Many years ago, in my early/mid twenties, I decided it would be fun to plan a picnic.
What can I say. It was a pleasant spring/summer/whatever, and I'd never really taken the trouble of planning a cozy little picnic.
I envisioned a nostalgic time with sandwiches, soda, chips, and some quaint little side dishes to delight the palate.
I envisioned a picnic table, a tablecloth, and a picnic basket.
It would be perfect!
I also envisioned one of my best friends there too, so I asked her to join me. We set up the time and the place. I eagerly began preparing. I think I even went out and bought a basket. I made sandwiches. I got chips and soda and... I don't even remember all of the stuff.
The day arrived, and I went to the park.... and waited....
And waited.
Eventually she arrived, late.
There was a Wendy's bag in her hand.
She'd interpreted the word "picnic" very differently, it seems.
Plus, she didn't even want to stay for very long. She hurried to eat her Wendy's burger and then left.
I don't even remember whether or not I finished my sandwich. I just remember that my "perfect" picnic felt like it had been ruined.
There was no fun sharing of "picnic" food, no casual relaxed quality time amongst friends, no good memories to keep.
I never tried again.
Sad but true.
Now that I'm approaching 40, I'd like to try again.
In a weird way, I'd kinda like to have a picnic all by myself. Kind of a mid-life confirmation that I still enjoy spending time with myself, and still consider myself to be my best friend.
I realize that probably sounds bizarre and depressing.
I say this, of course, in mid-November, when it is kind of late to be thinking of picnics.
Maybe I could have a winter picnic, just to make people wonder about my sanity.
"Look," they could say. "Isn't that that freaky 'Jannaverse' chick? What's she doing?"
"Oh," another person would say, "She's just doing that thing she blogged about."
"Eating a turkey/swiss on rye while shivering on a frozen picnic table, talking to imaginary birds that have already flown south for the winter?"
"Yes. That."
"Oh. I should read her blog more often."
.