Applesauce

We went to the big city last week for dinner at our favorite restaurant, a mom and pop, upscale and yet casual place. We had been to Dick's and Barnes & Noble. I do not progress quickly through such stores, as there is much to ponder and consider. So after an hour drive and four hours of pondering and considering it was 8pm and we had healthy appetites ready for good, tasty food. Something not out of a box.

We were seated after about 15 minutes and our drinks were quickly served and orders taken. Shortly after we received our appetizers and salads. We finished those and we waited, hungry for the main meal. And we waited. The restaurant began to empty. We waited so long that my 8 year-old daughter ran out of things to talk about. After several minutes of silence, with all the subtle sarcasm and theatrics of a good trial lawyer, my daughter looks around the restaurant and quietly says " How long DOES it take to cook applesauce?"

Kind of like waiting for a tournament organization to produce its program for the year. Licking our chops, dreaming of a satisfying feeling. Waiting. Hoping it is not cold or over-cooked. Hoping it is as good as that place we used to go to. And still waiting. Running out of things to talk about. And the restaurant is starting to empty a bit.