Breakfast the most important meal of the day, and we usually eat at home.
A favorite PA-ism: “Every now and then the mule gets a drink!”
I think that means getting a treat.
PA-isms are colorful sayings. He’s full of them.
One of our favorite treats is taking PA for donuts.
At our house, it’s Krispy Kreme, just a short drive away.
We get a dozen mixed – 12 different donuts my Brother and I choose.
The first time we went for Kreemers – what PA calls Krispy Kreme donuts – PA was excited.
“See that red light – that’s the Hot Light!”
“That means they’re making glazed donuts right now, and you can get one hot off the line”.
We could see the donuts coming down the line, being glazed before our eyes.
If the Hot Light is on, we get a free donut to eat there. Yummy.
If we’re at PA’s house, I take him to Winn-Dixie for donuts.
Donuts in a self-serve display case, you put them in a to-go box.
You’re supposed to wear a plastic glove, but sometimes my brother grabs one with his hand.
PA then says, no worries – but let your brother get the rest.
Great that my brother comes to get donuts, but he can’t keep a secret.
PA-ism: “What happens at donuts, stays at donuts”, but my brother always tells we ate one there.
But my Mom is OK because she knows we’re on ‘PA Rules”.
That’s what PA calls it anyway.
And while we’re on “PA Rules ‘, PA lets me cut donuts in half.
That way I can have a taste of two different donuts.
And we get to pick a special drink – mine’s a chocolate milk!
That’s another one of those “Stays at Donuts” secrets.
I’m pretty sure my Mom knows – she’s pretty observant.
This is one secret my brother was able to keep.
When we’re at the Winn-Dixie, we also shop for things we need.
PA lets me push the cart, but seems nervous at times.
We throw beach stuff into the cart – and the other items on our list.
One of our favorites is those boxes with the little bags of chips inside.
Some have 18 bags, 4 or 5 different types of chips.
Later we get to pick a bag of chips to bring to the beach.
I’m the ‘Chip Master’, organizing the orders.
Everyone picks a chip they like for the beach.
The same with donuts – we make sure our “Bakers Dozen” – that’s 13 donuts, in donut talk – has a favorite for everyone.
PA reminds us it’s important to think of others.
As we walk the store, we ask to throw different treats in the cart.
PA usually says “No – maybe next time”, but every now and then he says yes.
When we head for the check out line, PA tries to find an aisle without toys, so he won’t have to say “No – maybe next time” again.
But every now and then a PA-ism: The mule can have a drink – pick something.
Before we head for home, PA makes sure we’re all buckled in.
At home, everyone chooses their favorite donut, and we breakfast together.
Everyone says “Thanks – these donuts were great!”
Then we know we chose wisely, as PA might say.
We love taking PA for donuts, one of our favorite PA adventures.
Once home, we hear Mom or Queenie ask “Were they good?”
And PA always answers “They were great. We had a fun time”.
PA was right – it was fun.
But I don’t know who had more fun – us or PA.
For 262 more posts like this –each with a wish for another donut– go to beersatthenifty.com. Your phone will display every post, and you can waste an hour or two.
ENHANCE YOUR ENJOYMENT OF THIS POST, PAIR IT WITH THE FOLLOWING ‘AGING HIPSTER MUSIC’:
I was trying to add ‘Opal’s Blues’ by the Be Good Tanyas, but couldn’t get it to come up on Spotify. It’s from the movie ‘Because of Winn-Dixie’ (2005), about a girl who adopts a dog from the local WD, so somewhat on topic. I did add ‘Won’t Give In’ by the Finn Brothers (Crowded House founders), which is on the soundtrack, as they are one of my favorites, to the BATN playlist.
But the following an unrecorded ‘PA hit’:
Winn-Dixie: The Donut People The Grandchildren Seven
“Careful in the parking lot, Don’t run,
Put that back, Don’t hit your sister, Isn’t this fun?
Use a plastic glove to get the donuts, Don’t hit your cousin,
The Winn Dixie doesn’t need to know there are 32 in our Bakers Dozen,
Always remember Queenie and Pa love you,
Don’t hit your Brother, Grow up to be strong and true.
We’ll soon be home, and you can have donut two – or three
But remember, what happens at Winn-Dixie, stays at Winn-Dixie.”