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.

B次元官网网址淒o you want to check that?B次元官网网址� I was asked, politely.

B次元官网网址淣o, itB次元官网网址檚 all good,B次元官网网址� 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 B次元官网网址�6B次元官网网址� 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, thatB次元官网网址檚 blowing up.

At first I worried something horrid had happened, since there are very few reasons IB次元官网网址檇 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.

IB次元官网网址檒l give you all a minute to contain your joy.

ThatB次元官网网址檚 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.

B次元官网网址� Philip Wolf (@philipwolf13)

If youB次元官网网址檙e wondering what the McRib is, allow my forever 12-year-old palate to fill you in.

Directly from McDonaldB次元官网网址檚: B次元官网网址淭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. ItB次元官网网址檚 no surprise this sandwich is an icon, with its uniquely delicious balance of sweet, tangy and savoury flavours.B次元官网网址�

Sold yet?

A little back story. My B次元官网网址榣oveB次元官网网址� 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.

B次元官网网址淒id you see the McRib is coming back?B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淭he McRib is coming back. Gross.B次元官网网址�

And a few more. Noting how happy I must be and reminding me how theyB次元官网网址檇 never try one.

Their loss.

Truth be told, itB次元官网网址檚 more about the humour of it all (routinely reminding everyone of the McRibB次元官网网址檚 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, IB次元官网网址檓 a sucker for marketing.

My other specific weakness in this area is sugary breakfast cereals. If thereB次元官网网址檚 something new in the grocery aisle (like any version of B次元官网网址楾oast CrunchB次元官网网址�), I pretty much have to have it.

Of course, IB次元官网网址檒l eat a quarter of a bowl and then it sits hidden on the Lazy Susan until itB次元官网网址檚 expired, but thatB次元官网网址檚 not the point. IB次元官网网址檓 weak and I canB次元官网网址檛 resist.

ThatB次元官网网址檚 how it is with the McRib. They know absence makes the heart grow fonder, so they withhold it from us. They claim itB次元官网网址檚 some sort of supply issue with the formed frozen pork patties but I say nay, youB次元官网网址檙e just toying with us.

B次元官网网址淚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,B次元官网网址� said Alyssa Buetikofer, vice president and chief marketing officer at McDonaldB次元官网网址檚 Canada. B次元官网网址淭he McRib is truly a fan favourite. It appeals to guests of all agesB次元官网网址攆rom loyal followers who have patiently waited a decade for its return, to our newer fans who have only heard the legend.B次元官网网址�

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Now, thereB次元官网网址檚 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 shouldnB次元官网网址檛 be eating a McRib.

IB次元官网网址檝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 McDonaldB次元官网网址檚?) made way too many trips to the drive-thru.

This time, IB次元官网网址檒l be taking his 12-year-old little brother (weB次元官网网址檙e palate equals!), since heB次元官网网址檚 only ever heard the legend.

IB次元官网网址檝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 (itB次元官网网址檚 OK if youB次元官网网址檝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, IB次元官网网址檒l continue my routine, with the sole goal of ensuring IB次元官网网址檓 in peak health the next time the McRib makes its grand re-return.

IB次元官网网址檒l be ready, Ronald.

/ editor can be reached at 250-905-0029 or via email at philip.wolf@blackpress.ca.