Before yesterday, I never would’ve considered myself a judgmental person. Anyone who knows me, knows I am anything but. At least I always thought so.
I stand corrected.
A few posts ago I wrote I was being sent to the armpit of the state for a two day conference. I spent yesterday, last night and today in this town, and am now humbly eating my words.
Unfortunately, because all those freak shows out there searching on ‘wet granny panties’ and ‘hot mommies’ have made me paranoid, I’ve never divulged my state of origin.
And dammit, that pisses me off.
Because I’d love to tell you about this town. Its amazing history, architecture and origin of its blue-collar culture are something I’ve never taken much time to learn. And it’s a shame, because, in a city that appears run-down to most, beats a heart filled with colorful and rich memories. Memories of speakeasies, working class Irish immigrants, and brothels that, at one point in time, made up the largest red-light district in the U.S.
It’s a mining town. A hard-drinking town. And a town filled with honest, hard-working, down-to-earth people. After decades of seeing only part of the picture, in one short day, my perspective has changed. I can appreciate it for what it is.
A place where history lives through its architecture.
Home to one of the most beautiful churches I’ve ever seen.
Home of the pasty, a traditional Cornish lunch eaten by local miners every day, thousands of feet under the earth.
Three words. De.Lish.Us.
I bought 24 of these yummy victuals — pastry crust filled with meat and potatoes — and brought them home to freeze.
Image borrowed from these guys.
Whatever you do, just don’t pronounce it “pay-stee.”
Image borrowed from these guys.
It’s ‘paaa-sty.’ Rhymes with ‘nasty.’
(Irony. It’s a beautiful thing.)
So, my apologies, Town-That-Shall-Remain-Unnamed. You’ll be glad to know, tonight when I walked through my door, I brought with me a valuable lesson — I’m not as non-judgmental as I’d like to think. I can do better. And, as hard as it is to leave MP overnight, I’m glad I made the trip.
The enlightenment is worth more than a crappy t-shirt any day.
Now, before I log off, I feel I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the top-notch entertainment the city has to offer.
Well, three outta four ain’t bad.
Mommy Pie 
don’t you love it when you have an enlightening moment and learn something new about yourself? way to go on keeping an open mind mommypie.
I agree with Myra. And that town sounds like it’s full of character. Just like you! No wonder you liked it so much.
I think we’re soul mates. : )
I’ve often thought that if I won the lottery before I went and traveled the world, I’d get myself in an RV, not just any RV, one of those really muther effin’ phat (whatever that means) RV’s that has all the good stuff and I’d travel the U.S.
There’s just so many places and people I want to see and meet.
When I was a little girl, I would get upset when an airplane flew overhead because it meant there were people up there that I didn’t know and that just bothered me to no end.
it sounds like such a cool little place – this town you “speak” easy of, even with good ‘ole Denny and Kristina as prime entertainment. Just an additional dimension of character – in sort of David Lynchy way.
Myra — it was definitely humbling … in a good way.
Deb — Aww, tanks 🙂
MSM — Had a feeling you’d appreciate that post.
PJM — I’m with you. I was a bartender all through college, and just hearing everyone’s life stories made it one of my most treasured experiences.
My dad sold the house I grew up in about 10 years ago , bought an RV and has traveled the country ever since. He’s a full-time artist (growing up in THAT house is worthy of a looong post when I have the energy … ), so he can paint anywhere.
RH — David Lynch is SO right on!
And to everyone who read this and thought I was an idiot for misspelling “judgment” … I am. Spell-check. It’s a good thing.
Oh, so this explains a lot. I thought it was just me that the meat and potatoes kept sliding off my boobs.
Okay, Foolery, that just made me laugh so hard I damn near had an asthma attack.