Rich and Famous

The lottery jackpot is getting so high, it’s crazy! The other day we decided to go for a drive, maybe buy a lottery ticket along the way. We took fast trip to Grand Marais and just like that - we were at Sven and Ole’s.  A 12” thick crust, half Uffda Zah and half Havaiian Zah, had both our pallets covered.

While we were waiting for the pizza, I ran down the block and around the corner to buy a little surprise for my wife.

Back at the restaurant, I walked by a big table that already had their food. I tapped the good man on the shoulder, presented my fork and asked, “Could I have a few bites of your pizza while I’m waiting for ours to arrive?” Not even thinking about it he said, “Sure. Help yourself.” We shared a good laugh about that.

When we were done eating our pizza, I went to the counter for a to-go box, passing their table on the way back. “We saved a couple slices for you.” the man said.  We shared another good laugh.

“Do you need a to-go box?” I asked, offering him mine. “No, we’re not taking it. It’s yours, he said.” I respectfully declined, but when he told me it had sauerkraut, he had my undivided attention. “It’s the Oktoberfest special,” he said, adding, “It’s got German sausage, sauerkraut and mustard.” How could I say no?

I went back to our table with the small box and large round pizza board with two extra slices of pizza. “Um, what are you doing?” Melissa asked. I explained the story and she said, “You’re going to need another box. You’re not putting sauerkraut in with my pizza.”

Then, I presented her with a surprise, wrapped in an advertisement sheet from the Cook County Herald News. “Maple nut fudge! Where did you get this?” She was excited. “Around the corner at Gunflint Mercantile.” She opened it and cut a couple pieces. Mmm. It was the perfect dessert following a perfect meal.

Afterward, we drove up the shore so Melissa could shoot some wave photos, then out the Arrowhead trail. Everything was beautiful.

On the way home we stopped at the Holiday station in Tofte, to top the tank. I ran inside and purchased a Mega-Millions ticket. On the way back to the car, I jumped up high, kicked my feet off to the left and clicked my heels, while mid-air.
Partially because I was so excited over the prospect of winning hundreds of millions of dollars - but more so, to impress my wife who was sitting in the car. Yes honey, I can still do it.

My wife was reading a text and missed my athletic performance - an amazing courting move, all for naught. The lottery ticket turned out to be a dud, so I’ll not be featured on Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous.

Today, I said, “Honey, watch this.” I jumped up in the kitchen, kicked my feet off to the left and clicked my heels together while mid-air. We shared a good laugh about that.
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In reality, I don’t need all that wealth. I live on the North Shore with a woman who thinks I’m pretty special. We have lots of good places to eat, and constantly flow of nice people. That’s already a lifestyle of the rich and famous. I don’t know how much better it could get.


Tom can be reached for comment at Facebook.com/tom.palen.98