An apparent septuagenarian, Joe the cobbler operates a small shoe repair shop in a shopping center on Columbia Pike West. He only keeps hours three and a half days a week. A lady, we assume his wife, helps with the customers from time to time.
The shop, like Joe, is a throwback to the 1960s.
As I waited in line, he returned shoes to which he had made a minor repair to an elderly lady of apparent modest means. Joe charged her a dollar!
Two evening before the Watchdog had dinner by himself but accompanied by a book at the Olive Garden. There was no wait and he was directed quickly to a table in one of the side rooms.
When the time came for the check, he was told it had been paid by someone who went unidentified.
Unlike the lady at the cobbler’s, there was no indication that the Watchdog needed to be frugal. We would like to think it was someone’s way of saying ‘thank you.’
Even a Watchdog deserves a free lunch once in a while. Enjoy.