Senior Scribes
Another Apology
By Mona Lease

Hi, all!! I owe an apology to Company 7 Barbecue/1001 S. Main St./Englewood, Ohio. I'm getting practice at saying "I'm sorry!"

I've written to you all concerning a woman I know who was caught in a Meth Lab Bust. She got her kiddie back and had another one in the meantime. She said she was returning to the "pot-smoking scene" the day she was holding her "Freedom Papers" in her hand from the courts. She told me she's returned to it - earlier than the papers. Now, I'm telling you this to let you get a glimpse inside the addict's head. Ya see - the pot-smoking was going to fix it all...but, it didn't. She does not see it that way though.

Addictions are not limited to just drugs or alcohol - or food. There are also the ones where people just have to have all the attention -some women "need" to have the attention of every man in eyesight. Likewise - some men "need" to have the attention of every woman. It's always been that way. Some 70 years ago; it was called "prospecting." You would say Mr. Doe prospected the women at the picnic.. In today's society, with the Women's Libbers - the verbage would be - Ms. Doe was prospecting the men.

It is a truism that "one addiction feeds another." The above are what are known - loosely - as "psychological addictions." They carry a certain amount of "power." Thought processes are along the lines of - "I'm in control of him/her. He/She will do/buy whatever I want." Add the euphoria of the alcohol/drugs - and it's a heady, explosive mix. The woman I'm speaking of feels her man was flirting with another woman at a party. (I've told her to stay away from situations like that. She won't see it that way though.).Whether it's true (flirting) or not - she is going to "teach him a lesson" - "make him feel her pain." An added complication here is that she lives across from the people who had custody of her kiddie (from the Meth Lab bust). She thinks they are "friends." When another bust happens - it will still be someone else's fault. She pays the rent and utilities!! In this situation (and most), the psyche is screaming - "I want - I deserve - You owe me - You disrespected me, etc." Now, all of this may be true - but; not 100 percent of the time. No one "always" or "never" does or says anything. But she'll not see it that way. She'll not see that you cannot force or coerce someone into really loving you. She'll not see that if the man really flirted with another woman - he does not really love her - love does not behave itself that way...love would not be that rude - to her or anyone who had to watch it. See - one addiction - the me, me, me "psyche talk" feeds the "I need a buzz" addiction. Somehow - this usually feeds the " make him/her pay" or "make him/her feel my pain" thinking...which still is not real love. See the circle? The pot-smoking was supposed to fix all of this. She involved others to get the "stuff." And they listened to the tale. But, she is back to the "flirting" issue." You readers see where this is going - right?

And this one amazes me - how it all "fell together" for me for this column. To Company 7 Barbecue: I am sorry I did not get your establishment in my column dated 4/12/2014, like I said I would do. Company 7 was founded by a local family of firefighters. The restaurant is the feel of a 1920's firehouse. They feel good food, camaraderie, and supporting each other, is the only way to make it through the difficult situations they face every day.

They have a Classic Car and Cycle Cruise-In every Tuesday from 6-8 pm. Usually it is April thru October. This year it will start in May. I've eaten there. The food is good, the patrons are better, and the owners/staff the best. I listened to some good, old rock music (rocker that I am!) and tried to watch 11 TV screens - yes, 11! Sports stations are strategically placed on the north, south, and east walls. The layout inside is perfect - restrooms are just inside the door at the beginning of a hallway to the left. The Cruise-Ins are outside (obviously!) behind the restaurant. At the extreme rear of the parking lot it a group of shade trees and a cement retaining wall to sit and rest a spell. Food, camaraderie, and being there for each other made Company 7 - what else could it do?

Remember the kiddies and our service people. Take good care of the furry and feathered ones out there. Be safe and healthy. See ya next time. Ever Toodles!! MONA