Warm memories and a cool, tasty treat

Looking for a little decadent delight, something that's tasty and cool on a hot spring night?

If so, one option is probably just around the corner if you live anywhere in the Southeast. Chick-fil-a has brought back its Peach Milkshake, a bit of heaven made with real peaches and something the franchise bosses call "icedream".

It's all spun together and topped off with a mound of whipped cream and a maraschino cherry. And it's good -- hot, sexy good in a cool, creamy sort of way. It's also 859 calories and filled with 21 grams of fat.

But if you're willing to share -- as I did the other night with my honey, Miss Wendy -- that means you're only scoffing down 429.5 calories and 10.5 grams of fat. But, hey, who's counting?

Dipping into this delicious treat also had me dipping into my memory, recalling the dairy bars and lunch counters of my childhood in Columbus where all sorts of treats were available during the hot, humid days of summer.

Once upon a time, there were soda fountains where for a nickel a soda jerk -- think Jimmy Stewart in "It's a Wonderful Life" -- would mix together a squirt of cola syrup and carbonated water, an effervescent delight that tickled your nose while quenching your thirst. Add a shot of cherry and you had, well, a cherry coke. Replace the cola with a couple squirts of cherry and, bingo, you had a cherry smash -- same tickling and quenching sensation, but with a rich, sweet cherry flavor.

I did my drinking at a family-owned pharmacy, Jacob's Drugstore, that also featured an assortment of creamy, icy treats -- ice cream cones, milkshakes and sundaes -- chocolate, strawberry or hot fudge! Cones went for a nickel a scoop; the shakes and sundaes would set you back a quarter -- whipped cream, nuts and cherries included.

The peach shake at Chick-fil-a will cost you $2 and change. The tasty treat -- memories included, if you're of a certain age -- is worth the price. But you better hurry. Peaches are a seasonal thing and the shakes are only available through the end of June.

Now if I can figure out how to get a copy of this posting to the bosses at Chick-fil-a, maybe I can get a discount on some waffle fries!