Not-so-favorites

Smoked Eel Sloppy Joes

Editor’s Note The incident described below happened after I’d gone off to college, I think; I wasn’t around for it. Someone who can give a first-hand account should feel free to edit/amend this anecdote.

Legend has it that one day Mom had something to do in the late afternoon or evening, so she left Mary in charge of coming up with something for dinner.

Gumnicks are generally not picky eaters, but it’s said that not even Mom or Dad could choke down a bite of Mary’s innovative dish.

My mom says not to squash her imagination because if you had not insulted her sloppy joes she would have become a good chef. and she says thats just mean

Candy Store

This was a favorite place to go, but the woman who owned it was old, crabby and scary. I can't remember her name, but I think her son also worked there. This was a place where you could get penny candy. It was in one of those old wooden cases, behind glass. So, you had to ask for what you wanted. I remember being scared going into the store (the promise of candy was the only thing that made it tolerable!) I also remember it was a pretty far walk from the house, but going was an adventure in independence. (I think we walked past a cemetary and through some dark woods to get there.)

That old lady was horrible! John might be able to remember her name, because one of his first jobs was working there.