Jeffersonville, NY Diner

Two hours from New York City, my wife, three-month-old daughter and I are spending a few days away mid-week, when country room rates are cheap. Go into Ted's in the 'village of Jeffersonville' for breakfast at 8:45am. New York Daily News for sale, not Times. Cheaply framed photos of John Wayne holding a gun looking down six booths on the right wall. To the left is a counter, with nine stools (and one guy wearing a knit cap). In the middle are eight tables, all dutifully with four seats and full ketchup bottles. In back, Ted (I think) sees the stroller. 'Oh, here, you take this one,' he steps up from the back booth. 'It's wider.' He sweeps up some fallen 'Capt'n Crisp' cereal and heads to the kitchen. Nineteen eighties country music is on -- George Strait and other baritones. In walks an old couple, guy with cowboy hat on. Waitress stops by to resume the day before's conversation on a recent trip to Las Vegas.

On the table are placemats with hand-printed two-color advertisements, like I used to eat from in Texas and Oklahoma in the '80s. Ads for barn makers, bakers, salons, insurance agents and excavation workers.

Afterwards we stop by a cafe advertising wifi. One table. Crammed with cheesy knick-knacks -- plaques reading 'God answers prayers,' a Blues Brothers CD stand for $300. A chai takes 15 minutes to make, you make your own coffee. More '80s country. Same station I think.

The whole thing reminds me of '70s footage -- faded color, old buildings and dated sense of commercialism. But clean. After a dozen-some years in New York City, I think I need to know my state better.