Sweet Summertime

I keep an old coffee can full of spare change in my kitchen.  I do my best to let it fill up before I cash in the coins, but sometimes I grab a handful of quarters to allow myself a small treat for the day. Depending on the day, my treat could be a coffee from the local CC's or a red velvet cupcake batter frozen yogurt from Yogurtland or even a soft serve ice cream cone from a run down country dive.  No matter what the treat, I only allow myself to grab enough change to purchase the smallest size so I won't be tempted to blow out my diet.  I found myself driving down Highway 1 last week from Donaldsonville to Thibodaux.  I was looking for a pretty shade tree in Belle Rose to sit under & eat my lunch, when, like an oasis in the desert, I spotted my favorite sno-ball stand & the red 'OPEN' sign.  I was so ecstatic that I left my car running in the driveway, grabbed the spare change out of my purse, & ran to the window to order.  There aren't many frills to this sno-ball stand.  The flavors are posted on a simple board to the right of the window, & the board is framed by handwritten signs of other offerings to quell the cravings any customer may have.  Perhaps my favorite feature of this roadside shack is sweet Ms. Bertie.  She is pushing 80 & can work that Sno-Wizard machine better than any of those young kids she hires for the summer.  I didn't make that up, friends.  Mrs. Bertie told me.  Don't worry, she will let you know it, too.  I opted for a butter cream sno-ball with a dollop of condensed milk on my visit to Mrs. Bertie last week.  I only used up $1.50 of my spare change & enjoyed every bite of my ice cold indulgence.  I'm constantly on the quest for the best sno-ball, so I can't wait for a return trip next week to test the chocolate with cream.  Or maybe I'll have the dreamsicle.  Or maybe I'll just let Mrs. Bertie surprise me with her favorite flavor & a few of her stories of days gone by.