Well, Happy Memorial Day to those who celebrate this around the USA and the world. And Happy Birthday to me! To celebrate Jeff decide to take me out to breakfast at the Route 209 Diner. It still has that classic diner decor and the food is good (not greasy at all).
The decor was not the only colorful thing in the diner. We sat in a booth and ordered breakfast while one very loud man carried on a conversation with a woman in the booth next to us- apparently they both work there in some capacity. We heard all about his children and step-children and what they call him (Dad or Charlie), the fact that he lives closer to East Stroudsburg than Bangor (but his mailing address is Bangor), and that he suspects that the owner dips into the till and forgets to repay the cash drawer on a frequent basis (which is why the lady in the booth did not "work the register"). After learning more than we ever really wanted to know about his and her life, he agreed with the woman that most people post the "most ridiculous information" about their lives on Facebook. I nearly choked on my toast over that one!
But in the end, as we QUIETLY drove home (o: it did get me to thinking. Most of us do not look for validation or affirmation in a diner while customers try to enjoy a meal, but in one way or another, everyone is looking for that special confirmation that they matter and someone cares about them. Which brought to mind an old song about the same kind of setting.
Johnny's Cafe
Chorus;
Go spend the day down at Johnny's Cafe
All kinds of people there with plenty to say
If you've got nothin' to say to folks at Johnny's Cafe
You've got nothing to say at all.
Walk in any day and you'll find a slice of life at your table
One man leavin' his wife, another wishin' he was able
An old man trying to forget, a young one lookin' for a label
And the stories they tell ya, can't tell if they're true or a fable
And the lady pouring coffee, she knows the regulars by name
If she doesn't know you, she'll call you 'honey' just the same
We all love to hear it even if she has to fake it
'Cause it's nice to think that someone really cares, someone cares.
Chorus
Half a mile down the road you'll find a church with a steeple
And on Sundays the pews are full of well-dressed beautiful people
There's a leading politician who's wife is a musician in the choir
And the corporation head who's trying to get a little bit higher.
And the preacher pouring sermons he knows the regulars by name
And if he doesn't know you he'll shake your hand just the same
We all love to hear it, even if he has to fake it
But it would be nice to know that someone cares, someone cares
Go spend a day down at Johnny's Cafe
All kinds of people there with plenty to say
Now if Jesus were here I think we'd find Him today
Down at Johnny's Cafe.
What a great shot, so typically American from a Scottish point of view. I don't envy you over-hearing a loud conversation like that over your meal but it gave you additional food . . for thought!
Happy Birthday, Ann. Love your photo and the great, vivid colors and pov! It seems that nothing is "private" these days. Even "one-sided" cell phone converstions!
@kimmistephens Thanks Kimmi! Happy Memorial Day to you too! @kyren167 Thanks Karen!! @deniseinindy Thanks Denise- this is sooc- the colors are really that bright! @woot Thanks Davide- in all ways (except the loud guy!) it was a pleasant place to eat. These diners are a part of the American cultural and became very popular in the 1950's. The polished stainless steel, vinyl seated counter stools and blue tiles are very much like what they were like back then. @louisefrance Thanks Louise- yes they are All-American! @kathleenn Thank you Kathleen! @groovygirlrn Thanks Sheri! @kerristephens Thanks Kerri! @karenann Thank you Karenann! @dmariewms Thanks Marie!
First of all Ann, a big Happy Birthday to you. It sounds like it is a nice place to go, and I like the look of it. More of a vintage feel. I too have had simialr experiences when out to eat, and I must say, I do get annoyed when there are those in the nearby seats who feel everyone is interested in hearing all the details of their life, and when they are on their cell phone, they feel as though everyone is entitled to the one way conversation. Anyway, I hope you had a good day to celebrate your big day.
Happy birthday Ann, great photo. Your fortunate to have this wonderful piece of nostalgia left in your area. Brought back memories of chocolate malts and fries.
happy birthday, ann. and hope you're enjoying your long weekend. this is indeed a colourful diner, so nostalgic atmosphere it projects. and a lovely song with beautiful lyrics. i like it!
Happy Birthday to you!!! Happy Birthday to you!!! Happy Birthday Dear Annnnnnnn... happy birthday to you! Now I wish we had been able to get together for coffee while you were here! This is a great pic. I can hear 60s music in the background just looking at this! Great angle and great detail. Nicely done you!
@digitalrn Thanks Rick! It was a nice day- especially when the whole family called with birthday wishes. I even read a book over the phone with my grandson! @rhubbard Thanks Rick- I should have gotten a shake!! @summerfield Thanks Vikki! It's an old song- but fit the venue perfectly! @prttblues Thanks Bev! Oh, we will get together for sure! There's still a lot of stuff to sort and take care of so another trip is in the future. And you can be sure you will be notified ahead of time and my sister will know that one day I will be unavailable so that I can meet together with you!
Happy Birthday, Ann!!!! This reminds me of a diner in our neighborhood when I was a teen & sure brings back memories. When I graduated from Jr High (it was called Jr High then not Middle School) my mom asked me where I wanted to eat and I said Tony's Diner ;-) I loved that place. Wonderful shot and the lyrics are so special. Enjoy your day!!
@salza Thank you Sally! They are an American classic for sure. @beachradish Thanks Beachradish! Yes, I thought so too for the colors. @sangwann Thanks Dione! Human nature never ceases to amaze me. @cimes1 Thanks Carole! I went to Jr. High too- somehow it sounded so much more grown up, and of course in our town it covered 7-9th grade whereas middle school is 6-8th. @vposey Thanks Vickie! @automaticslim Thanks Automatic!
Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Ann, happy birthday to you! Send you a big birthday hug your way and hoping you had a wonderful day. xxx
@nicolecampbell Thanks Nicole! It was a very low key day, which has made me decide I'm going to throw a birthday party for myself and my husband when his comes around at the end of August!
June 1st, 2012
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@kyren167 Thanks Karen!!
@deniseinindy Thanks Denise- this is sooc- the colors are really that bright!
@woot Thanks Davide- in all ways (except the loud guy!) it was a pleasant place to eat. These diners are a part of the American cultural and became very popular in the 1950's. The polished stainless steel, vinyl seated counter stools and blue tiles are very much like what they were like back then.
@louisefrance Thanks Louise- yes they are All-American!
@kathleenn Thank you Kathleen!
@groovygirlrn Thanks Sheri!
@kerristephens Thanks Kerri!
@karenann Thank you Karenann!
@dmariewms Thanks Marie!
Thank you all for adding to my happy day!
@rhubbard Thanks Rick- I should have gotten a shake!!
@summerfield Thanks Vikki! It's an old song- but fit the venue perfectly!
@prttblues Thanks Bev! Oh, we will get together for sure! There's still a lot of stuff to sort and take care of so another trip is in the future. And you can be sure you will be notified ahead of time and my sister will know that one day I will be unavailable so that I can meet together with you!
@beachradish Thanks Beachradish! Yes, I thought so too for the colors.
@sangwann Thanks Dione! Human nature never ceases to amaze me.
@cimes1 Thanks Carole! I went to Jr. High too- somehow it sounded so much more grown up, and of course in our town it covered 7-9th grade whereas middle school is 6-8th.
@vposey Thanks Vickie!
@automaticslim Thanks Automatic!