We have a little dry marker board which hangs on the wall next to the fridge. We use it for our grocery list. The idea is that it you see that we are getting low on something, you write it on the marker board. That way, when I go to the store, I will know what to buy.

Well, this weekend, I noticed that Kathy had written down a rubber mallet. Curious, I asked her what she planned to do with the rubber mallet. She said that sometimes she needs to beat meat such as chicken for Kiev. No problem, I’ll check out Meijers (regional grocery chain).

When I got to Meijers, I headed for the kitchen section. I didn’t find any rubber mallets, but I did locate a rolling pin and wondered it would fit the need. After all, we already owned a rolling pin so maybe I didn’t need to buy a rubber mallet. But, knowing it is best not to make these decisions on my own, I proceed to the tools section of the store.

In the tools section of the store, I found regular hammers, framing hammers, and some little teenie tiny hammers with flowers all over them. I conclude that they must be used by Santa’s elves. But, no rubber mallets.

Well, I decided that if I was going to get a rubber mallet, I would have to go to the local automotive store.

I always like going to the automotive store. The people that work there have me pegged as being very strange, and they would be correct! So, I got a really funny look from them when I asked for a rubber mallet.

When they asked me if I wanted the regular rubber mallet or the deluxe rubber mallet, I didn’t know. So I asked if the deluxe rubber mallet came with a case. They said no and immediately went on “tilt”.

Then, I asked what the difference was between the regular rubber mallet and the deluxe. They, of course, couldn’t tell me so I asked to see both of them. A few moment later, they emerged from the stock room with two rubber mallets.

After examining both of the mallets, I concluded that the deluxe mallet was a better product.

As they were completing the sale, I asked if it was dishwasher safe. Again, the “tilt” light came on as they all stared at me.

Finally, one of them picked up the mallet and examined it. He said that he didn’t think that it would be a good idea to stick it in the dishwasher as it had a wood handle. I noted that it was a good point and stated that is why we don’t put our knives in there.

Then, one of them had to take the bait and ask me if I washed all of my tools in the dishwasher after working on my car. I told him that the rubber mallet was for cooking and not working on the car.

When they asked if I was going to use the mallet to tenderize meat, I calmly replied no, sometime our food isn’t always dead so you have to hit it a few time with the hammer before you can cook it.

The store was extremely quiet when I left.