7/11 Remembered...9/11

On my walk yesterday morning, the morning of 9/11, I noticed the flag on the giant flagpole at our corner 7 Eleven was at half-mast. As I stared at the huge flag waving in the wind I wondered who's death 7 Eleven was honoring when it dawned on me that it was the 8th anniversary of the attacks on our country. A wave of emotion washed over me and I was touched by the simple remembrance that this store chose to display. At that moment I developed a new appreciation for 7 Eleven.

As a child I would beg my parents to allow me to ride my bike to our local 7 Eleven store. For my generation, I suppose, the 7 Eleven stores were equivalent to the 5 and Dime stores our parents would frequent as children to purchase their Bit O Honeys and Charleston Chews. I remember the first time I was allowed to make the five minute bike ride to the store to purchase, no doubt a slurpee along with, a candy bar. The feelings of independence and freedom were incredible. I rode my blue and silver Jetta (the brand) sitting tall and with a huge grin on my face. Wind blowing in my hair and excitement running through my veins, I peddled with an urgency that only nine-year-old legs could endure. Then pulling up to the store and propping my bike on it's kick stand I walked proudly inside to be greeted by that wonderful 7 Eleven candy isle smell. It was utopia. Walking down the isle with row after row of candy just beckoning me. Sugar Daddies (the big daddy ones that take three hours to finish), Snickers, Twizzlers, Bubbalicious, Gummy Bears, Butterfingers, Reeses Peanut Butter Cups...all there within my reach.

My life was never the same after that. I was now a woman-child. Capable of anything. I had successfully rode my bike to 7 Eleven, chose candy, counted out the money for the purchase then rode my bike single handedly home to enjoy the spoils of my journey. So you see, I already had a healthy appreciation for 7 Eleven convenient stores and while the free slurpies given on July 11th added to the nostalgic feelings, it was this act of honoring those who died on 9/11 that have made 7 Eleven all the more special to me.

Here's something to feed your Sugar Daddy and Babies for dinner:

Baked Italian Heros
6 sub or hoagie rolls, split
1/2 cup Italian dressing
1/2 lb sliced deli salami
1/2 lb sliced deli turkey
1/2 lb sliced deli ham
1/2 lb sliced deli provolone cheese
1 large tomato, thinly sliced
1/2 of a medium onion, thinly sliced

Heat oven to 375 degrees. Brush the cut sides of the rolls with the Italian dressing. Layer the bottom halves of the rolls with the salami, turkey, ham, tomato, onion and cheese. Replace the tops of the rolls and wrap each sandwich tightly with a piece of aluminum foil. Bake for 12-15 minutes. Serve with fresh fruit and (baked) chips. Enjoy.