No they don't own or live in a bakery, nor do they eat at Kringle's Bakery. But they do eat where they want and with whom they share meals, breakfast, bagels or tea or coffee, it is a good time for all.
Today I had the privilege of going out for bagels with these ladies. One at a time they drifted in as they could make it according to what ever time they have. Sometimes the unexpected is just as nice or better than what is or who is expected as I found out.
I was invited by a thirteen year-old boy who asked me about having breakfast with his grandmother and a few ladies. As hesitant as I was, not wanting to be part of any kind of a group and preferring to remain as I am, I agreed, after all he is friends with a boy who lives with me. I thought to myself, one time won't hurt. I'll go, get it done and never again. Kind of the way we feel about going to the dentist.
Today I was lucky. The choice was Big APPLE Bagels, on Haines road across from K-mart in York. Prices are fair, coffee is great and the bagels, almost as good as New York Bagels. Yes I am prejudiced as I am a New Yorker. No matter where we come from we compare and nothing is ever as good. Still and all, Big Apple Bagels, are delicious with a choice of many kinds of cream cheeses or lox. They also make egg sandwiches with meat toppings and salads. You just can't go wrong.
Now about the ladies. We all had stories to share, even me who was prepared to sit quiet, listen and leave. I was also just going to get coffee only, but the atmosphere, yes it's all about the atmosphere, which was familiar. I've been to Big Apple Bagels many times in the past years, but stopped about two years ago. Now here I was anxious to once again try my favorite. The child who was with me listened as I stated earlier, oh I hope they have honey oat today. Silly sometimes, the way we think, but there they were, sitting and waiting for me to say as I used to, Honey oat please, lightly toasted with veggie cream cheese. I felt the taste before it was ready. When I was there before a person behind the counter would call out, honey oat!
But to my surprise, the lady whose grandson invited me suddenly came walking over tray in hand with two bagels on it. One was mine and the other for the child.
It was then we started with small chit chat. Cecelia or C, her nick name (excuse me if I wrong) and two of the boys and myself sat and talked about the surroundings. I noticed other people looking our way as Ceil commented they used to all sit at one table, but the people kept growing and the tables stayed the same, so they broke into small groups. Now here I sat as if I'd always been here with this lady. She made me feel welcome and then Pat came in. She wore a big welcoming smile. Pat greeted myself and this new child as if we weren't as new as we were.
Some time later another woman joined in, Jane, also friendly and outgoing. They all had one thing in common, a statement, and that was, "we sure do laugh a lot." Not long after Jane's daughter walked in, having come from working out, and again a big smile. As I sat at one end of the table I could hear Pam laughing with one of the boys and again that statement settled in, "we sure do laugh a lot." I loved being back at Big Apple Bagels.
Yes, they are the Babes of York County. They eat out several times a week, not all and not the same ladies. By the way in case you're wondering, these ladies are ageless, from very young to not as young, but always , yes always, laughing.
Monday, Pinera Bread. I'll let ya know.
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