LIFE
DURING VIRUS
Admittedly
there was a bit of thrill to it all, a death-defying drive through suburbia and
pulling up to an ominous looking warehouse. No signage, but the GPS led us here.
We were worried, even the dog who had the special ability to sniff out the
virus whimpered. We were close, but frightened. It felt dangerous. We thought
to turn back, but this was the first time we had been out of the house in two
weeks. We couldn’t turn around. We needed these supplies!
Donning
our masks, I guided the Prius around to the back of the warehouse. Janet hugged
the dog tighter, her eyes wide. As soon as we rounded the corner a stout man,
also wearing a mask and gloves emerged from the drab warehouse and gruffly
challenged us and demanded the code. “Greg Dunaj,” I said, stammering, as if I
were evoking Beelzebub. He sharply
pointed to a number on the macadam. “Parking spot #1, and don’t move.”
He
disappeared into the warehouse. Our eyes darted around the small enclosed area;
fearful we were being set up. Was this a mistake? The dog whimpered again,
echoing our emotions. Would someone leap from the roof of another warehouse
twirling a machete, teeth gnashing, demanding our special dog or our life? For
an interminable stretch our hearts quickened as we waited. Was this a mistake!?
Janet quivered uncontrollably and the dog’s eyes bulged as she squeezed it ever
tighter in her fear.
 |
| and a sidecar of FREE hand sanitizer |
When
the man re-emerged from the warehouse he held aloft the prize and demanded
nothing else. It was a bottle of Bee’s Knees, a gin concoction this craft
distillery sold by the liter to thirsty quarantined patrons like
ourselves.
Immediately
Janet threw the dog into backseat and ignored the cur’s yelping as she snatched
the bottle from my hand and drained half of it before I even thanked the
fellow. Feeling bolder, I asked if we could get some of the hand sanitizer they
were also distilling now at the Boardroom craft distillery in Lansdale, Pennsylvania.
and giving to all who asked. “Of course,” he said now and he took our condiment
bottle and filled it for us.
Boardroom
Spirits is another craft distillery in Pennsylvania. They offer vodka, gin, whiskeys,
bourbon, rye and rum. They are one of three in the immediate area of Collegeville,
where our middle-class garret is located. There is also Bluebird Distilling in
Phoenixville and Manatawny Still Works in Pottstown. All are open for pick up
in these sad pandemic times, but Boardroom alone offers the mixed drinks. A bit
expensive, it was $52 for our Bee’s Knees with the tax and tip, but it was the
novelty and uncertainty about the whole process that was alluring, plus getting
out of the house for the first time in 2 weeks was exciting. Boardroom is also
giving away their hand sanitizer for free as a humane gesture and so the cost
of their Bee’s Knees liter was offset by the good feelings the whole day evoked.
NO BEER HERE
Now,
anyone familiar with liquor laws in Pennsylvania will consider craft distilling
a wonderful advancement. It used to be in the not so distant past that one could only purchase beer by the case from beer distributors and wine and spirits were
only sold by the Commonwealth through their stores called Fine Wines and Good
Spirits. Currently the LCB is delivering select wines and spirits for a cost, and will soon start a curb-side pickup program, but its been difficult to get through to them online. The craft distilleries were there
to the rescue!
Now the
laws have changed. It is possible to purchase beer by the six-pack at
restaurants or brew houses like Sly Fox in Phoenixville, which is still open
for pick up of food ordered online and six packs and even supermarkets like Wegman’s
and Giant offer beer and wine. I’m not sure how the craft distilleries can
operate with the heavy hand of Pennsylvania liquor laws, but we were happy.
Bee’s
Knees is made with Boardroom’s gin, lemon juice and honey-ginger syrup. It was
flavorful and strong. Go to their website to see what else is offered and please
feel welcome to swing by Collegeville with an extra bottle. Just drop it off on the front stoop and then leave!.
BREAKING NEWS....
Despite all the
revelry, there is breaking news from VFH Central. The Coronavirus Pandemic
is still raging. Be safe, wear masks when outdoors, keep your distance from
others and wash your hands often. This shit is killing people so do your part to
NOT get sick, or sicken others.Thanks for reading and be safe!
love Greg and Janet
© 2020 by Greg Dunaj
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