While singing to myself, “Hot town, Summer in the city; Back of my neck getting dirty and gritty… ” My computer alerted me to a new email. Though I am sure I was busy doing something super important (other than singing, of course), I opened up my email to see who sent me a note.
The note was from my friend Tracy. The subject was “What is your favorite Ben & Jerry’s ice cream?”
An email about ice cream?! By all means, the super important something that had my attention seconds ago went to the back burner. I opened the email to find the subject line was the only information. Tracy had a simple question, and she didn’t feel the need to add anything to the body of the email. I appreciated her brevity, especially since ice cream was the subject.
Within seconds, I sent Tracy a simple response, “Phish Food.”
Continuing to keep the super important something on the back burner, I waited for Tracy to send me another email. Maybe she was going to tell me about a promotion offering free pints of ice cream. Maybe she was going to inform me that a Ben & Jerry’s truck had overturned, leaving countless pints of ice cream scattered on the road. Maybe, just maybe, she was going to say that she won a lifetime supply of a Ben & Jerry’s ice cream and she wanted to pass the prize to me.
I waited. I clicked on the “Send and Receive” icon within my email program several times, much like one who is waiting for a call may pick up the phone receiver several times to ensure there is a dial-tone.
Nothing.
An hour passed. Two hours passed. Tracy did not respond to my email, answering her question.
I contemplated emailing her again, to verify she received my original response. But, I didn’t. Then I remembered that I would be seeing Tracy later that night. Tracy, Robin and I planned on getting together for coffee. So, I did my best to turn my attention to the super important something, knowing I would see Tracy later.
Surprisingly, I arrived at the coffee shop early. What? I finished the super important something before I left. Honest.
When Tracy walked into the coffee shop, I acted calm, cool and collected. I did not say one word about the ice cream. I did not inquire as to her inquiry. I merely sat down with my sandwich, and waited for the decaf coffee to finish brewing. Robin arrived shortly after Tracy and I sat down.
There we were, sitting, drinking coffee and chatting. Internally, I’m itching to find out why she asked me about the ice cream. Itching. Finally, the suspense ends.
“I bought you some ice cream.” Tracy says.
“What?! You did?” I respond. (‘YES!’ I say to myself.)
“I had a great deal with the coupons!”
“Where is the ice cream?” I asked, trying to remain calm.
“It’s in my car, in a cooler with ice.”
.|.
Tracy has recently become a coupon queen. After attending a seminar about using coupons, she jumped in with both feet. As a result, she is saving money and snagging deals all the time.
Turns out a local grocery store had Ben & Jerry’s on sale, and Tracy had coupons for Ben & Jerry’s. By combining the two, Tracy was able to score big. And, she scored while thinking of me. In fact, Tracy denied her kids for the sake of me. I know! Isn’t she the best friend ever?!
When she looked in the ice cream freezer at the store, she saw only one Phish Food. The coupon was for four pints, so she let her kids pick out three other flavors to enjoy for themselves. But. And, this is important. Tracy, for whatever reason, was – dare I say – called – to look more closely in the Phish Food section. When she bent down to get a better look of the shelf, she noticed one more pint of Phish Food all the way in the back.
“Nevermind, Kids.” Tracy says to her loved ones. The loved ones she carried for 9 months and birthed. The loved ones she caters to selflessly day in and day out. The loved ones she dismissed in a heartbeat by saying, “You guys can only have two pints; put one back.”
Man oh man, do I ever love Tracy.
.|.
Once I found out Tracy had ice cream in her car, I had a hard time focusing on anything else. The gals and I sat and chatted for an hour. I tried to partake in the conversation, though in my head I was thinking about the ice cream. Fine, fine – I was obsessing about the ice cream.
Finally, I had to fess up to my friends. I told them that I was enjoying the conversation, but really – I needed to go home and put the precious cargo in the freezer, where I knew it would be safe.
Perhaps I should feel embarrassed or shameful for my ice cream addiction. Perhaps I do. However, put a pint of Phish Food in my hands, and watch as the creamy chocolatey and marshmallowy-gooey goodness wipes away all embarrassment and shame. While you enjoy your wine, beer, cookies or cakes, I’ll enjoy my ice cream. Cheers!
Thanks to Tracy and Robin for letting our night end early, so I could enjoy my prize. Added thanks to Tracy for showing me such love. And last but not least, special thanks to Megan, Amelia and Jimmy for their selfless sacrifice.
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Be kind, take care of yourself and each other, and remember to bend down and check the very back of the shelf.
Lenore's Thoughts Exactly 
Now that is a really good friend!!
and I laughed out loud at this part .. “I finished the super important something before I left. Honest.”
HA HA HA! MJ
Tracy is a really good friend, MJ. And we laughed hard while at the coffee shop. Both Robin and Tracy knew it was hard for me to focus on anything but the ice cream. It was a fun night with a fantastic ‘doggy bag’. Happy weekend, MJ! Cheers! ~ Lenore
I want a friend like her! I love Phish food too. Good stuff. (I saw them once in Olympia performing at a little bar about 20 years ago, not that anyone cares, but I’m tellin’ you anyway…)Damn, I should’ve had my husband pick up some of that but instead he got Stephen Colbert’s waffle ice cream (still very very good)
I saw Phish, too! I have two – wait for it – cassettes. ‘Bouncing ’round the room’ is my favorite song. That – and is there a lawnmower song? I forget. Those were hazy days. (smile)
Stephen Colbert waffle ice cream is very good – yes – but nothing (in my opinion) beats the gooey goodness of the marshmallow creme. My dream (aka wish) is that B&J will make a chocolate and marshmallow creme one day. Mmmmm……
And yes – everyone should have a friend like Tracy. I’m trying to book another coffee shop night…. just in case. (Hahahahahaha!)
Now I have Bouncing round the room in my head! Y’know, this might be a false memory of mine (it was the college days after all) but I swear to God, the band was jumping on little trampolines during this concert. I think one had a scuba mask on.
Hahahahahahaha! That is a believable memory of the band. Hilarious! I’ve been playing ‘Bouncing ’round the room all morning. Love it.
Lenore,
Love the music references! Bouncing ’round the room’ is one of my favorite Phish songs! And love Summer in the City…..must say though, until they come up with wine flavored ice cream I’m out. If a friend brought a bottle of wine…. I might be just as distracted and rush home to be sure it is properly chilled!
Glad you like the music, Lisa! I’ve been listening to Summer in the City and the ‘Bouncin’ song all morning. Can’t get ’em out of my head.
I’ll be on the lookout for wine flavored ice cream. Do you prefer red or white wine? (smile)
Everybody should have a friend like Tracy. Instead of a Tracy, I have a Connie and instead of Ben & Jerry’s Phish Food, my favorite is Baskin-Robbin’s Peanut Butter & Chocolate.
Cheers to great friends and good ice cream…two things that make the world a better place!
Here! Here! Young American! And great friends and good ice cream are two great ways to celebration our Nation’s independence!
P.S. Be sure to enjoy some B-R PB and Chocolate ice cream this month. July is National Ice Cream Month! Mmm, mmmm, good!
Dear Tracy~
You’re pretty, thin and you smell really good. I really like the way you apply your make-up; it makes your eyes POP! That shirt looks really good on you! You’re the best listener and you always know just what to say. You’re the friend everyone wishes they had.
Love, Kim
P.S. I like all ice cream flavors and every brand. I also like cake, cookies and brownies. Anything fattening made with sugar is good for me. Chocolate especially makes me smile. Have a great great day. Get a mani-pedi! Yay you!!
Kim, the G is silent, you made me snort – twice – in laughter. Dang. Still laughing….
I’ve never had Phish Food, although I have been trying a lot of different varieties lately (which is very unusual for me). So far I’ve determined that Cherry Garcia is still my favorite. I think. 🙂
SIG, my youngest’s favorite flavor is Cherry Garcia. You guys have great taste! 🙂
Previously you wrote about your husband bringing home Ben & Jerry’s for you. Shamefully, I must admit I had never eaten Ben & Jerry’s ice cream before you spoke of it. A matter of fact, just 3 days ago, I bought a pint of peanut butter cup. The ice cream was good, but I was a bit disappointed in the size of the peanut butter cups. I will have to try another flavor. More shamefully, I must admit I’ve never heard of Phish Food, the ice cream or the music!! But I’m determined to find out!
I have deliberately surrounded myself around ice cream supporters, Angel. If they detest ice cream – they are no friends of mine. 🙂
I hope you will not give up on Ben or Jerry – they have many flavors for the choosing. If you are a fan of chocolate ice cream, marshmallow, chocolate fish and caramel, you should quite enjoy Phish Food. As for the band Phish… I’ve been listening to this song all day long.
I’d love to partake of your passion, Lenore, but I’m already walking off enough poundage. Stubborn poundage…the stuff that is holding all those other helpings of ice cream. What a friend you must be to have one like Tracy.
Truth be told, Soul Dipper, Tracy may have been trying to keep me quiet for a day or two. Perhaps she has grown tired of my constant talk of ice cream. She thought two pints would tie me over for awhile… well, it lasted two days. *sigh* And the poundage? Yes, I know those things called pounds… When I see the ice cream catching up to my waist, I stop. Based on the numbers I saw on the scale this morning, I should abstain for a week or five. The anxiety begins. 🙂
One Pint = One Serving!
Right?
Simply love it.
Why it says 4 on the carton I will never understand. Ever. Your equation is accurate in my book.
Graeter’s raspberry chocolate chip in the midwest…I’m an old fashioned girl so still love that Bluebell Tin Roof in TX…and gelato espresso at Gelato Paradiso when I visit my daughter in CA. Souvenirs I can’t bring home…but Graeters has some killer buckeyes I bring home to my husband. What a generous and thougtful friend you have!
Raspberry chocolate chip sounds divine, Georgette. If I had access to Graeter’s, I’m certain I’d be a fan for life. Perhaps I need to plan a road trip – traveling the US for the best ice cream. I’m sure the kids wouldn’t mind such a journey. I am glad you have a thing for the frozen dairy treat. Enjoy each and every scoop! Cheers! ~ Lenore
Too funny! I was singing that song earlier this week for some reason. Couldn’t get it out of my head.
I’m a total sucker for ice cream too! My favorite flavor is anything that has caramel in it.
It’s a perfect hot, sticky, summer day song, Jackie. And for the record…. Phish Food has caramel in it. No pressure. (smile)
Man, I love Phish Food. I have to strictly limit my intake, or else!
Love Phish too, but my only friend who likes them lives 800 miles away. The band comes to town and I can’t find anyone to go with me…it just seems like a show I don’t want to do alone.
Oma, isn’t it funny how some things just cannot be done alone? I agree – a Phish concert alone would not be nearly as entertaining as a Phish concert with a friend (or 10). Though really, friends are not hard to make at Phish concerts.
In other news, I should be ashamed for the amount of Phish Food I eat. If it were beer or wine, I’d be a babbling drunk most every night. Shame! Oh the shame! ~ Lenore
Oh dear…you’ve got it bad, girl…almost as bad as my dad! He used to sit down after supper with a mixing bowl of ice cream, and eat it all! We could never afford the good stuff though…
Tracy sounds like a good friend!
Wendy
So, Wendy – how was your Dad’s health? I do worry about what all the ice cream is doing to my heart. My cholesterol and blood pressure are great, though. So, I have that going for me. And yes, Tracy is a very good friend – she’s a great friend!
Other than a bout with prostate cancer, Parkinson’s Disease, and a bit of high blood pressure, he’s pretty healthy, Lenore!
Wendy
Good to know, Wendy. I’m literally getting ready to pop open a pint of Ben & Jerry’s right now. 🙂
What a wonderful friend, Lenore!
Um, wine flavored ice cream, by the way?! HELLO! I’ll have red – dairy and something good for my heart all rolled into one. Until then, I just polished off a pint of Ben & Jerry’s Strawberry Cheesecake last night. If the dang chocolate didn’t keep me up at night, I’d have a pint of Chocolate Fudge Brownie every evening for dessert.
Thank you, AA! I am so happy to hear you’ve polished off a pint of Ben & Jerry’s. I’d hate to think I was the only one who considered it ‘one’ serving.
I’ve yet to try Strawberry Cheesecake, though the Chocolate Fudge Brownie is quite tasting – I know.
Cheers!