Monday, May 28, 2012.
Memorial Day. Camellia Café.
I grew up at a time when Memorial Day was not much recognized in the South, except by federal agencies like the post office. The holiday began after the Civil War, and was perceived for a century as being for the Union military dead. The Confederates had their own memorial day. I think having one for all is the way it should be, but still Memorial Day has never seemed in the same league as the Fourth of July or Labor Day.
Which is why I have always been on the air with a live show today. Every year I say I'll never do it again, so slow is the caller traffic. But every year I remember that working today buys me an extra radio vacation day. I'll need all of those I can get, what with our active travel plans for late summer and fall.
Mary Ann began the day with the idea of grilling outdoors and inviting her brother and his family over. But that didn't work out, she got hungry, and off we went to the Camellia Café for red beans, fried chicken, and (for me) a Cobb salad. The place was busier than usual. Veterans were given twenty percent off. I told the waitress that I have never seen military service, but that I have driven on Veterans Highway. She got a good laugh, and so did the manager when she asked him if that were allowed.
I was thinking about trying to start the lawnmower again. But then it rained, and Mary Ann's nephew Gary called to say he'd be glad to do the job, as he did all last year when my foot wasn't functioning properly. Deal! Back to goofing off.
It's over three years since a day was missed in the Dining Diary. To browse through all of the entries since 2008, go here.
