Goodness + Pears
By Craig Lieckfelt & Jameria Blain
“For goodness sake, are all those papers yours, or are you working?” Miss Jeanie inquired as she leaned out the window of the truck and fanned herself. Miss Jeanie was well known around the neighborhood and all the kids loved her. And not just because she was the woman that doled out the ice cream, but because she treated everybody with respect and love. Also, she told the best worst jokes. She also had the best work ethic, being there with ice cream in the morning and evening.
“Working, ma’am. Seeing how it is such a hot day, I thought I could get some ice cream before finishing my route.” David stammered this out as he was now realizing how sweaty pedaling so hard to get here had made him. Further, David hadn’t thought about what type of ice cream he would get. In his haste to get here, he hadn’t even considered whether or not today was a Cherry Screwball type of day, or a Choco Taco day. While he thought the metallic cherry taste of the Screwball might be more refreshing on this hot day, the Choco Taco did have that delightful fudge center. But the Screwball also had some gum at the bottom. So it was really like two treats. Even though the gum only held its flavor for, at best, five chews, it was still something. And this didn’t even take into consideration the Good Humor bars or Wrestlemania branded ice creams.
Unaware of how long he had been standing there staring at the poster plastered to the side of the good humor truck depicting all the varieties of manufactured goodness, David was pulled from his daydream when Miss Jeanie asked “Have you made a decision yet?”
“Well.” David hesitated, he wasn’t ready to choose, but knew he needed to. Before he could pick something, Miss Harris pointed out “Well, you could always finish your route and come find me. I will be in the area and it is important that people get their newspaper. Plus, you will be able to enjoy the ice cream more if you don’t have to worry about finishing the job. The ice cream will be a reward for completing everything you need to do for the day.”
As much as he didn’t want to admit it, David knew Miss Jeanie was right. He should get back to work as he was already behind for the day. “Ok” David begrudgingly stated, “I’ll get some after.”
“Hahaha, I know you will, son. And I’ll be here. Well, not here, here, but in the area. I’ll see you in a bit. The ice cream will be cold, I can promise you that. Now step aside and let the people behind you have a chance.”
David, with a renewed passion, quickly gathered up the papers that had fallen from his basket and got on his bike. As he got back to the route, David was dialed in. With the flick of the wrist, he was landing the bloated Saturday edition right on the porches of his customers. People didn’t even need to set a foot outside to grab the paper. They could open the door and just lean down to pick it up. At this rate he thought, “I will be enjoying that Drumstick in no time. Wait, should I get a Hulk Hogan bar?”
Lost in the sweet daze of an ice cream day dream, he almost fired a paper at Mrs. Patterson’s front door before noticing that she was standing on the front porch. Quickly holstering the paper, he yelled “Hey Mrs. Patterson!” and got off his bike to personally hand her the paper.
Mrs. Patterson, who had recently injured her leg, was using a walker to get around. She said hi to David and asked him how his parents were doing. “Good, they are good. Thank you for asking. Can I help you with something?”
“Yes, dear you can. Can you help me bring the groceries in from the car?”
Always happy to help, David gathers up the bags from the trunk of Mrs. Patterson’s car and helps her in with them. As soon as he is done helping out, he says his goodbyes and gets back on his bike. He notices the unmistakable siren’s song of the ice cream truck song wafting through the air, Miss Jeanie and her good humor seem to be following him.
He has only a few more stops on his route when he realizes he needs to collect a past due payment in order to deliver today’s paper to Mr. Edwards. He pulls into the driveway, dismounts, and heads to the door to ring the bell. After a few moments, he is greeted by an elderly gentleman that everybody in the neighborhood called Mr. Edwards. David wasn’t sure if Edwards was his first or last name though, so he added Mr. in front of it just in case.
David, after asking how Mr. Edwards is doing, lets him know why he has come to the door. Mr. Edwards apologizes and admits that he hasn’t had a chance to go to the bank to get the money he owes for the paper. Mr. Edwards then offers to forego this week’s paper and promptly pay next week. David does not want Mr. Edwards to miss this week’s paper and offers to pay his past due bill. Mr. Edwards is impressed with the young man’s generosity and very appreciative.
David knows there’s only a couple more houses and he peddles faster. He can hear the jingle of the ice cream truck and starts to crave his prize.
David delivers his last paper and as he turns around he sees Miss Jeanie and all the goodness of the ice cream truck and good humor seems to following him.
He approaches the window and asks for his favorite, strawberry shortcake. Miss Jeanie is happy to oblige and asks if he’d like to hear a joke. “Always” David replies with a mouth full of cookie crumble.
There’s a worker and a king who died at the same time. They found themselves standing at Heaven’s door.
"Both of you were very good men," says St. Peter, "but heaven is getting crowded and I can only allow one of you in. What can you do?" The worker planted a pear tree, and it grew huge, delicious fruits. "Wonderful," said St. Peter. "What can you do, your majesty?"
The king immediately went to the nearest toilet and flushed it.
Ultimately, St. Peter made the decision to allow the king into heaven and the moral of the story is, a royal flush always wins against a pair.
Pistachio Crusted Pears with Goat Cheese.
serves 4
ingredients (for the pears)
Bosc or small seckle pears (2 large or 4 small)
Reisling wine (750 ml) 1 bottle
water 1 pint
meyer lemon 1 each
cinnamon sticks 3 each
star anise 3 each
cloves 4 each
black pepper (crushed) 1 tsp
honey (poaching and glazing) 1 cup and 1/2 cup
champagne vinegar 1/4 cup
pistachios (toasted and ground). 1 pint
Maldon sea salt 1/2 tsp
ingredients (for the goat cheese)
goat cheese 8 oz
olive oil 2 T
salt 1 tsp
pepper 1/2 tsp
lemon zest 1 tsp
Heat the bottle of Reisling in a stock pot with honey, aromatics and meyer lemon. Bring to a boil and reduce by three quarters.
Peel the pears and then with a Parisian scoop from the bottom remove the core and then gently place in the poaching liquid. Once all the pears have been peeled, cored and placed in the poaching liquid, bring to a very light simmer and cook for 3 minutes.
For maximum flavor store the pears in the poaching liquid over night or for a couple hours. Remove the pears and reduce the poaching liquid to a syrup consistency.
Toast and chop the pistachios and add thyme.
Whip the goat cheese with olive oil, salt and pepper and fill each pear with the cheese mixture.
Add the honey to a small stock pot until it starts to bubble and then add the Champagne vinegar and pinch of salt. Roll the pears in the mixture and completely cover with the chopped pistachios.
Serve as an appetizer or as a cheese course.