I've mentioned my affinity for crappy little bars and last night I nearly died in one.
The Barking Frog is a kindly crappy little bar in Battle Creek that I frequented last night with a friend.
For a crappy little bar, it is kind enough to pair up good local mircobrews right next to the Bud Light. I appreciate their sense of irony.
Anyway, as those in the southwest-ish area of Michigan may be aware - there were Tornado Warnings aplenty last night. And while families huddled in their basements around the battery-operated radio, I was sitting with a tall boy of Oberon at The Barking Frog.
I mused over a couple of things:
1. I've come a long way. My mom, sister and I spent some serious time huddled in a basement around a battery-operated radio sweating and fretting over storms and tornados all summer long when I was a kid. I think it's a testiment to progress or evolution or some such thing that I can sit calmly at a bar during treacherous weather and sip a beer.
2. My dad would be so proud if my obituary read:
"Born January 25, 1973 - Died October 17, 2007. Passed away at The Barking Frog."
Don't get crazy my dad doesn't wish me ill, he wishes me an excellent ending to my story. My father, like me, is a collector of stories. Our aim in life is to live well enough to accumulate some pretty good stories we can tell our friends and family (over and over again).
Anyway, last night I had a near-death experience and all I could think was: "Beer, friends, Lynyrd Skynyrd - this wouldn't be such a bad way to go."
4 comments:
I like your theory on "evolution". When I was a kid storms terrified me I remember waking to every clap of thunder and just praying for it stop. Now I actually look forward to them and scope out good locations to catch the show. I once lived in the greatest little apartment where just by coincidence most storms would roll in directly towards my balcony. I saw some of the most amazing thunderstorms there.
I mentioned to your father last night when he said he had a lot of stories, that between he and you, all the stories were just about covered. Keep it going!
And you're right. Your father would be, and is, so proud.
Me, too.
Great blog! Your crappy bar posts make me think of the Stoned Crow - a crappy bar that holds many great memories of time spent with you.
Did we really think we were cool lying to the bartenders like that? Well, you & I lied. Our friend KB - not so much talent in that area.
Oh yeah - Hi! I'm so glad I found you here (through KB & TF). You're an inspiration!
I remember Dena's terror of TStorms. She always tried to put on a brave face, but it was always a very thin veneer. She passed the fear on to her daughter who carried it with less subterfuge. I'm so proud you have overcome the fear while maintaining respect for the power and beauty of Mother Nature's weather. Word.
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