Dan Antion

My Comfy Places – SoCS

Home sweet Cheryl’s bar. The Naughty Nurse is on the far end.
Chicken & Corn Chowder

It’s Saturday of what has been a hectic and difficult week. I’m ready for a cold beer, and the comfort of talking to a good friend. Off to the bar to meet with David and Cheryl and work our way through Linda G. Hill’s Stream of Consciousness Saturday prompt. Linda shifted gears on us today, but I think we’re up for the challenge.

“Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is ‘a picture from wherever.’ When you sit down to write your post, find a picture, whether in a magazine, newspaper, or even product packaging. Write whatever thought or emotion the picture provokes. Enjoy!”

The closest picture-like thing I can see at the moment is my Pearls Before Swine page-a-day calendar.

Pig might have the answer

Accordingly, if we were having a beer, we’d be talking about comfort.

“Hey Dan, welcome back to this side of the Mississippi River.”

“Thanks Cheryl. Have you seen David?”

“He’s outside waiting for someone to back out of his favorite parking spot. Corona?”

“Yes, please and start working on that amalgamation he calls a drink.”

“Welcome back my young friend. Please don’t make fun of my drink selection. It makes me happy.”

“David, surely you know that while we support your idiosyncrasies, it doesn’t mean we’re not going to pick on you.”

“What are friends for? Then again, Dan. I notice that you’re sitting in the second bar stool from the wall on the right side of the bar, even though the bar is empty.”

“It’s my favorite stool.”

“So much so that I’ve seen you move to it from a table or even a different stool.”

“He’s got you Dan. I’ve seen you move even before I get a chance to wipe up after the previous customer. Here’s your beer. David, John Howell’s Bourbon, a snifter of seltzer, a glass of ice and two cherries.”

“Two? Last week, you gave me three cherries.”

“That was in honor of Christine’s new book.”

“Oh, OK. Anyway, cheers Dan and thank you, Cheryl.”

“Cheers David. Did you get your favorite parking space?”

“I did. It’s not like it’s superstitious, Dan. I have a good reason for liking that space.”

“And that would be?”

“The stairs up to the lot end directly in line with the driver’s side of my car.”

“Not to rain on your happiness parade, David, but doesn’t that mean your car is more likely to get scratched by other customers?”

“You’d think so, Dan, but actually no. See, there are three sets of stairs, and the middle one is the least accessible from the exit.”

“That’s surprisingly logical for you. I’m proud.”

“One doesn’t need to be a geek to be logical. I am logical, I just don’t liken myself to Mr. Spock.”

“Touché.”

“And, if I might add, Dan, you’re parked in what seems to be your favorite spot as well.”

“I am, and it’s equally logical. There are no spaces on the left of my car, so I can count on being able to open my door fully.”

“You two certainly have your routines. I’d say you’re like two old ladies, but I wouldn’t want to offend any old ladies.”

“My wife says that about us when we’re on the phone, Cheryl.”

“You know, Dan, it’s probably not politically correct to say that. Is that still even an expression, ‘politically correct?’ I use it all the time. I wonder.”

“I don’t know, David, but given the clus…”

“Dan! Watch it!”

“Sorry Cheryl. Given the mess Congress has made of things, over time, I’m not sure I’d want to be anything considered correct by politicians.”

“Actually, Dan. I don’t think that term ever had anything to do with politics.”

“I think he’s right, Dan.”

“I know, Cheryl, but I don’t even like saying the word.”

“I understand. You boys want another round? Some food? We have chicken corn chowder today.”

“Ooh, another round and two bowls of chowder.”

“Thanks Dan. Speaking of food. I’m sure you had some interesting meals in Iowa.”

“I did, David, but I didn’t take a lot of food photos. I did take some at The Grove Cafe. It’s my brother’s favorite place for breakfast.”

“Isn’t that the name you used in your book? The place you, sorry, Zach and Abbie went to breakfast.”

“It is. I like the name, and I didn’t think these guys would mind. Besides, if you search for it, it’s not the first one to pop up.”

“Ha! I just searched for it an iHop came up.”

“Yeah, David. They pay for that, and that can be the subject of discussion one day when you’re buying the drinks.”

From Great River Park during a heavy storm.
Rainy morning in Hartford
Not bothered by the rain
Teaching the babies how to find food.
Rhododendrons are fading but still beautiful
Blue Jay looking to steal the squirrels’ peanuts
They all like to sit on the little branch in our neighbor’s oak tree.
Honeysuckle is in bloom
The park is still here
Those two trailers mean the Firemens’ carnival is going to return after a 2-year absence.
The girls like to look out the front door. That’s MiMi.
I haven’t cut the grass in the front. The bunny approves.
MuMu’s turn looking out the front door.
“I told MuMu you’re returning home. I enjoyed your visit.”
“So, you’re back. It was quiet while you were gone.”
Still flying proud


If you like magical realism with suspense, action and a bit of family sarcasm, you will enjoy these books:

Knuckleheads
The Evil You Choose
When Evil Chooses You

Series page on Amazon

My profile page (and books) on Lulu

All available on Kindle Unlimited!

92 comments

  1. Dan, I like you and David’s car parking strategies. Yup, I do the same, and I don’t have a truck or an SUV. Thanks so much for the book mention. Everything helps getting the word out. MiMi & MuMu are good looking kitties and yard critters, bunny & squirrel, nice to see. Have a peaceful weekend 📚🎶 Christine

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  4. Trying to be ‘politically correct’ these days is a rather large challenge. :-) That corn chowder looks mighty tasty. I usually park near a cart return because having a white car certainly provides a challenge in a large lot at least to me. Wishing you a good weekend, Dan.

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  5. Hi Dan – good to read this … and am glad the three girls are there for you – as well as obviously the Editor and Faith … the drinks and soup sound so nourishing and calming. Good luck to you and Christine with your books -they both sound good reads … cheers Hilary

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  6. Finding a safe place to park the car is always a challenge, but you and David have turned it into a science!

    MiMi and MuMu taking their turn at the front door is so cute. The bunny will be very upset when you mow her dinner down!

    Nice shot of the Blue Jay, but he isn’t looking very friendly, is he?

    I agree. Old Glory is still flying proud. Hopefully she always will..
    Ginger

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    • We always leave some high spots for the bunnies – there are at least three babies now – and we give the blue jays peanuts, too. They are nasty birds, though.

      The kitty girls like to look out. They even shared the door (for about 30 seconds) once. Something about sisters. They are readjusting to a home without a dog.

      It’s funny how and why we choose the parking spaces we do, but having one less thing to worry about always helps.

      I hope you have a nice weekend, Ginger.

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  9. I believe 50 bonus points are in order for the Mr. Spock mention. Live long and don’t park like a woman of advanced age. I don’t “engage” in the parking thing since I retired and someone else is at the office first, parking in the space closest to the door. The special comfy bar stool is okay, though. I get that one, for some odd reason.

    Cute photos of MiMi and MuMu. Gibbs says hello to them both from his patio window. He says they should prepare for their next set of plans to either conquer civilization or set the Guiness world record for longest sleep ever by a cat.

    In the meantime, have a wonderful weekend!

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    • Thanks for the bonus points, Mary. I remember the parking wars at the office. I am so glad those days are gone. Not only was there a woman (from another company) who often too the best spot, but she wore so much perfume that I had to park two spots away to avoid choking.

      MiMi and MuMu are rediscovering windows and doors. MiMi is the explorer. She would love to have a balcony. MuMu is just nosy, especially at 4:45 am these days.

      I hope you have a great weekend.

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  10. We had a private parking lot at work and, I guess, I was unaware that there were ‘assigned’ parking spaces. I returned from lunch one day and I thought I was going to have to go into our ‘overflow’ parking lot, but then I saw one open space. Yay! Later that day, one of my work buddies came over to me and said, “You took my spot!” We laughed (kind of), but from then on, I parked in what came to be known as ‘my space.’
    Sundance and MuMu closing out the photos with their quotes are so funny. Sundance, you are a handsome boy.

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  12. I always enjoy a visit to the bar. I am also very picky about where I park my car these days. I might be the ‘old lady’ you reference. The photos are beautiful as always.

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  13. You had a good storm! We needed rain and hoped that last cold front brought some, but it didn’t just wind and cold. I do believe that’s it now and we’re in Summer for the time being.

    I have favorite parking spots and freeway entrances and exits as well. I’m not superstitious or anything. 😀

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  16. Thanks for clarifying what I don’t like about the phrase, “politically correct.” It is not logical. Maybe, kindness, would work better. And thanks for your kindness of leaving some tall grass for the bunnies. Nice photos of the kitties looking out the door. The older I get, the more I appreciate comfort.

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  17. It’s never too early in the day for a visit to the Island View. Thanks for making all of us feel at home, Dan. Ha! I like David’s method of choosing a parking space. I did something similar at a job way back in Nashville. My favorite space was out of the way from the main door — but convenient to the one that was best for me to enter. Then oddly a car was in “my” space. When I got inside, this goofball walked past my desk talking… He noticed that “somebody parks there every day, and I can’t figure out why.”
    The other guy said, “And you’re trying to figure out why they like that spot?”
    Goofball said, “I still don’t know why they would park there. But I mostly wanted to keep them from getting the spot they always use.”
    I didn’t say anything. That was typical of people.
    Anyhow that chowder looks delicious. Thanks for all the photos. Hugs on the wing.

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    • People can be ridiculous, Teagan. I’ve known people who’ve seemed bothered just by the fact that someone else is happy. I don’t get it.

      That chowder was very good. Hugs!

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  21. I actually like that word clus . . . It is so irreverent. I have always said that being politically correct does not make sense. Politicians lie cheat and steal why would we want to be like them?

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    • Thanks John. Their soups and chowders are so good Those blue jays can be nasty, but they have such good eyesight. We’ve seen them fly fro 60-80 feet away while the peanut is in the air, and catch it on one bounce. A better week is in order – thanks.

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  23. Hi Dan! Great to be hosting you guys at the bar. You idiosyncratic, predictable, logical, lovable guys. I have one down here too. 😉He doesn’t care for change, used the same shampoo for over thirty years until Vidal Sassoon died. 🤦‍♀️ His favorite spot in any restaurant is gunslinger position, back to the wall, facing the room. I don’t know. I find that one kinda sexy. 🤭I think the term ‘politically correct’ is grossly overused and often misused. There’s politics and then there’s human decency and too many politicians don’t have a clue about either from what I’ve seen in life. I like this prompt. Maybe I can beat the midnight deadline. 🤔

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    • I used Vidal Sassoon shampoo too, until it ceased to become available. :)

      I wouldn’t worry too much about the midnight deadline, several people post to this prompt on Sunday.

      I’ve had it with ‘politically correct.’ You’re right, decency doesn’t need a new name, it just needs for more people, including politicians to adopt it.

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    • That’s a good example, Janet. My mother was just such a person. In fact, when we went back to her church the day before her funeral, the minister made the people in “her” pew move so we could sit there.

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  27. That Cheryl cracks me up. This line especially “You two certainly have your routines. I’d say you’re like two old ladies, but I wouldn’t want to offend any old ladies.” Great post today and wonderful gallery as well.

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  29. I love your cat photos for this post, Dan.
    We’re spoiled with space and with parking at 90 degrees here in South Africa. If I can’t park closest to exit, I noticed that I prefer turning left into a parking spot as opposed to turning right.

    Sorry abut your loss, Dan.

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  31. Nice photos and a nice take on the prompt. I tagged you on Instagram – I received a copy of your book in the mail this past week. I’m enjoying it so far! It’s like spending time at the SoCS bar with kids. Is it part of the superpowers I have wild dreams of after reading a bit of it before bed? Or maybe it’s triggering childhood memories?! I hope you have a great week, Dan! May the flag fly high and the mess clear one way or another.

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  37. I applaud the line about not wanting to be anything considered correct by politicians. I confess I laughed out loud at the part about the favorite stool. And I’ll take a bowl of that chowder, thank you — that looks wonderful even in summer! Thinking about comfort is a great idea.

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