Donuts

It's called "Phatso's" but the owner/baker looks like he is a regular marathon runner. I don't know that he found charm in the location close to the action of downtown Chester, Pennsylvania, being a hot spot for drugs, violence, prostitutes. But it felt much different stepping into the shop. Much different. I was scared for my life until I was safely enclosed in the warmth and subtly sweet smells and early morning smiling faces of the proprietor and his son. And if I hadn't been on the war path of weight loss, I would have frequented it more.

I came to New York and tried some expensive donuts. But I don't need to say anything about that.

There in Chester, two blocks from my crappy filthy job, I found a bit of heaven so simple, so delicious, so delightful, and so memorable that if I were ever remotely near I would stop to spend a small fortune to ensure the continued existence of the tiny shop everyone should know so well.

Three Little Mexicans

In the early morning hours at Fulton St on the A,C train route, there are three Mexicans, all shorter then my wife of 5' 4", the first playing Spanish guitar, the second some sort of penny whistle or recorder and the third a full sized acoustic guitar that would cause me to mistake him for a child except he has a full blown mustachio.
I saw them at 6:30 one morning setting up with an amplifier and some other various accoutrements while a woman, apparently connected intimately with one of the musicians, waited until they were settled before kissing and saying goodbye as though they were working regular jobs.
The melodies are divine. I don't mind if they play El Condor Pasa time and time again slightly out of tune, they play with the heart of a matador from the moment they begin.
I can't help but smile.

Master

I thought it would be cool to learn how to yodel in high school. Everybody wants to be unique.
But some actually create something of what they find unique and master those simple things and bless the lives of others through it.
Incidentally, it's Roger Whittaker's voice humming as Clancy comes riding over the hill in "Man from Snowy River".
Just copy and paste this. It's worth it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rp_ZAtCwjE8