Sometimes the things we remember and even experience come in pairs. I have given that a lot of thought lately. Here are few of my favorites.
A RC Cola and a Moon Pie. This pair is certainly a classic. Any boy or girl who grew up in the county and frequented old county stores has heard of, or enjoyed, this combo. Makes me want to take a sugar plunge just thinking about it.
Roy and Dale. Any young cowpoke who ever road a stick horse along a dusty trail knows Roy Rogers and Dale Evans were the king and queen of the cowboys. Roy on his trusted stead, Trigger, and Dale on her mare, Buttermilk, will forever be remembered as they road away at day’s end.
Cheese and crackers. I have watched a half-pound of real cheese come off that razor-sharp, spinning blade one-slice-at-a-time more times than I could count. Many a meal was had in the back of a country store on this combination alone. I would put it right up there with boloney and crackers. Singles like sardines, Vienna sausage, and potted meat should receive honorable mention. Pass the Louisiana Hot Sause.
Brains and eggs. If you were ever in on a hog killin’ you know that some swear by this culinary delicacy. As for me, thanks, but no thanks. I have never, nor will I ever, eat hog brains with or without eggs.
Mashed potatoes and roast beef on white bread. If you ever ate in a stockyard restaurant, you know this was a feature on the menu. Some of the finest cooks I have ever known served up their best to hungry farmers and cattle buyers.
Dizzy Dean and Peewee Reese. Never was there a pair who could “call” a baseball game any better. When a batter swung and missed Dizzy would exclaim, “He had ripple!” And that was only one of many “Dizzyisms.” I can only smile when I recall this unique twosome.
Huntley and Brinkley. When NBC was at its zenith and network news was worth watching, these two brought the Six O’clock news like no one else. Chet Huntley and David Brinkley set the standard. And who could forget their sign- off each evening? “Good night, Chet. Good night, David. And good night for NBC news.”
Ham and biscuit. A biscuit never had it so good. Country ham on a-made-from-scratch biscuit is the stuff of legions. The late newspaper columnist and writer, Lewis Grizzard, once said he hoped heaven had Camels(cigarettes) and fried chicken. I would put country ham and biscuit right up there with them.
Peanut butter and jelly. I know people who have “lived” on this combo when money was tight. Add a glass of ice-cold, sweet milk and you are off and running. I say “sweet milk” because my late mother termed it so. That differentiated it from “butter” milk.
The Lone Ranger and Tonto. “Hi Yo, Silver, away!” And in the words of Tonto, played by Jay Silver Heels, “You right, Ke-Mo Sah-bee.” (Faithful friend.) Oh, the days when good guys were really good.
Fish and chips. The British made them famous. I prefer catfish and hush puppies myself.
Brooks and Dunn. When these two single acts showed up and Nashville, some brilliant record producer convinced them to join forces. The energy of Kicks Brookes and the high tenor of soft-spoken Ronnie Dunn proved to be an electric combination creating one of country music’s greatest duos.
Peas and carrots. Forrest Gump made this pairing famous when he said “Jen-ny and I go together like peas and carrots.” Until age twelve, I spent many a night in the Brim hollow. My Granny Lena considered peas and carrots to be a staple. The very thought of this green and orange arrangement takes me back to the Brim hollow.
A “co-cola” and a candy bar. I remember when this unbeatable combination could be had for 10 cents.
Well, there you have it! I’ll bet you can come up with a few famous pairs your own self.
Speaking of Dale and Roy.
“Happy Trails to you……’til we meet again.
Copyright 2024 by Jack McCall
