Dear Reader:

Tommy told me that he and Kaitlyn saw an Oscar Meyer Weinermobile on the interstate coming home from work yesterday afternoon. It is supposed to bring good luck if you spot one since the odds aren’t in your favor that this will happen. Oscar Meyer only selects 12 drivers -“hotdoggers”- (two in each vehicle to swap driving when one gets tired.) *So there are only six Oscar Meyer weinermobiles on the road at any given time in the United States..

Thousands apply and only 35 make it to the try-outs before it is narrowed again down to one dozen drivers. These drivers have one year to drive around the entire country before the job ends. *It helps if they know the Oscar Meyer hot dog song! 🙂

Only students who just graduated from college can apply…the job is only for one year…It is just supposed to be a fun experience before the real world of jobs and marriages and families begin in earnest. A year for the memories….as told to spouses, children, and perhaps even grandchildren later in life.

As I read Tommy’s text he said…”Having a blessed day. That’s the “wienermobile.”

As I looked for pictures and a little history…some fun facts came out…

*Stuffed replicas, anniversary toy reproductions and whistles are some of the memorabilia created over the years

Red and yellow decor and rugs that look like splashes of ketchup  and mustard cover the floor.

While one “hot dogger” drives the weinermobile,  the other driver (riding “shotgun”) waves to the drivers passing by …sometimes if they stop at a fair or carnival…one lucky participant get a ride in the weinermobile!

As much as Jakie loves Hot Wheels…this tiny weinermobile “hot wheeler” memorabilia (at the cost of $19.00) will not be ordered! I will just remember the picture fondly!

I jokingly texted Tommy back and said all this talk about hot dogs was making my mouth water…I haven’t had a hot dog in quite awhile. Then my own personal memories flooded back.

When mother and Mandy were living on the other side…mother always left money on the counter on Fridays so no one would have to cook…I was in charge of going to Tastee-Freeze late Friday afternoons and picking up the whole family hot dogs. Mother loved them…in fact we all did…and it being Friday with no school the next day made them even taste better.

So, on a whim, I grabbed my car keys and drove to Tastee Freeze. I ordered one regular hot dog all the way….onions, chili, relish, and lots of mustard. The high school student working at the window smiled when I asked if I could take his picture and then he wanted to reciprocate and take mine when I told him how this used to be my family’s ‘tradition’ on Friday afternoons and how now I would have some pictures to remember this long overdue reunion. A hot dog for “Me-Mommy”!

Band Camp had started right across the street at Summerville High School. The sound of the band playing reminded me that summer would soon be over…especially for state students who start back to school before the end of August.

So until tomorrow…In spite of the typical summer heat…I felt a shiver run down my back listening to the band practice for the upcoming football games…that old familiar feeling…a mixture of dread and anticipation for another school year came over me…The start of a new school year always had mixed emotions for students and teachers alike.

Now I don’t have to ever prepare for a new school year….a little nostalgia still exists… but mainly all I could think of was how I love retirement and hot dogs! A very blessed day!

“Today is my favorite day”  Winnie the Pooh

*There is something about a simple floral arrangement that I find most beautiful of all…