Priscilla and I went out to dinner last night. It’s something that we should do more often but for some reason we don’t. Either the schedule gets full or it’s just easier to throw something together at home.
We went to Ella’s in Wareham. I almost didn’t want to name it because I’m so used to not giving free advertising but then I remembered, I don’t sell advertising and I can do anything I want here.
My former co-host, Neal White, had told me about that restaurant many times and I always wanted to try it.
We went with two friends that we never see enough of and had a nice time and a great meal. I had something called Pork Schnitzel. My friend Doug recommended it and it was fantastic! Priscilla had Baked Cod that was served over corn chowder with Lobster mashed potatoes. I’ll let that sink into your taste buds for a minute.
The thing I wanted to bring up is the noise. I’m not sure if it’s me since I’ve had my stroke or if things are getting louder. I don’t remember having an issue before. As the night went on I found it increasingly more difficult to hear my friend Pam who was sitting across the table from me.
This has happened to me a few other times. Once was at the Black Whale on the waterfront. I wonder if it is because some restaurants have hard wood floors and large windows without big curtains so there is nothing to absorb the sound.
I don’t mean to single out these two restaurants because I’ve had it happen at others too. I think that “back in the day” there was carpeting or heavy curtains that might have absorbed the noise. Now our stream lined decor looks great but I wonder if it’s noisier?
I know I had an issue right after my stroke where I had trouble following conversations or filtering out other noise. Maybe that’s still with me. I don’t think people are necessarily trying to be louder than they were but if restaurants are noisier I guess people are just trying to keep up and be heard. It’s frustrating though when you’re trying to visit with friends and you can only hear parts of the conversation.
My daughter thinks I should just go to genuine Irish Pubs because they have little nooks where you can sit. Or I’ll just come up with a system of hand signals to use with my fellow diners. Oh what the neck, I’ll set up a group text while we’re all sitting together.
Maybe that’s why I prefer to stay home. We can get comfy, sit around the fire and actually hear each other.
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