McKinney Texas May 24 2009

We pulled over into an empty strip mall parking lot to make plans. It was late May and we were in North Plano, north of Dallas, Texas. Unusual weather, cool, scattered storm cells with towering anvil-top clouds separated by deep blue sky made for an amazing sunset. We'd just driven a used pickup that I saw advertised on the Internet. Mostly we came this far from home for the fun of the Sunday afternoon drive. Sally looked at the map on her iPhone and suggested that we drive further North and explore downtown McKinney. She'd been there once long ago, but her best friend had been there yesterday; antique shopping. She acknowledged that at this hour on a Sunday evening, the shops would be closed, but she wanted to see it. Sally doesn't like feeling left out.

McKinney was lovely, the downtown area healthy and beautiful, the old buildings restored and yes, a lot of antique shops. Two white horses pulled an old time carriage clop clop around the court house square. Lots of people were sitting outside the winery enjoying the breeze. The Irish pub was hopping. Sally window-shopped while I walked our dog. Finally we decided on a Tapas Bar that looked inviting. We were both hungry.

The place was as authentic to Southern Spain as one could get in North Central Texas.  The owner met us at the door and directed us to the only empty table. We read the menu and learned she'd built it as a tribute to her grandmother. "Everything here is made to order over a wood fire, and cooked to perfection" volunteered the friendly lady seated to Sally's right. The tables were so close it was almost family style.  The waiter brought our goat-cheese stuffed peppers to the table to Sally's left.  They enjoyed them. To my left, an older gentleman was enjoying his drinks, bacon wrapped dates, and shrimp kabob. He spoke with a buzzer held to his throat. Ancient as he appeared, he still took the small vase of flowers from his table and gave them to Sally "for the lady" he buzzed.

As they were getting ready to go, he turned to me and asked if I could understand him. "Yes." so he told me his favorite story.

The old Texas boy got pulled over by a Hiway Ranger who asked him "Do you know how fast you were going?" The old boy answered "I wasn't speeding, I never speed, officer." But his wife spoke up, "I told you to slow down, you liar, and obey the speed limit." He turned to her and said "You just SHUT UP old woman!"

The Ranger then asked "Why is your seat belt not fastened?" The old boy answered, "I always wear a seat belt, I just unhooked it to get my wallet to give you my ID." But his wife spoke up, "You liar, you never wear a seat belt." He turned to her and said "You just SHUT UP old woman!."

So the Ranger went to the passenger's side and asked the wife, "Excuse me Ma'am, but does your husband always talk to you that way?"
"No Officer, no… only when he's drunk."

Then he gave a wonderful laugh for a man with no vocal chords. And wished us a good Memorial Day.