Spring and a curmudgeon’s fancy turn to barbecue. Actually, it was less than a road trip, just a few errands. With a beautiful warm Spring day it was quite enjoyable.
First stop, the Mall, for Bonnie to return some Eddie Bauer pants. While in the mall we stopped at a booth where people were raising money for the local free clinic. I donated some money and received a free long stem red carnation, which figures later in the story.
Then I dropped off a book at the AARP Free Tax preparation storefront. It was a gift to our tax preparer. The person was out, so I gave it to Joe the Greeter.
Joe: “Behind Deep Blue, huh?”
Me: “Yep. Do you know what that it is?”
Joe: “Nope, but these two guys probably do.”
Me (turning to First Agent from AARP): “Do you?”
Me (turning to the Other Agent from AARP as first shakes his head): “How about you?”
2nd Agent: “No.”
Me: “It was the computer that defeated a human player.”
In Unison: “Oh…”
Me: “It is thanks for his preparing our returns. Do you know, I got my state return back before the federal this year.”
First Agent: “That’s because New York State has more money. The Feds are broke.”
We left the mall and proceeded through Johnson City back streets to Theo’s. Bonnie went in to place our order. Then to the dry cleaner; she dropped off a pair of slacks to be ready by tomorrow afternoon. She needs the pants to dress for a job interview in Corning on Monday.
Then through Binghamton back streets. Before we got to main street, someone in hot red Honda Prelude, who may have been following us, stopped me to ask, “What is it?”
Me: “It’s a GEM.”
H-Driver: “A what?”
Me: “Global Electric Motorcars.”
H-Driver: “Where do you get something like that?”
Me: “I got this off eBay.”
H-Driver: “What does something like that run.”
Me: “This is a 2002. I bought it used with about 100 miles on it. I paid about $6000.”
H-Driver: “That’s pretty good.”
Me: “Well, new batteries were expensive.”
When we entered Theo’s Southern Cuisine, I selected a table, then proceeded around a square of tables to where a young couple sat on a late afternoon date. Stopping my rolling walker at the table, I turned and offered the beautiful young woman the long stemmed red carnation. She shook her head and looked around at her partner, then looked back.
“For you,” I said slightly bowing. She smiled, I smiled, and she accepted the flower.
“No one has ever given me flowers in a restaurant before.”
I smiled again and walked back to our table, where a patient partner had been watching the scene.
“When you get old, there is more permission to be…”
“Eccentric,” she chimed in.
“Yes, eccentric and wear purple.”
“You are wearing purple now.”
“Well, sort of…”
What Next 