Daddy was a smart man when it came to books, but as far as food was concerned, it was for eating, nothing more.  As long as it tasted good and didn't upset his stomach, he was a happy man.  Buying food?  According to Daddy, that was woman's work.

Many evenings Mama didn't feel like cooking after working in a hospital kitchen all day, but she knew a hungry family was waiting for her.  On a few occasions, she took a chance and asked Daddy to make a run to Joe's Corner Gropcery for some item she needed for our supper.  We were never quite sure what he would come home with, but Mama would smile and say, "Thank you," regardless of what he purchased.

On one particular occasion Mama sent him to Joe's for a head of lettuce.  He hadn't been gone long when she remember that Daddy usually got lettuce and cabbage mixed up.  She sent me to chase after him.

When I arrived at Joe's, I found Daddy in the produce department.  He held a beautiful head of cabbage.

He and everyone else on the store was startled when I yelled at him.  "Daddy, that's not lettuce.  That's cabbage."

His face reddened as he realized others were watching us.  "What are you doing here?"

Mama sent me."

"What?  Does she think I'd confuse cabbage for letter?  Never. This lettuce is so much bigger than those others."  He pointed to the lettuce in the next bin.  "And, this head is so much firmer.  This is a fine head of lettuce."

"But, Daddy."

"Don't argue with me.  This is the head of lettuce I want."

That was another thing about Daddy.  No only was he book smart, he was always right according to him.  I learned early in life not to contradict him.

Mama fixed cole slaw that evening.