At least there wouldn't be any ants
Many years ago, in my early/mid twenties, I decided it would be fun to plan a picnic.
What can I say. It was a pleasant spring/summer/whatever, and I'd never really taken the trouble of planning a cozy little picnic.
I envisioned a nostalgic time with sandwiches, soda, chips, and some quaint little side dishes to delight the palate.
I envisioned a picnic table, a tablecloth, and a picnic basket.
It would be perfect!
I also envisioned one of my best friends there too, so I asked her to join me. We set up the time and the place. I eagerly began preparing. I think I even went out and bought a basket. I made sandwiches. I got chips and soda and... I don't even remember all of the stuff.
The day arrived, and I went to the park.... and waited....
And waited.
Eventually she arrived, late.
There was a Wendy's bag in her hand.
She'd interpreted the word "picnic" very differently, it seems.
Plus, she didn't even want to stay for very long. She hurried to eat her Wendy's burger and then left.
I don't even remember whether or not I finished my sandwich. I just remember that my "perfect" picnic felt like it had been ruined.
There was no fun sharing of "picnic" food, no casual relaxed quality time amongst friends, no good memories to keep.
I never tried again.
Sad but true.
Now that I'm approaching 40, I'd like to try again.
In a weird way, I'd kinda like to have a picnic all by myself. Kind of a mid-life confirmation that I still enjoy spending time with myself, and still consider myself to be my best friend.
I realize that probably sounds bizarre and depressing.
I say this, of course, in mid-November, when it is kind of late to be thinking of picnics.
Maybe I could have a winter picnic, just to make people wonder about my sanity.
"Look," they could say. "Isn't that that freaky 'Jannaverse' chick? What's she doing?"
"Oh," another person would say, "She's just doing that thing she blogged about."
"Eating a turkey/swiss on rye while shivering on a frozen picnic table, talking to imaginary birds that have already flown south for the winter?"
"Yes. That."
"Oh. I should read her blog more often."
.
11 comments:
What a perfectly sane and delightful idea. A picnic with your best friend ... YOU! Go for it, Janna!
Andy likes to winter camp, which is insane. I tried it back when I was still the girlfriend. Since I like all the other outdoorsy things we tried, he never tried to torture me that way again. Anyway, I mention all this to point out that a winter picnic is much, much more sane in comparison.
When the Mrs. and I first started dating, in winter, we had little picnics in the car. It was a lot of fun.
Since I don't do outside I have never seen the charm to picnics or the consuming of meals outside - unless of course you're running late and you grab a slice or a frank on the run - but then I'm from NYC - eat and walk is a way of life...
This story is so sad. :-(
*I* wouldn't have brought Wendy's with me. And if you ever decide to have a picnic in the warm summer sunshine... I'll totally join you.
I will sit with you under a virtual tree anytime that you want! I am 44 and have never had a good picnic experience either!
Picnics are better with large groups of people so you can organize the softball game and frisbee golf tournament.
But good potato salad is always a must.
My family has a tradition of a Christmas Eve picnic. In Minnesota. You need hot food and hot chocolate and it's all good.
Marla: I should! If I do, I'll be sure to blog about it. :)
Marilyn: The only good thing about winter camping is that all the bears would (hopefully) be hibernating.
DaOldMan: How sweet!
Grace: I laughed at the first part, where you said you "don't do outside." :) LOL! I tend to be the same way myself, really. That's why the picnic seemed like such a fun departure from the norm.
Jeff: So you don't plan on showing up for my mid-winter one? Even if I bring extra kleenex to wipe off the frozen snot bubbles?
Otin: Before I die, I would like to have at least one good picnic experience. I'll start checking out virtual trees...
Mr.Knucklehead: Even if I despise softball, frisbee, and potato salad?
Antelope: Hot chocolate! Oooh, that sounds good.
It doesn't sound weird to me, Janna. I love to eat lunch alone with my book or newspaper almost more than anything. Space, the final frontier.
MikeWJ: Space! The final frontier! These are the voyages of the blogger Janna... boldly going where she might have already been but can't remember exactly....
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