Kith & Kin

Even AI can ’t  get my order right! “Welcome to [McRedacted]. Did you use your mobile app today?” “No.” “May I take your order please?” “Yes, good morning! I’d like—” “Good morning, hon.” (This is South Carolina.) “Yes, good morning. I’d like one sausage biscuit with egg, just the sandwich, and one sausage biscuit, plain, just the sandwich. And two milks.” “OK.” The screen looks like this. “Is your order correct on the screen?” “No, not exactly. I want one sausage biscuit with egg and one without egg. Plus the two milks.” “Oh, OK, one moment please.” New screen: “Is your order correct on the screen?” “Well, yes, but you’re charging me for two sausage biscuits with egg even though I’m only getting egg on one of them.” “That’s what you said, sir.” “I want one sausage biscuit with egg, which is number four on your menu. And I want a plain sausage biscuit, which is on your Value Menu and is only $2.19.” “The upcharge for the sausage biscuit with egg ...

Thanksgiving is perhaps the best holiday of the year, filled with many traditions in our house. The day goes something like this. . . . Mama is up at 6 to put the turkey in. Back to bed briefly. Up at 7 to put the ham in. Showers. Takes the dog on a walk. It’s now 8 am. Time to make cinnamon rolls for breakfast. Slam the vacuum packs softly on the edge of the counter so as not to awaken an irritable male. Like a grizzly bear, the household male is hibernating, and, if awoken accidentally, is likely to come out of his cave in what could be called a “mood.” Put the cinnamon rolls in the oven on the rack below the turkey and ham. Wash up dishes from the morning’s preparations. Get out the mixer, corn, corn meal, and other ingredients to make Mama’s Famous Corn Casserole. Mix ingredients thoroughly, according to the recipe. Pull cinnamon rolls out of the oven and drizzle frosting over them. Set them on the counter, knowing that their scent will awaken Papa Bear as it wafts t...