As we watch TV reporting of serious weather conditions in other parts of the country, we are thankful that we are not affected by snowstorms. Some locations have even faced blizzards. I once faced a blizzard of a different variety.
Several years ago, wife Joyce and daughter Lisa and I lived in Kent. After dinner one evening, Joyce and Lisa decided to do a bit of shopping and let me stay home. My idle mind started thinking that I needed some dessert, which was off-limits since I was trying to lose weight.
I pictured a Dairy Queen that was not far away. Dairy Queen’s Heath Bar Blizzard had been my weakness and I decided I should have one! However, I mustn’t get caught.
I knew I could get to Dairy Queen and back quickly. Also, I knew that Lisa was doing the driving and would come in through the front door. I also figured that if I was eating the Blizzard when I heard the door open, I would have time to dash into my shop and leave the remainder for recovery later.
Good plan. So I got my Blizzard. As it turned out, I was able to finish my Blizzard and relax a bit before the women returned. They entered the family room with nice smiles and a sack.
Joyce said, “You’ve been such a good boy on your diet, so we want to surprise you with a Heath Bar Blizzard!”
I couldn’t say, “No thanks, I just had one.” I had to eat it and pretend great satisfaction. Keep in mind that in those days, Blizzards came in large cups, not the dinky ones served today.
My stomach rebelled for the next couple of days, as I felt very sick and couldn’t eat a thing. It brought major ribbing from those who heard the story, especially in my office.
The story even followed us to our move to Vancouver, where a neighbor got a new 5-gallon white bucket and painted the exact Blizzard logo on it, plus a large PVC straw. It was presented to me during a neighborhood gathering with more ribbing.
That was the end of my Blizzard habit for many years, although I still wonder if I should have one — the small version — some day.
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