Day 185: Pupu Cuckoo

Montana is a broad state, and it was late afternoon when Laetitia’s group arrived in Miles City, a town in the middle of cattle country. They went to a local restaurant for dinner. Anna, their waitress, brought them menus and took drink orders. While they were sipping cocktails, she waited on a man in western garb who was dining alone. As he placed his order, Anna broke out in whoops of laughter.

Laetitia and her group decided to have liqueurs after dinner. When she paid the bill, Laetitia asked Anna what the laughter was all about. Anna said, “Oh, that’s Jake. He comes in here a lot. I think he’s stuck on me. He was just back from a vacation in Hawaii and wanted to impress me with a new word he learned.” Back in the hotel, Laetitia presented to the group the limerick of the day.

When a Miles City cowboy named Jake
Ordered pupu along with a steak
Back home in Montana
His waitress, named Anna,
Laughed so hard that she thought she would break.

Day 119: Steam Vent Event

Those who live in geothermally active areas have opportunities for fun not available to those who live elsewhere. One such pleasure, if one can call it that, is to prepare food in volcanic steam vents. Laetitia and her group were hiking among the lava rocks and tree ferns. She brought along a catered picnic lunch that included pupus, which are Hawaiian appetizers.

A fellow named Kent from St. Paul, Minnesota had brought along wieners to cook in a steam vent, but when he found he had forgotten buns and condiments, he went home in disgust. One of the real benefits that Mind’s Eye tour directors have is that they don’t have to keep track of those who join their tours, nor must they file reports if people leave early. Kent’s predicament gave Laetitia the limerick of the day.

When a callow young fellow named Kent
Craved a hot dog cooked in a steam vent
He forgot bread and mustard
Which left him so flustered
That back home to St. Paul he went.