Mel's Place

 MEL's PLACE, Est. 1952...read all about it!

Aha!  Finally, I've found it!  You know those little dives...those 'hole in the wall' places you've heard about throughout your lifetime?  Well, my daughter and I got to EXPERIENCE one last night - up close and personal.  And, NO, they are not seedy little joints that you may have conjured in your head already. Mel's Place - established 1952 - and such a gathering spot. It's located on the Atlanta Highway (every time I type or say that name I HAVE to sing the song by The B-52's - seriously, cannot help myself; it's happening right now - Gheeez!)  Mel's seemed to be a place of refuge where people in the area have been meeting for decades after a long week at work. Mel's is probably a 10 minute drive from the house and as we passed last night I announced we were heading there before going home. My daughter replied, 'No, you're kidding!  I have always wanted to check it out, but I haven't had the nerve!'  Ha!  Well, after 2 mighty margaritas we worked up our nerve and headed to Mel's.  We did not NEED ANY NERVE.  We were welcomed and stared at a bit, but, no doubt, simply because we haven't been one of the locals gracing Mel's with our weekly presence.  We were FIRST TIMERS - on our own and you must know by now that I LOVE FIRST TIMES.  Yeeeeeehaw! 

We arrived around 8:30pm and saw they had a pool table that ate quarters.  We handed in our notes and had hands filled with coins.  I started thinking I don't know when or if I ever even played pool, but we met this fab couple outside who heard us laughing about the prospect and they invited us to play with them.  HOW COOL.  Perhaps when I was 16 and maybe a time at a mate's house in South Australia, but I honestly don't remember holding a cue.  I WAS KEEN.  My daughter secretly could not WAIT to show off her skills.  I could see it in her eyes - damn, she was a bit scary and fiercely competitive.  I decided to roll up my sleeves and put on my POOL FACE...whatever that was. Still though, I wanted to learn and I really wanted to do well.  It was messy.  It was FUN.  It was UGLY.  Every time I got a ball into the hole/slot - whatever - I yelled 'I got a ball!'.  My daughter's head would go down.  People from the bar started laughing.  That was to be repeated 4 times.  Count that.  I got 4 BALLS and I was elated.  We never won a game, but the 'pooling duo'- Sue and Alan - scratched 2 games.  We were IN IT TO WIN IT, but, damn...did not happen.  I was simply thrilled to 'GET BALLS' in the end.  The best part was that we met 2 new great people.  Then, the nice Alan HAD to announce that he had been playing with his left hand and he's a right hander.  (Personally, he could have kept that to himself!) Alan told us Mel's is hopping late on Friday and Saturday nights.  Quite right, too, as we were thinking about leaving...here come heaps of men in cowboy hats - looked like brand new hats and shiny 'pick-em-up' trucks, washed and detailed.  I assure you this is not a cowboy joint.  YES, country music is blaring and there is an older woman with long, brunette hair in charge of the karaoke and she sings a damn good version of 'I've Got a Girl Crush.'  I can sing just about as well as I can play pool.  I begged my daughter not to take us into the karaoke room.  She said 'No Worries, we are not going.'  HUGE RELIEF. My darling daughter is DURN good at pool though.  I am super glad we were on the same team.

So, Mel's is becoming packed filled with old and young, singers, non-singers, cowboys and cowgirls, non-cowpeople, too!  We felt as if we had known Suzi and Alan forever.  Sue's son is in the Marines (married and in Hawaii) and he had mentioned to his Mom how badly he wanted to travel to Australia.  When Sue found out I lived there...an invitation was extended.  The world is a very tiny place, a troubled place, but every single day you can see how we are ALL connected.  That is the real beauty (to me).

Blue Moon appeared to be the most popular bevvy.  I stuck to vodka and cranberry, but after 2 mean margaritas it was time to get our non-pool champion asses home.  

One more stop prior to the house - my daughter with pure elation said, 'Mom, I have to take you to the drive-thru.'  I replied, 'Well, Darling, I have been to a couple; they DO have drive-thrus in Australia, too!'  Well, this was a liquor - wine - beer - spirits - drive thru - DAMN.  A cute, smiling face comes through a sliding window and in a few minutes every bottle one needs OR desires to make it through a weekend is gently handed over to the driver's window...with that glistening smile added as an extra - no charge.

Friday night complete with a nice nightcap on the patio in the backyard listening to...well, I suppose...not sure...the coyotes.  Something was out there.  

THANKS, MEL's - we will return; hopefully with a MOB TONIGHT!  I have to get really good at this 'pool thang' and learn the lingo, too.  Now, to convince Tinto we need a home large enough to house a pool table.  That will be my next challenge.

Cheers!

Signing off with the spirit of the Olympics alive in my bones,
The Competitive Blanco
of The Roaming Stevens