Last week, Don and I stopped at the Colonel’s in Poulsbo for a quick bite. It reminded me of an article by James and Dick Thorpe in their book “Ancient Inventions,” published in 1994.
One chapter tells that the bucket-of-chicken-type restaurants are not really as new as we may think. Ma Yu Ching opened a “Bucket Chicken House” in China, in the city of Kaifeng. A very good business in 1153 AD. They say the business is still going after two revolutions and a number of dynasties. (You can bet today if still going, it’s not cheap.) Who knows, maybe they sold out to the Kentucky Fried Chicken chain! The Colonel’s face is everywhere.
Restaurants themselves are not new having been around since 960-1279 AD (the Sung Dynasty.) Different food-style restaurants were popping up all over in China’s capitols. Even before that, eating establishments were known in the previous Tang Dynasty (618-906 AD). During this era, texts were written that even described the streets of the main cities that were prevalent with eating places, “to wait upon wayfarers with food and wine.”
The menus of the Sung Dynasty were long, and serving as many as 234 items, called the ‘official-style’ food. The cooking was so good even the Inner Palace itself sent for take-out. They had a large staff to do the cooking and serving, mainly for wealthy families. One can imagine the hassle at ordering time as hundreds of people hollered their orders. The waiter had to get the orders and once taken, remember every item for the kitchen. In almost no time, the waiter was back carrying three forked dishes in his left hand, and his right arm to the shoulder carried 20 bowls doubled up.
During the last part of the Sung Dynasty, when Marco Polo, the renowned Italian traveler, was visiting in Hang Chow, he declared it “the greatest city to be found in the world, where so many pleasures that one fancies himself to be in Paradise.” It is supposed some of the paradise he referred to were the women.
It is believed the Chinese invented restaurants as we know them today. We think we invented quick take-out foods, but while under the Sung Dynasty, they had smaller shops selling snacks alongside the restaurants. These cheaper places sold noodles with or without soup, considered the fast food of the Orient.
Redeemer United Methodist Church Sunshine Ladies had a fun-filled English Tea and humorous style show in May. As the eldest of our models, I did quite well. My 14-karat necklace was actually 14 raw carrots around my neck and two in my loop earrings. I wore an off-white, satin nightgown as my evening gown with a silk, popcorn-fringed shawl and matching slippers. My evening bag was a red-orange hot water bottle with a gold chain (matching my necklace).
I did my turn on stage then down the tiers, paraded up the aisle to the back past the filled tables. I did a full turn, walked back down the aisle coyly flipping my shawl and showing off my necklace; reaching the front another turn and then entered the music room. Oh how proud of myself that none of the stupid accidents I had thought of happened. No tripping over the bottom of my long gown, nor lost the shawl off my shoulders, only lost one carrot out of my earring. My slippers did not stick to the carpet and did not trip during turns. (Oh, Jacque, you are amazing.) I went into the music room proud as peacock.
With the other models standing in line by the door, I moved toward the right wall, stubbed my toe on the riser the same color as the carpet, and completely deflated my ego. I did in show biz what is called a great pratt fall. Cries of “are you all right?” “Yes, go on ladies, I’m fine. The show must go on.”
Well, it just goes to prove a point, as the Bible tells, “Pride goeth before a fall.” If I had been young I would probably have been embarrassed, but at my age as long as you don’t break any bones, you’ve won. So good friend Phyllis Wahlquist, our chairperson of the style show, what’s up for next year? I wouldn’t miss it for all the chocolate in the Hershey factory.
Harriet Muhrlein, chair for the tea, great job lady. You did it again as usual. And a thank you to all our wonderful models, and a grateful thanks to every volunteer, male and female. The Sunshine Ladies want you to know we could never put these activities on without you. Thank you, Pastor Cal, for putting up with the lot of us.
Reminder: When shopping, please donate a can of soup or food item in the collection barrel. If every shopper gave one item each time, it would add up. Even dollar sales help.
