimi, such sweethearts. The photo of your bar set up was perfect. Foot propped on the furniture? Yeah, you were a definite hit in the ‘host’ department. Enjoy the weekend. Hot and sunny here in FL….
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Thanks Lois. Brad’s reputation precedes him. I remember mentioning that I might have to bring Slippy in to handle ‘so’ and Linda’s prompt gave me a double opportunity to work with him behind the bar. You’re right about NPR!
I appreciated the fact that the hotel didn’t mind if I brought wine and food in for the meeting. Sometimes, they get snippy about that. I put that whole spread on for less than one round of drinks at the bar.
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That lobster roll looks humungous. I was thinking more like an Asian style roll. Looks very fresh though.
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That’s the standard size, Deborah. It was really good. It’s amazing how some places mess it up.
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Maybe I could eat half of one. :)
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Once you get started…
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I think if Brad is serving, I’d prefer a bottle only! Great post Dan😊
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That’s a good way to go.
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If I’m writing a closing sentence, I often begin it with “so”. It works… and Miss Mitchell would have my head. She was the hardest and best English teacher. They don’t make ‘em like her these days. Sad. I think Brad wouldn’t have passed her class. Great post, Dan. Ya gotta love the lobster rolls in Maine.
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Thanks Jennie. I think we all would make our English teachers shake their heads and sigh. Skippy (Brad) wouldn’t stand a chance.
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I know!
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There’s always a line that stands out. I got a kick out of a clean glass is a thing that is. Nice work, Dan.
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Thanks Rob. I appreciate your comments.
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My pleasure Dan.
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Lovely images Dan. The lobster roll sure looked good. I’ve only had one – when I traveled to Maine a couple of years ago. Yes, I’ll take chowder about anytime too. :-)
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Thanks Ron. I don’t usually get lobster rolls in CT. There are fond places that make good ones, but most are so-so.
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The picture of the lobster roll looks delicious, Dan. I haven’t done Linda’s challenge for a while, I just haven’t been inspired by the prompts and I can’t write if I’m not inspired. You are amazing how you work them all into this bar scene. Teagan’s new series is awesome!
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Thanks Roberta. I enjoy the challenge of making finding a way to bring these prompts to the bar conversation. The lobster roll was very good. It’s the only one I’ve had this summer.
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That would never happen at The Pit. The conversation would go more like this:
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Ha ha – it’s good to have places like that.
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LOVED the picture of MiMi, Dan. I’m very impressed with your Rose of Sharons. Just gorgeous! Mine our just beginning to pop. I lost one bush over the winter and another new one is not doing well. Sigh. I thought the picture of the jet very cool and please send some rain our way. We are so dry! Really enjoyed your read …. nothing nastier in a bar then a dirty glass! Please tell Brad that from me!
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Thanks Amy. I hope you get some rain. I’ll give Skippy your message. Don’t give up on that plant. We had one last summer that we thought was dead. It started blooming in September.
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The one that looks dead is. It was Bella’s tree and because Bella went to the Rainbow Land, this tree did as well. It’s very “coincidental” that a Rose of Sharon that showed no signs of distress all of a sudden died right after Bella did. Makes you think ….. I’m still hoping on the young one that I bought last year that doesn’t seem to be doing too well. And yes, rain would be really nice.
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This is where I have to admit I’ve had only one lobster roll in my life and it wasn’t memorable. Someday I’ll have to have a really good one to understand the hype.
I like the way you roll with the punches. “No bar service? That’s ok, I’ll bring my own”. I like your kind of meetings 🙂
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Thanks Joanne. When I sent an update about the hotel, one guy wrote back “the bar is closed? I’m not coming.” The next email I sent I was asking him to bring a corkscrew :)
I’ve had a lot of lobster rolls that didn’t live up to the hype. I took a chance on this one, and it was very good.
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I don’t know why Brad still has a place of employment in that bar; serving a customer a drink in a dirty glass not once, but several times! Tsk, tsk, tsk!
So, the Roses of Sharon are beautiful, and that Lobster Roll…was GINORMOUS! It looked yummy too. 😁
The wine and cheese snacks looked like they went over well. You did good.
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Thanks Deborah. I was surprised to find that a number of people like Brad. I guess his job is secure – whenever the prompt leads to something I can’t give to Cheryl.
The Roses of Sharon have really burst into bloom.
I didn’t know you could buy disposable wine glasses. The others thought that was a nice touch.
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He is the perfect opposite of Cheryl that’s true.
Those plastic wine glasses are great poolside, and for picnics.
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That makes sense.
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Dirty glasses? You may want to start bringing a flask to the bar …
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Or a paper cup :)
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So your doubles are prettier than my singles, but I love my Rose of Sharons, too (Hibiscus). So nice to see you hosting an elegant spread :P So often I start sentences with so. So I’m probably not welcome at the bar. ;)
I love lobster rolls. I’m not nuts about lobster, but I love lobster rolls and lobster ravioli, and I, too, would eat chowder in NE no matter how hot it is.
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You are always welcome at the bar. David can just suck it up. I wouldn’t think lobster rolls would be a thing in the heartland, but if you can find good ones, good for you. I’ll try clam chowder anywhere. Thanks for the comment.
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Heaven’s no, what we have to pay for lobster flown in overnight is enough to make us cry. But when I get up that way, that’s good noms. I’ll be back one day :)
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Oh, ok.
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