Oatmeal, Cornmeal, Miss a Meal

Friday night was nothing like what I expected. First of all, Friday evening extended into Saturday morning. I can't remember the last time that happened. Second of all, our evening had been strange enough. Top that with the fact that we ended up at Murrell's. It seemed like a good idea since the restaurant would be closing the following day. From Ernest's to Murrell's, didn't see that happening.

Nancy, Lauren and I started our evening having drinks and appetizers at Ernest's. We even had reservations, however a series of things went wrong:

1. We were age discriminated. Sometimes it doesn't pay to be young. We had 7:30 reservations, but the older crowd with 8 to 8:30 reservations was seated before us. Three tables opened and we kept watching older people walk in and be seated immediately, while we waited at the bar an hour past our reservation time. I can't really write anything bad about Ernest's. It's a classic, and as the host said, "You forget about time when you're here." But why is it never a problem when I eat here with my parents? Not that I'm calling my parents old.

2. Papa Nick. He really is an endearing older gentleman. He's 85 and bopping around Ernest's in a tuxedo. There's something to appreciate about that. Understandably, his memory isn't as sharp as it used to be. We heard the same jokes up to three times each, and continued to laugh as to not hurt an old, sweet man's pride. "Oatmeal, Cornmeal, Miss a Meal." I've memorized that punchline. He really was very sweet.

3. Bathroom fight with a prostitute. The last place I would expect to see a fight, much less almost be involved in one, would be at Ernest's. My guess is the lady was a prostitute. She was with a much older gentleman. She dressed the part. And she was uneasy and confrontational. It's quite the story, however it ends with the lady getting in Lauren's face. I thought she was going to knock my friend out, so I signaled for the sheriff, who kindly asked the woman to leave. The woman's response, "What's it to you?" Was I really seeing this? Was she going to fight the cop?

Friday was such an unbelievable, overwhelming evening, Ty and I did next to nothing for the rest of our weekend. A fight at Ernest's, meeting up with the guys at the Cub and a late night meal at Murrell's. It's going to be a long time before we do that again. And I have to say, that's more than alright with me. I think we're all ready to return to the regular routine.