That is Priceless by Steve Melcher for February 24, 2025

“Sorry about the rats in the cafe. Here’s some complimentary coffee for have to sit outside.”

/// Rémi’s mother and aunt claim, “We’re fine.”

but they’ve finished four bottles of wine.

He made bold to intrude

with some coffee he’d brewed.

They’d be rude (and unwise) to decline.

/// His kid sister with Mom and Aunt sat,

feeling proud she’s allowed in their chat.

From the house he would gawk

at their adult “girl-talk.”

When he came near they shooed Rémi, “Scat!’

/// In the garden they’d gossip and drink;

speak of longing for love, but “Men stink!”

The pre-teen sipped wine, too,

(as the French children do).

Soon, three minds and three cycles in synch.

/// From those hours with her elders she spent,

Rémi’s sis took a cynical bent.

She avoided the boys.

From the grape came her joys.

Later on, to a convent she’s sent.

It’s not of the size to call an inn or hotel

Called a small wayside stop would fit it well

Simple fare and refreshment are served here

And a peaceful view of the lake that’s near

No wonder artist Knight fell under its spell

.

The kitchen staffers take their breaks outside

Things are slow for serving guests who reside

And commonly walk around the lake

To find amusements for there to partake

From this pastoral area in the Paris countryside

.

The cook and maid are glad to take a rest

The bus boy and waitress no longer stressed

The garden isn’t much by standards of a city

Since it’s a backyard it needn’t be so pretty

It’s the land around that has guests impressed

IT WASN’T ME IT WAS THE DOG!

The guests drink coffee, trying to sober up after consuming too much wine with their meal of freshly caught trout at the lakeside cafe. After regaining their senses, they can return to their home, but not before saying “So long, and thanks for all the fish”.

The First Starbucks…..when coffee was only two bits and you didn’t have to make a purchase to use the privy.

Some of the captions on this comic have been pretty raunchy lately. Unpleasant.

Daniel Ridgway Knight- An American born artist b1839-d1924, studied and lived in France, successful at painting peasant women outdoors. Imagined him literally painting their bodies, outdoors.

“Hi ladies. My name is Jack Starbuck and I’ll be your server.” And so it begins.

Much to the server’s chagrin, the ladies only ordered small salads for lunch after finishing off 3 baskets of complimentary nachos.

Ever since he was a child, Pierre had dreamed of being a maître d’