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.

害羞草研究所淒o you want to check that?害羞草研究所� I was asked, politely.

害羞草研究所淣o, it害羞草研究所檚 all good,害羞草研究所� 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 害羞草研究所�6害羞草研究所� 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害羞草研究所檚 blowing up.

At first I worried something horrid had happened, since there are very few reasons I害羞草研究所檇 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害羞草研究所檒l give you all a minute to contain your joy.

That害羞草研究所檚 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.

害羞草研究所� Philip Wolf (@philipwolf13)

If you害羞草研究所檙e wondering what the McRib is, allow my forever 12-year-old palate to fill you in.

Directly from McDonald害羞草研究所檚: 害羞草研究所淭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害羞草研究所檚 no surprise this sandwich is an icon, with its uniquely delicious balance of sweet, tangy and savoury flavours.害羞草研究所�

Sold yet?

A little back story. My 害羞草研究所榣ove害羞草研究所� 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.

害羞草研究所淒id you see the McRib is coming back?害羞草研究所�

害羞草研究所淭he McRib is coming back. Gross.害羞草研究所�

And a few more. Noting how happy I must be and reminding me how they害羞草研究所檇 never try one.

Their loss.

Truth be told, it害羞草研究所檚 more about the humour of it all (routinely reminding everyone of the McRib害羞草研究所檚 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害羞草研究所檓 a sucker for marketing.

My other specific weakness in this area is sugary breakfast cereals. If there害羞草研究所檚 something new in the grocery aisle (like any version of 害羞草研究所楾oast Crunch害羞草研究所�), I pretty much have to have it.

Of course, I害羞草研究所檒l eat a quarter of a bowl and then it sits hidden on the Lazy Susan until it害羞草研究所檚 expired, but that害羞草研究所檚 not the point. I害羞草研究所檓 weak and I can害羞草研究所檛 resist.

That害羞草研究所檚 how it is with the McRib. They know absence makes the heart grow fonder, so they withhold it from us. They claim it害羞草研究所檚 some sort of supply issue with the formed frozen pork patties but I say nay, you害羞草研究所檙e just toying with us.

害羞草研究所淚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,害羞草研究所� said Alyssa Buetikofer, vice president and chief marketing officer at McDonald害羞草研究所檚 Canada. 害羞草研究所淭he McRib is truly a fan favourite. It appeals to guests of all ages害羞草研究所攆rom loyal followers who have patiently waited a decade for its return, to our newer fans who have only heard the legend.害羞草研究所�

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Now, there害羞草研究所檚 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害羞草研究所檛 be eating a McRib.

I害羞草研究所檝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害羞草研究所檚?) made way too many trips to the drive-thru.

This time, I害羞草研究所檒l be taking his 12-year-old little brother (we害羞草研究所檙e palate equals!), since he害羞草研究所檚 only ever heard the legend.

I害羞草研究所檝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害羞草研究所檚 OK if you害羞草研究所檝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害羞草研究所檒l continue my routine, with the sole goal of ensuring I害羞草研究所檓 in peak health the next time the McRib makes its grand re-return.

I害羞草研究所檒l be ready, Ronald.

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