The Bear

Yesterday I had a Christmas parade for work and general maintenance at the store nearest the parade; so I worked until about 3:00.


On my return drive, I remembered my friend Matt was going to be downtown for a bit bartending the intermissions at the two Christmas Carol performances at Manship Theatre and would have an extended break between intermissions, so I called him to see if may want to hang out on break mid-afternoon as I was recently free of work and wanting a drinksie. I picked him up (as there were multiple events downtown that prevented him from moving his car and treasured parking spot) and we traveled on to Hound Dogs. He had never been! I was shocked, stunned, awed by this fact and uber-anxious for him to experience. As most Saturdays, Joy was bartending and quickly made Matt feel at home in the quasi-gay environment that is Hound Dogs.
We ran into my pal, Mr. Buckey, at Hound Dogs. He is a retired man who lives on the out-skirts of my neighborhood who I often see out and about. We have pleasant conversations about his life experiences when I see him. Yesterday was chilly and Mr. Buckey was wearing a hat I had never seen him wear. He placed it on the bar after taking his seat. I complimented his hat and he proceeded to tell me the hat's story. Apparently his father and the legendary Paul "Bear" Bryant were close, personal friends and Mr. Bryant would often visit the family home of Mr. Buckey. On one visit, Mr. Bryant gave Mr. Buckey a hat he purchased by mistake. Said hat was with Mr. Buckey last night and on the bar at Hound Dogs! After hearing Mr. Buckey's story, I asked if I could have my picture taken in the hat; he honored my request...