Ramen Story

So about 4 months ago (before quarantine - remember those days?) I go to a ramen place on Temecula Parkway. I'd recently begun eating more vegetarian, a little vegan here and there. On the older side now. Have to take care of the "temple". At the restaurant, it's dark inside. Eyesight isn't what it used to be. Can't actually read the print on the menu but that's not a problem because, thankfully, the menu has pictures. When the waitress arrives I just point to a photo of a nice mound of ramen with all sorts of healthy, vegetarian things in it.

"I'll take that. Looks delicious ..."

And, I must say, the dish surpasses my expectations. "Can't believe it took me two years to finally check this place out," I think as I'm enjoying the savory flavors, amazed at how delectable a dish comprised of common noodles and vegetables can be.

The next day I return for round two. "If this is what eating well tastes like, I'm there!" I think as I walk toward the door. Seated at "my" table, no need to even read the menu. When the waitress arrives I point to the same entree as the day before.

“Oh, you want the spam ramen!” I look up.

“Spam ramen!?" My hearing, I should add, is not what it used to be, either. "SPAM ramen? I ordered this yesterday. Did it have spam in it? Yesterday? SPAM?”

“Oh, yes. One of our specialty dishes," she says.

For a few seconds I look into the far distance. Life is strange, maybe even hilarious, at times. This is one of those times. I turn back to the waitress.

“What the hey. I’ll take it.”