I’ve been guilty of “Dickeling” on many occasions, (See Post #260), dating back to my friendships in Ft. Wayne, Indiana. George Dickel was our drinking buddy and party companion that only a few of you could probably relate to, but only if you’d been there! I’ve written about “George” many times in this blog of retirement recollections, and since he reared his silly head yesterday, I’ll once again try to explain the bazaar fascination. Through the years, there has been Diving for Dickel, “Did you bring your Dickel?” “Don’t Forget Your Dickel,” Dickel Halloween costumes, “I’m Dickeled Pink to be here,” Eric Dickelson, Dickel Trickle Racing, and even correspondence with the George Dickel Distillery in Cascade Hollow, Tennessee. It’s legendary laughter among my treasured friends. 

As you can begin to see, social distancing is beginning to inspire some stir-craziness. I can’t even blame alcohol, let alone Dickel, since I haven’t touched a drop of anything in over a week. In these troubled times, I’m trying to focus on moments of insane laughter, and a majority of those revolved around good friends from the early 80’s. Yesterday, I smiled at a promotional bandanna that is being used as a coaster on my home office desk. It is there to remind me of the good times, bearing logos for George Dickel Tennessee Whisky #8. With all the talk of mask shortages and on-line instructions on how to make one using rubber bands, I couldn’t resist. I sent my friends a picture of me wearing the fashionable George Dickel protective wear. It inspired the humorous exchange I was looking for on an otherwise boring day at home. 

George Dickel Whisky may very well be the cure for Coronavirus, just as a Hot Toddy soothes the common cold. It, at least, was the temporary antidote for the isolation blues. In my mind, there are distinct memories of Monday Night Football and a pink limousine, too many Dickel shots at the Four Aces Tavern, the O’Sullivan’s stage, a mock Blues Brothers performance featuring “George,” a newspaper feature photo of us in costumes, wild pool parties, a Slip-and-Slide, and my wife’s horror with an attempt to crash a wedding reception at the George Dickel Distillery. If you should decide to join the fun at our next memorable event, “Don’t Forget Your Dickel!”