Ma Has Fun in Cedar Rapids

It was with thrilling anticipation that Ma took the Green Dragon Lady Lincoln out on the highway, yesterday afternoon.

The weather was moderate, the sun was out, her shades were on, and she was most cool-looking.

As Ma passed a beautiful oak tree along the four-lane, the thought occurred to her, "Ma? Shouldn't you turn around and go back for a picture?" And so she did.

It took 10 miles to get back on and come around to the same spot, but she did!

Eventually, the thriving metropolis of Cedar Rapids was reached, and without even one wrong turn getting to Ardith's house. Basically, a first.

A bit of conversing, followed by hitting the road again for the big dinner out with friends at The Irish Democrat. On the way, Ardith pointed out, The Most Pretentious House In Cedar Rapids.

As this noble name was given several times, Ma understood that for some reason, this house has been indelibly etched into the Ardith's mind, much like a hot poker on the side of a forlorn steer.

Is it the high prominence on the hill? Is it the fact that she passes it every day on her way to work?

Is it the statue of the rearing stallion (click on picture to see) pawing the air with it's might hooves of stony power?

We do not know, but as the horse statue was mentioned multiple times, we can only gather that there is some unfortunate circumstance regarding a horse in Ardith's past.

Ma tried to emit the proper attitude of sneerage in an attempt at empathetic scorn.

We hope no horse statues will be unduly offended.

The eats at the pub restaurant were much goodly. Excellent sandwiches and scrumptious coleslaw! Ma could not help noticing an interesting mustard bottle...
...I guess this is one of the perks of living in the city. Out in the lil' ol' sticks where Ma lives, we are more familiar with the unporeable (I mean, un-pour-able) variety.

The diet was definitely discarded for the evening, though Ma was very good and had only water as her beverage.

As the Ardith-person wished to take it easy after the meal, we retired to her abode where an episode of Wooster and Jeeves was enjoyed most thoroughly.

Rest was had.

Saturday morning, after spending time talking and sorting out many of the immediate family's personal and behavior problems, both mother and daughter proceeded to the used-bookstore-of-power, where Ma joyously spent her Christmas gift card.


Henry James, Saki, Fannie Flagg, Dorothy Sayers and some Rumpole of the Baily were acquired. As were other bits and pieces, including THREE CDs! Two operatic thingamjobbers and one of Chanticleer, a vocal acapella men's group.

There was much rejoicing of Ma with her take.

After that, the daughter took Ma out yet AGAIN for lunch! Mexican food, yum, yum.

It was at this establishment that Ma was told of a weird gene variant that caused some people to distinguish the taste of cilantro as soap. Finding herself quite suggestible, the cilantro now tasted of soap, after which Ma expressed eternal gratitude to her offspring.

From there it was back to the Green Dragon Lady Lincoln, which faithfully took Ma home, by way of the Goodwill store in Waterloo.

Upon returning to the boonies, it was discovered that everyone had survived, to which the weekend was pronounced a rousing success.
 

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