Of cabbages, kings and OK oatmeal
God bless these geezers.
That’s the conclusion we reached after enjoying 90 minutes of back-and-forth between one of the region’s many unofficial breakfast clubs — Of Cabbages and Kings, they call themselves — and one of the region’s most official dignitaries, the Honorable Steve Widmyer, Coeur d’Alene mayor.
Widmyer was the main course for breakfast Wednesday, which might at least partially explain why he ate just half of his bowl of oatmeal at Elmer’s. The thing about OCAK and, we presume, most other senior klatches is that camaraderie is king. Nobody takes himself too seriously so by golly, they’re not about to take anyone else very seriously, either.
In OCAK’s case, however, you could build a pretty decent advisory board for matters of local, regional or maybe even national scope. The legal profession, medicine, ministry, science, higher education, investment, ranching, military, journalism and more is represented among these 13 wizened heads who break bread and rules of decorum every Wednesday morning. It’s hard to tell which is more impressive: their collective IQ or their smartarsishness.
Bob Tester is one of the tribe. Brother Jon is a U.S. senator from Montana, and brother David, a veterinarian, is a Cabbages and Kings colleague.
“I’m Bob Tester, but people call me Mr. Wonderful,” he said straight-faced in introducing himself to Widmyer. “I hate it.”
Apparently, so do his breakfast club fellows, who groaned and shook their heads.
While plenty of issues were tackled, some rather brutally, here are four major takeaways from this bacon-and-eggs brotherhood.
1. Gatherings like these, whether over coffee, tea or something more substantial, provide essential social interaction for participants who form powerful bonds that transcend political and religious differences. Just maybe not sports; that chasm is simply too wide.
2. Bringing in a guest from time to time, someone who might expand the group’s horizons like Widmyer did Wednesday, can provide a real spark. Just be sure to pick up the guest’s check. (Hint, hint.)
3. Groups like these should be encouraged to share their wisdom and experience with someone besides their poor wives, children and grandchildren. Seriously, society would benefit. The Press will happily provide a forum for advice from groups of retirees.
4. If Widmyer is to be believed, not only will all potholes in the city soon be filled, but the Mariners will win 92 games and make the playoffs as a wildcard. Also, he said the oatmeal at Elmer’s ain’t bad, but the oatmeal at Fort Ground Grill is better.
•••
Editor’s note: Steve Widmyer owns Fort Ground Grill.