If smoking is so bad, why does it cure salmon?

 I don't know about that topic.  But I will say that growing up in Cherry Hill, NJ just a bit of a bike ride away from The Water Tower, I have a great appreciation for Smoked Salmon.

Preferably on a toasted bagel.  With lots of Cream Cheese, Tomato, Lettuce, and Onion.  That would be a Sesame Bagel from Mrs H's shop back in the day.  You know ... "The Bagel Place" on Chapel and King's Highway?  Mrs H is gone, bless her sweet soul, and the shop has changed its name slightly and well, here I am under the palms having fond memories about a time long gone.

Yes, a memory from the past.  Decades ago and 1200 miles away by car.  Not gonna happen but we do have good bagels here.  You just have to hunt.


Anyway...


A guy walks into a bar and orders a beer.

"That'll be $5," says the bartender.

The guy takes a huge pile of coins out of his pocket and counts out $5 in pennies, nickels, and dimes. He slams them to the floor and they scatter all over. "There you go!"

The bartender is annoyed but holds his temper and picks up the coins. The guy drinks his beer and leaves.

Next night he comes back. Same thing. He orders a beer, then slams the $5 in coins to the floor. Once again the bartender keeps a civil tongue and picks up the coins. Guy drinks and leaves.

He comes in the next night and orders a beer. This time he pays with a $10 bill. The bartender sees his chance for revenge. He counts out the change, $5 in pennies, nickels, and dimes, and throws it on the floor. "There's your change, sir!"

The guy looks at the coins. "On second thought," he says, "give me two beers."