Mixed Metaphors

Pajama Day: “A day, usually on a weekend or during a day off, when you have nothing to do and sit around lazily in your pajamas, not leaving the house. Often involves eating cereal for every meal and excessive television/video games.”

Hobnobbing: “Mix socially, especially with those of higher social status. To hobnob means to chat and share a laugh and a drink in the presence of other people at a function or party.”

First, a little background: Things that make you say “Hmmm!” It’s April in Wisconsin and on the eve of the Presidential Primary election statewide servers were down for several hours Friday — April Fool’s Day — disrupting the last day of in-person absentee voting. Next, it’s officially spring, yet yesterday’s weather was bipolar, alternating between blizzardy snow with blustery winds and blue skies with powder puff clouds.

Second, I want to go on record that I’m grateful to be a member of a new social group, The Supper Club Club. Yesterday was the first official outing of the club, a convivial group of friends who once a month or so will dine at one of Wisconsin’s Supper Clubs, a culinary restaurant tradition unique to our state. Yesterday’s destination was a classic Wisconsin supper club in my hometown of Racine, Wisconsin, The HobNob on Lake Michigan.

Leading up to yesterday I was excited about returning to my hometown and dining at a supper club that was a destination for my parent’s generation for special occasions and entertaining family and friends. Though I grew up in Racine I never ate at the HobNob.  In anticipation of the experience I peeked at the menu and began choosing my selections: First course, their famous French Onion Soup, followed by a spinach salad with hot bacon dressing, next the entrée, a petite filet smothered in shoestring onion rings with a crock of au gratin potatoes. Oh my!

From a review in OnMilwwaukee.com, “The HobNob, 277 S. Sheridan Road in Racine, known for its prime rib, roast duck, Friday fish fry, outstanding location and old-school service, is a definitive Wisconsin restaurant. The HobNob is located atop a Lake Michigan bluff along Wisconsin Highway 32 on the way south to Kenosha.

The HobNob draws on the history of Wisconsin supper clubs, extends it, and somewhat expands upon our collective understanding of what to expect from one of these classics. The decor alone is more upscale, yet maintains a casual, family-oriented feel.”

What Happened Next

There’s no other way to state it — I pooped out, ran out of steam, didn’t keep my commitment, which made me a “fair weather” clubber.  Yes, I essentially failed at hobnobbing. Now my decision to not go had valid reasons — I know, you might be thinking, “She’s making excuses.”

I had been to Racine the weekend before to celebrate my father’s, nephew’s, and niece’s birthdays, plus prepare an Easter dinner for the family.  The weather yesterday became a disincentive for me to want to make that two hour drive each way again. On top of all of that, I was exhausted. I’ve been working, helping to support my father since my mother died, preparing for a move, and attempting to strike that balance of time with friends and time for myself.

Now that I had made a decision, I needed to do some damage control, first checking in with my good friend, Leanne, who was to be my companion for the drive. We had decided that it would be a great opportunity to catch up with each other. I was a little apprehensive that my decision would disappoint someone I care about a lot. When I called Leanne, she was still recovering from a week fighting a cold or flu bug and was relieved that she too could have another day to rest and recuperate.

Next, I called my father who Leanne and I had planned to stop by and see for a quick visit on our way to the HobNob. Though he was a little disappointed he was understanding. My brother-in-law Bill, a truck driver, had just returned home from a work trip to Minnesota and had reported to my father how bad the storm and roads were.

Finally, I was obligated to send a message to Lee, the Supper Club Club organizer and let him know that I wasn’t joining the group and then next, the other clubbers.  This was difficult because I don’t want to earn a reputation as someone who doesn’t keep my commitments and these are friends with which I enjoy spending time.

Now, the good news is that the Supper Club Clubbers appear to have had a deliciously good time without me — evidence by the photos posted on Facebook, including the 65^th birthday celebration of one of our members.

The Benefits of Pajama Day

As a person in recovery and an aging baby boomer, I’ve learned the benefits of H.A.L.T., an acronym and slogan learned around the 12-step tables. H.A.L.T. means hungry, angry, lonely, and tired and the importance of both paying attention to those symptoms and addressing them as quickly as possible —basic tools for healthy living and serenity.

I slipped back into my pajamas and spent the afternoon in my home getting rested, restored, and ready to move on again. First I watched an On Demand movie while treating myself to a Dove Bar, Born to Be Blue, an independent film currently in theaters, the Chet Baker bio, played convincingly by Ethan Hawke. Next, I napped which is an important feature of a successful pajama day. I ran an errand — and yes, in case you are wondering, I threw on a jacket over my pajamas and ventured out in the world which I think makes it an official pajama day.

Because I’m a cinephile, I watched a second film, a domestic drama about infidelity, We Don’t Live Here Anymore, starring some of my favorite actors, Mark Ruffalo, Laura Dern, and Naomi Watts. I grazed a little more, checked Facebook, took another brief nap, watched television the rest of the evening.

The good news is that pajama day worked and I awoke renewed and refreshed.  I’m ready for the rest of the weekend and the beginning of the work week. Lastly, for my Wisconsin friends and readers — don’t forget to vote on Tuesday — it’s more important than ever!

To learn more about Wisconsin Supper Clubs:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Old Fashioned: The Story of the Wisconsin Supper Club

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wisconsin Supper Club Book and Movie

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wisconsin Supper Club Cookbook

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HobNob Restaurant