So The Missus Herself and I got all gussied up and laid in a course for Mystic, Connecticut for to meet some friends and spend a "quiet" afternoon telling
While Austin, Denise, Robin, Kayren, Ken and Spill couldn't make it this go-round, we did have a new face at our latest New England Lexican get-together. That would be Dave, who we all call The Padre. He was a Marine artilleryman, then an Army chaplain, now a civilian in training at a big company headquartered in the Constitution State. Before he heads down to his permanent gig in the Lone Star state, we determined that a meet up was in order.
And so it came to pass.
Now I'd never met Dave in person but have known him for a couple of years via the magic of the internet. The Missus Herself and I walked into the pub, I immediately recognized Dave over at the bar. So I walked on over, hand outstretched.
"Dave?"
"Chris?" (For such be my real handle.)
We'd obviously both paid attention during some long forgotten photo-recognition class in the service. Recognized each other immediately we did.
I introduced milady to The Padre then we hied off to a corner table and chatted while awaiting the rest of our noble band. And had a Guinness to slake the dust of the trail, as it were. (I-95, while not resembling a "dusty trail" per se, does have lots and lots of traffic, even on a Sunday, and I swear not one in ten knew what they were about, in the vehicular conveyance "how to drive" area. Which gave me a powerful "need" for strong drink. Don't make that face, I only had two over the space of five hours. I know my limits, didn't even get close.)
Eventually everyone else arrived. Kris and her husband Jim (The Oracle), John (Surfcaster) and Daryle LaMonica...
No, not that Daryle LaMonica! |
We all a great time. Told a lot of stories, had a lot of laughs and reinforced friendships that were formed by a common interest in the writings of "Our Lex."
Oh, have I ever mentioned how fond I am of "bangers and mash"? No? Well, I'll tell you right now, I LOVE "bangers and mash." I just want that out there. In case there is ever a "bangers and mash" contest that needs a judge. And yes, that is what I had for lunch. I'm glad you asked.
There will be a picture, eventually. A group photo of us all. Because as Kris always says,
"If there are no pictures, it didn't happen."
Glad you had a good time. Where in the Lone Star State is Dave headed? Crossing a state boundary is a major endeavor down here. Driving 70 miles to get milk at Sams not so much.
ReplyDeleteDallas area as I recall, Plano I believe. Heck-fire! From where you're at that's what, a four hour drive? Hell, you guys are almost gonna be neighbors.
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