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DEL.ICIO.USRed sky at morning, sandwiches take warning
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
When the tomato sirens went off in west Cobb County the other morning, there was no hesitation. We dropped our sliced Big Boys, grabbed the kids and the dog, and headed for the cellar. When you live in Tomato Alley, you don’t hesitate.
We used the anxious hours on the old couch in the basement as a kind of classroom, educating our daughters, and the dog — to the extent that he’d listen — about the difference between a tomato watch and the more perilous tomato warning.
Kirk “Hellish” Mellish has explained this before. The difference is simple, but is always worth a review.
During a tomato watch, the sky is merely a dark, choppy salsa. But if the heavens turn a swirling beefsteak, take cover. Salmonella becomes an extreme possibility. Avoid Wendy’s, Burger King, McDonald’s, Krystal, Huddle House, Waffle House, Jiffy Lube, and the dank interior of your own refrigerator.
Cobb County’s emergency management system is relatively advanced. Much of its extended tomato warning system is an analog system of whining loudspeakers. But a few digital speakers can carry voice instructions.
Once we heard the all-clear notice that cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes, tomatoes sold with the vine attached and homegrown tomatoes were safe to consume, we climbed up the stairs and into the light.
White bread, mayonnaise and juicy red goodness awaited.
We were safe. For now.
Photo credit: Chris Hunt/AJC
Comments
By Terri
June 11, 2008 5:55 AM | Link to this
Literally laughing out loud.
By Copyleft
June 11, 2008 8:39 AM | Link to this
Heh. Funny stuff!
By Krystalist
June 11, 2008 9:03 AM | Link to this
Clever and just wanted to share that tomatoes at Krystal are safe as they used grape tomatoes in all menu items in all locations. Here’s a post about it at Krystalist.com