This is great Cheryl. I actually witnessed something similar just the other day when I grabbed a quick breakfast at a local fast food place.

It reminds me of when I was a kid and I would ride “the block” with my grandfather in his big black Ford that was saturated with stale cigarette smoke. “The block” in rural Gladstone, VA consisted of about a 10 or 12 mile round trip route that included three stops – Goff’s store at Bent Creek, McKenzie’s Place, and Goldstien’s – all places where the local railroad employees mixed with the local hunters to chew the fat. I enjoyed going on the ride because it usually included a small Coke (in the real glass bottle that I could take back inside the store and get 5-cents back) at Goff’s, a “freezie pop” at McKenzie’s, and an ice cream sandwich or the like at Goldstien’s.

Actually, my first job at age 15 or so was working at Goldstien’s in the summer and after school and on weekends, all the way through high school. When it was cold outside thy locals would hang around the coffee pot (I think it cost about a quarter or so for all-you-can-drink) and I got to overhear most of their conversations. I usually didn’t participate, other than listening because I figured out it was easier to learn when I just sit and listened. They were all, indeed, wise men, too.

My Dad used to have a group of men he met with a couple times a week similar to your ‘wise men.’ I went along with him once and saw what a special bond they had; it was inspiring.

Friendships among men seem to be a little trickier to cultivate, but when they take root, they’re immovable. It’s unfortunate that today it seems guys are less willing to let their guard down long enough to get the process started…

Jason, what a great story teller you are! Thanks for sharing a piece of your childhood with us.

AJ, thanks for stopping by the blog. I think your assessment regarding male friendships is very accurate. I love how you paint the picture with words: take longer to root and immovable. Well said!

This is great Cheryl. I actually witnessed something similar just the other day when I grabbed a quick breakfast at a local fast food place.

It reminds me of when I was a kid and I would ride “the block” with my grandfather in his big black Ford that was saturated with stale cigarette smoke. “The block” in rural Gladstone, VA consisted of about a 10 or 12 mile round trip route that included three stops – Goff's store at Bent Creek, McKenzie's Place, and Goldstien's – all places where the local railroad employees mixed with the local hunters to chew the fat. I enjoyed going on the ride because it usually included a small Coke (in the real glass bottle that I could take back inside the store and get 5-cents back) at Goff's, a “freezie pop” at McKenzie's, and an ice cream sandwich or the like at Goldstien's.

Actually, my first job at age 15 or so was working at Goldstien's in the summer and after school and on weekends, all the way through high school. When it was cold outside thy locals would hang around the coffee pot (I think it cost about a quarter or so for all-you-can-drink) and I got to overhear most of their conversations. I usually didn't participate, other than listening because I figured out it was easier to learn when I just sit and listened. They were all, indeed, wise men, too.