WFDT 2/19/2021

Dear Friends,

One of the worst feelings I feel frequently is being alone. I find this feeling occurring more and more as I age. I awoke this morning to a cold house and a note by my door from Mother. She wrote:

quote:

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"Dear TulaneLSU,

The family is meeting east of Destin this weekend. You were asleep and I did not want to wake you. Please find a cookie cake and several pounds of jumbo lump in the fridge. Also the keys to my SUV are on the foyer's Printz sideboard. Please treat yourself to a meal or two at Impastato's this weekend.

Season's blessings,
Mother

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It was like a punch to the gut. I hate being alone, especially when it is cold. A part of me wants to drive over to see the family, but I fear I was left out for reason. It would be impolite of me to intrude as an uninvited guest, even if I am family.

Some scientist once wrote that 75% of our eating is triggered by emotions, not actual hunger. I know that when I get sad, I will eat quite a bit, and right now I am a bit sad. I went to Popeyes this evening to assuage my forlorn mood.

People are quick to criticize Popeyes as a place that does not have good service. They must go to the wrong Popeyes. As is my norm, I entered Popeyes and was out with a box of chicken in my hand in under five minutes. Perhaps too many people rely on the drive-thru. Jed was the cashier tonight and he was exceedingly pleasant. It is disappointing places like Popeyes do not include a tip section for credit card payments. No matter, I gave him a clean twenty, to which he responded like I had done him a great favor.

"Jed, your cheerfulness, politeness, industry, and smile are priceless. God has surely blessed you. Please never lose hope."

I hope he did not think of my words as mere platitudes. People like Jed make this world wonderful. I am writing a long letter to Popeyes corporate celebrating this Popeyes and this visit. They deserve it. If you have the opportunity to praise a fast food worker, do so soon.



Tonight, my Popeyes app had a coupon for a "two can dine for 8.99." I was yearning to have a companion, but since I cannot, might as well eat for two. The box comes with five pieces of chicken. I asked Jed if he could include two spicy breasts and he did. He also put in a wing (gross), a drumstick, and a thigh. It also came with two biscuits, which were more moist than normal. My two sides, hand selected, were the red beans and the mashed potatoes, as any native New Orleanian would order.



The meal has been smashing to the taste buds, but the heavy cloud of loneliness hangs heavy overhead. I may later go to Dominos.

Yours,
TulaneLSU