4 | MAY 20 • 2021
PURELY COMMENTARY
for openers
Hot Dog Heaven
A
s more vaccine shots get into
the arms of Americans, more
wonderful heartwarming sto-
ries of family reunions are surfacing.
While reunions with family members
during the ongoing pandemic take
precedent over anything
else, I would be less than
forthright if I didn’t admit
that, for me, a different
kind of reunion recently
took a close second — my
being reunited with a
Costco all-beef hot dog.
Until a couple of weeks
ago, I hadn’t been in a
Costco in over a year. Costco, which
for my money, usurps Disney World as
the happiest place on Earth.
Despite my being vaccinated, I
remain vigilant. But I have loosened
the reins on some activities, which
now include short visits into stores.
I had not fully committed to a hot
dog when I made my long-awaited
return to Costco. My first priority was
securing the goods I had come for.
Only after checking out would I make
my final frankfurter decision
and that would hinge on how
long the line was at the
concession stand.
It turns out only one
customer was ahead
of me. I was only 6
mandatory feet away from
hot dog heaven!
At $1.50, I still react to
the combo hot dog/drink deal
at Costco like real dogs greet their
owners after being gone all day. I just
hope no one saw me wiggle my rear
end when I approached the counter.
Current health restrictions restrict
condiments for hot dogs being
available on their usual self-serve
basis. Ketchup and mustard are handed
out in small cups and sadly, onions are
not an option for the time being. Too
bad, because I could have blamed the
onions on the tears running down my
face when I took my first bite.
I saved the majority of my inhaling
the rest of the hot dog until I returned
to my car. I don’t text and drive, but I
will digest and drive … although the
dog was gone before I turned on the
ignition.
I think you’d agree that as we’ve
moved through these bizarre times,
simple pleasures are simply more
pleasurable. And, for me, it usually
involves food, as my second long-
awaited food reunion to my friendly
neighborhood Yoz Yogurt store
proved.
Mary is the proprietor and, if you
will, the “Wizard of Yoz” of two
locations in West Bloomfield — the
Crosswinds Mall and Simsbury Plaza.
Like a lot of businesses lately, it’s
been difficult for Mary to find people
to work, forcing her
to juggle
hours of operation. This has led to
another fallout out from the pandemic
— the rare, but occasional impatient
visiting customer who voices their
displeasure about the changing hours
or their short wait in line. I learned
about this from a message Mary
posted on her Yoz Facebook page
which read in part:
“Please try to be understanding
with what Yoz is going through right
now. We are doing the best we can
with what we have. At least we are still
in business at this point, serving you
when we can. Please keep supporting
us! Thank you!”
I spoke with Mary, and I know she
struggled with the idea of having to
post that message. I told her I had
witnessed firsthand the impatient
displeasure of someone who, when
informed their order would be ready
in five minutes, rolled their eyes and
left. But I’m not surprised. There
seems to be an uptick in “normal”
everyday selfishness that has reared its
ugly head during this pandemic.
Like the yogurt, I would ask
customers of all businesses to
“chill.” Perhaps implement a
“cone” of silence and remember
to not waver in our patience and
appreciation for those frontline
workers who, despite progress in
the pandemic, are still faced with
challenges.
Update: Since writing the original
draft of this column I’ve made a return
visit to Costco and had another hot
dog. There’s an old saying: “Don’t let
the same dog bite you twice.” I couldn’t
disagree more.
Alan Muskovitz is a writer, voice-over/acting
talent, speaker, and emcee. Visit his website at
laughwithbigal.com,“Like” Al on Facebook and
reach him at amuskovitz@renmedia.us.
Alan
Muskovitz
Contributing
Writer