Posted on May 10, 2023 in
On the Porch with Patti
Me thinking it’s okay to consume contraband wine as long as you promote a friend’s business in the process – right Cathy?
By Patti Parish-Kaminski, Publisher
Every so often Mr. Kaminski will take one for the team and offer to engage in what I’ll refer to as an “aww” activity. What that means, of course, is an activity that I absolutely love and one that he’s not particular fond of, but he will put on his happy face and willingly participate, because he knows it makes me happy. And, he’s the one who always makes the suggestion for such excursions. I’ve learned catching is better than pitching in these situations.
For example, Mr. Kaminski will offer to take me to the movies. Now, I know you’re thinking that I’ll go for a sappy rom com. Not a chance. I’m a shoot ‘em up, blow them to the heavens, leave no man left standing who crossed you and your people kind of girl. I like the Johns: John Wick, John Rambo, John McClane. And you would think Mr. Kaminski would actually appreciate my cinematic choices since they’re not tear-jerker chick flicks. Not so much. He doesn’t appreciate a full-blown commando raid coordinated with military precision like I do. He likes the stars: Star Wars, Star Trek, Star Command – anything to do with space, the future and such. The galactic forays into the future are mind-numbingly boring to me, and he likely feels the same about my beloved booty-kicking bad boys. Nonetheless, he will offer to take me, actually stay awake during the movie if I buy him popcorn and candy to entertain him and that makes me happy.
Sometimes Mr. Kaminski will offer to take me to lunch and that does not mean lunch. Sure, we’ll eat lunch at some point, but it will be at Mariposa at Neiman’s where he does not like one thing on the menu, never says a word about it, and we’ll have to navigate through three floors of retail just to get to the restaurant. Obviously, lunch means shopping, so lunch makes me happy.
Just the other day I finished up at my desk after writing for several hours. I was absolutely brain dead; there were no thoughts left in my head. I decided to go to the nail salon for a brief respite and informed Mr. Kaminski. “Do you want me to go with you,” he queried. Since it was an “aww” activity, my response was apt. “Aww, that’s so sweet.” As we prepared to leave, I said, “I wish they didn’t have yucky wine there.” I said I was tired. Yucky was the best adjective I could conjure at the moment. “Just take your own. I’ll make you one,” Mr. Kaminski said.
I lamented telling him I wasn’t sure that was a good idea as he handed me a wine tumbler imprinted with a friend’s company name filled to the brim with wine. “I’m not sure I can take wine in there,” I told him. “And I don’t want to get busted drinking wine I brought in there if it’s a thing in a cup with Cathy Stubbs’ name printed on it!”
Mr. Kaminski laughed. “Just be sure and hold the cup up so you can see her name if they try to throw you out. I’ll take a picture. Cathy will appreciate the publicity.” He had a point.
Fortunately, I was able to enjoy my contraband wine, and our pedicures were enjoyable, save for the fact that Mr. Kaminski doesn’t understand the rules when it comes to the nail salon. He doesn’t visit; he doesn’t use the time to catch up. He promptly inserts his EarPods and listens to music. Oh well, at least he’s there in “aww” spirit.
Here’s wishing all of our mother’s an “aww” activity this Mother’s Day – you deserve it! See y’all next week – on the porch!
Patti Parish-Kaminski
Follow Patti Parish-Kaminski on Facebook at www.facebook.com/OnThePorchWithPatti/ and on Instagram at instagram.com/ontheporchwithpatti/.
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