Rock Ramblings: Brain freeze

By Medicine Hat News on May 17, 2018.

There are so many things to love about our little corner of the province, not the least of which is the fact that it’s only May 17, and we’ve already had a taste of summer with a number of days hitting the high 20s over the last couple of weeks. So, what do you reach for to cool down when the mercury climbs so high?

If you’re like many Canadians, it’s a “slush.” Or is it “slushie”?

I know it seems trivial, but this minor detail caused a major debate in our office a few months ago, and much like the hoodie and bunnyhug back and forth between Alberta and Saskatchewan, (it’s hoodie, by the way), it appears the name of this favourite frosty treat varies from region to region.

In Lethbridge, for example, I’m told they call it a “WilliWa.” Why? I have no idea, but it’s kind of fun to say so why not?

“The Simpsons” brought “Squishees” to the masses, of course, and, when I lived in Peace River, I was introduced to the “Screamer.” A delightful discovery that takes your favourite slushie flavour and mixes it up with a swirl of vanilla soft serve. Brilliant and available right here in the Hat as I’m sure many of you already know.

I remember a time in my younger, wilder days when my sister and I notoriously tested the sleep soundness of our parents by sneaking out of the house late one night to — gasp — go to Sev for a Slurpee! That’s about as rebellious as we got, and our parents were no doubt terribly disappointed.

But, apparently that desire to risk punishment (not really) for the sake of a sweet frosty treat is ingrained in us as Canadians! Our country leads the world in slush consumption, purchasing an average of 30 million Slurpees a year — and that’s just Slurpees! Add in all the Frosters and slushies, screamers and Walliwas, and it’s no wonder the world thinks its cold here all the time — it IS! Only, rather than being in the form of snow on the ground, the constant chill comes as slush served up in a large cup with a bubble top and a spoon straw poised for slurping.

Of course, nothing goes better with a cool beverage on a hot day than a great playlist of all your favourite new and classic rock tunes. Fortunately, we’ve got that handled at 105.3 on the FM dial, so you can just tune in, sit back, and slurp on.

Cheers!

Chrissy Cruickshank is a creative writer here at 105.3 ROCK and a bit of a slurpee aficionado.

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