We think Bob an Edith decided to delay the announcement of the closing of their North Arlington location until the Snow Days we are trapped in are over. That diner has been serving up hotcakes and eggs for more than twenty years. The chain has been a family-owned business for 55 years and we can still slide by the place on Columbia Pike when we have functions at the old Big Pink office where some of us sleep when the ice is too thick to get back to The Trillium in Fairfax.

Ice was one of the topics of out morning meeting today. We talked about the amazing tweve hour sleet storm that coated things in slippery nagging white, layers of ice sandwiching the original fluffy snow that began to fall last weekend and now has things sealed up across all 15-minutes of our County. Their pecan hotcakes, one egg juice and coffee were going for nearly $10 bucks, which is a breakfast indulgence many of us can’t handle on the cash that makes it to our allowances.

We were a little leery about going over for a last meal but the roads are still icy. The kids from the neighborhood enjoyed the day a lot more than we did. They gathered in an ambush blockade to pelt the work-crews with ice balls until they were chased out while other whole family groups took over the slope that runs from our Main Entrance to what is left of the Auto Dealers Association parking lot. General Manager Brian informed us that the four-story condominium association would be going up there this coming summer, so we don’t know whether it will spoil the view from the 4th Floor Conference Room.

Or if this means we have to find a new place to chow down in the afternoon.

This is what was happening yesterday. It appeared the ice had kept people sealed up in their burrows and were eager to burn some calories. Across from The Trillium, the hill went live with the Kids throwing ice balls at County Maintenance Crews as they attempted to plow the subdivision streets that still have nearly a foot of crunchy frozen snow. They did a good job on the main through-streets on Monday, but once off the main roads things are still partially impassable. But there may be more to come in this week of frigid agony.

The kids apparently don’t care about the cold and were dressed accordingly. That was a useful thing, since the ice coating made sleds and saucers completely optional as everything was ready to slide without them.

So, Tuesday was a mixture of spectator and participant activity. Splash and Rocket spent some time chasing the kids away from the work parties. Melissa coached Holly on a fine mixture of her popular Chili with hot Italian sausage. We think it is better than what Bob and Edith serve, and maybe that is why they are down to just nine locations.

Miles is an organized fellow, a useful trait polished in his time as an anti-submarine warfare officer, and now Creative Section Chief at Socotra House. He was wearing a frown this morning. When everyone had a mug of Flat Yank coffee, he picked up the remote control Splash had returned from the Galley. He clicked on to AccuWeather and a large image of the US East Coast on the screen at the North End of the Conference Room.

He waved at with a desultory hand:

Forecast: Saturday. More snow.

“We are right on the edge of the dark blue shadow,” he said. “It is sort of like last weekend. But AccuWeather claims we are not going to get above freezing until next week some time. That means no melt and whatever we get is just going to get piled on top of what is out there already.”

Vic waked in with a bowl of Melissa’s chili and a frown. “I read that the experts are saying Climate Change is coming, but it is going the wrong way.”

Normally there would be laughter, but not at this mid-week meeting. Miles slapped the polished wood of the conference table. “OK, we need a mood improvement. I am declaring a Snow Day as soon as we can rope together some slides for The Daily. Then I suggest we send it and then borrow the Chairman’s SUV and go over to the Bob and Edith’s on Columbia Pike. I feel like a signature Country Fried Steak sandwich with Sausage Gravy. With a side of hash browns and a beer, I think it is still less than $20 bucks.”

(Bob and Edith’s Country Fried Steak Sandwich. Photo B&E)

Rocket nodded at the notion and waved at the flat screen. Then he asked if Miles could loan him a twenty.

FIFTEEN-MINUTE COUNTY — WINTER INTERLUDE
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