420 and a pancake? Anyone?

I decided to have breakfast out today. The wife is working and mom is out with friends for breakfast. A pancake and bacon sounded so good.

I arrive at a local, well known chain of restaurants where I have had a long history. In fact, my grandma and I sat in a nearby booth 30+ years ago when a woman, not much older than myself waited on us, and as it turned out it was her first day working for the establishment. She is now retired. I would be remiss if I didn't mention, though the restaurant is a very large chain, there is a good chunk of family relatives who have all worked here. Our waitress many years ago was also part of that family.

I hadn't been into the establishment but once since COVID began two years ago. So today, I figured I might re-establish myself. I arrived and parked my car in the handicap parking closest, but not too close to the door. I pulled a joint from my console as I opened the door all while reading the texts I had received while driving. With the door open, I puffed my bud a couple of times and headed in. As suspected, in there were still four employees which I recognized. My server today is the sister of the retired server, and her niece is here as well. I also happen to know the manager and the same dish washer. I was asked if I wanted coffee, but I opted for water with lemon and a straw.....yes, in California it has become a thing a patron must request a straw rather than automatically being given one.

A few moments passed by when the waitress whose name I shall call Paula took my order. I had looked at the menu as though I had never seen it before, and out of my mouth I ordered the biscuits and gravy that came with egg and hashbrowns. Paula and I made small talk and caught up with the other. She happens to know my mother and wife too.

As I sat, I sipped on my water through the straw I was given and scrolled through my phone looking at news articles and making an attempt to be aware of what is going on in this world. I check a couple of accounts and eventually I unfolded my laptop, turned on my mobile network and set up shop. My tummy grew more and more hungry, which is the reason I took a couple of puffs while sitting in my car. Using medicinal marajuana has been the thing that has worked for me on so many levels. There are medications I 'choose' to not participate with because of their side effects, and with marajuana I typically get a 2fer, meaning It helps to stimulate my appetite, which has been an issue for years, as well, it helps significantly in reducing and sometimes eliminating pain all together. I am a pro marajuana recipient. I am the reason it has been made a medicinal medication.

Anyway, this isn't about marajuana.........or is it? You see, the thing with marajuana is it can affect other areas of the brain. As it turned out, I, very confidently flagged Paula down while she was busy doing something in the kitchen. I requested sugar free syrup for my pancakes. She okayed me and kept on doing her thing behind the counter.....I was not the only customer. As I sat I thought to myself, "Peanut butter! I forgot to ask for peanut butter." Oh well, I figured I would wait for Paula to bring my order and then ask. I hated having to have her run back and forth, the gal had already been on the move, so when I saw Paula bringing my biscuits and gravy, hashbrowns and eggs, I chuckled under my breath and then with Paula as well. I mentioned to her my brain must have hiccuped. I mean, I knew it had.....it's sometimes one of those side effect of being a 420 user, and if you don't already know what 420 is, it is a code originally intended for smokers of marajuana.

I sat in the restaurant for a couple of hours and scarfed down my breakfast, and while time passed, so did the hiccups. I got into my car and made a 'choice' to enjoy the rest of my day.

By the way, breakfast was great and the service? Even better.