The pings kept coming and I was a little concerned.
I was at a recent medical appointment, on the special chair in a, shall we say, vulnerable position.
From the pocket of my jacket came the repeated pings.
含羞草研究社淒o you want to check that?含羞草研究社� I was asked, politely.
含羞草研究社淣o, it含羞草研究社檚 all good,含羞草研究社� I said with a bit of false bravado.
A few minutes later, I was headed back to my car, when I see the little red 含羞草研究社�6含羞草研究社� beside the texts icon on my phone.
Now, six new text messages might not be a lot for you young folks out there, but for an old guy, that含羞草研究社檚 blowing up.
At first I worried something horrid had happened, since there are very few reasons I含羞草研究社檇 get that many texts in a very small time period.
Generally, it would be my clownish pals reminding me of a particularly vexing loss by one of my favoured pro sports teams.
And, I reasoned, if it was anything really bad, the phone would have rang.
So, what could it be that was so pressing?
Turns out it was indeed huge news.
The McRib is coming back.
I含羞草研究社檒l give you all a minute to contain your joy.
That含羞草研究社檚 right, after being deprived of its glory for a full decade, the McRib is coming back to Canada (for a limited time at participating restaurants, beginning Jan. 30).
Worlds need to align so the McRib and Shamrock Shake are available at the same time.
含羞草研究社� Philip Wolf (@philipwolf13)
If you含羞草研究社檙e wondering what the McRib is, allow my forever 12-year-old palate to fill you in.
Directly from McDonald含羞草研究社檚: 含羞草研究社淭he McRib starts with a tender and juicy boneless pork patty dipped in tangy BBQ sauce, topped with slivered onions and tasty pickles, all served on a toasted homestyle bun. It含羞草研究社檚 no surprise this sandwich is an icon, with its uniquely delicious balance of sweet, tangy and savoury flavours.含羞草研究社�
Sold yet?
A little back story. My 含羞草研究社榣ove含羞草研究社� for the McRib is a bit of an inside joke among family and friends. I routinely hype up its gloriousness and they mock me for my lack of culinary sophistication.
Thus, the texts.
含羞草研究社淒id you see the McRib is coming back?含羞草研究社�
含羞草研究社淭he McRib is coming back. Gross.含羞草研究社�
And a few more. Noting how happy I must be and reminding me how they含羞草研究社檇 never try one.
Their loss.
Truth be told, it含羞草研究社檚 more about the humour of it all (routinely reminding everyone of the McRib含羞草研究社檚 greatness) than it is the actual product itself.
I can actually get along just fine without any McRibs, thanks. But, like many 12-year-olds with unrefined palates, I含羞草研究社檓 a sucker for marketing.
My other specific weakness in this area is sugary breakfast cereals. If there含羞草研究社檚 something new in the grocery aisle (like any version of 含羞草研究社楾oast Crunch含羞草研究社�), I pretty much have to have it.
Of course, I含羞草研究社檒l eat a quarter of a bowl and then it sits hidden on the Lazy Susan until it含羞草研究社檚 expired, but that含羞草研究社檚 not the point. I含羞草研究社檓 weak and I can含羞草研究社檛 resist.
That含羞草研究社檚 how it is with the McRib. They know absence makes the heart grow fonder, so they withhold it from us. They claim it含羞草研究社檚 some sort of supply issue with the formed frozen pork patties but I say nay, you含羞草研究社檙e just toying with us.
含羞草研究社淚n the last year alone, our team received thousands of inquiries on social media from very passionate Canadian McRib fans asking to bring it back here,含羞草研究社� said Alyssa Buetikofer, vice president and chief marketing officer at McDonald含羞草研究社檚 Canada. 含羞草研究社淭he McRib is truly a fan favourite. It appeals to guests of all ages含羞草研究社攆rom loyal followers who have patiently waited a decade for its return, to our newer fans who have only heard the legend.含羞草研究社�
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Now, there含羞草研究社檚 only one problem this time around.
As I continue recovery from surgery following a series of unfortunate events that would make Lemony Snicket blush, I really shouldn含羞草研究社檛 be eating a McRib.
I含羞草研究社檝e done a reasonable job of altering my diet accordingly the last few months.
As I write this, I am munching on the delight that is a small veggie tray. Mmm, soggy celery.
But this represents the biggest test along my newfound nutritional path.
Last time the McRib rolled around, my then-teenaged son and myself (important to pass along the legacy, right McDonald含羞草研究社檚?) made way too many trips to the drive-thru.
This time, I含羞草研究社檒l be taking his 12-year-old little brother (we含羞草研究社檙e palate equals!), since he含羞草研究社檚 only ever heard the legend.
I含羞草研究社檝e resolved to only eat only a couple of bites of one, once. After that, it will be full avoidance.
It will be a remarkable test of my newfound willpower (it含羞草研究社檚 OK if you含羞草研究社檝e been silently judging me all the way through this), especially given that now I could have 39 of them delivered right to my door if I wanted.
And after those couple of bites, and the passing along of the legacy, I含羞草研究社檒l continue my routine, with the sole goal of ensuring I含羞草研究社檓 in peak health the next time the McRib makes its grand re-return.
I含羞草研究社檒l be ready, Ronald.
/ editor can be reached at 250-905-0029 or via email at philip.wolf@blackpress.ca.
