Rita's Bizarre Penny Story--Her Words:)

Greetings on a Friday Evening!

We experienced some technical difficulties at Connecting Now today.  Viruses, cookies and a real smart husband who knew what to do were involved--so we're up and running.

 Here is Rita's Penny Story, which makes her an official member of the Rusty Copper Senior Status Brigade.  Is it just me or does that name seem to get longer every time we write it?

As an aside, it's been a harrowing week for me.  Maddie's been off tra-la-la-ing in Boston for another First Anniversary Thing (you'd think they were the only people on earth to reach that milestone), while I've had to hold down this AND the NaNoWriMo Fort.  Harrowing, I tell you.  But I pick them up tomorrow when I'll hand her an apron and say:  Get to work!  Then she'll give me that wet sound that Hanne M. makes so well. 

It's my lot in life.  But here's something that cheers me.

A Penny In Name Only  
by Rita (Isn't that the most exotic sounding name???)

When you mention the word penny, most think of the little round copper coin worth one cent. Not me. Nope, I think of my adorable Aunt Penny. Her given name is Helen. How you might ask did she come to be called Penny?

Aunt Penny worked at the local Diner. Think of the typical fifties waitress uniforms with the little frilly apron tied around the waist. Aunt Penny looked amazing in her uniform, or so I’ve heard. Her long blonde hair, a smile that could light up the night sky and a personality to match, made her a favorite with the patrons.

I guess I still haven’t shared how Aunt Helen became Aunt Penny. She was in her early twenties when she began working in the diner. Up until that time she was know as Helen. Actually, I only know these facts from stories I’ve heard. When I was born Aunt Helen had already made the transformation into Aunt Penny.

Okay, here’s how it came about that Aunt Helen became Aunt Penny.  It seems that when she totaled up the diner’s checks for their meals, it often was an amount that if they gave her a penny, one of the round coins worth one cent, it would bring the total to an even amount. Example. The bill was $5.01. She would ask the diner for a penny. Did I also mention this particular diner was a favorite truck stop? She asked for a penny so often, some of the diners began referring to her as Penny. The name quickly took hold.

Aunt Penny died last year. On her marker is her given name with “Penny” along side of it.

Hey, I’m just repeating a family story. One that proves truth is often more bizarre than fiction.

Thanks, Rita for a peek into your exotic and bizarre truck stop ancestry!  And welcome to the club with the long name.

That's it for another fascinating week involving the flawed, yet lovable human race.  We've got a couple of coNUNdrums for next week--it seems like coNUNdrums are like manna around here--God only sends enough for the week.  He must think I'll lose track of them--but really, Lord, I've made a special file for them.  And, no, I'm not drinking.   I'm merely worded-out--put in 2000 today on that novel.  2000 mediocre words.  I'm leaving now.  Really.  And Truly.

 The lines are open for whatever you have to share.  Have a great weekend.