Okay I don't think that I have ever had what I call a "Knock My Socks Off" Day before... But today was that day...

I volunteer on Tuesdays at the Local Salvation Army - I am the Soup and Desserts Girl... Easy enough, so it gives me enough time to chat up the fellas HAHAHAHAHA And the ladies (Cheryl or Judy) that I work with are extremely cheerful and upbeat. Or rather they are once I begin teasin' them HAHAHAHA

Well today it is another day, like any other day OR SO I THOUGHT...

Then I was serving this one guy - And "SOMETHING" struck me as similiar or rather "FAMILIAR" about him... So I blindly asked him, "Are you from New Brunswick? Newfoundland?"

"No."

"Are you related or do you know a guy named A.K.?"

"No." He paused, as his extremely blue eyes probed mine. "Is your father a Dentist?"

"Ummmmmm, yes - - " I stared at him, opened mouthed, as noone at the Salvation Army would know my Family, or my family's background. Quite tightlipped about it, except for Cheryl or Judy.

He continued, "I am from Ontario, we were together, like 20 years ago?"

"OMGIT'SMYJOHHNY - - JOHHNY COLLISON!!!"

Then all the memories of My Johnny came flooding back and I just stared at him. I was maybe 20, 21? And he was a Summer Love and I swear those were the most intense ones.

He was a heartthrob back then. Picture this; surfy boy type - - Sandy blonde curls (to die for), trusty/dreamy blue/blue/blue eyes and a smile that beguiled you from the first smile your way.

But this surfy boy choice of surf was Prince's bike (the one in Purple Rain EXACTLY) and the same size. With tattoos galore.

But he was the most tender of lovers, which contradicted the leather and the tatt's and the grin. But once he curled up beside you, he purred. And caressed and cared.

But after 4 months he was just "GONE." No letter on the pillow or goodbye, just GONE.

A month later the phone bill came in and I saw that he called Ontario, quite often. And thru the grapevine I heard he went back to his high school sweetheart and I had never seen him until today.

MyJohnny.

Cried for 3 months over him. I did when he "JUSTLEFT".

We could not talk fast enough, at the dinner table, and I could not believe it was my Johnny.

Life had not treated him well, now he has no teeth (so sad, because his smile was so beautiful), tanned like only 24/7 street people are. Oily, or is it dirty? But his eyes are still tender, those eyes have not changed.

I said to him, "You shouldn't have left me, Johnny."

He looked at me and said, "Believe me, I regretted it many times."

I said, "I can't feel for you, because you chose to leave."

I gave him my telephone number and told him to call. At 2 p.m. tomorrow.

My insides just feel like they went thru a rollercoaster. Ahhhhhhhhhhhh...

COOK'S NOOK

A **MUSTSEE** when you visit Nanaimo!!!!

It is located in Port Place Mall - Best service from the ladies working there - I went in on a Saturday day and the ambience of the store is just FANTASTIC!!! They let you wander around -

What got us (I was with my friend Jenny) to detour to the store was Gemini and Pisces coffee mugs. On sale (sale bin outside of the front entranceway of the store) Which prompted us to wander thruout the store itself.

The first thing you notice is the EXTREME CLEANLINESS of the store itself. Then you begin to enjoy the brightness of each colour of each item of the store. Like RED IS RED. Blue is a STRONG blue. This store is NOT for the feint of heart. Loud/extreme brightness of colours.

I wanted to purchase these really elegant teapots - Which looked like cat teapots. With WHISKERS!!! But 42.99 (Not a sale item any time soon LOL)

I found thruout my wandering stainless steel skewers (wayyyyyy better than wooden ones - can be used over and over).

Then further wanderings and EXTREME ENJOYMENT I found myself towards the candles - Made with natural soy - WOW - AND the candles were on sale - I AM SOOOOO RETURNING again and again. Eucalyptus and Lilac were purchased. Eucalyptus being burnt as I type this.

Then found egg holders - Had to buy the cat AND the dog :)

You are able to move throughout the store freely - As both Jenny and I had backpacks on and felt free to carry them.

Everything is great priced, lots of sales. Lotsof colours and lotsof smiles from the staff.

I will be back. Again and again. My cashier was Lisa.

Cook's Nook
Kitchen & Gift
Jenny Ford, Owner
Tel. 250-754-8733
83 - 650 Terminal Avenue ((((PORT PLACE MALL)))
Nanaimo, B.C. V9R 5E2