That's What A Friend Is - Part 2

I have one really good friend who fits almost all the "....Friend - Part 1" criteria. We have known each other for many years. We've worked together. We've studied together. We've attended conferences and we've partied together. We've gone to galleries, taken courses and seen live performances together. We've baked, picked, pickled and cooked together. We've shared our child rearing successes and frustrations. We've discussed our philosophies, enjoyed experiences and talked about regrets. Sometimes, we just "hang out". Often we simply sip some wine and laugh.

This  week, we had one of those times. After chatting on the phone about many things, I happened to mention that I wanted to go to Honest Ed's. I lived near that store as a child and just felt like going back and visiting the area.

"I want to go too," my friend said excitedly. "Let's go during March Break."

Realizing that this was likely a place where we could go during the break that wouldn't be filled with children, we made a date. As soon as we arrived, it began. There was a funhouse mirror at the entrance. We laughed as we attempted to pose for photos.


   


 















We didn't understand the enormity of the store. There were stairs going up and down and and connecting walkways. Everywhere we looked there were decorations, antiques and treasures.

All items were unique, disturbing or just weird.

Ralph Waldo Emerson said in one of his quotes."It is one of the blessings of old friends that you can afford to be stupid with them."  We were, and it was a blast.






















We spent a total of four hours and realized well into the afternoon that we needed to go and have some lunch. When we saw this clipping about Ed's annual turkey giveaway, I mentioned that I always wanted to line up for this. (blog "Turkey Time", Nov. 29, 2012) It's still on my bucket list. My friend immediately announced that she'd go and line up with me. In fact, we decided that I'd go into the city the night before and we'd head out early. Hurrayyyyyyy...Christmas 2013 it is!

And as the story by P.K. Hallinan says.....

    "You can laugh. You can cry. You can watch cars go by. You can have a great time and not even try! A friend is a person who likes to be there... 'cause you two make a wonderful pair! And when all's said and done, the natural end is...a friend is a friend...That's what a friend is!"

                                                                                                  

Turkey Time

On Wednesday, June 30, 2010, I wrote a blog that contained a partial bucket list. The fourth item on my list was to line up at Honest Ed's and take advantage of their annual free turkey giveaway. They have been giving away turkeys in December for twenty five years. This activity has always fascinated me and I have no idea why. I suppose that it's not much different from wanting to line up for bargains on Black Friday or Boxing Day, although I've never had a desire to do either of those. Perhaps it's because I grew up blocks from Honest Ed's and loved going there as a youngster. It's just another experience. When I mentioned it to a bank employee recently, her face lit up with excitement as she told me she'd always wanted to do that too. Perhaps I'm not so strange.

I first paid attention to this giveaway when my life was a little less than comfortable. My children were too young for me to either leave them alone, or to venture out with them to line up for a turkey. We certainly could have used anything free at that time and in fact, often took advantage of local "free sample" opportunities.

Later, I decided I would go once I retired. I haven't made it. I moved farther away from the city and weather does not always make one eager to travel.

This Sunday is Honest Ed's turkey giveaway. I've heard that the weather is going to be spectacular. Perhaps this will be the year for the trek in to the city.

Holiday traditions continue at Honest Ed's: 12,000 lbs of free turkeys - 680News