The benediction of Cheryl Unruh

You must know this about Cheryl Unruh: She's a crazy-gifted writer and a damn good photographer in her own right who is never without her small P&S (point and shoot, not what you think) camera. And at every meal-away-from-home, before nary a bite is nibbled or even contemplated, Cheryl first hauls out her camera, composes an image, and fires the shutter.

Always. Without fail. Or else...

At a delightful luncheon at Emma Chase Cafe in Cottonwood Falls, Dave Leiker, her husband, Jack Casner, a friend, character and photographer from KC, and Lori and I waited for Cheryl to perform her obligations. Dave cautioned us that this was mandatory. That no matter how starved a person might be, sampling before Cheryl's shooting was not only irresponsible behavior but could be considered unethical and perhaps even dangerous.

I had just picked up my burger when I realized my mistake. I quickly set it down, scoonched a few french fries over and in general tidied up the plate to restore it to its virginal state.

Cheryl didn't even blink.

"It doesn't work if someone takes a bite first?" I asked.

"Of course not," she said.

I felt like an idiot.

(For more Cheryl, click the link on the right for Flyover People.)