Winter Beauty!

One more day and 2010 will be gone, something we can never get back!  Mr. Bill not sure he'd like to have it back, but as best buddy Ward reminds us, "One not so good season doesn't make the entire year a bad one!" Absolutely!  Today warmed to around seventy degrees.  Perhaps had the sun appeared....upper seventies would of returned.  This afternoon all 2010 Christmas decorations returned to the darkness of their storage bins...glitter stuck on the carpet will continue to remind us of the season past.  Looking forward to the new year, Mr. Bill thumbs through the Burpee seed and flower catalog.  This little piece of Springtime heaven arrived two days after Christmas.....another season, another wish list.  Antsy to begin, yet cautious because of the past two weeks of killer frost, the Egg-Nazi is chafing at the bit.  He'd be out there now tilling up the flower beds, but chemo has left him feeling rather cold and achy, much like winter flu season.  It is probably a blessing in disguise...he knows the chance of more frost,very likely.  Strange weather all across the nation, so we probably shouldn't complain, at least the white stuff stays to the north.  Son, Todd says the last storm could of been worse, the eye must of gone directly over Eastern Connecticut, sparing the little Town of Sprague.

Today as I was packing away Christmas "stuff", saving the holiday cards, I came across a few photos of Fred's News, with it's stark winter wardrobe.  Not too inviting from the outside, gone were the flowers, beckoning sidewalk benches and cute as a button carved bears, perhaps they too were hibernating for the season.  I seem to remember taking the picture just for that reason.  Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder...Beaver Brook frozen solid along side Fred's News, no fish, turtles or snakes, just the naked trees lining the sides, no protection from the frigid cold, yet the sun, shining through ice coated branches, so stunningly beautiful.  The thin ice covering what little water was left in the brook, took on a pattern of ice crystals so cold and bare yet so delicate, their beauty breathtaking.  Only the picture records the beauty, no human or animals dared brave the cold bitter wind and ice.  Yet just around the corner, the warm atmosphere of Fred's News, beckoned all who venture out in the dead of a New England Winter. The aroma, of steamy hot coffee, homemade soups and stews, perhaps a stick to your ribs, sausage gravy and biscuits, a perfect way to start the cold day or just warm your innards!   

Join or Leave!

The Egg-Nazi and I were out and about in the neighborhood recently, always in search of "the local coffee shop."  We have found a couple, but none really that have the intimacy of a Fred's News.  Up the street from the "Caddy Shack"  in our community, is a place called "The Main Street Diner"  Not a dining car type building, it is nothing special from the outside.  Cute and neat as a pin inside, there are a couple of things that stops it from being a Fred's News.  No counter with stools and the kitchen is not visible to the patrons.  The cook/owner does make herself available for viewing occasionally.  The three regular waitstaff know patrons by names, remember events in their lives and the area, ask folks if they are having their "regular" and have brought sarcasm and wit to new levels.

If this little place had the counter with stools, it definitely would fit the Fred's News motif.  Stools have a tendency to bring out "the best" in patrons.  Ironically, there are a couple of chairs close to the kitchen, allowing the "regulars" to sit and chat with their help.  The chairs are also used by the people who happen to stop in, see friends, but there is no room to sit, they just pull up the extra chair....invited or not.  Sometimes a silly memory enters the cob webs in the noggin.....Fred's News had stools.  These particular stools spun around, allowing the seat part to be taken off.  If the regulars were paying attention, seeing an "undesirable" stop at Fred's, they would hurriedly grab the seat off the stool, hiding it in the back or behind the counter.  Usually it was the seat right next to them......"Oh too bad, the seat is broken, you could of joined us!" Oh how evil, but the best reply, I have heard for that..."Oh I told my family you would be here, they are thrilled, won't you please join us at a TABLE?"   Yeah, join or leave!!  One time I was not paying attention, someone managed to take the seat off the stool base, hiding it in the back room.  I came around the corner just as the "undesirable" was looking for a seat.  Not realizing what the regulars had done, I grabbed the seat..."Hey, what's the top of the stool doing in the back room, guys"?  If looks could kill, yep, I'd be dead!  My retort...."join  or leave!!!

Just a Side-Bar!

It isn't too often I will write about something we already talked about, but a cute story, so perhaps a bit of a sidebar.  "We will see how that works for you" friend, Christine, delivered a bouncing baby boy Christmas Eve. As we have discussed, this holiday season, her daughter experienced growing pains.  Does Santa really exist?  On the other hand, her son insisted Santa was delivering his new brother.  Christine, not due until January 2nd, now faced a dilemma.  On one side, a child doubting the Jolly Elf really exists, the other end of the spectrum, a young boy, a true believer.  The dilemma, if Santa didn't "deliver", she would have two non-believers.  Early Friday, the day before Santa begins his journey, Christine goes into labor.  She is the one person who did not want this baby before Christmas.  Unfortunately, unable to deliver, a C-section is performed.  Alleluia!  Daughter wide-eyed announces, "Mommy, brother was right, Santa did deliver our baby brother!  Younger brother is thrilled, "I told you he was gonna!!"  Husband, surprised, but thankful his wife and newborn baby healthy, but always looking for a practical reason, he is thrilled they now have a new 2010 deduction.  Oh yes, hubby is a finance manager for Disney, hence the deduction thing! Mommy Christine whining, "the pain of the incision, severe, I am such a wimp!"''

Although Christine never visited Fred's News, she has listened to many a story about the place.  A hearty soul, she grew up in Buffalo, New York, God love that woman, had I been blessed with a daughter, it would of been a Christine.  Truth be known, the woman is a "mini-me!"  Very much a quick wit, that girl would of been an asset at Fred's News.  Almost an exact replica of youngest son Mark, with one exception..."she has no problem "delivering the magic".  A people person at heart, she thoroughly enjoys sarcasm, having mastered the art.  Son Mark and Christine would of been a great duo at Fred's News...much like Bill and I....scary isn't it! 

We Will See If That Works Out For You!

Such a great day yesterday!  My goodness, family , friends and scrumpdillyicious (spell-check has "no suggestions" on the correct spelling, so be it!) food!  Always so wonderful to gather at friends, we never do it enough!  As for the Christmas weather, it couldn't of been more delightful.  Today however, meteorologists are singing quite a different tune.  Cold windy, showery weather will bring in ANOTHER cold wave of weather.  Tomorrow, my day off, the temperatures will struggle to reach the upper forties.. All they had to do was give me a call, I'd of made a better prediction as to when the cold weather will arrive.  Absolutely, positively, Monday at the ass-crack of dawn....it will be colder than a witches' tit!  You ask, "How cold is that?"  I have no frigging idea, but it is my day off, guaranteed colder than normal weather will be here.  One might ask, "you sound bitter, are you?"  Perturbed maybe but not as "bitter" as the G-damn weather.

As I climb down from my soap box, I find myself laughing at a conversation I had on the day before Christmas. Super Trooper Dave and family calling to thank us for the gifts Santa left in Florida for the kids!  Young Jack Henry always upbeat and thrilled at the choices made by "Santa" for him, hurriedly explaining all the things he was hoping to receive on Christmas morning.  He quickly mentions, "I don't expect I will get all that I have asked for Memere, other kids, need toys too!"  Love that child!  Sister, Madelyn, in the background loudly screaming at him, largely for reasons unknown and probably just because she can, announces, "give me the phone, it's my turn to talk to Memere!"  Even though we are over a thousand miles apart, I sense this is going to be a tough conversation.  "Hello, Maddie, how are you and why are you screaming at your brother?" I feel this is a safe enough questions, the silence however, would make any seasoned parent way too uncomfortable.  "Hello", I repeat...only to be interrupted by a slightly pissed off Maddy, "He stepped into my room, WITHOUT asking!!" was the angry and hostile reply.  Understand, little miss Maddie is loved by Memere and Pepere dearly, however, as I have often mentioned to her parents, "I fear as she reaches puberty, Jack Henry will never be the same.  Her father's reply.."Jack and I will weather and share the pain together.  Mom, Kendra on the other hand, sighs..."Daddy's little girl, has Daddy wrapped around her pinkie!!

Madelyn, settling into conversation, explains her wish list....Santa IS bringing me a piano!  "Really?" Memere questions....Maddie also announces that is the ONLY  thing on her list.  We will see how that works out for the young lady.  After Maddie decides she is finished talking..."do you want to talk to Daddy?"  "Sure," put him on.  We talk a minute or two, I mention the piano thing and Super Trooper Dave says, "yeah, I don't  know what that is all about!"  I quickly explain to him, as I child I too wanted a piano.  For three consecutive years I begged Santa....."please, please a piano is all I want!"  I told him I truly was heartbroken over never receiving a piano!  A somewhat silent moment is quickly followed by, "well Memere, she is going to share your pain!"  If she is really bad, I am calling YOU and YOU can explain why Santa doesn't do pianos!"  For the record, I did not receive the phone call, perhaps other gifts from Santa, "eased the pain!"

During this season a friend of mine reported her daughter came  from school announcing, "Mommy I know there is no such thing as Santa!"  Christine (friend) explains she felt very old, her daughter was growing up.  However, she still has a four year old...a firm believer.  Christine felt her daughter was asking for a verification on the comment.  Christine, recovering from that shocking statement asks her young daughter one simple question, WHY?  The young child tells Mommy.."the girls in school were talking about it, I heard  what they said."  Christine, now fully recovered from the severity of the statement..."well my dear young daughter, you believe what you want...but we will see how that works out for you!"  Within the hour, her daughter returns to her Mother's side...":Mommy, her is my letter to Santa, it is everything I would like!"  Evidently she's not going to take the chance she is wrong! 

A Winter's Walk

"Rare snowfall, could leave parts of the South with a white Christmas", "Holiday travelers stranded at European airports", so goes the Christmas headlines!  Just for the record, this part of the South will not experience the "White Christmas", it is, however, a rather brisk morning! 

Remembering our Christmases at Fred's News, anticipation of a snowfall, especially at the holidays was always so wonderful for business!  Depending on the intensity of the storm, that too, good for the business.  Something about walking along the sidewalks,especially when you don't really have too, in the middle of a snowfall, that is extremely gratifying. Protecting yourself against the elements, look towards the heavens, listen.  One can almost hear the intricately designed little pieces of frozen water fall, ever so gently onto your exposed faces.  Absolutely, breathtaking!  If the opportunity to do they same is in the darkness of the night, the world, although frozen,takes on a much different landscape.  I can remember standing outside in the back of Fred's News, bundled up and gazing upward into the darkness, yet the gently falling snowflakes,lit up the heavens.  Stunningly beautiful!  If you listen, you can almost hear the sounds of nature, preparing themselves for winter's fury.  No birds flying overhead or singing the sweet sounds in the sun's warmth, just the eerily quiet night and the delicate snowflakes landing on frozen ground.  Those are the sounds of a cold snowy winter's night.

Do I miss that,emphatically no! Just the sweet, warm and comforting memories of life experiences are enough.  I do believe it is why I enjoy the late night drive in the solitude of darkness.  The expanse of the Florida sky, amazing.  This southern sky also very different as it evolves through the hours of the day and night. 

As people would quickly enter Fred's News, after their winter storm walk, I sensed they too had experienced that same exhilarating feeling.  Mr. Bill loves to sit and people watch, I never thought much about it, but thinking back to the multitude of expressions on the faces of Fred's News patrons, I believe people watching to be an art-form.  A perfect example: hurrying into the warmth of the restaurant, standing just inside the door, shaking the ice crystals from hats, mittens and scarves, then stomping your boots, removing what's left.  I didn't have to look at my children's faces, I could hear the groans and whispers..."why didn't they do that outside!" the often heard cries.  Yes, those were our floor washers!!   

Christmas Morning at Fred's!

Busy, busy!  Happy Holidays to all!  We have much to be thankful for in our lives, our family, friends and the love shared by all.  Christmas is always a time of reminiscing, each year a new memory, keeping you wondering where you pulled that one from.  Of course there are the favorites that always surface first, but those small tiny ones you laughed at, are the ones most endearing!

For many years we always opened Christmas morning, greeting patrons as they made their way to and from church services, or on their way to family gatherings for a delightful holiday meal.  Many arrived at Fred's News during the early morning hours simply to pick up their holiday pies or a quick cup of coffee, the newspaper, at the same time assuring themselves, the Fred's News family was awake and functioning, helping them start their day!  In our earlier years at Fred's many of "the brothers" longtime regulars simply stopped by, chatting about the "spiked" Christmas drinks "the brothers" often provided for them.  More than likely it was a hint.... be assured the hint was observed, but liquor was not a "Fred's News thing", at least not during our ownership.  Friendship, undying devotion to our patrons, good food, conversation and stability into their everyday lives, was the fare at Fred's News.

Surprising how busy Christmas morning actually could be.  We thought people merely arrived to say hello, wishing us and our family the very best of the holiday season, when actually for a few hours it reminded you of many of the chaotic weekend mornings!  Early morning often gave us a glimpse into the lives of our patrons...Mary arriving to pick up her paper, checking out the thicker than normal after holiday ads!  Probably  much worse than Black Friday, but Mary loved to shop!  She often mentioned the decorations would be taken down, carefully stored in their special places, all before you could eat the leftovers from the holiday.  Mary's decorations, often up for a month, made her ready to clean up, get rid of the "old, make way for the new, heading into the new year fresh and ready to go!  As for myself,  procrastination at its' best, the decorations staying around for awhile.  The soft glow of the holiday lights during the quiet evenings, always so comforting, I hated to part with them.

Our children's memories of the holiday might not be so endearing.  Yes, they enjoyed the holiday baking of cookies, setting up decorations, even some of the hustle and bustle that is part of the package, but not being able to have their own Christmas morning celebration until after the business of Fred's News was taken care of, often a thorn in their side.  The Egg-Nazi and I often laugh at youngest son Mark's response to the age old question asked by a patron early one Christmas morning, "Merry Christmas Markie, did you get anything good for Christmas?"  Mark, about eleven years of age, not a morning person to begin with, let alone having to work the restaurant on Christmas, dryly remarks, "I don't know yet, we can't celebrate Christmas until after you guys are all gone!"   OMG...maybe now I totally understand why, this thirty-something young man, working over ten years at the"Happiest Place on Earth", Disney, lives by his statement.."I make the Magic, don't ask me to deliver it!!"  God love them all, just as we do...our kids!  Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all! 

Heavenly Fun!

Hopefully everyone who remembered had a glimpse of the lunar eclipse last night or should I say in the wee hours of Tuesday morning.  Yes, I was up.  Having fallen asleep on the couch way too early, I prowled the house at 2:00AM.  Probably a good thing, it gets me back into the work mode.  I am the closer for the next couple of weeks, meaning, I'll be driving home at 2:00AM.  No big thing, this time of year, it gets dark early and quite cool, I'd rather be working, can't really do anything outside. 

I love anything to do with astronomy, outer space basically the heavens.   Finding it totally fascinating, remembering as a young child at the start of the space program, I always wanted to be part of the team that blasted off into space.   So while I patiently watched the moon's shadows last evening, those childhood thoughts returning but other memories of gazing into the skies also surfaced.  Early one morning as we readied for the opening of Fred's News, we made sure all the back dock lights were off and our back yard as dark as possible.  Mr. Bill and I patiently gazing towards the heavens awaiting the forecasted meteor shower...we were not disappointed, what a shower it was.small and large tails criss-crossing the skies, we watched in the stillness of the night, neither speaking just smiling, enjoying the heavenly show!

Not to long ago, as I drove to work at the ungodly hour of 4:00am, listening to the radio and thinking about my day ahead, suddenly a fireball directly in front of me, high in the sky.  What the.....as I continued driving, I noticed the few vehicles on the road driving considerably slower, as was I...all looking at this beautiful fireball with its' long winding trail...Suddenly as quickly as it appeared....puff, gone!  Trying to think rationally. I suddenly realized it was what the last night launch of the space shuttle.  Absolutely gorgeous!  I had seen a few daytime launches since our move to Florida, all exciting, each totally different.  Nothing compared to the stark beauty of this, the awesome power it takes to send this mammoth "above and beyond!"

Quite excited, I had to call home,not thinking of the hour, just completely in awe of what I had seen,wanting to share with the Egg-Nazi.  As the phone continues to ring, I wonder why,no answer,suddenly I feel a beep from my cell phone...caller ID, it's Mr. Bill calling from his cell....what the...!!!!  "Hey sweetheart, I just saw the most beautifully different thing, after you left, I turn on the TV and realized the shuttle, about to be launched, so I headed outside...OMG did you see that burn, awesome, totally awesome!!!" he shouts with delight.  "Oops," he says, "I'll call you right back from the house phone."  Less than a minute later, he's calling,"I think I woke up the neighbors, as I yelled in the phone to you, the neighbors lights came on, so I ducked in the house!"  Wasn't it a great sight, did you see it?"  Did I see it, it appeared as if it were right above me....... OMG two peas in a pod!