When Truth Meets Fiction: Part I

I have had multiple lifestyle changing fantasies over the years,

about what I would like to try in my lifetime,

and they are as real to me today

as they were the first time they were hatched.


Fantasy #1:

A la Dave Robicheaux, in my favorite James Lee Burke novels,

I would live on a bayou in Southern Louisiana,

where I had a bait shop, and I operated it as efficiently as another Burke literary character,

Batiste.


Each morning I would hose down the dock, ice down the Dr. Peppers (in bottles),

and sweep out the store with whatever red oiled sawdust mixture my Grandmother Mills used at her store

on highway 77 in Ricardo, Texas.


Just like Grandmother Mills, if you hollered “Laura” from outside the store,

I’d answer

“Yoo Hoo.”


There would be jars of Lance peanut products on the counter,

and if you frequented my store often,  you could pour a packet of peanuts in your Dr. Pepper-

or R.C. Cola, wait for the fizz to settle, and we’d visit.



In my fantasy, I am more of a listener than talker,

so you would

really get a big bang for your Dr. Pepper buck.

***

Later:  Fantasy #2.