Frog and Goat

I bought these shoes today while shopping for bras* at Target:

When I was a teen, I would have killed for these shoes or a pair of Chucks. In fact, I once begged and was denied so I took what cash I had and went to the Dollar General and bought knock-offs. How sad is that? The shoes today were $35. Can you imagine how cheap they were in 1984? I’m no economist, but I’m thinking they were probably $15? Whatever.

We also had to drink powdered milk because regular milk was too expensive. Now, I know that some families have to do that stuff because they live at the poverty level. My parents did not earn a dollar an hour. They just like to play the game, CheapAssBastards. Perhaps you’ve heard of it?

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*I think I’ve found replacements for the raggedy-ass bras that I purchased from Lands’ End years ago. Lands’ End doesn’t even sell that stuff any more that’s old those bras are. Anyway, I’ve tried other brands. But because I’m a delicate flower, I haven’t been able to find ones I like. I think I finally have in the Barely There line.

While we were in Florida last weekend, we spent some time in bars. This sounds like it could be the opening of a bad joke, but it’s not. It’s not even the opening to a sordid story. Bars are simply beautiful places. My musical boyfriend agrees:

I’ve talked before about how much I love a pint glass. The pint glass is engineered to feel great in your hand and it doesn’t matter if there’s water or beer in the glass. Of course, it’s best with a hoppy beer in it, but to each his own. I think I’ve also mentioned that one of our favorite restaurants is owned by a woman who used to bar-tend at several places in town. When we first went to the favorite restaurant, the three of us (owner, better-half and I) tried to figure out how we knew each other. It came down to one of the best bars in town. When we eat at that favorite restaurant, we almost always sit at the bar. If the owner isn’t there, then we tend to choose a table. But if she’s there, we sit at the bar so we can talk with her.

I’m not much on talking to people I don’t know. (Although, as an aside, yesterday I had a pretty good conversation with some random woman at the grocery store cheese counter–stinky cheese brings people together.) Put me on a bar stool and I’m chatty. It’s not just the hoppy beer that does that to me. Although, it sure helps. There’s something about people who choose to sit at the bar. You are automatically more attuned to what’s going on in the bar because bartenders tend to treat those on bar stools like they are members of the club. You can usually ignore the television because you are too close to it to comfortably watch it and you get to check everyone else out in the mirror behind the bar. I also believe you get food faster if you are at the bar. Club membership has its privileges.

I once worked with a woman who was a recovering (recovered!) alcoholic. She and I frequented a bar at lunch just so we could eat their delicious quiche and salad special. We sat at the bar every time. And you know why? The bar stool is the perfect equalizer. It’s a great spot to sit if you are introverted and like to people watch AND it’s the perfect spot if you are an extrovert and love to chat everyone up. To top it off, you always get served iced tea in a pint glass. See? Nirvana.

While in Florida, we hung out in bars. Sometimes it was way too early in the day, but it’s five o’clock somewhere, right? The bars we went to ranged from the family-style neighborhood restaurant with the expansive patio and a tremendous amount of memorabilia hanging off every surface (not that fake AppleTuesday’s crap) to the slick modern bar down near the intracoastal. Hanging out in a bar whether it’s too early or too late in the day isn’t about getting lit. It’s about the way a bar makes you feel–comfortable, cozy, happy and a member of a much bigger family. So you see, the bar is a beautiful place.