In case you haven’t noticed, each and everyday there are groups of people who gather together at local restaurants. Often it is the same people, day after day, and at the same time of day. These friends, neighbors, and former colleagues gather to visit, have a little breakfast or lunch together and share some time with each other.
It feeds their souls.
One group that meets in the Whitehouse Cafe used to call themselves ROMEO’s. Not because they were famous doomed young lovers from Shakespeare’s time, but because they were, in fact, “Retired Old Men Eating Out” – R.O.M.E.O.
Clever!
Until someone of the female persuasion joined them on occasion and they had to change their name. This time they became the “Cave Men” – yeah, I see their mistake right away – “men.” But it also was clever; Citizens Against Virtually Everything or C.A.V.E.
We ALL know people like that, don’t we?
I would venture to guess that all the restaurants in the area have a group something like the ones I mention above, maybe they don’t go so far as to give themselves a name, maybe they are of one political persuasion or another so they meet in separate rooms of the restaurant – like those who gather regularly in Old Main Street Cafe. Or maybe they are just friends who like to have coffee together without an agenda or affiliation.
Thursday morning I encountered just one such group at one of my favorite stops, The Cedar Inn.
I found a booth empty, just right for me and ordered.
A small group circled the table near where I sat but I was sure they were far enough away from me, that their conversation wouldn’t intrude on my making my shopping list for groceries as I waited for my eggs, hashbrowns and bacon.
For the most part I ignored what they were talking about although I did overhear some of their conversation, something about horses and cats.
I really tried to not hear what they were saying but being a cat lover AND a former horse owner, I admit I was curious.
I tried valiantly not to make eye contact or to actively eavesdrop, but failed miserably when one gentleman piped up with the statement, “But you can’t ride a cat.” Which cracked me up!
I couldn’t help it!
Yep, that became my amusing “quote for the day” as I ruminated how in the world I was going to fit that into some sort of a story or column for the newspaper. As I left my booth to pay the bill I thanked the members of the group, I secretly dubbed “The Genius Club,” for the “Quote of the day” and the challenge of how I would be able to write about it. You should have heard their response!
I took it as a challenge and picked up the gauntlet.
So here it is. If you don’t want to be quoted in the Devils Lake Journal – keep your conversation low and if you see me coming, maybe head for the hills or at least for a table a little further away and please, please in the meantime, don’t even try to ride a cat.
Have a lovely day!
Louise
