Meanwhile …Down At The Mini-Mart
I STOPPED IN AT THE LOCAL GAS STATION/MINI-MART the other day. I was on a mission from Dawn. My objective was your standard 739 oz. size Dr. Pepper.
As I stood there waiting for the cup to fill my attention wandered like a fruit fly. Down near the bottom of the large cooler case, alongside all of the cold beverages, I spotted something I had never seen before – a display offering me a snack item that promised me that it was, “The perfect junk food alternative with no calories, no carbs, no cholesterol, gluten-free, and absolutely no fat!”
“Pickle In A Pouch”
I had never heard of the “Pickle in a Pouch” before even though I learned that they had been pouching them since 1898.
Where have I been?
I took a snapshot of the display. It did nothing to enhance my desire to try one. Frankly, with all of those things it is not, I suspect that the Pouch might be tastier.
Having ruled out myself as a potential Pickle in a Pouch patron I began to wonder about who would possibly purchase a Pickle in a Pouch? A particular person perhaps – a Picklephile?
I checked on the progress of the Dr. Pepper flow. It was only 1/3 full. I had time to look deeper into the Pickle in a Pouch.
The display at the Mini-Mart showed me that I had an array of choices. I could have your basic Dill Pickle. If I was in a more religious mood I could opt for the Kosher Pickle. (I did not check for any rabbinical verification on that claim.) I could also pick a Hot Pickle out of the cooler, or even a Sour Pickle. Honestly, I had assumed that all of the pickles would be sour to one degree or another. I saw no “Sweet Pickle” being offered.
The Dr. Pepper was up to half full. I returned to my Pickle in a Pouch pursuit.
I Googled “Pickle in a Pouch” and found the Home Page of the manufacturer – producer – pickler – or whatever, in Waterloo, Iowa.
IOWA?
I would have expected New York City or New Jersey, or even Chicago, but Waterloo, Iowa? I’ve never thought of Iowa as a hotbed of either pickles or pouches. I never thought that my discovery of Pickles in a Pouch would become an educational experience. Who knew?
Dr. Pepper was lapping at the brim of the cup so I returned home to a lovely and thirsty Dawn.
When I told her of my Pickle in a Pouch Fact finding mission to the Mini-Mart she was as impressed as I was – which wasn’t all that much. It was more of a “Gee whiz, who’d a thunk it?” than enthusiasm or even any level of desire to open a pouch or two.
As things go, this whole pickle thing was not a highlight in my life. It was more or less a blip on my personal radar screen. I feel that I have wasted too much of my time, and possibly yours as well, on this whole Pickle in a Pouch business.
I think I need to be more careful when I go to that Mini-Mart. If I hadn’t been paying close attention I might have spilled Dr. Pepper all over the place.
When I weigh the relative values of these two things – Dr. Pepper and Pickle in a Pouch – the pickles come in a distant second. I’m sorry if that bothers anyone, but…
I’m no fool.
Down the Hall on Your Left 
Good, John. Different. Difference is “The (Pickle) of Life”.
I’ve seen those PIP things in stores. Never tried one. I probably would if it had a Candied Dill inside. I like those. Sweet. Hard to find in a bottle anymore, and I don’t understand that. I guess it’s like a lot of things, if it tastes good don’t count on it being on the shelves too long. If you like Candied Dills and you find a jar someplace, buy two or three. Then call me and I’ll buy a one from you.
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Candied Dill Pickles?
If I ever saw those anywhere I’d probably be tempted to call the EPA.
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