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| L'Hirondelle on the Royal Road in San Juan Capo |
It wasn't that bad. I slept through the freeway sounds, drab decor and the train whistle 5x in the night. From my window, I watched the patrons of said In 'n' Out enjoy their burgers and fries with the zeal and reverence many people reserve for religious parades and self-flagellation. I enjoyed L'Hirondelle, the Mozart Café, the Los Rios historic district and the wedding, spiced with paella, dancing and karaoke.
I came home, I packed and left the next day for an unexpected funeral up north. Expected or no, funerals are downers. This was no exception. My cousin, Chuck, was a fine man, a loving husband, a caring father, and cut down in the prime of his life. We were and are all very blue at his passing.
I looked at my cousins, our first time together in several decades, and realized this is how it's going to be-- we'll see each other on the funeral circuit. The new generation may offer some weddings we can attend in the future, but, so far, nothing.
On my way home, I stopped in Hanford to meet with Sunny Frazier, my acquisitions editor at Oak Tree Press. As we had done once before this past spring, we met for a quick bite at Superior Dairy. When I first saw it in March, I knew it had to be a Huell Howser haunt."Oh yes," said Sunny, "he's filmed every square inch of this place several times."
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| Home of giant portions of frozen confections |
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| Amanda Dollman servin' up a sundae |
That's right. It's TODAY. Go out and do your patriotic duty. Go get yourself a brain freeze with sprinkles on top.
How Timely! I had gum surgery last week and have had to subsist on soft foods for a week. So Boring. Also being lactose intolerant, what to do? Frozen Yogurt!! Meals are like a party!! xoxo ~A~
ReplyDeleteHi Alexis! The last time I checked, yogurt was dairy. I'm guessing it's the milk fat you can't process. I don't do well with it, either. But in the case of Superior Dairy, I'm willing to make an exception.
DeleteHere's to a speedy recovery for you and my belief is EVERY meal is a party!
I keep telling Marta NOT to order more than one scoop at Superior Dairy, but does she listen? NO! That sundae the waitress is holding is a two-scooper. Kings County, where I live, is dairy country. You should have seen the gasp of breath when Marta asked if the whipped cream was "real." Yikes!
ReplyDeleteSuperior Dairy is a treasure in Hanford, not to be missed. Visit in the summer, the only time you'll find their fresh peach ice cream (we grow peaches here too). And, the chocolate chip milkshakes are to die for. I'm just saying. . .
Oh sure, Sunny, make me sound like a big oinkster. Don't tell the folks that I heeded your warning, ordered only ONE scoop and left half of that to drip all over the saucer. Don't tell them I photographed our special server bringing a two-scoop sundae to another customer.
DeleteIt was a wonderful time there with you. I hope it will become our new tradition!
From a friend who comments but won't follow. Such an independent individual!
ReplyDeleteALOHA! Your family gatherings sound a lot like mine-- funerals and the occasional wedding! The "Sundae" looks more like an entire week to me!
I am NOT an ice cream or sweets eater....never had an In 'N Out burger! Not even a Sprinkles cup cake! Don't like chocolate.....you have befriended a real WEIRD-OOOOO! XOXO ME
Well, Merryl of Maui,
DeleteWe can't all be saints like you. I'm sure you have your little secret joys. Now it's my job to unearth them. On the other hand, one doesn't become a stone fox like you by not showing discipline. And you are one of those very disciplined Virgos, now aren't you?
I had a hot fudge sundae. Does that count? Yeah Sunny!
ReplyDeleteOh yeah, baby! That counts for DOUBLE.
DeleteHi dear TT! Loved this blog, 'specially the ice cream, mmmm. Over a year ago a couple of Kozeliski cousins were lamenting the fact that family gatherings were only happening around funerals and weddings. Thus, the Kozeliski Family Reunion was birthed. It took place in Albuquerque the end of August and was FABULOUS. Three days in ABQ then 4 days in Santa Fe , our future home. YEA! Yep, we have finally commited to the high desert of NM. Now you and I will FINALLY be visiting buddies once again.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad for your Kozeliski reunions and that you share such a colorful family name, dear TT of mine.
DeleteBut gladder news is that you'll soon (?) be moving to Santa Fe and I can make frequent treks to see you, and we shall reprise our roles as the Oilettes together in blissful harmony 'mongst the spiritual hills, cacti, high mesa scrub, red earth, adobes, ancient Native American lore and excellent galleries, restaurants and boutiques.
Nice post, Marta. And as Sunny might tell you, with the exception of the last seven days when I was chained in a hospital bed, I never let a day go by without a big bowl of ice cream. I've never been by Superior. But if I get near it, I'll stop by and try their wares.
ReplyDeleteGood heavens, man! I did not realize you were held captive in a hospital bed lo these many days. How horrible and worrisome. I wish you a speedy recovery.
DeleteI feel sad to have missed the information as it was delivered to the Posse in real time. This is what comes from being out of touch online for weeks on end. My bad.
Here's to more bowls of ice cream. They possess special healing qualities. Everyone knows it.
Oh my. If I didn't have an ice cream place around the corner, I'd move out there. It can't be mere coincidence that wherever Glenn and I buy a house there's ice cream near by. The heck with what the house looks like. We buy for the neighborhood where people stroll by every evening with their heads stuck in a cone or sundae. The shop now near us offers a free sundae with every 10 similar purchases. As if we needed any more incentive to chow down.
ReplyDeleteLesley, I LOVE your priorities. You've got a good head on your shoulders. We also can walk just a short way to one ice cream parlor and two frozen yogurt establishments in our little college town. Yum!
DeleteI could live on In-N-Out burgers and chocolate ice cream cones. In fact I have a chocolate ice cream cone every night. We have a Schwann's truck come by every two weeks and he always leaves me ice cream.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry for your loss, but glad you had a good time at the wedding. I'm of an age where it seems like losses are starting to surpass the weddings. Dang!
Hmm. Maybe I'll have my ice cream early today.
Did you know that In-N-Out will make root beer floats if you ask them to do so? They're not on the menu, but they'll do it. I always ask for one. A little one. Then I regret it each time, and wish I had ordered a medium or large. :)
DeleteI'm having a double chocolate shake from Snookies in Beaverdale.
ReplyDeleteKat, that sounds wonderful! I want to go to Beaverdale immediately. What sounds better than Beaverdale AND Snookies in one sentence and in one locale?
DeleteIf you are willing, send me a photo of Snookies and your favorite treat, and i'll feature them in a future blog. You can send photos and stories to:
focusonaction@gmail.com
I am glad you added the photo 'cause that was one huge pile of ice cream!
ReplyDeleteWhat's most important to remember about that huge pile o' ice cream, dear Judy, is that it was NOT mine. It was being delivered to the table next to ours. I had a delicate and petite pile of about half that size of maple walnut. It was a strain on me, but I forced myself to eat as much as I could...
DeleteTomorrow, I'll have a Big Olaf's cone in Sag Harbor - home made ice cream, run raisin or butter pecan, with sprinkles. Thanks for making me hungry. There's a Weight Watcher's Cookie and Cream ice cream bar in the fridge. Think I'll have that now...
ReplyDeleteOMG! I'd love to see what a cone from Big Olaf's looks like-- send me a photo, please, and I'll post it here. Oh forget that, how do I get to Sag Harbor and Big Olaf's? It sounds WONDERFUL...
DeleteMarta what a fun and sad post. I love ice cream but it doesn't like me...oh what to do? Eat it near home or...(lol) It seems the older one gets the closer we become our parents, aunts, uncles etc. we see each other at funerals. You know we all need to make a conscience effort to see family and friends or at least talk to them every one to two years. Augie
ReplyDeleteHi Augie, Thanks for your comment. I also like the frozen stuff, but the frozen stuff doesn't like me very much. I typically need to stay near home, too! I made an exception in this case and-- I got away with it and it was SO worth it. :)
DeleteI wish I could see extended family more. It feels almost criminal that we all live in California (though sprinkled north and south) (was that an ice cream treat reference?), yet so seldom see one another. We were close as children and share happy memories of family gatherings filled with good food, laughter, song and music. We were so happy, so beloved and we didn't even know it.
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ReplyDeleteFunny how everyone comments about ice cream and In-n-Out....not a word of condolence for dear Chuck. He was a swell guy with a great sense of humor...and quite the looker when we first met.
ReplyDeleteHave you met Huell and his enormous schvonstucher? If not, you're just two degrees away. My friend, FB, dated him for a time.
As for ice cream, Weight Watchers has a delicious Dulce de Leche, dark chocolate dipped ice cream bar (3) points. I had four of 'em for dinner.
JPM
To be fair, a few people offered condolences for my loss, Jean-Pierre. But yes, most people are more interested in ice cream on these hot, Indian summer days than ruminating over the vicissitudes of life. Chuck was a handsome man, but more than that, a deep and caring human being with values I could only hope to absorb some day when I am a grown up.
ReplyDeleteAs for HH and his Wunderstock (pronounced in the Kraut manner), he was on my list of potential mates until you pointed out he bats for the other team. Pity.
I didn't need to know about the WW D de L bars, but thanks for the tip. They sound like a fine dinner to ME!