50+ Lifestyles

Just Saying…

By Q.C. Jones

Some Like It Hot

Back in 1959, Billy Wilder released a movie which bore the same title as this article.  Staring headliners like Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis, and Jack Lemmon, the movie was given six Academy Award nominations and is cited by many as one of the greatest movies of all times.  As a side note, the movie also cast my childhood favorite non-cowboy actor, Joe E. Brown.

I cannot recall why the pre-adolescent QC Jones was enamored with Mr. Brown.  It could have been his massive smile which seemed to cover 95 percent of his face or his resemblance to Ronald Reagan’s chimp Bonzo.  Joe E. had amazing facial features and, even today, watching a few scenes of his on YouTube brings a smile.   

Stretching all power of recollection, I just cannot conjure up my first exposure to Some Like it Hot.  But I vividly recall the first time I heard the title.  The experience was mind altering and life changing.

My family was making one of our semi-annual trips from my grandparents in Illinois back to our home on the Texas Coast.  In the days before interstates and modern cars, these trips were an adventure for the kids and torture for parents.  Being the oldest kid had its perks.  I was allowed to sit in the front seat rather than being crammed into the back with the snotnosed, diaper wearing younger crew. I felt wise beyond my years.

The family car was a Ford Station Wagon.  I am not sure of the model but judging by the lack of chrome and other accoutrements, I am guessing it to be a four-door 1959 Ranch Wagon.  It was a newer car, but in the prehistoric world of 1950s vehicles, even newer cars experienced minor breakdowns while making epic 1,200-mile cross-country trips.  We had one such breakdown about 50-60 miles from home.

The location of the breakdown was a small town which was part of my dad’s sales territory and home to a Phillips 66 station which was part of his network of retailers.  The fix was something that would take a little more than an hour, so my parents decided to break with their tradition of never dragging kids into a real sit-down kind of restaurant.  Better still, the town was home to one of my dad’s favorite restaurants.  The place was called Ada’s.  I can remember only because the restaurant had the same name as my father’s employer – ADA Oil Company.  No relation, but try explaining that to a six year old.

Ada’s was a restaurant that served barbeque.  Not just any barbeque, but genuine, world famous South Texas barbeque.  Quite frankly, QC Jones’ family was famous for homemade barbeque, and as my dad shared his secrets of cooking, the Ada name was often mentioned as the “gold standard” for all things coming off the barbeque pit.  Now back to the story…

As my parents corralled their unruly offspring into the joint (My dad always called barbeque restaurants joints.), I discovered my dad knew the staff.  We ended up at a big table in the middle of an otherwise crowded joint/restaurant.  I don’t believe I was allowed to order.  At ripe old age of six, I could not have read a menu anyway.  But a grownup sized sandwich was placed squarely in front of me.  After the prayer, I commenced to add sauce to the sandwich.

I was not a novice to the consumption of Texas barbeque. However, I was new to a world where sauce came in different varieties. Quite by accident, I loaded up my sandwich with the real deal mind warpping Texas hot sauce.  It was obvious to the waitress, and she loudly commented, “Some like it hot.”  Everyone, including complete strangers at nearby tables laughed.  I was embarrassed but oblivious to why her comment drew such a snicker.

At first bite, the nerve endings in my taste buds told me something was different.  My lips, mouth, tongue, and possibly even my forehead turned fire engine red.  About that time, my mom figured out what happened and went into full mother mode.  Offering me water, milk, candy, and other forms of solace.

I was embarrassed but brave.  As a kid, my heroes were a collection of manly men sort of guys like Davy Crocket, Roy Rogers, and Texas Pete.  I did what they would do in such a situation and ate every bite of the sandwich with a cowboy grin.  The weird part of the whole thing, I enjoyed it.

This was my first experiment with “hot pepper euphoria.”  Scientists explain it this way: There is a compound in peppers called capsaicin.  Capsaicin binds to pain receptors on your nerves, your brain releases endorphins and dopamine and euphoria results.

QC Jones loves hot and spicy food.  Tabasco is a soft drink.  Jalapenos are a basic food group.  May is National Salsa Month.  Create a little euphoria in your life.  Just Saying…