OOO #16: Outfits, Ohio, and Other Things I Like
An unexpected take, a diner, and some outdoor cushions
Outfits
Ohio
Going to a diner holds a very special place in my heart: I used to go to diners all the time growing up, and they remind me of my father. Any type of diner will do: a retro diner that has been covered in chrome within an inch of its life, a greasy spoon whose griddle has never been cleaned so as to not affect the taste of the food—equally delightful.
I am happy to have found a beloved diner in Columbus: German Village Coffee Shop. GVCS has the vibe that it has been family-owned and operated for decades; it definitely has regulars, as I noticed people waiting until specific booths were available. The decor is decidedly old-school: wood paneling, vinyl covered stools, giant sugar shakers, and a big pile of half-and-half cups on every table. The griddle is right behind the counter, so you can watch as your food is being made, along with everyone else’s. It’s the kind of place whose smell will hang on you the rest of the day. Basically, it’s heaven.
I had scrambled eggs and an English muffin (the English muffin is the most underutilized and yet best “toast” order at a diner); my husband had an omelette and some hash browns. We split the pancake of the month: raspberry vanilla (which featured some white chocolate chips). We were in and out in an hour, which I think is preferred, because even though we were there right as it opened, there was already a line out the door. Every time I drive by it on the weekends, it’s always packed.
Word to the wise: I love diners and diner food so much, and I have found that a giant cup of peppermint tea afterward will hit the spot.
Other Things I Like
I went to a lacrosse game last week; it was about 50-ish degrees outside, the sun was setting quick, and it was looking like rain. My husband (who is as wise as he is handsome) suggested I bring along the Therm-a-Rest Z-Seat Pad. I was very skeptical of these cushions when he bought them (they look like *nothing* when they are folded up), and I always thought that the cushions that people brought to baseball games look a tad dorky (the older I get, the less I feel this way), but I brought it anyway. He said something about “sitting with the silver side up to reflect heat back on you,” which I filed away for later.
I arrived at the stadium and contemplated one of my greatest enemies: the cold metal benches of stadium seating. I unfolded the cushion—silver side up—and sat down.
My husband was right (to be fair, he often is)! The torture of the cold bench icing its way through my jeans never happened. And even as it started to drizzle, I was always warm because this cushion DID IN FACT REFLECT LIGHT AND WARMTH BACK ON TO ME. I could feel it happening. And, it also made sitting on those uncomfortable benches actually a little comfortable—at least, comfortable enough that I forgot I was sitting on one.
REI is full of amazing inventions that solve annoying problems. People who are into camping and hiking are very clever, as I suppose they have to keep their gear as light yet effective as possible. I always think that dinky things I find there are not going to be useful, and I am always proven wrong, as they turn out to be some of the most effective and lightweight products I’ve ever bought. Sometimes I think that camping equipment/ clothing is better designed and durable than any other category of product, like its fifty years more advanced that the rest of our stuff. The older I get, the more I look forward to visiting REI.
Speaking of camping, I should never have doubted that little cushion, as I have used a sleeping pad made from a similar material (this one from Nemo) underneath my traditional sleeping pad and sleeping bag before. It was a complete GAME CHANGER when it came to camping on the hard ground at Zion. I actually slept while camping. Those sleeping pads were definitely one of the MVPs of that trip. If you’re looking to be a tad more comfortable while tent camping, you should look into it.
That’s it! Have a great rest of your week!