That’s when we knew we wouldn’t fit in here—when we saw the big sign for “Smoked Hog Jowls – 79 cents a pound!” It’s not that we’ve never eaten pork, but I’ve never even HEARD of hog jowls, let alone eaten them. It’s not just that. We talk differently than most people in San Diego, but we REALLY sound different than the people here. They look at us a little funny when we talk. We didn’t notice that in Alabama, or Mississippi, or Louisiana, or Oklahoma, or even Texas. I don’t know why I notice it here, but I do. It’s not everybody. Some people are REALLY friendly—like the people who work at the hotel, but I guess they’re used to people from other places. That’s the business they’re in!
Anyway, Eric’s met a lot of nice people. He had a great ride today in Harbison State Park. We got up at 8:00am, went downstairs to the free Continental Breakfast, and then went to OUTSPOKIN' bike shop to rent his bicycle. He got it for three days. We went back to the hotel, he geared up and I drove him to the park and dropped him off.
My first stop was not far from where he was riding – on Broad River Road. It was an antique mall called OLE TOWNE ANTIQUE MALL. I spent at least an hour there. It was pretty big and they had lots of great stuff. I found two rhinestone pins – one is blue with aurora borealis stones; the other is red with aurora borealis stones—both in mint condition and at a great price.
Next, I decided to drive into the city, because there are supposed to be a lot of antique shops on Gervais—which is a main street in the city. I drove there—without even using Betty (since Eric and I had done the drive 3 times already). I found the MARKETPLACE ON MEETING, which is an antique mall on Meeting Street in West Columbia.
The mall was really nice, and the woman who ran the place was really great. She would open a case for me and walk away, so I could “play.” Her trust in me was really gratifying! Most places watch you like a hawk. I never watched people in my shop, and I found that when you think the best of people they won’t disappoint you. I never had one piece of jewelry stolen in 5 years, and I had tons of pins, necklaces and bracelets where anyone could touch them.
I found two bracelets – one gold metal with big yellow danging stones, which Eric said look like horses' teeth. He said, “It looks like a horse teeth bracelet!” I said, “Don’t say that! I wouldn’t wear a bracelet made of horses’ teeth!” Anyway, they just look like big yellow stones to me! The other bracelet was flat silver metal squares with faux turquoise stones and ornamental silver pieces. It fit perfectly (some bracelets are too big on my scrawny wrists) and looked great. I was happy with all my purchases and figured I’d better stop before I spent too much!
My hair was bothering me, and I had a couple of bad hair days, because I needed a trim, so I decided to find a salon and get a haircut. I ended up at J THOMAS SALON & COLOR STUDIO. Kristie was available to cut my hair, and did a great job. I was out of there in one-half hour and decided it was time to go back to the hotel. It was 2:30pm.
I got back to HYATT PLACE and jumped in the shower, because I hate feeling all “hairy” after getting a haircut. I took my cell phone in the bathroom with me, because I knew the minute I got in the shower Eric would call—and he did! He wanted to give my email address to his new friend. He had a great ride and was exchanging information with the two guys he rode with.
He got back soon after (because one of the guys drove him back to the hotel, instead of him riding back). He was exhausted, because he said although it wasn’t very technical, it WAS very challenging and he’s not in top shape anymore, so he really had to work hard. He said they were “kicking his ass” because he had a hard time keeping up, but it was really fun.
I showed him my purchases, which he "oohed" and "ahhed" over (he's so sweet) and he told me all about his ride. He was really happy, and enthusiastic, and felt great about his day. It was wonderful! Then we watched Dr. Phil and took a nap (what else?). We woke up around 6:00pm and decided to just walk over to the Cracker Barrel, rather than get in the car and drive someplace.
It's really a fun place. They have this peg game on each table and I kept trying to do better than I had done yesterday, but instead I was doing worse!
Eric had the grilled cheese with bacon, mashed potatoes with gravy and Vidalia onion rings. I had the veggie soup (again) and salad with some biscuits. We finished it off by sharing a piece of Chocolate Pecan pie. It was gooey and delicious!
We walked back to the hotel and rented LIVE FREE OR DIE HARD. The story line was ridiculously impossible, but I loved it anyway. Eric calls it DIE HARD-Y HAR HAR. He didn’t like it as much, because he said it was so unrealistic—but that’s the whole idea--that it could never really happen and the more unrealistic it is and the more he manages to avoid all the bullets, cars and helicopters coming at him, the more I like it.
I love Bruce Willis in most everything he's ever done, and the new kid -- Justin Long -- is great in this film. I liked him a lot in ED, which was a cute romantic comedy on TV a few seasons ago.
DIE HARD is one of our favorite movies, which we've seen a million times. I love the second one, too. The third wasn’t a favorite of mine, but this is definitely one for my “can’t not watch” list—if it’s on TV, I’ll watch it.
Many of you who know me know about my “Can’t Not Watch” list. It’s the list of movies that, if I find myself turning channels and find on TV, I have to watch. I can’t not watch! Some of them include SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION, THE PRINCESS BRIDE, A FISH CALLED WANDA, BEETLEJUICE, DIE HARD, DAVE, MOONSTRUCK, E.T., and THE GREEN MILE. We’re not talking classics here, like CASABLANCA, CITIZEN KANE or GONE WITH THE WIND. These are just fun, contemporary movies that I find endlessly entertaining. Eric feels the same about a lot of them, but I can watch a movie a HUNDRED times, if I really love it.
I’m the same way with some TV shows, too. FRIENDS, SEINFELD, WILL & GRACE – I never get tired of them, and there are some episodes I know by heart! If I like something…
So, it’s supposed to pour tomorrow. Eric already heard from his “new friend” saying the ride was off tomorrow. If it doesn’t rain, he’ll probably just ride Harbison State Forest again, but it probably will rain. It’s pretty much raining along the entire East Coast. Just our luck!