Whenever someone is in need, we are asked to pray for them. Most times it’s when someone is sick, but others it’s when one is hurting. That hurting may be for the loss of a loved one or from other troubles. Sometimes we pray for people just because we want to pray for them. A lot of times, maybe most times, we pray for ourselves.
To be given the title of Saint (mostly in Catholicism), one must have given their life to God while living, and must perform miracles after death. Usually the miracles are performed after prayer to or through that person to let God tell us that person is worthy of sainthood.
So, if we can pray to someone for the purpose of asking God to allow that person to perform a miracle, then why not the ordinary person who died. Why not pray to that person to help them earn other positions in heaven or maybe for their souls to get to heaven if they are stuck in what we refer to as hell.
I had a friend who died a few years ago. He was not what I would call a Saint and did not commit his life on earth to the church or God (at least not publicly.)
Why can’t I pray to him? Perhaps that would give him the opportunity to deem himself worthy, since he may not have done it while on earth. Perhaps to make him an angel, a messenger of God.
I say, give it a try. What have we got to lose? You could be helping that soul and at the same time helping yourself, as well as the ones you are praying for. Maybe you could start out by praying to God and telling him you are going to try this by praying through someone else, like we do for Sainthood. Who knows maybe we can receive a miracle.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Friday, January 22, 2010
Government Crap!
The White House is doing it’s share of whining the last couple days. Obama is “trying to ride the wave of the public’s hate of Wall Street.” That’s from the AP. For those of us who have investments of one sort or another, we like that American business is making money and leading us on the way out of this bad economy. Funny how in our Land of Opportunity, we hate to see anyone succeed. Let me ask you this. Would your life change if the executives didn’t get a bonus this year? Then why are we against them? (Figuratively, cause I’m obviously not) We twist it around saying that it was banking and big business that got us into this mess, when all along it was our politicians who as far back as I can remember and probably further decided to make America a welfare country and give a free ride to those that are too lazy to work. I’ve watched two housing crisis’ in the last 20 years and both were caused by our congress passing laws forcing loans to people who can’t afford them. I remember when we bought our house on Faulkner just a few years ago. There was so many people pre-approved that we had to stand for hours waiting for our names to be called and if they weren’t we waited anxiously for the next release. I remember talking to a lot of people and then my wife and I discussing how could these people afford it when we just barely could (and my nest egg was large enough to pay cash.) One kid told us that his parents had taken a second on their home so he and his wife could make the down payment. Then there was the guy at work who never worked any overtime. He and his wife bought a huge new house with FHA loans with no money down. That house was half a million dollars. Then they took out a second so she could open a flower shop in a high dollar shopping center. All went good for about a year. They bought a class A RV, jet skis, converted a bedroom into a theatre room, and was talking about a second home in Havasu. Then shit hit the fan. They lost everything including their marriage. Our government says they are not to blame, but the banks who gave them the loans. That’s the easy way out. Who passed the Fannie Mae rules that allowed the loan and the second. Our good ol congress, but no, it’s not their fault. They feel we need to pass more bullshit regs and raise taxes to save all the people who screwed up. How much is $14.3 trillion dollars? That’s what?, $46,500.00 for every person in our country from newborn to deathbed. Better start saving to pay your taxes. The economic scholars say we’re already working every fourth year just for federal taxes. Isn’t this why we broke away from the King to start with? And that’s not counting state and local taxes, or any of the others. Next time you get a cell phone bill take a look at all the taxes and fees added on. Water, gas, and electric the same way. Gasoline, alcohol, cigarettes…. Now they want to add obesity taxes on soft drinks and so on and so on and so on…… Don’t even get me started on Health Care…..
Thanks for reading.
Thanks for reading.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Hayes Hamburgers
Another place on my list of must "go to’s" in Kansas City is Hayes Hamburgers. It’s a little trailer lookin’ diner at the corner of Vivion and Antioch north of the river. Mr and Mrs Hayes opened it up in 1955 and it hasn’t changed a whole lot since then. I can still see Mrs Hayes sitting at the end of the counter smoking her cigarette and drinking a cup of coffee.
Now, Hayes never had that big of a menu. There’s only about 50 items and that includes breakfast and cold drinks. Funny thing though, I’v been going there for over 50 years and I can’t remember having anything but hamburgers, cheeseburgers, chili, and french fries. Why try something else, when the cheeseburger is pure heaven?
The burgers are only about a tenth pound. They have fresh hamburger divided into balls in the cooler. When you order a burger, they grab a ball out the cooler and toss it on the grill. Onions is a must and they grab a handful of those paper thin slices, place them on top of the ball and smash the whole thing with a spatula as flat as it’ll go. The grill is about 400 degrees and the burger only takes a couple minutes on each side to cook. When the first side is done, it’s flipped over. Now the onions are on the bottom carmalizing. A slice of cheese is placed on top and then the bottom of the bun is placed on the burger with the top on top of that. This steams the bun with the grease vapor coming off the burger and onions. When that side is done, they simply lift the entire thing off the grill with the spatula and with a move that would make any Vegas dealer proud, slide the top of the bun to the bottom, slide out the spatula, and turn the burger right side up while placing it on the plate. If you order it to go, they put pickle and mustard on it. You want ketchup, you better ask.
These are the best burgers around. A lot of people compare them to White Castle and rumor has it that Mr Hayes may have owned one in the 40's in Liberty, Mo. In the olden days of the 20's through the 40's and maybe into the 50's, this is exactly how White Castle made their’s. Now days, White Castle uses frozen patties (square with holes in them) and rehydrated onions. The taste is marvelous, but it ain’t got nothin’ on the original. They mix a little pickle juice with the mustard to make it thinner but since there’s pickle on there anyway, it doesn’t interfere with the taste.
Now, I’m a huge fan of Steak and Shake, and also of Kansas City’s own Winstead’s. Haye’s burgers are the best. You want a little piece of heaven on earth, try Hayes next time your in Kansas City.
Check this out. It's a wonderful time lapse at Hayes by Anna Faltermeier.
http://www.annafaltermeier.com/multimedia/
Now, Hayes never had that big of a menu. There’s only about 50 items and that includes breakfast and cold drinks. Funny thing though, I’v been going there for over 50 years and I can’t remember having anything but hamburgers, cheeseburgers, chili, and french fries. Why try something else, when the cheeseburger is pure heaven?
The burgers are only about a tenth pound. They have fresh hamburger divided into balls in the cooler. When you order a burger, they grab a ball out the cooler and toss it on the grill. Onions is a must and they grab a handful of those paper thin slices, place them on top of the ball and smash the whole thing with a spatula as flat as it’ll go. The grill is about 400 degrees and the burger only takes a couple minutes on each side to cook. When the first side is done, it’s flipped over. Now the onions are on the bottom carmalizing. A slice of cheese is placed on top and then the bottom of the bun is placed on the burger with the top on top of that. This steams the bun with the grease vapor coming off the burger and onions. When that side is done, they simply lift the entire thing off the grill with the spatula and with a move that would make any Vegas dealer proud, slide the top of the bun to the bottom, slide out the spatula, and turn the burger right side up while placing it on the plate. If you order it to go, they put pickle and mustard on it. You want ketchup, you better ask.
These are the best burgers around. A lot of people compare them to White Castle and rumor has it that Mr Hayes may have owned one in the 40's in Liberty, Mo. In the olden days of the 20's through the 40's and maybe into the 50's, this is exactly how White Castle made their’s. Now days, White Castle uses frozen patties (square with holes in them) and rehydrated onions. The taste is marvelous, but it ain’t got nothin’ on the original. They mix a little pickle juice with the mustard to make it thinner but since there’s pickle on there anyway, it doesn’t interfere with the taste.
Now, I’m a huge fan of Steak and Shake, and also of Kansas City’s own Winstead’s. Haye’s burgers are the best. You want a little piece of heaven on earth, try Hayes next time your in Kansas City.
Check this out. It's a wonderful time lapse at Hayes by Anna Faltermeier.
http://www.annafaltermeier.com/multimedia/
Arthur Bryant's - Now That's Barbeque!
I grew up on Kansas City barbeque. Arthur Bryant’s and Gates were definitely the big one’s, but there were a few other’s as well. There was this place in Claycomo right across from the Ford plant. I never got to go in that place, and always had to wait in the car. I’m sure it was a bar. Later on, I was introduced to 7th Street, Winslow's in the City Market, and a few others.
When I left Kansas City in the early 70's, Arthur Bryant’s was definitely my favorite. I loved going in there and ordering a beef or ham sandwich and french fries. The sandwich was a buck and a half and the fries were a quarter more. That guy behind the counter had been there all my life and had the deepest voice I ever heard as he would repeat the order loud enough for the girl at the cash register to hear.
I loved watching him make my sandwich. He’d take a slice of white bread and throw it down in front of him on the counter. Then he’s start slicing the beef or ham. He would pile it on so that the bottom piece of bread would completely disappear. It had to be over a pound of meat. Then he’d grab that paint brush from the square stainless steel bowl and slosh the sauce on top of the meat. Oh, that sauce. He’d slap another piece of bread on top, pick up a big butcher knife and cut the whole thing in half. He’d then pick up the whole thing using both hands and place it on a plate. He’d split it into a wedge configuration so there would be plenty of room for the fries. He’d grab those big stainless steel tongs that were in the pickle jar and grab about a half dozen pickles and drop them on the plate beside the sandwich. He throw those tongs back in the pickle jar, grab the plate, then spin around where another set of tongs awaited. They were next to the deep fat fryers where the fries were waiting. Not just any fries but ones made from huge potatoes that had been washed but not peeled before being cut into fries. He’d fill the rest of the plate with the fries and most times covered half the sandwich. He’d then place the plate next to the cashier where I would grab it and head for the table my mom had already picked out.
My Mom usually picked a place close to the front window. That’s the front window where those huge five gallon jugs sat. The one’s full of sauce. My Grandpa told me once that at the old place, some guys were pitchin’ pennies and one of the pennies hit one of those jugs just right and shattered it. He said there was a big mess and penny pitchin’ was no longer allowed.
Our table was nothing special, except they were square and seated four. So, with a big family Mom had already pulled two together. Those tables had a metal band around the edge to hold down the formica or whatever covered the top. The chairs were vinyl covered with chrome metal frames.
I always tried to get a spot with my back against the wall. From there I could see the whole place. Straight across on the other wall were two “pop” machines. I don’t know what else was in there, but I always got an RC. Sixteen ounces for just a dime.
Next to the soda machines was a door that took you into another dining room if the place was crowded. Above that doorway was a framed picture. The picture was actually a split drawing. On the left was a skinny guy looking very distraught at a desk. Under him were the words “I sold on credit.” The other side was a well dressed rich looking man with a big cigar. Under him “I sold for cash only.”
Then came the best part of the whole visit. Biting into that sandwich. It just melted in your mouth, beef or ham. Plus that sauce was so good, you had to add more. There was always more in those plastic squeeze bottles. It was all so delicious!
Now the history of the place is something. Apparently, there was a guy named Henry Perry who had opened the bbq restaurant in the 20's in the 18th and Vine area. He hired Charlie Bryant. Charlie’s brother Arthur came to town from Texas to visit and never left. Charlie brought him in. There was another guy working there named Arthur Pinkard. Pinkard would later go on to helping George Gates open Gates and Son BBQ in 1946.
When Perry died in 1940, Charlie took over the restaurant. When Charlie died Arthur took over. The old restaurant was somewhere around 19th and Lydia. I remember when we went there in my Dad’s 53 Dodge that you had to go up this real steep hill and then make a hard left. Cresting that hill and making that left gave ya that roller coaster feeling in your tummy and a little below the belt as well.
In 1958, Arthur moved the restaurant just down the street from the ball park where the Kansas City A’s played. The restaurant is still there at 18th and Brooklyn.
Over the years, I’ve returned to Kansas City and every time I do, there’s a couple places I have to go. One of them is Arthur Bryant’s. It’s still the best Barbeque in town.
When I left Kansas City in the early 70's, Arthur Bryant’s was definitely my favorite. I loved going in there and ordering a beef or ham sandwich and french fries. The sandwich was a buck and a half and the fries were a quarter more. That guy behind the counter had been there all my life and had the deepest voice I ever heard as he would repeat the order loud enough for the girl at the cash register to hear.
I loved watching him make my sandwich. He’d take a slice of white bread and throw it down in front of him on the counter. Then he’s start slicing the beef or ham. He would pile it on so that the bottom piece of bread would completely disappear. It had to be over a pound of meat. Then he’d grab that paint brush from the square stainless steel bowl and slosh the sauce on top of the meat. Oh, that sauce. He’d slap another piece of bread on top, pick up a big butcher knife and cut the whole thing in half. He’d then pick up the whole thing using both hands and place it on a plate. He’d split it into a wedge configuration so there would be plenty of room for the fries. He’d grab those big stainless steel tongs that were in the pickle jar and grab about a half dozen pickles and drop them on the plate beside the sandwich. He throw those tongs back in the pickle jar, grab the plate, then spin around where another set of tongs awaited. They were next to the deep fat fryers where the fries were waiting. Not just any fries but ones made from huge potatoes that had been washed but not peeled before being cut into fries. He’d fill the rest of the plate with the fries and most times covered half the sandwich. He’d then place the plate next to the cashier where I would grab it and head for the table my mom had already picked out.
My Mom usually picked a place close to the front window. That’s the front window where those huge five gallon jugs sat. The one’s full of sauce. My Grandpa told me once that at the old place, some guys were pitchin’ pennies and one of the pennies hit one of those jugs just right and shattered it. He said there was a big mess and penny pitchin’ was no longer allowed.
Our table was nothing special, except they were square and seated four. So, with a big family Mom had already pulled two together. Those tables had a metal band around the edge to hold down the formica or whatever covered the top. The chairs were vinyl covered with chrome metal frames.
I always tried to get a spot with my back against the wall. From there I could see the whole place. Straight across on the other wall were two “pop” machines. I don’t know what else was in there, but I always got an RC. Sixteen ounces for just a dime.
Next to the soda machines was a door that took you into another dining room if the place was crowded. Above that doorway was a framed picture. The picture was actually a split drawing. On the left was a skinny guy looking very distraught at a desk. Under him were the words “I sold on credit.” The other side was a well dressed rich looking man with a big cigar. Under him “I sold for cash only.”
Then came the best part of the whole visit. Biting into that sandwich. It just melted in your mouth, beef or ham. Plus that sauce was so good, you had to add more. There was always more in those plastic squeeze bottles. It was all so delicious!
Now the history of the place is something. Apparently, there was a guy named Henry Perry who had opened the bbq restaurant in the 20's in the 18th and Vine area. He hired Charlie Bryant. Charlie’s brother Arthur came to town from Texas to visit and never left. Charlie brought him in. There was another guy working there named Arthur Pinkard. Pinkard would later go on to helping George Gates open Gates and Son BBQ in 1946.
When Perry died in 1940, Charlie took over the restaurant. When Charlie died Arthur took over. The old restaurant was somewhere around 19th and Lydia. I remember when we went there in my Dad’s 53 Dodge that you had to go up this real steep hill and then make a hard left. Cresting that hill and making that left gave ya that roller coaster feeling in your tummy and a little below the belt as well.
In 1958, Arthur moved the restaurant just down the street from the ball park where the Kansas City A’s played. The restaurant is still there at 18th and Brooklyn.
Over the years, I’ve returned to Kansas City and every time I do, there’s a couple places I have to go. One of them is Arthur Bryant’s. It’s still the best Barbeque in town.
Friday, January 01, 2010
Standby to Standby
You may remember that my niece works for Southwest Airlines. They have a rewards program that gives them free “buddy passes” to fly standby.
My brother and his wife came up with a great idea to surprise my Mom on her 80th birthday. They would invite her over for a birthday dinner and we would be there, along with my sister from Georgia and her family. My other sister lives with my parents so it would be a surprise for her, too. So, my niece sent us tickets.
We were supposed to fly out on the 26th. My opinion, anyone with half a brain knows flying between Christmas and New Year is a bad idea. The flights are full. The week before Christmas would have been a better idea (even if the birthday dinner would have been early.) Now, add to that a huge snow storm in the Midwest. MCI (what used to be called KCI airport in Kansas City. MCI was the name for the old Kansas City airport) had to close Christmas Eve due to the weather. Every one who got cancelled was now moved to Christmas day and later flights. My niece and I talked and it didn’t look like we would be able to get there at all but she said we could try Christmas Day if we didn’t mind a huge layover in Vegas.
So, I make the normal Christmas phone call home Christmas morning and have a short talk with mom and my sister. My Dad is really hard of hearing and hates to talk on the phone so I was able to cut it short. They told me about going to my brother’s for Mom’s birthday. I said “Boy, I wish I could be there.” My brother was in the restaurant from his teens to his 50’s and is a great cook. He’s cooking beef stroganoff, one of Mom’s favorites. My sister recommended that I call mom there so I could talk to everyone. As I hung up the phone laughing to myself, my wife was handing me my car keys telling me we needed to be at the airport, NOW!
The Ontario airport was not busy at all. We got to Vegas with no trouble and even sat together on the plane. I checked in right away and was told there were only two more flights to Kansas City and both were full up, but they were both delayed, so check back about an hour before the flights.
We ate and my wife sat down to play some video poker. Now, that’s what I call an airport, a big casino with transportation. She was down about ten bucks when she hit for a hundie. Woohoo. In the mean time, in between time…. I was on the phone with our niece. She gave me a great pointer. She said just before a flight boards, let the employees at the gate know you are there and stand right there during boarding. That way, if there are cancellations, most agents will put you on the plane, rather than have to call names over the intercom, and wait for a response. It worked. Plus, I had did a little smoozing when I let her know we were there. I asked “Are you a volunteer or were you volunteered to work Christmas day?” She replied that it was her normal shift, so I said “I’m so sorry, but bless you for working.” Of course, had she said she volunteered, I would have also said “Well bless your heart for allowing others to be with their families.” Win, win.
So, we boarded the plane and off to the frozen tundra called Kansas City. Right after take off, the pilot told us to be prepared to be diverted to possibly Denver. Luckily, that didn’t happen.
Man, was it cold in KC. They said the actual temp was 11 but the wind chill made it feel like 8 below. Plus, there was over a foot of snow. Another pointer about flying stand by: carry on luggage only. Had we booked luggage, we would be looking for it and no telling where it would have gone. KCI is a great airport for homeland security stuff. The layout makes it easy to get in and out. We were at the car rental place pretty quick.
Apparently, this storm started out as rain, then it froze. Then the snow came on top of that. So, there was little traffic and we drove about 20 on the Interstate. Our hotel was the airport Hyatt so it wasn’t that far a drive. I pulled in and parked under the awning. Then, went inside and checked in. The girl was really nice and had also been volunteered to work Christmas. We got a great room with sitting area, fridge, wet bar, and a huge flat screen, all for $63 bucks a night. I asked what would be my best bet for parking and she said there was a side lot on high ground that would make it easier to get out in the morning. My wife stayed in the room and I went out to park the car. As I pulled around to that side lot, I slid straight on past and into the lower lot into a three foot drift with ice beneath. Failed attempts to drive out of it and several cuss words later, I activated the flashers and embarrassingly trodded back towards the front desk.
I was well prepared for calling American Express road service and expecting a long delay. It was already midnight, and in this weather I was sure they were busy. To my delight, two maintenance guys grabbed some shovels and said “Let’s go.” They dug me out and pushed until my tires grabbed and directed me into a parking spot. Then we went back inside and one of then asked if we were hungry saying they would open up the kitchen and cook us a burger. Now that’s what I call customer service. They got a nice big tip and I’ll praise them forever.
The next morning the roads were salted and enough traffic to clear a lane on the highways. Off to my brother’s house. My brother was working but my sister in law was there. She was shoveling the sidewalk as we pulled in. I told her I’d get it, but she said no, that my brother would be home soon and he has a snow blower. She just didn’t want us to have to trek through a foot of snow to get in the house.
We then went inside where her grandkids were watching Alvin and the Chipmonks. My airline niece and another niece were there. Then my brother arrived and he and I went out to do some snow clearing.
Now, here’s a valuable lesson learned. Never, ever throw a snow ball at the operator of a snow blower. You won’t win. We got it all cleared just in time for my sister and her clan to arrive.
My sister in law cooked a turkey sausage and mushroom lasagna. We stayed late and then headed back into the elements and the hotel.
The next morning we went back over. My brother was cooking stroganoff for fifteen and the girls were making salads, dips, cookies, and candies. That kitchen was packed. I grabbed a beer and made the kids change the channel to football. We discussed how to surprise my Mom but decided on not causing any heart attacks. We just kind stood in the kitchen and walked out. There were lot’s of happy tears flowing, and the day went off without a hitch. (except maybe those football games)
Right before time to head out, my niece called the airport and gave us the bad news. All the flights were over booked and there was no way we were getting out of there. So back to the hotel for a horrible sleep and then back to my brother’s the next morning. My niece said there’s good news. If we could just get lucky enough to get out of Kansas City to anywhere, then making it to Ontario would be a cake walk. So, we waited and about four in the afternoon, she says “There’s a small chance we can get you on the 7:05 to Vegas. The bad news is that it doesn’t look like we can get you to Ontario until tomorrow morning.”
So off to the airport we go. Checking in the rent a car was so fast. As I pulled up, the only thing the guy wanted was the mileage. We were out of there an to the terminal two hours ahead of the scheduled flight. It was delayed so we were there plenty early. We checked in and the girl said “Oh, xxxx's family.” Xxxx is the airline niece. This nice young lady said she was placing us one and two on the standby list and was confident we could make it out of KC. When the plane started boarding, I went over and she said I got you on. So out of KC we went to try our luck in Las Vegas.
The pilot made up for a little of the delay in the air but told the paying customers that connecting flights would be delayed so they wouldn’t miss the connections. We took our time going to the gate for the Ontario flight cause we already knew that we were gonna be sleeping in those nice comfortable airport chairs. I walked up and talked to this airline gal with a heavy german accent, and asked to be put on the standby list even though I had already been told of our odds. She pulled it up on the computer and said “Somebody already got you boarding passes.” That great girl in KC, the friend of my niece. So, we boarded right then and there and home we came. We were home by midnight, and I heard him exclaim as he flew out of sight…..
Epilogue: We are so glad to be home, Here In California. I like organized and planned out. This trip was anything but, as far as travel. A good time was enjoyed by all.
My brother and his wife came up with a great idea to surprise my Mom on her 80th birthday. They would invite her over for a birthday dinner and we would be there, along with my sister from Georgia and her family. My other sister lives with my parents so it would be a surprise for her, too. So, my niece sent us tickets.
We were supposed to fly out on the 26th. My opinion, anyone with half a brain knows flying between Christmas and New Year is a bad idea. The flights are full. The week before Christmas would have been a better idea (even if the birthday dinner would have been early.) Now, add to that a huge snow storm in the Midwest. MCI (what used to be called KCI airport in Kansas City. MCI was the name for the old Kansas City airport) had to close Christmas Eve due to the weather. Every one who got cancelled was now moved to Christmas day and later flights. My niece and I talked and it didn’t look like we would be able to get there at all but she said we could try Christmas Day if we didn’t mind a huge layover in Vegas.
So, I make the normal Christmas phone call home Christmas morning and have a short talk with mom and my sister. My Dad is really hard of hearing and hates to talk on the phone so I was able to cut it short. They told me about going to my brother’s for Mom’s birthday. I said “Boy, I wish I could be there.” My brother was in the restaurant from his teens to his 50’s and is a great cook. He’s cooking beef stroganoff, one of Mom’s favorites. My sister recommended that I call mom there so I could talk to everyone. As I hung up the phone laughing to myself, my wife was handing me my car keys telling me we needed to be at the airport, NOW!
The Ontario airport was not busy at all. We got to Vegas with no trouble and even sat together on the plane. I checked in right away and was told there were only two more flights to Kansas City and both were full up, but they were both delayed, so check back about an hour before the flights.
We ate and my wife sat down to play some video poker. Now, that’s what I call an airport, a big casino with transportation. She was down about ten bucks when she hit for a hundie. Woohoo. In the mean time, in between time…. I was on the phone with our niece. She gave me a great pointer. She said just before a flight boards, let the employees at the gate know you are there and stand right there during boarding. That way, if there are cancellations, most agents will put you on the plane, rather than have to call names over the intercom, and wait for a response. It worked. Plus, I had did a little smoozing when I let her know we were there. I asked “Are you a volunteer or were you volunteered to work Christmas day?” She replied that it was her normal shift, so I said “I’m so sorry, but bless you for working.” Of course, had she said she volunteered, I would have also said “Well bless your heart for allowing others to be with their families.” Win, win.
So, we boarded the plane and off to the frozen tundra called Kansas City. Right after take off, the pilot told us to be prepared to be diverted to possibly Denver. Luckily, that didn’t happen.
Man, was it cold in KC. They said the actual temp was 11 but the wind chill made it feel like 8 below. Plus, there was over a foot of snow. Another pointer about flying stand by: carry on luggage only. Had we booked luggage, we would be looking for it and no telling where it would have gone. KCI is a great airport for homeland security stuff. The layout makes it easy to get in and out. We were at the car rental place pretty quick.
Apparently, this storm started out as rain, then it froze. Then the snow came on top of that. So, there was little traffic and we drove about 20 on the Interstate. Our hotel was the airport Hyatt so it wasn’t that far a drive. I pulled in and parked under the awning. Then, went inside and checked in. The girl was really nice and had also been volunteered to work Christmas. We got a great room with sitting area, fridge, wet bar, and a huge flat screen, all for $63 bucks a night. I asked what would be my best bet for parking and she said there was a side lot on high ground that would make it easier to get out in the morning. My wife stayed in the room and I went out to park the car. As I pulled around to that side lot, I slid straight on past and into the lower lot into a three foot drift with ice beneath. Failed attempts to drive out of it and several cuss words later, I activated the flashers and embarrassingly trodded back towards the front desk.
I was well prepared for calling American Express road service and expecting a long delay. It was already midnight, and in this weather I was sure they were busy. To my delight, two maintenance guys grabbed some shovels and said “Let’s go.” They dug me out and pushed until my tires grabbed and directed me into a parking spot. Then we went back inside and one of then asked if we were hungry saying they would open up the kitchen and cook us a burger. Now that’s what I call customer service. They got a nice big tip and I’ll praise them forever.
The next morning the roads were salted and enough traffic to clear a lane on the highways. Off to my brother’s house. My brother was working but my sister in law was there. She was shoveling the sidewalk as we pulled in. I told her I’d get it, but she said no, that my brother would be home soon and he has a snow blower. She just didn’t want us to have to trek through a foot of snow to get in the house.
We then went inside where her grandkids were watching Alvin and the Chipmonks. My airline niece and another niece were there. Then my brother arrived and he and I went out to do some snow clearing.
Now, here’s a valuable lesson learned. Never, ever throw a snow ball at the operator of a snow blower. You won’t win. We got it all cleared just in time for my sister and her clan to arrive.
My sister in law cooked a turkey sausage and mushroom lasagna. We stayed late and then headed back into the elements and the hotel.
The next morning we went back over. My brother was cooking stroganoff for fifteen and the girls were making salads, dips, cookies, and candies. That kitchen was packed. I grabbed a beer and made the kids change the channel to football. We discussed how to surprise my Mom but decided on not causing any heart attacks. We just kind stood in the kitchen and walked out. There were lot’s of happy tears flowing, and the day went off without a hitch. (except maybe those football games)
Right before time to head out, my niece called the airport and gave us the bad news. All the flights were over booked and there was no way we were getting out of there. So back to the hotel for a horrible sleep and then back to my brother’s the next morning. My niece said there’s good news. If we could just get lucky enough to get out of Kansas City to anywhere, then making it to Ontario would be a cake walk. So, we waited and about four in the afternoon, she says “There’s a small chance we can get you on the 7:05 to Vegas. The bad news is that it doesn’t look like we can get you to Ontario until tomorrow morning.”
So off to the airport we go. Checking in the rent a car was so fast. As I pulled up, the only thing the guy wanted was the mileage. We were out of there an to the terminal two hours ahead of the scheduled flight. It was delayed so we were there plenty early. We checked in and the girl said “Oh, xxxx's family.” Xxxx is the airline niece. This nice young lady said she was placing us one and two on the standby list and was confident we could make it out of KC. When the plane started boarding, I went over and she said I got you on. So out of KC we went to try our luck in Las Vegas.
The pilot made up for a little of the delay in the air but told the paying customers that connecting flights would be delayed so they wouldn’t miss the connections. We took our time going to the gate for the Ontario flight cause we already knew that we were gonna be sleeping in those nice comfortable airport chairs. I walked up and talked to this airline gal with a heavy german accent, and asked to be put on the standby list even though I had already been told of our odds. She pulled it up on the computer and said “Somebody already got you boarding passes.” That great girl in KC, the friend of my niece. So, we boarded right then and there and home we came. We were home by midnight, and I heard him exclaim as he flew out of sight…..
Epilogue: We are so glad to be home, Here In California. I like organized and planned out. This trip was anything but, as far as travel. A good time was enjoyed by all.
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