My son and daughter-in-law live in the southwestern suburbs of Charlotte. N.C., specifically near the little town of Clover, S.C. In the mornings after they go to work, I go over to 'downtown' Clover to the local diner and have breakfast. Clover is a quaint little town that is a throw-back to years gone by.
Clover resembles all those little towns in the rural midwest of the '40s and '50s. Basically a one-street town (Main Street), about three blocks long, it could easily be the setting of a Norman Rockwell masterpiece. And how about this, the John Deere tractor dealership on Main Street also sells car tires - and, oh yes, refrigerators.
The waitresses in the diner are a throw-back as well, and I mean that in a nice way - a twinge of nostalgia maybe. Blue jeans and T-shirts are the uniform, although the two younger waitresses add a baseball cap. And regardless of age (theirs or yours) everyone is addressed as 'Honey'.
The menu definitely has that Southern touch. The breakfast meat selections include all the predictable choices, including steak and pork chops, but also includes corned beef hash and liver mush (Don't know, I didn't ask).
I do know that those people have never seen a silver dollar. One morning the special was eggs, your choice of meat and two silver dollar pancakes. I wasn't real hungry so that sounded about right. When they brought my breakfast platter (all breakfasts are served on platters), the 'silver dollar' pancakes were the size of a dinner plate. I thought they made a mistake. "No honey, that's the size they are supposed to be. OK?"
The other morning I sat there in the booth at breakfast laughing to myself. I was contemplating how fluent I would need to be in Spanish to tackle the job of explaining grits to a Panamanian. "See they start with hominy ... hominy.... No, hominy is ...." Come to think of it, I am not sure I could explain it to a New Yorker.
Wilmington Is Still Here
I have been in Wilmington, N.C. for a little over a week now. Have spent some time with my youngest son, managed to track down a bunch of old friends and had two visits with my doctor (who I have nick-named appropriately, 'big fingers'). I had a great birthday celebration that included the obligatory karaoke session as well as an extended whimpering session the next day.
For those of you who have never been to Wilmington, I have included some photos. You may want to include this area in future vacation destinations.
From The 'Strange Happenings In Our World' File
A 63 year-old federal judge was recently arrested and charged with buying cocaine, marijuana and other illegal drugs. What really spiced up the headlines was the fact that he bought them from a stripper - the stripper he was having an affair with.
No, this did not happen to be in Latin America or even a third-world country. This was a federal judge in Atlanta, Georgia.
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Tell Next Time. Pura Vida.
The Wilmington sense of humor on display on this sign.
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