Earl and the Cornbread Sandwich

 Join Earl and Pearl as a friendly game of Hand and Foot at Camp Bee leads to an unforgettable recommendation from Patt Rains. Her suggestion? A trip to nearby Jefferson, Texas, and the famous Kitt's Kornbread Sandwich Shop. 

What begins as curiosity quickly turns into one of Earl's favorite dining adventures when he discovers a jalapeño cornbread and fried bologna sandwich. Along the way, there are plenty of laughs, small-town charm, and a reminder that some of life's greatest blessings come in the most unexpected packages. 

It's another fun-filled journey with Earl and Pearl that reminds us to keep exploring, keep smiling, and always Travel With a Purpose. 

Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:05

Hello, hello, poacher. I'm your host, Dave Light, and welcome to Travel with a Pearl, the podcast. I'm to keep sojourn and friends and entertained and inspired. In today's episode, we're going to look in on Earl and Pearl Traveler again as they discover something most of us sojourners have enjoyed. The hand in foot game at Can't Be Lodge had finally come to an end. As expected, Pat Rains and Sheila Little walked away with another victory. Again, Earl sighed. Pearl laughed. You'd think after all these years someone would figure out how to beat them. Earl grinned. We almost did. Earl looked over her glasses. We won one hand. Earl nodded proudly. And it was a beautiful hand. It was our only hand, Earl pointed out. Yes, but it was memorable, said Earl. Then Sheila Little said, Earl, you played so well tonight that we almost had to pay attention. The four of them laughed as everybody began to make their way back to the RVs. But the coffee pot was still warm. So they settled into a corner of the lodge for one more visit before calling it a night. After a few minutes, Earl asked, Pat, we've eaten at several places around here, but is there somewhere we haven't discovered yet? Pat's eyes twinkled. Oh absolutely. Earl leaned forward. Pat said you need to drive over to Jefferson tomorrow and eat at Kit's cornbread sandwich shop. Earl blinked. Cornbread? Sandwich? That's right, said Pat. Did you say cornbread? As the bread? said Earl. Pat smiled. I did. Now, if there's one thing Earl enjoyed, it was cornbread. And if there are two things Earl enjoyed, they are cornbread and sandwiches. The idea that someone had the brilliance to combine the two bordered on genius. Earl recognized the look immediately. She whispered to Pat, You've lost him. I think so, Pat whispered back. Earl was already planning tomorrow's schedule. We'll leave after breakfast, he announced. Earl smiled. I thought breakfast was tomorrow's plan. It still is, he said, but lunch has suddenly become much more important. Well, the next morning they pointed Pat's car toward nearby Jefferson, Texas. The historical streets were lined with old brick buildings, antique shops, and reminders of another era. Earl enjoyed every minute of it, but his mind was focused on one thing cornbread sandwiches. Then they spotted Kipps. Earl stopped in front of the sign and simply admired it. I've waited my whole life for this place and didn't even know it existed, he said, with an odd tone in his voice. Pearl shook her head. Only you would get emotional over cornbread. Inside the aroma of fresh food filled the restaurant. Earl eagerly opened the menu. Then he froze. His eyes grew wide. Pearl. What? she said. They have jalapena cornbread sandwiches. That's nice. With fried bologna. Earl smiled. You're kidding. No, he pointed to the menu. It's right there. For a moment Earl simply stared. Earl laughed. I think you're having a spiritual moment, she said. Earl looked up with complete sincerity. I hardly know how to respond. You could order, she prompted. Good idea. Soon the server arrived to take their order. As Earl ordered the redneck special, the server pointed out that he could combine the sandwich with a soup. Earl looked down and saw chili on the menu. Can I add a bowl of chili to the order? he asked, with what looked like the beginning of a glazed look in his eyes. Of course, said the server. One redneck special with a side of chili. Mister, you are in for a treat. Earl became strangely silent. When the sandwich finally arrived, Earl admired it like an art collector seeing a priceless masterpiece. Golden jalapeno cornbread, perfectly fried bologna, and a bowl of steaming hot chili with melted cheese on top. All the fixing. He carefully picked up his sandwich. Everyone waited. One bite silence. Another bite still silence. Earl looked over at Pat. I haven't seen him this quiet since he accidentally glued his fingers together. Finally, Earl swallowed. Pat, Earl asked with a touch of awe in his voice. Yes? You should have told me. I did. No, he smiled. You should have told me it was this good. Pat laughed. I knew one bite would do all the talking. The three of them enjoyed lunch, laughed about the previous night's card game, and spent the afternoon exploring Jefferson before heading back to Camp B. Well as they drove home, Earl looked out the window and smiled. You know, that sandwich wasn't anything like I imagined. Earl nodded. It was even better. Then she added thoughtfully, sometimes the best things come in unexpected packages. Earl smiled. Kinda reminds me of Nathaniel. Earl looked over. Can anything good come out of Nazareth? Earl said. Exactly. People judge Jesus by where he came from instead of discovering who he truly was. Earl looked back towards Jefferson disappearing in the rearview mirror. I'm glad we didn't judge that sandwich by its unusual name, Earl laughed. Well, friends, sometimes we form opinions before we experience something for ourselves. Nathaniel questioned whether anything worthwhile could come from Nazareth, yet he soon discovered the Messiah. And like Earl found out at Kit's cornbread shop, sometimes blessings come wrapped in the most unexpected packages. Well Nathaniel said to him, Can anything good come out of Nazareth? Philip said to him, Come and see. Thanks for listening to this podcast. I invite you to subscribe and share it with others. I'm your host Dave Leighton, and remember we glorify God as together we travel with a purpose. Happy sojourning.