Dan Antion

Happy Margarita Day – #SoCS

The perfect lime wedge.
Wake me in the spring.

It’s time for Linda G. Hill’s world-famous Stream of Consciousness Saturday exercise, and today we have an example of what happens when you don’t follow the rules. Linda asks us not to plan too much. I bent that rule by deciding on the underlying topic ahead of time (see title). Linda threw me a curve ball with:

“Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is ‘animal sounds.’ Write about the sounds animals make and how you experience them. Have fun!”

Have fun?

If we were having a beer, I’d be walking into an argument.

“Cheryl, I would still prefer my regular setup, but I’ll let Dan decide when he gets here.”

“When he gets here? I’m here. What’s to decide?”

“As I tried to explain to David, today is National Margarita Day. I thought you guys might want to change it up a bit.”

“That might work…”

“…it might work for you, Dan. You’re going to pound down a Margarita and then chase it with a Corona. Mex to the max. I’m drinking bourbon.”

“You’re not drinking anything, David.”

“You know what I mean, Cheryl.”

“I can solve this.”

“You can?”

“Yes, Cheryl.”

“I’ve tried, Dan.”

“I can do something you can’t.”

“And what would that be?”

“David, if you have a Margarita, I’ll pick up the tab.”

“The whole tab?”

“Yes, the whole tab.”

“Well then, Cheryl, what do the Margarita specials look like?”

“Forget the specials. I don’t like any of them.”

“What would you recommend?”

“Well, my favorite is a Coconut Margarita, frozen and rimmed with toasted coconut.”

“Ooooh, that sounds good. Doesn’t that sound good, David?”

“No. What else do you have?”

“My husband prefers Blood Orange Margaritas, I can make that, or, I could make you a Fresa Margarita with fresh watermelon juice and fresh strawberries.”

“That last one sounds good.”

“OK, this will take a few minutes, guys.”

“We can wait, Cheryl. Can’t we, David?”

“Yeah, yeah, let’s get on with it.”

“David, when the drinks get here, just give it a taste. If you don’t like it, we’ll swap it out for some John Howell’s Bourbon.”

“Fine. All I know is you picked a fine time to change.”

“Change? What change?”

“I never thought I’d see you go for a mixed drink. That’s why I told Cheryl I’d let you decide. I was certain you’d stick with your beer and life could go on like always.”

“You didn’t want to be the heavy…”

“Of course not. Anyway, how was your week, Dan?”

“It’s actually been a little frustrating. I’ve been working on getting my photos organized and there’s so much to do.”

“Sounds like a nice quiet week perusing old memories.”

“Perusing? More like Purr-using and anything but quiet.”

“MuMu?”

“Yep, MuMu. She saunters down the hall to my room, and I can hear her meowing the whole way.”

“Why don’t you just ignore her?”

“You don’t have cats, do you David?”

“Nope. I’ve always preferred dogs.”

“Well, for the record, cats ignore you, but you can’t ignore a cat.”

“Have you tried?”

“Yes, David. I’ve tried to ignore her, just long enough to finish a task on my computer.”

“And…?”

“She grumbles. Then she snarls. Then she jumps onto my desk and sits on my keyboard.”

Coconut Margarita – Pinterest
Watermelon Margarita – Pinterest

“Here you go guys, one Coconut Margarita for Dan, with a slice of lime, and one modified Fresa Margarita for David.”

“Aww, you put cherries in it.”

“You’re being a good sport, I thought I’d bend the recipe a bit toward you.”

“That’s kind of you, Cheryl. Cheers!”

“Cheers – Cheryl, this is pretty good.”

“I’m glad you like it Dan.”

“Plus, my wife is always trying to get me to drink coconut water.”

“Well, there you go. Tell her you were drinking healthy.”

“She’s not going to buy that, Dan.”

“I know, David, but it might be worth a shot.”

“You know, speaking of photos, I’ve been waiting to see some photos you mentioned.”

“Which pictures are those?”

“The tavern signs. Remember?”

“Oh, my goodness. I forgot all about those. I can call those up for you right now.”

“Hey hold on, no advertising other bars while you’re in this one, Dan.”

“But, Cheryl. These are historic. None of them exist today.”

“Still, I don’t want you giving people ideas. They see those signs, next thing you know, they’re heading off to that museum.”

“A little culture might do these people some good, Cheryl.”

“If they want culture, I’ll make them a Fro Yo”

“A what?”

“Frozen – Yogurt – Margarita.”

“You can’t be serious?”

“Dan, anything that can be consumed can be put into a blender full of ice, doused with Tequila and given a funny name.”

“OK, David, we’ll have to take the tavern signs offline.”

“Just don’t forget this time.”

“I won’t. Now, Cheryl, as delightful as that margarita was, I think I’ll have a Corona and an order of wings.”

“I will have the same, Cheryl.”

“A Corona? David – you’re having a Corona?”

“Yes, and half of Dan’s wings.”

The gallery includes a few of the tavern signs from the Connecticut Historical Society’s collection and a few signs of what appears to be spring. If you want to check out Cheryl’s latest post at her new place, click here.

Text: On both sides, inside top of oval, “L.CHURCHILL,S” over “”HEMINGWAY”, inside bottom of oval, “INN”, over “TAVERN”, in center of oval, “1838” over “STORE.”
Text: On both sides, inside top of oval, “L.CHURCHILL,S” over “”HEMINGWAY”, inside bottom of oval, “INN”, over “TAVERN”, in center of oval, “1838” over “STORE.”
Sign for Crofut’s Inn – date from before 1892
From CHS records – the eagle was a common motif in tavern signs, this one has a most unusual appearance, with its limp wings, scrawny feet, and heart-shaped body. The nine white and eight red stripes symbolize each of the seventeen states in the Union at the time and allude to the national seal. However, the eagle grasps not the usual arrows and olive branch, but rather a laurel branch and an anchor, the central image of the Rhode Island state seal.
“Gentlemen you are – welcome sit down – at your ease, – Pay what you call for – & drink what you – please”
From CHS Text – During the peak of the Temperance movement in the 1840s, some Connecticut towns refused to grant tavern licenses at all. The pressure to limit or abolish alcohol consumption prompted some innkeepers to operate “dry” establishments, known as temperance taverns or hotels.
Once the leaves reappear, we don’t get to see this sunset
It was cold but sunny. Maddie dragged me to her cot. We only sat for about 15 minutes, but she got to cross it off the list.
Another sight we won’t see once the leaves appear.
I’ll miss this, but I think I’ll appreciate spring.
“If you’re not going to scratch me, you’re certainly not going to get any work done.”
It’s February but this looks like a spring morning.

70 comments

    • Thanks GP. I get pretty easy to deal with if someone is picking up the tab, as well. I decided to just dribble the tavern signs in a little at a time. Otherwise, I’ll just be copying their website.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

    • 27? That’s crazy. It’s 29 here, heading to mid-40s. While your enjoying 70, it looks like we’ll be in the 50s. Messed up for sure.

      Maddie will get her walk today, in fact we’ll probably head out before 9:00. I think she’s a bit off as well. Maybe it’s the lack of snow. All the critters around here seem to be thrown off by the weather – we saw chipmunks out and about this week.

      Enjoy the weekend, Judy!

      Liked by 1 person

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    • I do like the Crofut Tavern sign. Can you imagine riding along in a coach or on horseback and seeing that hanging in front of you? Oh yeah, we’re stopping here. I’m not really a margarita fan, but that looked like one my buddy would enjoy.

      Liked by 1 person

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  7. 😀😀This is great! The coconut margarita can be too sweet at times, depending on the products; but when you get a great one it is like tipsy dessert. I love mine frozen. Look at David, going with the flow, all good human like. 🤣 You guys are terrific. Those signs are awesome. I think Maddie and I have more in common than I realized. A few minutes in the sun can be just enough to save the day. No cats in the house for me. They are quite demanding. Then stand offish. Then demanding. But they are so snuggly. Happy weekend Dan.

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    • I had to search for a margarita that you could put some cherries in. Thanks for your input. Merging Margarita Day with Linda’s prompt wasn’t easy, but I had a good time trying.

      Cats are cats. They want what they want, when they want it. Dogs seem like they want to be helpful. Cats…not so much. But, MuMu is being a good companion once she’s been brushed or scratched. I was out with Maddie (on business) and she dragged me to her porch. She seemed to be telling me that the sun was out. I let the sun warm things up a bit, and then we sat. It does a body good.

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  9. I’ve never known anyone who could just ignore a cat!! Impossible! 🤗 Love today’s post. David actually going out on a limb! Great tavern signs. Maddie got a bit of sunshine, and MuMu got a bit of scratchies and brushing. All is good in the world…… well, except for Washington! 😂
    🐾Ginger 🐾

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    • Thanks Ginger. About Washington, I guess we can’t have everything. Maddie is intent on taking me for a walk. I’m making her wait until it gets above 30. She’s not as bad as MuMu, but patience isn’t her strong suit.

      I hope you have a good weekend. Give Murphy a scritch from Maddie.

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  10. cats ignore you, but you can’t ignore a cat.–Exactly! But MuMu is so darn cute. Coconut water–I tried it one time. Nope. It was just awful–and coconut is one of my favorite flavors! I am really impressed that David tried something new. I imagine this would not have happened if Brad was behind the bar, though. Enjoy the outdoors, Maddie. That photo of you is adorable.

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    • The Editor does get me to drink Coconut water, particularly in the summer when I’m working outside. It really is good for you, and I’m kinda-sorta getting used to it. I have to be careful who to put behind the bar on any given Saturday. Today was Cheryl’s day to shine (I even asked the real Cheryl for her margarita thoughts ahead of time – Sorry, Linda, but some planning is necessary).

      Maddie is pacing around, waiting to go for her walk. I told her we had to wait until it got over 30. It’s 32, and I think she knows.

      Thanks Lois, for visiting the No Facilities Bar & Grill – maybe I need a tavern sign.

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  11. coconut water. she who must be obeyed has a couple of rules. coconut water is one of those things on the not rule. add rum and it will be okay ? next thing you will suggest arguing with cats… Like those signs. the reused one is the subliminal permission to repost barely altered blogs. Bring on another round of Coronas.

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  12. I have to wonder about coconut water. Someday they are going to discover coconut water is a gateway to Pina Coladas and then where will all the healthy ones be? Hoping to reach their 30-day chip, that’s where. Super signs and a laugh-filled post, Dan. Cats rule, humans drool.

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  15. Nope, nope, nope…one can never ignore a cat as long as it lives in the same house. Case in point: Gibbs this morning. Fed. Slept in. And he still sits in the corner of the living room and cries his demand for attention. It will never change.sigh

    Interesting signs, Dan, but I’d rather be in the bar having a beer with a friend. No margritas for me, thankyewverymuch.

    Liked by 1 person

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  18. Love the signs and love margaritas, but not today, as I had several Moscow Mules last night while watching the hockey game with friends and that’s it for the weekend. What I want to know is, was it worth a shot and if so, what sort of alcohol was it? :-)

    Cheers!

    janet

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  23. What? I didn’t know there was a National Margarita Day… and woe is me, I have no tequila. :( Oh well, I have plenty of gin and lime. Maybe I’ll make a gin rickey, call it a “gin margarita” and pretend.
    The meowing is like Crystal. She gets so loud when she “kills” a toy… or at morning play time. I call it “the meow-meow”… I even changed the words of “Wake Me Up Before You GoGo” to kitty cat and meow words. That shuts her up… sometimes. Although that might just be that she’s terrified of my singing.
    Beautiful photos, Dan. Hopefully when the leaves obscure the view, the warmer temperature will be just right. Love the pic of MuMu — her whiskers are in happy position. Hugs on the wing!

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  25. David was a brave soul! Great day at the bar, Dan. Thanks for the photos of tavern signs. I didn’t realize eagles were common. Love the one holding the anchor. Those sunset photos are always my favorites. Well, Maddie, too. Thanks, Dan!

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  28. Margaritas are very good, special drinks that I feel I must earn, because if I just drank them as I please, I’d have myself a lil drinkin problem ;) Love lime and coconut, but my favorite is the watermelon. Oh my gosh, my mouth is watering!

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