Nice Day for a White Ribbon

Summary

Summary of "Nice Day for a White Ribbon" Episode of The Book Lisp with Jon Ryan & Sarah Colonna

Release Date: July 7, 2025

In the "Nice Day for a White Ribbon" episode of The Book Lisp, hosts Jon Ryan and Sarah Colonna delve into a blend of personal anecdotes, nostalgic memories, and discussions related to their current book choice, Meet Me by the Lake by Carly Fortune. Throughout the episode, Jon and Sarah provide listeners with an engaging mix of storytelling, humor, and insightful reflections.

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1. Personal Updates and Announcements

The episode begins with Jon and Sarah sharing personal updates about their lives. Sarah mentions their upcoming anniversary trip to Cambria, a picturesque wine country destination by the ocean. She excitedly details their plans to engage in wine tasting in Paso Robles and dine at their favorite restaurant, The Sea Chest, known for its delectable calamari.

Sarah Colonna [00:28]: "...we are going to Cambria on Monday for our anniversary... and then we go to our favorite restaurant in the world. It's called the Sea Chest."

2. The Sea Chest Restaurant Experience

A significant portion of the conversation revolves around The Sea Chest, highlighting its popularity and unique cash-only policy. Sarah and Jon describe the bustling atmosphere, where guests often arrive hours early, bringing chairs and blankets to enjoy wine in the parking lot while waiting for their reservation. They humorously discuss the challenge of securing a spot without a reservation and the delightful anticipation that builds up among patrons.

John Ryan [03:08]: "And they have a little bar in the back now... it does two seatings... you get like an hour and a half or whatever it is because they're open for three hours a night, six days a week."

Sarah Colonna [04:10]: "But this, it's worth it... because you're right across from the ocean, it's so beautiful."

3. Patreon and Community Engagement

Towards the middle of the episode, Sarah promotes their Patreon community, inviting listeners to join for exclusive content, including short stories and bonus chapters related to their current book. She emphasizes the value of community support and the additional content available to Patreon members.

Sarah Colonna [08:30]: "Don't forget that you can join us on Patreon. It is only $5 a month and what you get there is you get to watch... and then we're adding a chapter..."

4. Nostalgic Reflections on Summer Camp and Childhood

The core of the episode features heartfelt and humorous reminisces about Jon and Sarah's summer camp experiences. Jon shares his initial disdain for summer camp, equating it to punishment from parents, only to realize its joys as he matured. The conversation touches on various camp activities, such as hockey and football camps, and the camaraderie built during those times.

John Ryan [10:38]: "So when I was a kid, I always felt so sorry for all the kids that go summer camp... I was like, oh, my God. Like, your parents hate you."

Sarah counters with her own limited summer camp experiences, recalling a memorable Girl Scout camp where she improvised the iconic line "Where's the beef?" from a Wendy's commercial during a play.

Sarah Colonna [12:37]: "I just think I just kept saying, where's the beef? It was around that time... I think I just kept saying, where's the beef?"

5. Drill Team Memories and Competitive Spirit

Sarah reminisces about her time on the drill team, highlighting the discipline and competitive spirit ingrained during camp. She describes the ribbon system used to evaluate performances, sharing fond memories of her experiences and interactions with fellow campers.

Sarah Colonna [14:02]: "We would go to summer camp for that... and then they'd put a ribbon in your hands on how well you did for the dance."

Jon adds to the conversation by sharing his own athletic camp experiences, emphasizing the dedication and routine that summer camps instilled in him.

John Ryan [16:02]: "The camps that I went to in the summer, I went to two camps every summer. One was a hockey camp... then my brother and I, we went to a football camp every year."

6. Reflections on Nostalgia and High School Memories

The duo transitions into a discussion about high school reunions and the nostalgic yearning for the past. Jon talks about organizing football reunions every five years, celebrating their provincial championship victories, while Sarah shares her hesitation in attending unofficial reunions due to the long gap since graduation.

John Ryan [20:01]: "Yeah, I should have reunions. Like, me and my football buddies every five years."

Sarah Colonna [21:07]: "I was just like, this isn't gonna... We didn't go."

7. Safety Words and Family Dynamics

In a lighter yet meaningful segment, Sarah and Jon discuss the concept of safety words established by their parents for emergency situations. They share humorous takes on their chosen words and the practical challenges of incorporating them into conversations under duress.

Sarah Colonna [41:46]: "Watermelon."

John Ryan [42:10]: "I love you, but I'm gonna make it through this. But when I get home, have some watermelon ready."

The conversation highlights the blend of practicality and whimsy in their family dynamics, emphasizing the deep bonds and protective instincts instilled from a young age.

8. Closing Thoughts and Future Plans

As the episode nears its end, Jon and Sarah wrap up their discussions with plans for the upcoming anniversary trip and tease future content for their Patreon community. They encourage listeners to rate, review, and subscribe to support the podcast, ensuring continued engagement and growth.

Sarah Colonna [44:55]: "Get the yacht rock going... leave us a little review always helps to elevate and get word out about the book lisp."

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Notable Quotes:

• Sarah Colonna [00:28]: "...we are going to Cambria on Monday for our anniversary..."
• John Ryan [03:08]: "They do two seatings... you get like an hour and a half..."
• Sarah Colonna [04:10]: "But this, it's worth it... because you're right across from the ocean..."
• John Ryan [10:38]: "I always felt so sorry for all the kids that go summer camp..."
• Sarah Colonna [12:37]: "I just kept saying, where's the beef?"
• Sarah Colonna [41:46]: "Watermelon."
• John Ryan [44:55]: "Leave us a little review always helps..."

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Conclusion

In "Nice Day for a White Ribbon," Jon Ryan and Sarah Colonna offer listeners a delightful blend of personal storytelling and engaging discussions around their current literary exploration. Through shared memories and humorous exchanges, they create an inviting atmosphere that not only entertains but also fosters a sense of community among book enthusiasts.

Transcript

[Sarah Colonna]

Hi, I'm Sarah Colonna.

[John Ryan]

And I'm John Ryan.

[Sarah Colonna]

And you're listening to the Book List. The Book List.

[John Ryan]

The Book Lisp.

[Sarah Colonna]

Oh, that's right. You're listening to the Book List. Hello and welcome to the Book Lisp with John Ryan and Sarah Colonna. Hi, John.

[John Ryan]

Hello. How are you?

[Sarah Colonna]

How's it going in the living room?

[John Ryan]

I'm still sweating. I was getting the. I was in the yard ready and I'm sweating.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yes, John. I said, oh, we need to get up. We have. We literally have one friend coming over today. So we're recording on the 4th of July. Okay, working. We're working on the 4th of July. And we're recording because we are going out of town. Well, yeah, because. Well, whatever. Because it's Friday and we usually have to get it done before the weekend. That's a good enough reason. We are going to Cambria on Monday for our anniversary. Our anniversary is next Wednesday and we're going to Cambria, which is wine country right by. Right by the ocean and then you go wine tasting in Paso from there. We're going to do that on Tuesday and we're going to go to our favorite restaurant in the world. It's called the Sea Chest.

[John Ryan]

I'm already thinking about that. Pounded.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah, the calamari.

[John Ryan]

Yeah, the pounded calamari.

[Sarah Colonna]

It's like it's the. The dumbest, most wonderful thing in the world. It's so this restaurant, I'm just, I'm jumping in. Hi, guys. Welcome to the Book Lisp. We are reading Meet Me by the Lake this month by Carly Fortune. So we have some topics based that are out, you know, pulled out of the book as usual, but no spoilers or anything until the fourth week. So.

[John Ryan]

So.

[Sarah Colonna]

But there will just be a few topics that we are going to talk about today that jumping off points of conversations pulled from the book. I have not. Because it's Friday. I forgot that I would probably have to announce my August pick today, which is crazy to me. So when you're listening to this on Monday, I won't. You're. I won't be saying it during this episode. However, I will post on. On Monday both in the Book List spinners, our Facebook group join that. It's a fun, fun group. And on our Instagram at the Book Lisp, I will post August's read. And I just can't believe I'm saying August already. I feel like this year nothing's happened. Nothing's happened. I mean, a lot's happened, but nothing's happened. Do you know what I mean? As far as not yet. It just feels like it's flown by. A lot's happened. I shouldn't say that you. You know what I mean? Plenty going on in the world, but just in our. Our world feels a little. Okay, so anyway, I will announce it then.

[John Ryan]

Okay.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah, we're going. Well, I just want to talk about the sea chest real quick.

[John Ryan]

Yes.

[Sarah Colonna]

Because I want everyone to know about is this amazing seafood restaurant. It's. I mean, it's kind of. Is it. It's not that big.

[John Ryan]

No, I think it's bigger than it looks. But it's. Yeah. I don't know, maybe a hundred people.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah. And then they have that. But they do have a little bar in the back now. Right. And they have a little bar back there. But so they basically do. It doesn't really say on the website, but it's kind of officially. I don't know if it's unofficial, but they. They do two seatings. One at five and I'd say one at say 7:30. So you don't go and sit there for four hours. I think they boot you. Right.

[John Ryan]

No, yeah, you. You get like an hour and a half or whatever it is because they. They're open for three hours a night, six days a week. That's it.

[Sarah Colonna]

Is it three hours?

[John Ryan]

I think, I think it's five. It's five to eight or five to 8:30, I think.

[Sarah Colonna]

Okay.

[John Ryan]

And.

[Sarah Colonna]

Or not maybe nine.

[John Ryan]

Okay. I don't think they kick you out, but.

[Sarah Colonna]

Right. Anyway, so what happens is it say 4ish. People line up outside because you can't make reservations. So people line up and it sounds daunting when you hear that because I think everyone knows if you've been listening to me long enough that I. I hate nothing more than waiting in line for something.

[John Ryan]

Both of us.

[Sarah Colonna]

Both of us. But this, it's worth it. And what. But because you're right across from the ocean, it's so beautiful. And because it's like wine country. People show up with their. With chairs, blankets, and they just drink wine in the parking lot waiting for it to open. And then if they don't get in the first seating, they just sit there until the next seating. And it's so fun.

[John Ryan]

It's open from 5:30 to 9.

[Sarah Colonna]

Okay.

[John Ryan]

So I think that like most people start lining up around 4. I think what we lined up around 4:30. We just got. Barely got in the one time. But sometimes people, some people, there's like a sign on the thing for all the people that have the record for the longest wait. And I think someone showed up like five in the morning one time. But it's actually fun. The food is so good. And here's the crazy thing. It's cash only. Like a little like, the family lives in the back, like back house. Cash only. And there's a bank in town that stays open just to get their money every night.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah, it's crazy. And they're closed like a big portion of December because they can be.

[John Ryan]

I think last year, like, we're just closed for December. We're going on vacation. Bye. But It'll be packed January 1st when we get back, so whatever.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah, I don't. We're driving Monday and we're basically gonna check in our hotel and then just bring a blanket in our wine backpack. We have this fun wine backpack and go sit there just to make sure we get in Monday night.

[John Ryan]

Think of this. It's like say there's a hundred people on the first sitting. Average person's $100. That's 10,000. Second seating. 10,000, 20 grand a night, cash.

[Sarah Colonna]

It's crazy. Crazy, crazy people. Yeah. If you follow, I'll be posting from there, I'm sure on my Instagram. Sarah Colona 1. You want to see what it's like waiting in the parking lot, et cetera. And then on Wednesday night, we're going to go back there for our anniversary. So we'll probably try to get in on the first seating again. Maybe we'll go back outside, do a circle, and come back for a second dinner. The best is if they seat you at the kind of like it's not a. There is a bar, but there's also like the bar where you eat kind of almost like a sushi bar, but vibe. But it's not a sushi bar.

[John Ryan]

It's almost like a. Like a kitchen. A kitchen bar.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah. And you could. You just watch them cook and it smell. All you smell is garlic and scallops and you're just in heaven. Anyway, that's what we're doing next week. So I guess the 4th of July is. Is a work day for us in a way. But really, then we have one friend coming over and that's why John was cleaning up the yard.

[John Ryan]

Do we have time and a half today?

[Sarah Colonna]

Would we? Sure do. So zero plus zero and a half is what we get paid for this.

[John Ryan]

Do you want to tell me beverages.

[Sarah Colonna]

I have here what I heard you cracking, so. Oh, you have your jocko milk protein shake, your Diet Coke and your water. Yeah. Well, Someone said to me one time that and. Oh, and it twisted. Oh, you're having a twisted tea already. I was waiting to have my vodka mule until we were done recording and getting by the pool.

[John Ryan]

I know. I just thought I'd pitter patter, you know.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah, you have a lot of liquids. I know. Somebody was at our house once and they were like, you guys have a lot of liquids in your refrigerator?

[John Ryan]

Well, the thing is, we do. And then we have a. We have another refrigerator that's just liquids where we put beer, protein shakes, fake beer and Diet Coke.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah, you just got really loud for some reason. I don't know if it really was your. I don't know if it was your passion about this, the second refrigerator or what, but.

[John Ryan]

But I do love the. My mini fr.

[Sarah Colonna]

It's really good.

[John Ryan]

Be it.

[Sarah Colonna]

Anyway, so here we are. We are in June reading. I mean July. Jesus, reading Carly Fortunes, Meet Me at the Lake. I loved it. Can't wait to talk about it. Week four. We've thought of some topics based off of the book that we're going to discuss now. Don't forget that you can join us on Patreon. It is only $5 a month and what you get there is you get to watch. You get to have exclusive content on the 5th, the 15th and the 25th, for sure. And then we do random other stuff too. The 15th is always a short story. This month we are reading Death row by Frida McFadden. So that's going to be a really. I've. I had a couple listeners already say that it was a really good twisty one. And they're always short and they're always like 50, 70 pages and just fun. It's an only fun thing.

[John Ryan]

They're usually available on Audible and they usually for under a dollar.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yes, that too. So they are. Yeah, they're very accessible and easy usually. So that's really fun. And then this month also we're adding because I found on Carly Fortune's website that she did a bonus chapter to meet me at the lake, a little extra ending chapter. And so you have to unlock it by like signing up for a newsletter. So I did that. And then we're going to read it on Patreon, which is going to be fun. And of course we won't do that till after the full review on the last Monday of this month. So then either that Tuesday or Wednesday we're going to do it. I want to say we're going to do a dramatic reading. I haven't read it yet. So I don't know how, but I think it would be funny for us to do a dramatic reading and maybe even take parts. We might even. I might even assign parts.

[John Ryan]

Do we do, like, a table read?

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah. I think it's though, just written from his perspective. The. The. Oh, the boyfriend, the dude. What's his name?

[John Ryan]

Oh, wait, different books. I can't remember all these books, Baby.

[Sarah Colonna]

Okay, well, we did read. We've both read it. Just don't ask us names right now. Okay. So a lot of this book, John wanted to talk a little bit about what? Summer camp. Is that what you said?

[John Ryan]

Well, it. It's this. It has a real summer camp vibe to it. It's almost like summer camp for adults even. So much so that her nickname is Baby because it's like, you know, Dirty Dancing. Dirty Dancing. And he gets that vibrator. I got that vibe right away, even before she said her nickname was Baby. So I. It just made me think of. First of all, that's like, that's an area in Ontario. It's like all cottage country. Just like beautiful cottage country for, like, miles and miles and miles. So it's gorgeous. But that made me think about, like. Like summer camp and stuff like that when you were growing up, right? And for me, I always thought, like, like summer camp where you go and stay the night. I always thought that that's where parents sent kids that they don't like them when they don't like them.

[Sarah Colonna]

Oh.

[John Ryan]

So when I was a kid, I always felt so sorry for all the kids that go summer camp because I was like, I. I didn't like school, but I loved summer. And the summer was only eight weeks. Only got eight weeks in Canada.

[Sarah Colonna]

I didn't like school, but I loved summer.

[John Ryan]

Yeah. Yeah. So I looked forward to those eight weeks. And I'm like, I'm not taking. You're not taking a week away from me to go to fricking camp when I could be, like, playing football all day. Like, how dare you? And so, like, all my friends that had to go, I was like, oh, my God. Like, your parents hate you. Like, they only have to deal with you for eight weeks a year and they have to get rid of you for one of them.

[Sarah Colonna]

Like, sorry, but that's not really what summer camp is.

[John Ryan]

No. Especially now when I talk to, like, our friends Jason and Tara. Their kids went to summer camp and they loved it so much that when they were, like, in college and stuff, they went back to be camp counselors. And it's like the greatest time of their life. Although I feel like they're probably going to a freaking camp in Malibu where I was going to a freaking, like, Condi. Like, reserve, where it was like a freaking Condi nature reserve in Regina, which is like a dump. You know, it's like, a little bit different than when they're going to Malibu. Anyways, right. So I. I learned as I got older that summer camp was actually really fun for some people. And now I feel bad that for all the kids being like, oh, your parents hate you. Did you ever go to summer camp?

[Sarah Colonna]

I. I really didn't. I only. I could only remember. I don't. It didn't even ever come up. I don't. We. I don't know if. There just wasn't really one. I mean, I grew up in Farmington, Arkansas. I don't remember any of my friends going to a summer camp. I don't remember any of that being a thing. But we. We. I went to Girl Scout camp once.

[John Ryan]

Oh, really?

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah. Went to Girl Scout. It was fun. I just. I remember. What did we do? We. I remember we put on, like, a play, and I just. And I just remember I kept saying, where's the beef?

[John Ryan]

Did you just make up that lawn yourself, or was it, like, in the printed book?

[Sarah Colonna]

No, it was from. Remember the Wendy's commercial lady? Yeah. So it was around that time. And I really don't know why, but I just think I just kept saying, where's the beef?

[John Ryan]

It was a very, like, late 80s thing, right?

[Sarah Colonna]

Where's the beef? Yeah. Yeah. And. And so I don't know that it was a very good play that we put up.

[John Ryan]

It wasn't great.

[Sarah Colonna]

Well, you know, for some reason, I feel like every time in, like, Girl Scouts or anything similar, when you're really young, for some reason, it's funny for everyone to try to play old people.

[John Ryan]

Yeah, I remember that.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah. And so that's. I guess that's what I was doing. And then I think I. I might have even improvised the line, where's the beef? At the end of the play and gotten a big laugh. I don't really know, but let's just go with.

[John Ryan]

I would pay to see that right now.

[Sarah Colonna]

But we didn't. Yeah, I didn't. And then I had in. In when I was on drill team and I was the captain, in case anyone didn't know that fact about me. Drill team, by the way, if you don't know what that is, it's. You do wear cheerleader uniforms, but then instead you don't cheer. You Dance at halftime. I feel like they call it different things in different places. But usually when I say drill team, people know what I'm talking about. But sometimes they think I was, like, the rightful person. And I was.

[John Ryan]

Yeah, that's what I thought when I met you. No, you straightened me out real quick.

[Sarah Colonna]

Sure did. I had pom poms. It's pom pon. And I had a whistle with my name on it and then got it engraved when it was my. My senior year, since I was the captain. Anyway, we went to summer camp for that.

[John Ryan]

Was it overnight? Do you have to stay overnight?

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah. Yeah. You stayed a few days and you would learn dances. Okay. God, it was so much fun. We would go to the University of Arkansas, and we would stay in, like. I think we stayed in dorms and, you know, whatever ones were empty during the summer. And so. So it was a Good, you know, 20 minutes away from my house, if you want to call that summer camp. And so we would go to the University of Arkansas, and you would do. But people came from all over the state, and so there were a lot of different teams there. And you would learn dances, and then. Oh, my God, it was the worst. And then they would put you, like, after you were done with the dance, you put your hands behind your back, and you put your head down, and they come and they put a ribbon in your hands on how well you did for the dance. And then. And then they'd be like, 1, 2, 3. And everyone would pull it out, and you'd see your whip ribbon. Yeah.

[John Ryan]

You could never do that anymore.

[Sarah Colonna]

No, I was. I got the. I pretty much always got a blue one, which was the good one, I think it was. Blue was. First. Was that. You nailed it. Red was like. Okay. And white was like.

[John Ryan]

And so cruel. That's like some.

[Sarah Colonna]

I know, I know. And I remember.

[John Ryan]

I don't think they're even that mad. They're not even that mean on dcc.

[Sarah Colonna]

I remember this girl, Astrid, was always. She'd always get the white ribbon.

[John Ryan]

I wonder what Astrid's doing now.

[Sarah Colonna]

I don't know. She was. I mean, she was so fun, and she was a really good. She was a very enthusiastic dancer. But I don't know, I just thought. I think she just didn't learn as quickly as everyone else, but she was a good dancer.

[John Ryan]

I feel like she's probably. She's probably in a therapist's office right now talking about the same story, and she has been every Tuesday since the beginning of what this happened, talking about her white ribbons. Yeah, I think that's scarring. So the camps that I went to in the summer, I went to two camps every summer. One was a hockey camp. It was a goalie camp because I was a goalie, so it was only goalies. And it was like, three to six days, and it was just like, basically, like, you're on the ice, and then you, like, do dry line training, and then you do, like, classroom training, and you're back on the ice again. It was just like, a full day, but we didn't stay overnight. It was, like, five minutes from my house. Then my brother and I, we went to a football camp every year. So from the time we were like, seven till we were 12, and it was like, five days, and it was like football from, like, eight in the morning till noon, and then it was just like. But you went home and stuff like that. But those are the camps that I went to, and I still remember them because I went every year for, like, ever.

[Sarah Colonna]

Well, that. I mean, that makes sense. It's kind of like extra training, I guess, right?

[John Ryan]

Yeah.

[Sarah Colonna]

And it was during the summer, though.

[John Ryan]

Yep.

[Sarah Colonna]

So basically, because you can't play, you're not playing sports in the summer because school's out. So then you have.

[John Ryan]

Yeah, because, like, both. Both hockey and football, like, football used to start in August in Canada for. For that level, and then hockey would start right after in September.

[Sarah Colonna]

So.

[John Ryan]

But July was kind of like an open month because baseball, just. Baseball, lacrosse just ended at the end of June, and you have, like, one month of July, which was, like, all your camps to get ready for the next season.

[Sarah Colonna]

Okay.

[John Ryan]

Yeah.

[Sarah Colonna]

I'm trying to remember there was something that we would get. We. I. We. We. I'm trying to remember what it was. Was it a goal? It was like a golden megaphone, something like that. We got something. Oh, no. Oh. What was it? Was it called a cheer stick? It was a cheer stick.

[John Ryan]

This was at the camp.

[Sarah Colonna]

Cheer stick. Yeah. I'm just trying to remember if it was called a cheer stick. Was something. Spirit stick.

[John Ryan]

Oh, there you go.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah. Spirit. Spirit stick. We would get. You got a spirit stick, too. And I think you would get. I want to say there was a golden one. I might be making some up here, but I. Whatever This. Whatever. I don't really know what spirit sticks were for, but you would get those two at camp for having the best spit. Spirit. I feel like you don't like anything about my. My pom pom camp, my drill team camp days.

[John Ryan]

No, I think it was great. I think it was Terrific. I think you probably had a lot of fun.

[Sarah Colonna]

I did have a lot of fun. I have. I have old photos. I'm gonna find them.

[John Ryan]

Did they make every girl on the cheer squad or on the drill team go from your school, or is it, like, just who wanted to?

[Sarah Colonna]

I don't think you had to go, but I think everyone wanted to go. Yeah, I don't think you had. They probably couldn't make you go because it was probably something you paid for yourself, if I don't really remember, to be honest. But I. I feel like I don't think there was anyone that didn't go because we were a very tight squad.

[John Ryan]

Oh, yeah. How many girls were in the squad?

[Sarah Colonna]

Eight. Eight.

[John Ryan]

Oh, I think I saw the. I saw the picture. 8. Eight girls, 16 bottles of hairspray a day. I mean, that's why the ozone was so thin there back in the 90s.

[Sarah Colonna]

My God, guys, I am gonna find. I will post it on the Book Listeners Facebook group and our Instagram. I will post a photo from the one that he's talking about, and then I want everyone to try to figure out which one I am. I think you'll know right away because my. I have. I still have big hair. But then it was, like, real big.

[John Ryan]

Listen, it took me a few minutes to figure out which one you were because I couldn't stop looking at anyone's hair. It was crazy.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah. Eight to ten girls. I can't remember exactly. Anyway, it was. I mean, I don't think I've really ever been nostalgic for high school in my life until just now.

[John Ryan]

Yeah, I should have reunions. Like, me and my football buddies every five years. Just had our 25th. 1999 provincial champion Sheldon Williams Spartans.

[Sarah Colonna]

That's right.

[John Ryan]

You did meet Evan Hardy.

[Sarah Colonna]

I went to your. What year was it that I.

[John Ryan]

20Th. My 20th reunion because I was still playing football.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah. You have them every five years, right? That's pretty remarkable. I mean, my senior class, I haven't been to one reunion, and I think we've. The last one was kind of an unofficial one at someone's house, remember? And we were back and we were in town and. But I was doing a show, so I. It was like, the night that I was doing a show, and then they were like, well, you can come by. After which it would have meant we had to find a way to go from like, where we were staying to Farmington, which is.

[John Ryan]

Oh, yeah. Like, it was in someone's garage.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah, it was in someone's garage. Misty's I think trying to remember. I don't remember now right now, but I. And it looked fun. And we did almost go, but then I was like, I haven't seen any of these people in 20 years. And we're gonna roll up at 10pm oh, boy.

[John Ryan]

Yeah, that's the time you wanna show up at a reunion.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah, they've all been there since 6 or 7. They were doing a barbecue first. I was just like, this isn't gonna. And so we didn't go. And also, I don't think we had a way to get there if we wanted to.

[John Ryan]

No, I don't think we did. We've never had a class reunion before. I don't think we ever have. But we just have these football ones every five years.

[Sarah Colonna]

Do they play Glory Days. Oh, pass you by. Glory days.

[John Ryan]

It's so funny because we always, like, talk about how good we were and we like, we won. We won, like, everything. And then I compare it to like the Seahawks. We had like our 10 year Super bowl anniversary the same year and where we're all like talking about how great we were and all that. And then you put on the video and we're like, we were freaking amazing at high school. We're talking about how good we are. Then we're like, we haven't watched the video in like, how many years. We put it on. We're like, we were okay in our head. We were like, NFL players leave. Watching the film. You're like, oh, we weren't that good.

[Sarah Colonna]

Well, I mean, it was a high school football season.

[John Ryan]

In your head, you build it up to like, wow, like, we were so, like, we were like firing all cylinders. We were like, as good as everyone and, well, I guess we were good. Better than anyone at that level at the time.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah, I suppose so. It's just funny. But yeah, I'm glad you guys do that. But yeah, that's then. So no real summer camp other than my. My drill team camp, which I'm so glad that you made me remember because I had forgotten about it. And God, what a time to be alive that was.

[John Ryan]

Yeah. Cell phones. You had, like, told ghost stories and talked about boys all night probably. No, everyone's on their cell phone taking videos.

[Sarah Colonna]

No, no, we had to take photos that, you know, you got printed out later. I'm gonna find some for you and I'm gonna. Hopefully I'm gonna find some with my spirit stick so I can show and some of my blue ribbons. And then we did a lot of like, camping, so. But so camping, we Did a lot of camping.

[John Ryan]

Oh, right. You guys are big camping, family.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. They still. They go camping all the time. And I grew up camping. I loved camping. I don't want to go camping anymore. That's. That's just how it is when it comes up. I don't want to do it. I don't even want to go glamping. I'm just not interested. I don't want to fend for myself. I. I don't want. I don't want to pack stuff.

[John Ryan]

Okay. This is what I don't want to.

[Sarah Colonna]

Try to set up a tent is.

[John Ryan]

What I feel camping is. Let's leave our beautiful home, our nice beds, and go out to the middle of nowhere and act like we're homeless for the weekend. I'll just. I'll just stay here. I need to act like I'm poor for the weekend. I'm good. I don't need to lay in the dirt and have a cold shower.

[Sarah Colonna]

I mean, the way my, the way my parents do it now. I mean, everyone has a big RV and they've got, you know, showers and everyone's got.

[John Ryan]

Okay, what's the first thing you just said?

[Sarah Colonna]

A kitchen.

[John Ryan]

I'm not, I'm not shaming anyone, but. Okay, let's go live in a trailer for the weekend.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah, they. They're nice. And then you go. And then you're with nature. Now you got.

[John Ryan]

Let's go live in a. Live in a trailer for the. I don't think you're hearing yourself.

[Sarah Colonna]

What's wrong with that? Kitchen and television. You know, my parents have.

[John Ryan]

There's. There's no wheels on my house, girl.

[Sarah Colonna]

Well, they. My. My family loves it. We started with tents. We upgraded to a pop up tent. I don't know if you guys remember pop up tents, but they.

[John Ryan]

I.

[Sarah Colonna]

Do you remember them? Yeah, they're like. It's like. I don't even know how they really work, but it. It's like a box but that you would like. You pull it behind your car. Right.

[John Ryan]

Small too. They're pretty small.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah. And then when you get to where you're going, it's like. Yeah, it's just bigger than a regular tent and like quote, unquote, easier to set up because it would just. I can't. You have to Google them.

[John Ryan]

My. My grandparents had one. They were campers. They had one.

[Sarah Colonna]

Well, so the, the. Yeah, when I put in pop up tent, it's coming up as like canopy tents. I'm talking about the, like.

[John Ryan]

I know the one you're talking about.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah, tent trailer basically is kind of what it is when I look it up on. When I see. When I see a photo of it online. So anyway, but the, the. Because of the way it, like the beds kind of jut out from the sides and then the. Goes around it. And so I remember one time my cousin Jason, he was pretty. He was a baby. And so he. He was. I was watching him in our pop up trailer, whatever you want to call it, and we were. Yeah, he was taking a nap, I guess, and oh, boy, I feel like.

[John Ryan]

I don't want this going.

[Sarah Colonna]

And he like, he like rolled to where the. Rolled to where the bed and the tent goes underneath it and rolled right out of it onto the pavement, if I remember right.

[John Ryan]

Like the two sides, like flipped down and those are the beds.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah. And then there's like elastic.

[John Ryan]

Yeah, elastic. So if you roll over, you're like rolling under and out of the. Oh, that's.

[Sarah Colonna]

I mean, I'm laughing because he was fine, but it was scary at the time. He was like a toddler. And all of a sudden I was like, weird. Everyone was like, what was that? And we're like, oh, my God, he rolled out somehow. So I don't think those. I think that's when we started upgrading to the nicer trailers.

[John Ryan]

Your parents do have a very nice trailer. I'm just joking. I mean, this is coming from a guy who's living a Motel 6, so take it with a pinch of salt.

[Sarah Colonna]

I know.

[John Ryan]

A grain of salt, as Americans say.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah. But we, we did love. My family did love camping, and I did love going with them until I got older. And then I was like, I want to, you know, I want to if they want to go on the weekend. And then you were like, you want to. It's like everything else. You're like, I want to hang out with my friends, so. But they do love their camping still. It would kind of be fun to go camping with them.

[John Ryan]

They go with the whole family.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah, yeah. Because everyone's got a nice trailer. So they get a campground and then they all just sort of are in like a circle or next to each other and then. But it's kind of. It's nice. Like, my grandma used to make fresh sausage gravy over an open fire. I mean, if you think about.

[John Ryan]

I will say food, like, food, food, food made over like an open fire. Like that, like out in the wilderness.

[Sarah Colonna]

It's pretty good that her sausage gravy was like, punch you in the face good. Oh, yeah.

[John Ryan]

So only A Southern woman can make that.

[Sarah Colonna]

That's right. But then the other portion of the. The summer camp style thing. This is in this book is the lake. And so we did. And we used to do a lot of laking. I've told the story before about the last time I swam in a lake in Arc. We used to go to Weddington Lake and then. And I've told you guys the story before, but just for anyone who doesn't remember, I just like. Lakes are. They're not. They're. I don't know. I. I came up out of the water and a big old human turd floated right by my nose. And I got out of that Weddington Lake and I never looked back. Never went back in. Don't want to get back in.

[John Ryan]

We Back home. We have great cottage country back home. But the la. Most of the lakes are. I mean not like the great Lakes or anything where they're so deep. So you get like a lot of. L.J. last time you and I went. There's a lot of A floating fish that were no longer with us.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah, there was a lot of that.

[John Ryan]

But it's beautiful. But that's like these.

[Sarah Colonna]

It is beautiful. Remember we did. What did we do with your.

[John Ryan]

Went up boating and.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah, but I did something like some kind of.

[John Ryan]

Oh yeah, you got on something.

[Sarah Colonna]

Was it a tube Zup.

[John Ryan]

I think it was a zuck board.

[Sarah Colonna]

What's that? Explain.

[John Ryan]

It's up. Like it's almost. It's like a.

[Sarah Colonna]

It's not like a burp.

[John Ryan]

Yeah, sorry. Sorry. It was like. It was like mid talk too. I didn't mean to. That's not like me. I think it's called the Z Up board where it's like that thing where every. Everyone can get up on it. It's not like a skis or like a wakeboard where it's hard. Get up. The kids. The kids. And you automatically get up.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yes, that's right. And I did get up.

[John Ryan]

Yes.

[Sarah Colonna]

But then you fall.

[John Ryan]

Eventually you have to. Right? You got to go in the water eventually.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah. I just know that when I was a kid. Is it like Z board?

[John Ryan]

Yeah, I think so.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah. I see.

[John Ryan]

Is it coming up? I think it's a relatively new thing, you know, for this new generation who can't take any kind of negative thing like falling down. So I have to make sure they get up every time.

[Sarah Colonna]

Well, I would try my uncle. My uncle Glenn, you know, he. So we used to go out to Beaver Lake and it's in. That's in Arkansas as Well, and he had a boat when I was younger and so he liked. They like to do the, to ski, water ski. And they were good at it and they would always try to get me to do it. And I just, I could, I can't, I couldn't do it no matter what.

[John Ryan]

To even like two skis?

[Sarah Colonna]

No, I couldn't do it because no matter what, when it was time to like come up and get up, I would, I. There's nothing I could do about it. I would take my right hand and I would hold my nose.

[John Ryan]

You still do that when you jump in the water, you still hold your nose.

[Sarah Colonna]

I know. And I don't know what I think I'm preventing from happening, but I couldn't. I mean every fudgeing time they would try and I would try to get up and then I would drop one of the handles and I would plug my nose. And now I'm one handed and it's not, not how it wasn't working. Couldn't get up.

[John Ryan]

But you're not, you're not scared of water?

[Sarah Colonna]

No, I'm not. I jump in the ocean when we go to Mexico. I swim in the ocean. I mean if I think about it for too long, once in a while I'll be like, what's down there? What's coming at me? But no, but I'm not scared. I mean I've. I've jumped in many a ocean. Many a ocean. Just specific. But yeah, that's not true. I jumped in the ocean in Croatia.

[John Ryan]

Okay. How dare me?

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah, what? What? Which ocean is that?

[John Ryan]

I don't know. I'm bad with, I almost had bad geometry. Bad with geography.

[Sarah Colonna]

The Adriatic Sea.

[John Ryan]

So that's not the ocean at all. You jump in the sea. Well, so am I still, right? That's the Mediterranean Sea.

[Sarah Colonna]

Well, what's the difference? Well, seas are smaller, I guess.

[John Ryan]

I guess that'd be like the Atlantic Ocean. It'd probably go into the Atlantic Ocean or the Indian Ocean.

[Sarah Colonna]

Okay, so what? I jumped to the sea. Whatever I dropped whatever I dream.

[John Ryan]

No, that's not the point is that you got very angry with me when I said you've only jumped in one ocean. You said, how?

[Sarah Colonna]

Well, I've been in the Atlantic Ocean too. I've been, I've been in the Atlantic Ocean in on the east coast.

[John Ryan]

That's true. Yeah, well I, I have been too.

[Sarah Colonna]

Okay, don't try to say I've only been in the Pacific. I've been there. I've been in to the Atlantic. And then what's that one place that I went with Jackie. Where do we go?

[John Ryan]

You ever swam in Wascana Creek in Regina? You live until. You've never lived until then and you might actually die if you do so.

[Sarah Colonna]

No, but that's. Isn't that the one you used to walk around?

[John Ryan]

Yes, it's in the park, but we don't have any. We have, we have. In Saskatchewan, we have a hundred thousand lakes. A hundred thousand. And for some reason they built my hometown just on solid ground. We have one man made lake in the middle. That's it. Although there's a hundred thousand legs in Saskatchewan. If you don't believe me, look it up.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah, I believe you. I mean it sounds like a lot, but I believe you. But isn't that the one when you were playing there that you would take a walk around and you would go and you take a book. This is book related. And you just spend your entire day.

[John Ryan]

Well, no, halfway through it there's a nice wine bar.

[Sarah Colonna]

Right. So when John was playing his first year playing in this back playing in the CFL after he had played in the NFL, he's playing in Canada and in his hometown. And I guess there was a little bit of a. It wasn't like you were depressed, you were so happy to be doing it, but it was just. You had a lot of time on your hands.

[John Ryan]

Because it was a lot.

[Sarah Colonna]

From the NFL to the CFL.

[John Ryan]

Yeah, NFL. You know, I got there around 7am in the morning and I left around 4 or 5. And then I went home and relaxed. I was exhausted after however many hours. 10, 10 hour day, the CFL, you work from 8am till 12:30 and then you're done.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah.

[John Ryan]

So you're like now what? And it's like, you know what I mean? It's like. And especially in my hometown, 95% of the people work a 9 to 5. So it's not like I can call up but my buddy is like, let's go. Whatever. So just be like, ah, all right. Now what? And, and, and because I was like, I was back there for a very short period of time. So I was living like a little tiny apartment with like even, even Sarah got there the first time. She was upset. Cause even the furniture was like miniature. You remember this?

[Sarah Colonna]

It was. I've. It's the smallest couch I've ever seen in my life.

[John Ryan]

I was fine with it.

[Sarah Colonna]

But it didn't make any sense that you were fine with it and I wasn't because you're twice the size of me and I. We would. When we had sit on it at night. I mean there was wasn't even, it wasn't even like wide enough or deep enough to really. I don't even know how you got your. Your like your butt and then like.

[John Ryan]

No, because I put my upper body down to my waist on the couch and then had an ottoman that my legs went out onto.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah, listen, but you, to be fair.

[John Ryan]

You bought that ottoman when you got there for the first time and you felt so sad.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah, it was just small. It was just for. For a lot. It was a. It was a pre furnished apartment and for someone John's size it seems that there should have been a larger couch and the season was like tiny home.

[John Ryan]

Living the season up there is very long. Like when I was playing the NFL, NFL season. 17 weeks. 16 games in 17 weeks. And the CFL season's 21 weeks long. Yeah, you play 18 games in 21 weeks. So it's very long.

[Sarah Colonna]

So he had a lot of time on his hands.

[John Ryan]

A lot of time.

[Sarah Colonna]

A lot of reading.

[John Ryan]

Yeah, I read a lot. Yeah, you drank a lot of wine.

[Sarah Colonna]

He said he would, he would be like I'm just doing my old man walk around the lake with my book. Basically killing time until it's appropriate enough for me to go to the wine bar at like 4:30 or whatever. So anyway that. I remember that. But that was your, that was your lake summer. Do you know else one thing in this book, they. Oh they talk about how her and her like childhood boyfriend who then this isn't a spoiler or anything because it's pretty early on but it also doesn't matter. But her childhood boyfriend who you find out right away was her, her childhood boyfriend and then now he works at the resort. Jamie I think so she, she talks about how they, when they work together they had a secret word for when people would annoy them. Like if there was a couple being annoying at check in or this and that or if they wanted to like say some and the word like you have to work it into a sentence. But their word was watermelon.

[John Ryan]

Right.

[Sarah Colonna]

Did you have a secret word, like a safe word for when you. Did your parents give you one for when someone's picking you up from school or anything like that.

[John Ryan]

They didn't. But I remember when I was in high school I had a girlfriend and we had a word that. When you said that word the other person. Yeah, the other person had to tell the truth like no matter what. So if you like wanted to get some information out of me, if I said that Word. You had to tell the truth. And then as I got older, I figured out that it's just a lot easier if you just always tell the truth in a relationship.

[Sarah Colonna]

I don't.

[John Ryan]

You don't even need a secret word for it. You just tell the truth.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah, that's a better idea. I was gonna say, at what point. Wait, so I know you usually lie, but today I'm gonna say, yeah, that's a. That's interesting.

[John Ryan]

And then you think back to, like, high wonder.

[Sarah Colonna]

That one didn't work out.

[John Ryan]

The things you lie about in high school is hilarious, too.

[Sarah Colonna]

But, like, what?

[John Ryan]

I don't know. Just like, what time did you get home last night? 11. Like, you were like, I never cheated or anything, but it was always. You just make up a lie for no reason. It's like, what. Why? Why would you do that?

[Sarah Colonna]

Right. Yeah, I know what you're talking about.

[John Ryan]

Who was all over the house last night? And you're like, oh, I didn't. Obviously Lisa wasn't here or whatever, you.

[Sarah Colonna]

Know, like, because you didn't want to deal with, like, if.

[John Ryan]

Yeah. Like. Yeah. So it's such, like a. You live in such a small world in high school. It's so. It's so crazy.

[Sarah Colonna]

It's true. Well, so what was your.

[John Ryan]

It feel? It also seems. It feels like we need to rename. Because when you're like, I have a safe word with my parents, it seems.

[Sarah Colonna]

Like, I know, but that's what it. It was. It was a word.

[John Ryan]

A safety word. It was a safety.

[Sarah Colonna]

Safety word. Safety word that if, um, somebody was to ask me to get in their car or if somebody was. Well, nobody ever asked me to get in their car, thank God. But I know that happens to people. But if someone was ever, like, to pick me up from school or. But no one ever did, so I don't really know why we had it. But mostly it was like, if you're ever in trouble and, like, say, your kid. Mostly it was. You know how my mom is. My mom's doom and gloom. Right?

[John Ryan]

She's a very literal person. So it's.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yes. And she's doom and gloom. I mean, yes. She's, like, right now she's basically says she's living on borrowed time because she hasn't died of cancer yet.

[John Ryan]

And she's been saying that since she was 72.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yes. And she's 75, but she's been saying that since she was 62, by the way. She has been. Yeah. Because my grandma passed in her early 60s from stomach cancer. So my mom would just say, well, cancer is going to get me. And, you know, she's a real positive person, but she. She. This is like, part of it comes from working in a funeral home her whole life. I get it. You just. Death is a fact. She's just like, it's just a fact. What did she say to me the other day? They're going on vacation this summer? And she was talking about her. Who? The person who watches her cats and. Oh, and then, you know, and the. I don't know what. They're going on a river cruise. Speaking of lakes and rivers and seas and oceans, they're going on a river cruise. They've always wanted to go on, and it's a very big deal. They're very excited. And she said something about, I don't know, and she goes that. I don't know, maybe we don't come back from the river cruise. It happens. What are we talking about here? You're talking about your dream vacation, and now it's. Now we've already turned it around to how you may not come back from it.

[John Ryan]

I mean, when I was taking Ralphie to Phoenix, I took Ralphie to Phoenix on a plane. We were for. For a week. We hung out there, and I was very nervous about taking him on the plane because she'd been on the plane one other time with you, and it was a bad experience.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yes.

[John Ryan]

And so your. Your mom said to me, watch him because if he starts panting, he'll just keep on panting and panting. He'll die. I go, that's it. That's it. If he starts panting, it's just death. That's all I got.

[Sarah Colonna]

I mean, she. For I have. Ralphie has panted before, and he didn't die. But it is bad. It is bad when they pant, but you can also calm them and they're gonna be okay. And yeah, he panted when I took him. That's a whole nother story. Oh, for another day, maybe. But anyway, so my mom gave me a safety word for if I'm ever in trouble, say I get kidnapped. And. And they make me call her to let her know that I'm okay when. But I'm not. I'm actually kidnapped. I was to work in this word. And do you know what it was?

[John Ryan]

No. I think it's gonna be awesome, though. Go ahead.

[Sarah Colonna]

Watermelon. Oh, really? Oh, yeah. It was also watermelon. You don't seem impressed.

[John Ryan]

No, I'm just trying to think, like, if someone has, like, a gunpoint and says, call your mom and say goodbye or whatever. It'd be hard to work the word watermelon into the conversation. All right, I love you, but I'm gonna make it through this. But when I get home, have some watermelon ready.

[Sarah Colonna]

Well, listen, I feel like you're understanding the whole point. You're misunderstanding the whole point of a safety word. Okay? If I'm. If they got a gun to my head and they tell me to call my mom and say goodbye, I'm not working in the safety work because they're telling me to tell her I'm dying, and then I'm kidnapped.

[John Ryan]

But what if they're like, tell her you're at a friend.

[Sarah Colonna]

Exactly.

[John Ryan]

Watermelon.

[Sarah Colonna]

Then I say, I'm over at Julie Watermelon's house.

[John Ryan]

That your mom. Your mom would be like, I've never heard of Julie Watermelon. Who Is this a new friend of yours? What? I don't. I don't even think I know her. I think I. I know your other friends. I know Julie. I know Michael. I know Shannon. I know Blood. But what was Shannon's brother's name? Shannon's brother. His name wasn't Watermelon. Was. But he liked watermelon. That boy liked watermelon. I'll tell you. That'd be. It would be. She.

[Sarah Colonna]

She'd talk so much that she'd forget that it was one of our safety words, that I'd just be up Schitt's creek. So.

[John Ryan]

Creek we had. When we were. When we were kids, we had this whole. Our whole life. Well, we all lived together until, whatever. I was 18. We'd. Obviously, we always had a meetup spot if the house ever caught on fire, if anything bad happened, we all had a meetup spot.

[Sarah Colonna]

Oh, where was that?

[John Ryan]

The. The. The tree at Norm Parisian's house under the tree. Oh, I don't know. Our house never burned down. We never got to act on it.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah. Luckily, I never got kidnapped and never had to work in the word watermelon.

[John Ryan]

The thing about it I had that was a real fear of mine, of our house burning down when I was a kid.

[Sarah Colonna]

Really?

[John Ryan]

Yeah. Yeah. Getting broken into, having it burned down, getting kidnapped. Three of the biggest fears.

[Sarah Colonna]

You sound like my mom. No wonder you guys get along so well. People.

[John Ryan]

No, your mom would be like, well, if you get kidnapped, they're gonna take you away and kill you. You'll be dead.

[Sarah Colonna]

Oh, yeah. I feel like, honestly, I love my mom so much for giving her grief, but in the best way possible. These are all jokes of Course she understands about herself, so it's fine.

[John Ryan]

Oh, she laughs at them too.

[Sarah Colonna]

Oh, yeah. But they would always say, my uncle would always say if anyone ever kidnapped her, they just fucking let her right back out because she just talked. It be like, forget it, go. They'd be saying, water, watermelon, watermelon.

[John Ryan]

They be asking your mom for a safety word. What? Watermelon? Get out of here.

[Sarah Colonna]

Oh, let's end on a laughing note and go and go sit by our pool for this 4th of July. I know that it's this the 7th by the time you listen to this, but we're currently.

[John Ryan]

Get the yacht rock going.

[Sarah Colonna]

Get the yacht rock going. I hope you guys had a very nice fourth listeners again. Please join us on Patreon if you're able. It's only $5 a month and like I said, there's three times a month there's this fun content along with a short story. And then we're adding the chapter, the extra chapter. And you tell us what else you'd like us to add on Patreon. But we're going to start doing little just videos of that we can kind of upload quickly too, just like some fun stuff. So there's fun stuff there for you. Great way to support us. Another way is to rate, review and subscribe. Leaving us a little review always helps to elevate and get word out about the book lisp. And I will announce maybe after you've already heard this episode, it will be up, but I will announce July's pick today. Monday, July 7th. If you're listening today, I didn't do it on the podcast because I wasn't prepared, but I will have it picked by Monday. I'll put it in the book list spinner and I'll put it in our our Instagram. So what else? The short story for Patreon, Death row by Freda McFadden. Thank you guys so much for listening. This was fun and see you soon.

[John Ryan]

Bye Bye.

[Sarah Colonna]

The book list.

[John Ryan]

The book Lisp.

[Sarah Colonna]

The book list.

[John Ryan]

The book Lisp.

[Sarah Colonna]

The book Lisp.