On the way to The Forks and the Kennebec and Dead Rivers for some paddling Friday afternoon, I stopped at the Williams General Store in Bingham for one of their famous hot dogs. I wasn't terribly hungry, but the thought of passing by without one was too much.

I walked up to the window and ordered from the nice woman inside, excited about being up in river country again, and possibly more so at the thought of a delicious dog, which is my most favorite food, excepting peanut butter.

As she turned back toward the grill, I queried, "And can you please toast my buns?"

She stopped dead, pivoted around and came back to the window with a big smile, and looked me up and down.

"I don't know," she said, "can you fit on the grill?"

I was momentarily tongue-tied by her response, but then we both just burst out laughing!

The conversation with Betty and her co-worker was all downhill from there. It was a fun and very interesting few minutes of chatter and laughter while my dog--a red snapper--was grilled to perfection and loaded up with the works.

And as Betty handed over my prize food, she said, "Ya know, if they paid me to be mouthy, I'd be a millionaire."

No doubt.

I took a bite and walked off chuckling. I just love it up on the river!