23 Comments
User's avatar
Sandy Read Reiberg's avatar

This one is worth repeating as many times as you can ask about a deciduous ear at a bar - well many more than that, actually. Bravo. I see that my original comment is still showing up.

Expand full comment
Sandy Read Reiberg's avatar

You can be as PROUD as you want to!!! ENCORE! ENCORE!

Expand full comment
Sandy Read Reiberg's avatar

Dear Bob Basler, whom I have known almost my whole life (All Souls Unitarian Church) - I knew you were brilliant (and kinda good looking, by the way), but who knew you would become an author that I consider to be ALMOST as good as Vonnegut or Wakefield (Shortridgers, by the way- sorry, they didn't even KNOW about Broad Ripple High School, your alma mater)? At any rate, these 5 am Stories just get BETTER AND BETTER and I laughed a LOT during this one. BRAVO!!!

Expand full comment
Robert  Basler's avatar

Wow, I sure hope this don't go to my head or anything! Thank you! Thank you!

Expand full comment
evelyn leopold's avatar

It's a good one ,Bob...

Expand full comment
Kristen Aliotti's avatar

Several good LOLs in there! Thank you. And as I often say, "I've never met a Hoosier I didn't like." It's true. Though I usually say "person from Indiana." (California has a lot of good ones.)

Expand full comment
Robert  Basler's avatar

On behalf of myself, Ron and Sandra...

Expand full comment
Dave Cook's avatar

I don't understand why such a fuss about being a kitchen cabinet?

Expand full comment
Robert  Basler's avatar

There's a man who knows his antiques!

Expand full comment
John C Abell's avatar

Also, there is a heck of lot of other things going on with that car. I think the bigger question is how many hippies are there in Indianapolis and where to they congregate?

Expand full comment
Sandy Read Reiberg's avatar

John, there's at least one former hippie in Indianapolis - 3 houses away from Bob.

Expand full comment
Susan Applegate's avatar

Take that antique pistol from your sweater drawer and knock on their door!

Expand full comment
Robert  Basler's avatar

Great idea, Susie. They can find me riddled with bullets on a front lawn, clutching a civil war revolver that smells like feet...

Expand full comment
Susan Applegate's avatar

MY God, you're the one who took his Lexus to 44th and Primrose hoping to interview people about a murder! Surely you can knock on a door on Meridian to ask what isn't so bad about a Hoosier.

Expand full comment
Sandy Read Reiberg's avatar

TOTALLY AGREE, Susan, but it gave us a chuckle, right? I'm thinking this one goes on his 10 best.

Expand full comment
Patricia Coonan's avatar

It adds a touch of mystique to the state.

Look for “Horton Hears a Hoosiers” in the libraries there. You could read it while enjoying a hot brown chicken with egg on a biscuit for breakfast.

Expand full comment
Robert  Basler's avatar

Well, you can always look me up in "Who's Hoosiers?"

Expand full comment
trixiebettsDornoch's avatar

Just off the bus.

Expand full comment
John C Abell's avatar

My extensive research proves that in other states they shot first and asked “Who’s There?” Later. Which is why Hoosiers ain’t so bad. You’re welcome.

Expand full comment
Robert  Basler's avatar

You should have been a journalist...

Expand full comment
Nathan's avatar

Great story as always, Bob. Assuming “Hoosier,” can be construed as a compliment, what, in your opinion, is tacitly required of one who deigns to wear the moniker? Born and raised in Indiana? Or perhaps mere residency for more than, say, eighteen months? Burning questions.

Expand full comment
Robert  Basler's avatar

The easiest way to tell you're a Hoosier is die and then look at your obituary. It will say so. Also, if you've fathered a baby in Indiana, you're a Hoosier. So are. your parents...

Expand full comment
Nathan's avatar

VERY helpful.

Expand full comment