Dan Antion

A Box-O-Summer – #SoCS

David’s festive seltzer.
Regular – Black Cherry – Strawberry and Pineapple-Strawberry.
MuMu – “This box is a little small, but it works.”

It’s Saturday. Christmas is over, but the holiday spirit is alive and well at the bar. We’re here with our favorite bartender, reflecting on a crazy year while we try to unwrap Linda G. Hill’s latest Stream of Consciousness Saturday prompt.

“Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is ‘box.’ Use it any way you’d like. Have fun!”

If we were having a beer, you’d be doing your best Ebenezer Scrooge imitation.

“Merry Christmas, David.”

“Christmas was yesterday, Dan. Today is simply Saturday.”

“Yeah, but there’s no peppy adjective that starts with ‘S’ so I’m sticking with Merry Christmas until it’s time for Happy New Year.”

“How about ‘sedentary,’ in keeping with the spirit of twenty-twenty? And as for when it’s time for a happy new year, I’d say we’re nine months overdue.”

“Perhaps ‘sarcastic Saturday’ would be better – at least it seems appropriate.”

“Would the brothers grim care for a beverage today, or would you rather sit and sulk?”

“I for one am ready for a drink, Cheryl, and I’m buying my sullen friend a glass of John Howell’s Bourbon and a bowl of clam chowder.”

“Good for you, Dan. Maybe that will boost his spirits. Actually, he’s more in the spirit than you realize.”

“You two…”

“Hold that thought, David. I’ll be back with those drinks.”

“Now what do you suppose Cheryl meant by that, David? Are you secretly gleeful? Are you only a grump around me? Was it something I said?”

“Nothing you said, Dan. It’s just that I can’t help but notice the box on the bar rail by your feet. I suspect it’s a gift. I didn’t get you anything, and now you picked up the tab.”

“Fear not, my old friend. This box is not for you.”

“Oh? Well then, I feel a little better.”

“I should get nothing for you more often.”

“So what is in the box, Dan?”

“It’s a twelve-pack of Mike’s Hard Lemonade, for Cheryl.”

“Thoughtful gift for a bartender, the wine-cooler of beers.”

“She likes Mike’s, and they don’t stock it here.”

“Dan, I happen to know that Cheryl prefers whiskey.”

“OK boys. A cold Corona for Dan and a glass of John Howell’s Bourbon for David. A lime wedge for the beer and a glass of ice, a snifter of seltzer and some cherries for the brooding old man.”

“And some fruit?”

“Yes, David. I added slices of lemon and lime, you know, to make it a bit more festive.”

“And I have something for you, Cheryl.”

“Oh Dan, you didn’t have to get me anything.”

“It’s just a little something to make you forget the short days and the cold.”

“Mike’s! Oh, that does make me think of summer.”

“It’s the flavored sampler. I hope you like Pineapple-Strawberry hard lemonade.”

“That sounds kicky.”

“There are some regular Mike’s in there, too.”

“You know, maybe I’ll pour one into a chilled glass, add in a splash of the Jameson’s David gave me, if I add a sprig of mint I can have a makeshift julep.”

“Cheryl, you…”

“What, David? I wasn’t supposed to say anything about how you snuck in earlier and gave me a Christmas gift. I’m sorry if I pierced the persona of pout. You’re a sweetheart and we all know it.”

“I am not a sweetheart.”

“You are, too, David. You’re Scrooge after the ghosts.”

“Dan, that’s absurd. It’s humbug to the both of you.”

“David, you don’t mean that.”

“No, I suppose I don’t, Cheryl. You are two of my best friends. It’s just this year.”

“David, remember when Cheryl had to sneak us in the back door like it was some kind of speakeasy.”

“That’s true, Dan. As bad as it is, it’s not as bad as when we were locked down tight.”

“It’s not. We’ve had six months of being at the bar, albeit a nearly empty bar, we’ve both had haircuts, Cheryl has found new feathered friends, and I managed to visit a couple of places I had on my list.”

“Well, one thing hasn’t changed, Dan.”

“And that would be…?”

“Your annoying optimism and Quixotic search for the bright side.”

“Hey guys, I forgot to put the order in for chowder. It’s in now and will be up soon. I’m going to give you both a round on the house.”

“See, now there’s a bright side to this day, eh David?”

“Cheers Dan.”

We had a couple of walks before the snow was washed away.
It rained all day on Christmas. No walk for Maddie.
One of Maddie’s favorite toys. I’ve taken to calling it her Covid-ball.
The chowder at the bar is the best.
Smokey’s trying to get my attention before we go inside.
Maddie wanted to ponder the sunrise. I wanted to take a picture of it.
And there we go.
Maddie was kind enough to move for this shot.
Maddie hasn’t been able to get off the sidewalk, but she decided to tromp through the snow. I refused to follow her.
Hopefully we’ll see children playing on these fields in 2021.
I made a little bit of adjustment on this photo to bring out the only color.
The park is always silent this time of year, but it’s been silent for too long.
It was 22°f (-6°c) when we walked, but almost 60°f (16°c) on Christmas.
Confined to the driveway.
The sun would soon hide behind those clouds.

59 comments

  6. “The covid ball”! I’m still laughing. I’m laughing at Maddie stealing the scene again too. And Smokey’s tail looking like a black bottle brush instead of a fluffy tail!

    But the best picture today is the flag. You’ve shown us many shots of this flag, but whatever you tweaked to have the flag be the only thing with color, is outstanding. Love it.

    Let us know how much bourbon it takes to make David smile. Maybe we should start one of those “Go Fund Me” accounts to pay for the booze. That could be a lotta booze if David gets the bright idea to have his mouth botoxed while sulking.”

    Rain is gone. Sun is bright but no warmth. Ice everywhere. 😡

    Keep safe, warm and happy.
    Ginger

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    • That ball actually belonged to a previous Irish setter. None of the other three setters liked playing with the rubbery toys. Maddie loves them. She digs out the Covid ball every now and then so we can catch. I think she knows what I want to take a picture of, and just inserts herself. Smokey seems to understand that the price of a peanut is him posing for a picture.

      I’ve been including the flag on a regular basis to remind people that the flag is for everyone. I was playing around with the program (Adobe Lightroom) I use to prepare the photos – I mostly use it to straighten and crop, but sometimes I play with the other features. I didn’t realize that I could highlight selected colored areas of a monochrome image. I like how it turned out. I think you’ll see it again on Memorial Day.

      We may go broke buying David bourbon, but deep down, he’s the sweetest guy.

      We walked today, but it is COLD so it was a short walk.

      Take care, Ginger. Stay warm and safe.

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    • Hahaha – we’ve had the ball for years, Maggie. Someone bought it for a previous dog, but Maddie’s the first dog to like those kind of toys. She dug it out and that’s the first thing we thought.

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  9. Covid ball. 😂😂😂
    You guys are the best! Back in the day I never met a Wine cooler I didn’t like and that variety pack opens up a world of possibility. I knew David had a heart in that Grinch-y chest of his. Next weekend we can all lift a farewell toast to 12 months of crushing disappointment and share our hope for brighter days in the New Year. Thanks for the shoutout. We didn’t have a white Christmas but it is sure was beautiful. Happy Spectacular Saturday! (From one optimist to another)😉

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    • “Spectacular Saturday!” – Yes! I should have asked you earlier. I think next Saturday will be Spectacular. The first Saturday in 2021. I can’t wait. Unless something goes radically wrong with the climate, you won’t see a white Christmas, unless it’s the movie with Bing.

      I hope you have a great weekend!

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      • Thanks Dan. You are so right. Hubs and I just had a discussion about the fact that most Americans would not likely understand living in high altitude mountains with no history or future of snow. If we got any kind of flurries I would be very concerned. 😯

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  10. I’m shivering as I look at your snowy scenes, Dan. We have had some cold weather, but very little snow. That clam chowder looks like it would warm you up pretty well. For the record, I love your “annoying optimism and Quixotic search for the bright side.” :)

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    • Thanks Mike. I can’t be anything but optimistic, it’s just how I am. We bounced up into the 60s yesterday, but we were back in the 20s this morning. The snow is gone, but it is cold. I hope you have a great weekend.

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  12. Happy day after Christmas, Dan! I’ll take a 1/2 shot of brandy in my coffee and a gingerbread cookie…if either existed in my home. 😏

    You and David are good eggs, handing out presents to your favorite bartender. I hope you got a few trinkets yourself, from the family, and are enjoying your Saturday.

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  13. I knew David was a marshmallow inside!! Maddie pondering is such a pretty photo, Dan. Pretty much how the year has been….looking off into the future, waiting and hoping…. Enjoy the weekend.

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    • He is a sweetheart, Lois, but he has a reputation to maintain. The snow is gone, Maddie was able to re-sniff every square inch of her park today. I hope she senses a better year ahead.

      Have a great weekend.

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  22. This was the bar at its best, Dan! You captured the spirit and personality of all three of you, beautifully. I loved how David sneaked in early to give Cheryl a present. He is definitely Scrooge after the ghosts. Love your optimism. Here’s to a far better 2021.

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  25. “Your annoying optimism and Quixotic search for the bright side.” — Yeah? I love it!

    Beautiful photos, especially the snow and skies a la dog. What a clear, beautiful morning!

    Liked by 1 person

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