T Stands For Happy Birthday to Me

My birthday celebration began early with a trip an hour to the West to the Massachusetts Veterans' Memorial Cemetery in Agawam. That's where my parents are buried.

As is my custom, I brought a bouquet of flowers for Ma, and I greeted her first. She was funny about that. Even if Dad was outside to greet us, we had to go inside to greet Ma first.

The cemetery has strict rules about the plots. Planting at the grave is not permitted. Fresh cut flowers any time placed in the plastic cones provided. Potted plants no bigger than 8 in. around permitted at gravesites 5 days before through 5 days after: Easter, Mother's Day, Memorial Day, Father's Day. Freshly cut green wreath with one bow allowed from November 1st through January 15th. Wreaths must be laid on the ground in front of headstones. Cannot be attached to headstones. Wreath stands may be used. The cemetery is well kept and the ground crew removes flowers that have faded.

So flowers at the back of the stone. Dad wouldn't mind that I didn't bring flowers to him. He'd just be happy to see us.  It's almost the 4th. anniversary of his passing. Ma passed the same year in November. There's something I don't think I saw before. Ma had told me August 4th was her due date for me though I couldn't wait.

They are buried in a newer section of the cemetery. Sadly, it's beginning to fill up. Usually, after a visit to the cemetery, we stop for lunch at Michael's Pasta in the Pan, a small Italian restaurant nearby that we like. Friday afternoon traffic on The Pike (I-90) is horrendous during the Summer with vacationers escaping to the Berkshires or points West. So instead of getting stuck in traffic, we opted for an early morning trek and a stop for breakfast at Cracker Barrel on the way home.

Cracker Barrel is a restaurant chain which serves faux Southern comfort food. Besides the restaurant, there's also a pseudo country store.

Pick a mug and join me for breakfast with your favorite beverage.

Mine happens to be tea and Twining's English Breakfast is my favorite morning blend. I like the personal teapot.

 One of the things I like about Cracker Barrel is you can get breakfast all day long, and you can order grits. Grits are ground corn and a Southern staple. I love grits. I was introduced to grits when I was in junior high school. I met a friend who had moved to Massachusetts from Georgia. One day while hanging out at her house, she made grits for lunch.

My breakfast, the Old Timer's Breakfast,  consisted of a bowl of grits (left), biscuits and Sawmill gravy (bowl on the right), scrambled eggs, bacon, and warm apples.

Himself doesn't like grits. He doesn't like any kind of hot cereal. He ordered Momma's French Toast Breakfast, sourdough French toast, sausage, and he had a side order of apples. His breakfast came with a tiny bottle of maple syrup.

The restaurant is very homey and comfortable. Old-fashioned bric a brack (old photos, wash tubs, signs, irons, etc.) decorate the walls.

After breakfast, we puttered around the store. There's a selection of old-fashioned candy.

A display of Halloween decorations was already out. Of course, I had to take a picture of the black cat.

Clothing, baubles, unusual gifts

 souvenirs from Boston if you didn't want to make the trip to Boston, 60 miles to the East.

Cowboy trinkets made me smile. Himself found an item which I did splurge on. 

On the way out, a woman stopped me and complimented me on my necklace and earrings I was wearing. I told her they had been Ma's. A gift from my Dad when he was in the Phillipines during WWII. The necklace was broken and in her hope chest. After she passed, I fixed the necklace with a clasp and took two shells from the necklace to make earrings. A bit gaudy, but I like them. Anyway, this woman was positively gushing about the necklace. And how Ma was with me and would be so happy I was wearing the necklace. The woman was so happy and upbeat and kept leaning into my personal space. I was worried she was going to hug me. I'm not a hugger, especially with strangers. It's a New England thing. I smiled politely and we both went on our way. In the car, Himself and I cracked up laughing. Ma could be possessive and territorial especially in her later years when dementia clouded her mind. She would be pissed to know I had taken her necklace without her permission. I didn't have the heart to rain on that woman's Zen.

The rest of the day was spent relaxing and watching television in the sun room. Birthday dinner was take-out from Five Guys Burger. Little Bacon Cheeseburger with lettuce, tomato, pickle, mustard, ketchup, fries, and a Lime Coke. Mmmm, Heaven.

After dinner, I hung up my new sign in the front porch 

The sign complements my alter ego which hangs on the other side of the front door. Her sign reads: Yes, I can drive a stick. I made her broom.

Drop by hosts, Bleubeard and Elizabeth's blog to find out what the rest of the T Stands For gang is up to. If you want to play, include in your Tuesday post a beverage or container for a beverage. Don't forget to link your blog to Bleubeard and Elizabeth's page.