Woo hoo! Paarrtee!

I decided that since Krl is indisposed this year I would throw myself a birthday party. That's why I needed a couple of hours for myself yesterday.

For several years when we were commuting to work, I would be asked what I wanted to do for my birthday lunch and I always responded the same. Ma Allen's fried chicken, squash, potato salad and cobbler! We would pick it up and take it back to the conference room at the office and everyone would get serious. It was always good and we always had a good time.

Yesterday I drove a hour over and a hour back to pick up my party meal. By the time I got home I probably smelled like I worked in a chicken joint. It was almost more than I could stand but I abstained. When I walked in the house Krl was ready to eat. Delicious! Of course due to the time investment I couldn't just pick up a little, so I picked up extra. By the time we finish it we may be growing feathers.

I'll have my fix for the year.

If you haven't eaten there, it is an experience. A small family business of 50+ years, located in an old house on East Broadway in Sweetwater, the noon meals are served family style. Long tables await and you may or may not know your tablemates, depending on your groups size. When the table is full they start serving. Platters of fried chicken, roast beef, german sausage (which the waitresses sometimes tell northerners is rattlesnake), heaping bowls of nearly any vegetable imaginable, hot fresh rolls, bottomless glasses of ice tea, and the meal topped off with cobbler. Yum! And they just keep bringing it. They will refill serving bowls as long as you are eating. The family's third generation now runs the business. I have always admired the personable way they deal with their clientele. The last year or so they have begun a Tuesday through Saturday evening buffet in their party building adjacent to their noon meal location. Years ago Ma Allen's was the only four star restaurant in Texas. (That was when four stars was the top rating.)

O.K. Billy, that was free, just remember next time I'm in! If I had a nickel for every chicken leg they've cooked up I'd have a dime for every chicken!

Reminds me of a later favorite of mine in Amarillo. Sutphen's. They left a long time location and moved to the 'burbs but their business didn't follow them. I guess high overhead did 'em in. I had heard they had another location in a rural location but I'm not sure where. Somewhere in the panhandle. Family style barbecue meals.

There was a time I could come out ahead in an "all you can eat" restaurant. But not any more. I just can't do it.

I think back to all the 98 cent buffets when I was in college. Lavenders Cafeteria, Underwood's (Tuesday evening fried chicken at 2 Abilene locations), and of course Pizza Inn's noon buffet on East Highway 80. It could be that the reason the price went up and businesses went out were the guys from Mabee West! I can remember one roomate who would always invite a young lady to go to Pizza Inn with us, he would always empty their purse while we were enroute and line it with napkins, paper towels, foil. Whatever, and fill that receptacle while we were there. I'm surprised he didn't take a suit case or a trunk!

One of our favorite late night haunts was "The Barn" located on East 80. A Texo with fries and ice tea would cost you a buck plus tax. The Texo was the predecessor of the Big Mac except it was single meat and larger in diameter. "The Barn" now is home to some sort of XXX bookstore.

I wonder if they have banquet facilities available for class reunions? That might be a hoot!

Don't ask me why I'm reminiscing today, I don't know.

My patient is not doing well. She is depressed and she is hurting. I am very concerned that the pain has not subsided. It seems as though it has gotten worse. My biggest worry is the bone splinters that the ER doctors thought should be addressed surgically. The specialist didn't concur. It wouldn't be wise for him to change his mind now. That picture of him running down the football field might have company with another picture showing him running down the street chased by an irate woman.

Krl began calling the doctor's office about nine to get them to call in a refill for her medications. No sense in going into the weekend knowing you are going to run out. Finally about three, they made the call. Of course they closed their office at noon so it was persistence with the answering service that paid off. FYI I went to our regular pharmacy, got a third more medications than last Saturday at the big chain from H-E-L-L located across the street from H-E-B, and it cost a third of what the big chain charged. More meds, less money, less hassle.

I will be surprised if the doctor doesn't recast Krl's leg Monday. It still isn't totally immobile in the cast and she says it still pops. She got pretty upset yesterday when we were talking about being one week into her recovery. Either five or seven weeks more ahead, then probably "the boot".

Krl doesn't speak "patience". She wants to be well now. I don't blame her. It just doesn't work like that.

I'm not looking forward to doing laundry today. Too many variables. Color. Fabric. I know I'm going to mess up.

I don't want to wear faded blue or pink socks and unawares.

Have a weekend! Just remember the reason you're getting tomorrow off is that it's my birthday!

Oh FATHER, so much to say. YOU know.