Cup of Joe May 3, 2026
by Joe McKenzie
Tick: Pause. Tick. Pause. Yes, it’s tick season again. Have your tweezers handy. I’ve had one tick already. But, this is about clocks. Ever watch an analog wall clock that was playing dead battery? After what seemed to be a week, the minute hand of the school clock would click to the next minute. We didn’t learn much science in grade school from the nuns, but I began a theory that time moves more slowly on spring afternoons. Just a theory. Sure, it goes against the conspiracy that each second and minute are about equal, even when you want to be somewhere else. Were my eyes and ears lying to me? I may have personally witnessed the slowest hour in history. You can probably remember time moving too slowly too. Could we all be wrong? It’s the moments that count.
Romaine: There is a special vibe on a Tuesday morning at The Prairieland Market downtown. The cute sign on the Santa Fe sidewalk advised people to Romaine Calm. Did you see that? We can fret about small things like what flavor of ice cream we will enjoy that evening or large things like it’s still 6 weeks until the River Festival. Okay, war is a huge fret too. Romaine lettuce is healthy stuff. Deep breath. Think: locally grown. Repeat the mantra: Organic! I’m reminded of the Kevin Bacon role in Animal House when the panicked town is running crazy and Bacon’s character shouts for people to remain calm. They could just have gone to Prairieland for an organic Romaine calmness that we all could use about now.
Bump: There is an appropriate sign on way west Magnolia for drivers going east away from the K-State Salina and Salina Tech campuses. Bump. Love the brevity. We don’t need beware the bump or watch for bump. Just Bump. It’s a small bump, as though the section they screwed up was just 3 months pregnant and not quite obvious at night under blacktop. These signs are as rare as bumps on Saline County roads are common. Can you imagine the number of warning signs needed on the back side of the Central Mall? The signs would lose their impact if they were all over town. I’m sure it’s temporary and they will smooth out Magnolia as they finish the current project.
Amateur: A simple swap of 2 letters changed the spelling, but not the meaning or intended meaning of a sign at a recent art exhibit. The art was either created by a professional or someone who wasn’t a pro - yet. No one was fooled by the misplacement of 2 letters. It could have meant that even sign makers can be non-professionals. It’s a common mistake. Most of us were focused on the quilts, the watercolors, sculptures and interesting framed photographs. As always, one of the best parts of a local art exhibit are the artists who were willing to display their creativity and to talk about their art. Bravo!
Famous: Do you have a recipe or something at home that your family talks about as famous? Famous chocolate chip pancakes? Famous homemade cinnamon rolls? Restaurants get our attention with this simple modifying word that some probably begin to use on day one. We have to try those famous enchiladas at least once. Famous foods are often good to average. Famous can be an over-promise and the actual food cannot live up to the advertising. But, if it’s grandma’s famous biscuits, they may come with a legend and that connection to love adds to the warmth and the taste and more easily melts the family butter of your heart.