Thursday night marked the return of the monthly dinners that I have with Mr. Clougherty. We’ve done this tradition regularly since 2013 and aside from the few times we met on a different day, it’s always been a Thursday night. The swimming season ended early and so Kevin was free to meet me for dinner. I wanted the first dinner of the year to be at Kings. I left a nice review on Yelp and may return during the Lenten season to try another fish dinner. I ordered the shrimp dinner while Kevin got the K-Boy. We both had Apple Pie for dessert (I had mine with Cinnamon Ice Cream)
I felt that it was appropriate to start with Kings in memory of founder Hartley King, who died at the end of January at the age of 91. Kings locations were everywhere in Pittsburgh at one point and at its peak had over 30 locations. The sale of the company in 2015 was a sign that the restaurant wasn’t going to expand and eventually many of the stores we grew up going to closed their doors. They either sat abandoned, or they became a convenience store or different restaurant.
We made plans for 2025, and next month we will meet on the eve of the Spring Conference at Primanti’s. Also included this year will be Olive Garden, Hibachi, and Eat’n Park. I’m thinking about Texas Road House (Kevin has never been there) but I’m not sure yet. Hibachi might be our June destination. Last year, I celebrated my aunt’s birthday there as well as AB’s birthday so I may do the same myself. Before and during dinner, we have our usual talking points like the swim team and the sorry state of the high school. I need to remember to let the stale ones go, like my college years. I also talked about Toastmasters and said a few things related to the upcoming Spring Conference. It was hard to leave politics at home, but I did it. Last time we met before the presidential election. I’ve been accepting the outcome even though I don’t want to. Even stuff I agree with, I just ignore because it’ll get me wound up. Perhaps my John Hughes/Brat Pack book would have made better dinner conversation as Kevin was a young adult and student at IUP during that time. It would have been cool to talk about the Breakfast Club with him.
During this most recent two day off stretch, my heart was set on going to the local Christian bookstore and I did so Thursday afternoon. I’d been away for a while but stopped in for a little bit before I went to meet Kevin and found some good deals. One of them was a book that recently came out which was written by Christian music artist Rebecca St. James and her husband. I read her mother’s book a few years ago on my Kindle and I enjoyed learning about her life growing up both in Australia and adjusting to life in America. I recently learned that her brothers make up the band For King and Country.
It’s been a slow process, but my heart is beginning to come back to God. I attended the Bible study at Cutie’s a few times during the summer and went to Community Methodist Church in Harrison City. For a stretch during Lent in 2023, I also went back to Cornerstone. I am excited for the first Bible Study of the year at Cutie’s at the end of April (it’ll be a nice end to the Spring Conference weekend for me). I also bought a book for $5 written by a Presbyterian pastor. As I prepare to finish my John Hughes book, I look forward to this new season of reading in my life and getting back to church at some point this Spring.
I spent part of my Friday morning at Cutie’s picking my last drink option on the Lucky You menu before it switches over next Saturday to the In Bloom menu. While there I got a picture of the beautiful window display courtesy of @vjenningsart that is definitely in bloom for Spring. My Lucky Girl Latte was good even though it was missing the literal cherry on top. Understandable because the new menu will be making its debut next week.
Finally, the countdown to conference is on as we’re now less than a month away. My mood has greatly improved from last year and my “journey” is better when I’m not craving that drug known as attention. I’m more quiet about it now and whether or not I’m getting compliments, I should still be accepting of myself regardless.
Our Laurel Highlands and Western Maryland Toastmasters president has an amazing session planned during the Spring Conference and I’m going to make this part of my conference plans. I’m excited for the upcoming election of our District officers as well. After being a Toastmaster for nearly 15 years, I still have an appetite for learning something now at conference, meeting, or club officer training. I wasn’t sure that 2025 was in my plans last year, but I’m glad it is now.
Let’s Do This!
Stylish 🍒 