Paul Stories: French Fries
Grandkids

I wish I could again

(LENGTH WARNING)

Inspired by an author whose work I admire, I ask God (as in Fiddler), “Would it spoil some vast eternal plan,” were I to be given a chance to once more experience some people and places long gone out of my life? Especially if I could take my current 70 years of memories with me.

Composing this list makes me thank God, again, (regardless of whether he grants me this boon) that so many people from my past are still alive, meaning our stories are not done.

  • Watch the Sandy River rise two feet in ten minutes when PGE lets water out of the dam upstream.
  • Eat at the TikTok, Scottie’s, Jade West or the Pagoda. Or have an order of greasy fries at Yaws.
  • Bowl a few lines at Columbia Bowl when both Nana and Grandpa are on duty.
  • Sit in the kitchen while Nana prepares egg-in-a-hole.
  • Eat corn that traveled 20 feet from the stalk to the pot with Grams and Ted, after a long day collecting quarters at the dump.
  • Have any minute with mom, especially those spontaneous, aimless 3 a.m. drives around town.
  • Have any minute with Dad, especially washing the cars on Sunday, or playing nine holes of golf down at Portland Meadows.
  • Play pool with Steve, perusing the latest Playboy (with our parents’ full permission). Putting the latest Playmate on the ceiling above our beds.
  • Sit in the backyard apple tree reading instead of playing.
  • Spin MOR music and read traffic safety tips on Safety Spinner or play Mantovani on Dinner Music.
  • Play Inna Gadda Da Vida until the firing stops at the gun club next door.
  • Ride Bumper Cars at Jantzen Beach
  • Talk with Lee Rothrock
  • Apologize for saying "I don't play that stupid game," when Terry called and asked me, “Do you know who this is?”
  • Apologize for running away instead of saying "Thank you for your honesty."
  • Sniff Carbon Tet with John in the production shop.
  • Have dinner with Katrina

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