Green, Ohio. That is where I spent most of my Memorial Weekend. Green is so unnoteworthy that it doesn’t even have its own zip code. I vacation big. More significantly, Green is right outside of Akron, home of LeBron James, the face of the Cleveland Cavaliers…except for when he wasn’t. I actually went to a Cavaliers game during the 4-year period that LeBron played for the Heat…when they played against the Heat. Mid-court…a couple of rows up from the floor. I have never heard as many boos as I did when he walked onto that court (or made a basket, high-fived a teammate…pretty much any movement at all). They burned his jerseys…and then that slightly below-the-belt, hate letter that Cavs owner, Dan Gilbert, posted on their website. Nothing worse than having a “good riddance, you suck, we will be better without you” tantrum and then having to eat your words later. Karma-1. Dan-0. Now the Cavaliers are approaching the Championship finals…3rd year in a row…coincidentally the 3rd season LeBron has been back with the Cavs. No correlation I’m sure.
My aunt has lived in Ohio for 13 years, but as soon as a word comes out of her mouth…people do a double-take and ask her where she is from. That drawl. It’s like Arkansas met Georgia by way of a really long detour through Alabama. Y’all. It’s a great conversation piece anywhere above the Mason-Dixon line. She seeks out places that serves fried catfish, and she won’t order a biscuit at a restaurant without interrogating the server about its size, fluffiness, and whether or not it will meet her southern expectations. She is truly the epitome of that saying: “You can take a girl out of the south, but you can’t take the south out of the girl.” She’s the best.
My cousin’s (who is more like my niece) high school graduation is what took me to Ohio
for the holiday weekend. The weekend made me thankful that I graduated at a time when social media didn’t exist, and a high school party consisted of 2-liter cokes (amongst other things), pizza, and a bonfire out in the middle of the woods. Now they are catered and professionally decorated, and the kids’ biggest worry is how their outfit will look on Instagram. Why am I having deja vu while writing this? Is adulting much different?🤔
If you are ever in the Akron/Green/Canton area, there are a couple of places you need to try. Northside Speakeasy is cool little bar tucked away in the bottom of a hotel in Akron. It’s small and cozy atmosphere makes it a great spot for before or after dinner drinks. From the front entrance it looks like an apothecary (pharmacist for all of you who are like whaaaat?!). If you pull the correct item on one of the shelves, the door magically opens. I won’t ruin the surprise and tell you which item it is. Crackerjacks? The back entrance is a red telephone booth, London style. When you walk in and lift the phone off the receiver, a door magically opens. The best part is that from the inside, you can watch people trying to figure it out. I love people-watching.
If you like Italian and don’t mind a hole-in-the-wall atmosphere, try Luigi’s. It was within walking distance from the speakeasy. The pizza wasn’t the brick oven, thin with a delicious crust, Italian pizza like I was expecting/wanting/hoping for😁…but the pasta and salad were really good. Great sauce. Fair warning…they don’t take cards. Cash or check only. It’s 2017, not 1917.
My favorite place, that I have to go to every time I visit the Ohioans, is Handel’s. Best. Ice Cream. Ever. This time I tried a new flavor. Mint Oreo. Imagine mint chocolate chip, but Oreos instead of chocolate chips. Heaven in a cup. If only I had gotten a cone….🍦😋
Side Notes:
- The seats on an airplane closest to the bathrooms are deemed among the worst. I end
up in one every. single. time. First class, no class…same thing. - Received my very first (and last) fidget spinner. Who has time to sit around and think of such insignificant, unnecessary things like this?! I can’t put it down.😐
- For all of my 90’s tweens & teens…Who’s excited about Alanis Morrissette’s “Jagged Little Pill” album becoming a musical?! I’m picturing a rainy wedding and Mary Jane on a roller coaster. I have two hands giving high fives right now.
- I don’t even want to waste my time talking about super rich people who get DUIs (drinking or not drinking) when they have hired drivers on speed dial. You’re an idiot, Mr. Woods.
Big hugs. Lots of Love.
P.M.T.
Pardon My Thoughts* 