There are two phrases that often pop up during friendly conversations.
“Do you remember?,” is the first.
“Have you ever?,” being the second.
Just the other day someone asked me, “Do you remember when Bob’s Big Boy restaurant was located in Havasu?” Of course I do, because I ate there several times before it ceased operation. Their burgers and French fries were some of the yummiest in town.
That conversation regarding Bob’s ultimately drifted to other food establishments no longer in our city.
Another question I’ve been asked more than once is, “Have you ever taken the shuttle across the lake to Havasu Landing Resort & Casino?” Thus far I’ve replied, “No, but my wife and I plan to go someday.”
Someday has still yet to come, but perhaps this summer it will. My question back to those doing the inquiring is always the same, “Have you ever won anything?”
These two phrases, have you ever and do you remember, can be ice breakers in getting conversations started. Different locales open up a plethora of possibilities for each line.
In Alaska, asking someone have they ever caught a king salmon, saw a bear, rode a snowmachine, or visited Homer or Skagway, is quite common. I have a unique question of my own that on occasion I ask Alaskan visitors or residents,
“Have you ever ate at Kenny Rogers Roasters?”
Most all young folks I toss this question to don’t have a clue what Kenny Rogers Roasters is. At one time in Alaska, there was one of these restaurants located in Anchorage on Dimond Boulevard. We went there perhaps three occasions, with my biggest remembrance being how expensive it was. You had to pay extra for side dishes such as cornbread or mashed potatoes and gravy.
The upstart business only remained for a few years before closing. At their peak, there were 425 of these roasted chicken restaurants in the world, with all locations in the United States now gone. They’re still going strong in Asia.
In Arizona, the foremost question presented to residents without question is, “Have you ever seen a rattlesnake?”
I always reply back to that question with, “Yes,” having run across several of these reptiles at home and in the desert.
Our back patio area still has scars showing where I hacked one to death with a shovel. I did just as much physical damage to the cool-decking that I did to this three foot rattler. Unfortunately, I had to kill it because the rattler was coiled and ready to strike our little dog.
My Alabama related conversations generally end up with these questions.
“Have you ever visited Selma?,” or “Do you remember seeing any of the old plantation homes?”
“Yes,” can be answered to both. I have story after story to tell about living in Alabama, and all of them good. As a young boy, whatever negative I experienced there must’ve been minimal because I can’t recall any.
Hawaii is a different subject. I’ve only been to the Aloha State twice, and after telling folks this bit of my personal history, they generally inquire,
“Have you ever tried surfing?”
That question opens up a short novel of sorts because I have a painful story to tell.
I was in my late 20s the first time there. In Oahu, a snorkel and surfboard rental shack was located close by our hotel. A couple of friends that Joleen and I knew prodded me into renting a beginners board. Being fair skinned, and game enough to try anything new where sports is concerned, I obliged.
The surfboard I ended up with had an antislip material on top similar to that found in showers or bathtubs. Lying on my stomach and paddling out to where the waves started to crest, after so many trips back and forth, this sandpaper like material was doing its best to erase any memories of my male nipples. Believe it or not, they’re actually called that in numerous medical articles.
After almost an hour of spending more time on this board lying on my stomach rather than standing on feet, I was in severe pain. Saltwater hadn’t done the abrasions any good along with an overdose of sunburn on my back.
Blood started to appear on my right breast, and the fear of hungry sharks suddenly came to mind. I called it quits before any took notice.
Wearing Band-Aid pasties under my t-shirts the rest of that trip, I avoided the beach like a plague. After hearing this story I’m generally asked by people,
“Did you try aloe vera juice to ease the pain?”
Have you ever and do you remember are undoubtedly two phrases that seniors use more than any. It’s good to reflect back on the places we’ve been and crazy things done. In some cases, as I’ve pointed out, these memories can be funny and painful at the same time.
“Have you ever experienced or do you remember things similar?”
Hopefully not where surfing is concerned. I’ve never heard tell of another person going through that unforgettable ordeal!
I like to write junk... 