Priscilla, my 3 1/2 year old kitty is sick! She has been sneezing, coughing, breathing through a gooey mouth...don't ask for more. She is blah, not hungry (already alarm bells!!!) and just, as Ethel Mertz said, "Dauncy". Time for a call and visit to the Animal Clinic!
I took our designer pet carrier out of the closet. Priscilla glared. I placed it on my dining room table. That is where I should have just thought, "Hmmmm, nice centerpiece!" and leave it at that!" Nope, not me! "Come on Pris, Mommy will take you to the Doctor and you will feel so much better!" Oh really? I expected her to get into that box? So what if there was a cushy cushion for her delicate bottom...no dice! So, I gently picked up the ailing feline and tried to place her in the carrier. My sweet, docile, little dear turned into her wild relative! Suddenly, Priscilla's teeth enlarged, her paws grew and her weak, ill body turned into a cartoon of Wiley Coyote bracing himself from being pulled/pushed into Yosemite Sam's trap! Her strength was second to the Incredible Hulk! She popped her fur and puffed up to three times her size (a thirteen pound cat times three is grounds to call in the National Guard). There was no getting Priscilla into her carrier! After twenty minutes of the wrestling match, she broke the door from its hinge on the case and so it went.
Next...a snappy, bejeweled harness and leash. After I untangled my hair, neck and left wrist, I realized that she did have the upper paw and I lost Campaign Two of the Battle of the Clinic Visit!
So, Priscilla had goo and all sorts of sick cat excretions all over my black Calvins and Dana Buchman top! My hair looked as if I had excaped from Dr. Dread with electrodes! Ugh. Time was slipping by, Priscilla was gasping, I was furious! I grabbed my new Bloomies bath towel and threw it over an outraged Priscilla. I wrapped her tightly as if she were a rather wide sausage link. Shhhhhh! Don't tell my daughter who TOLD ME TO FORGET THE CARRIER AND FIND A BLANKET in the first place.
She was stretched across my lap for the ride. The ride to see Dr.M was the best and most peaceful part of the entire day.
Because...we arrived...
After check in with a rather compassionate tech at the entrance, carrying my treasure, we entered the waiting room. There sat one man with a cat. There sat one woman with a medium, well behaved dog. I chose a seat in a far corner far from my fellow pet enthusiasts to prevent Pris from becoming unnerved or anxious.
R-I-G-H-T! A tall, solid man and his matching female equivalent complete with big jackets, huge boots, dirty jeans and shabby hair were dragged in to the waiting room by two of the biggest, ugliest, horses (oh excuse me) / dogs that I have ever seen! They smelled, they were hyper to the max! Their Mommy said, "Oh, Elvis isn't sick. He only came to give Garth support!" Okay, is it me? So, these huge canines (according to their owners, I still thought that they were maneless horses) began howling, rushing those of us who were just sitting hoping that we'd be called. One, Elvis, I think, gave it a little hustle and started to stick his enormous snoot in Priscilla's space...my lap! I looked at the woman. She said, "Oh, they love cats!" (for lunch?) and want to play! When they see animals they get so playful! Just let them play together!" Is she nuts? I mean, I may have looked like I escaped from an institution with goo, bad hair and all, but really? I would have moved (into my car) but, Elvis sat on my suede Ferragamo! What to do? The dog (devil incarnate) howled, Garth joined the chorus. Priscilla asked for the classifieds to have herself put up for adoption!
And then, a cute little boy in a clean jacket, neat jeans came in carrying in a tiny "Yorkie". His Mom followed. Her hair was done by the same groomer that did the tiny dog's. Definitely, looked better ON the dog, not for human wear. She sported dirty grey sweats with stained sneakers. A little soap and a comb would have worked miracles. (At least I lint rolled myself, wiped up Pris' nose, and overused my wipes and brush en route). The bottom of the pants was torn. After announcing the last bill for a dog groomer that she paid, she started Pooch Talk with man being dragged across the room by Garth, doing her best to seem concerned and flirty. Oh, come on now! Elvis' handler wasn't amused and began overtalking about her "children". Readers, you know very well that she meant her dogs.
So, the way the waiting room stacked up was not going well. We had a little jealousy, a lot of noise, Elvis tried to jump on the back of the nice original lady's dog. How grateful she was that it was her turn! To drown out the howling horses, the little boy cranked up "Red Solo Cup" (Toby Keith) from something he whipped out of his pocket! Could it get any crazier than that?
Finally, it was our turn. I was probably sicker than Pris at this point. After the Doctor and Assistant treated Priscilla and provided medication and instruction, I could not resist..." I do not envy your jobs. How do you deal with such insanity ALL of the time, EVERY day? On the up side, you must have some great party stories! I think that pet owners should take an etiquette class and pass a test (oh, reading, writing...hmmmmm). They should have mirrors as they walk out of their doors!" I proceeded to do a replay of the hour (and that's with an appointment) in the waiting room! I had them in stitches. They said that I was the funniest lady they had seen in there in years!
I am not heartless. I trust animal lovers/likers more than non-animal people. I appreciate that we love our pets unconditionally because they return that very love. Not everyone is a cat lover, so I don't impose Priscilla on anyone. I have a fear of large dogs and don't think that walking around with a bag and scooper in the rain and snow behind a pooch is my calling. I don't lecture based upon my personal dislike of snakes, lizards, and the like as pets. I once set up "fishing poles" for my friend's cat to use in a fish tank she had when I "Cat sat" for her. We are all individuals, we all have our tastes, we all have our preferences. SO, KEEP HORSES/DOGS off of my feet and snoots off of my lap! Don't tell me to let a sick cat who has never even met a dog PLAY!
I have been rolling in medicine and spit-out food for days since that visit. I could bathe in the water Priscilla returns. She is just sneezing less, and holding her droopy own. I do not mind that you didn't ask though. You don't have to "get together now, love everybody, everybody get together and love one another right now, right now, right now."
Laura Macy Author & Actress
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Saturday, January 21, 2012
FIRE!!! FIRE!!! FIRE!!! (Or Not)
On a cold, windy, snowy day, I ventured out of my warm, rather cozy home and braved the elements to pick up Tanner (4) at Nursery School. We came back chattering about lunch, The Disney Channel, "Meme (may-may), can I paint?" and all sorts of important subjects. I said that I'd start lunch and set a nice fire in the fireplace! We could have Macaroni and Cheese, Hot Chocolate, Cookies, watch Mickey Mouse do the "Hot Dog" and stay toasty later on the couch in front of a fire! Oh, Tanner was thrilled and volunteered to "help"!
The macaroni danced in the bubbles in the pot on the stove. We packed our Hot Chocolate with scrumptious marshmallows (or as Tanner says..."smarshmellows"). Mickey and Minnie along with Donald and Daisy were involved in a colorful adventure with Goofy giving all sorts of "helpful" tips. We laughed at the weather outside. We were warm, dry (the rent was paid, utilities on time, etc). All we had to do was light the fireplace.
I know that I have been a little mouthy about The Villager. I know that I had enlisted an Army Batallion to bull-doze the complex. But, today, I loved my Wood Burning Fireplace and would never move (or bulldoze) for the world!
We had gathered a few sticks...kindling, the experts say. I had crumpled newspaper and placed it on the grate, beneath the kindling. Tanner helped crumple, giggling and feeling very grown-up helping this way! We placed our perfectly split, designer wood ($5.99 a 5 log bundle at Dorothy Lane)on top of the heap. Ah...matches? Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.
Tanner and I went through all of the kitchen drawers! I had to mix the Macaroni with the Cheese at this point before it all turned to paste. We resumed the match search! I don't smoke, my stove is electric, I couldn't find the matches I had hidden from the children after I lit the last mood setting candle! Leaving lunch on a warm burner, I launched the search mission in my bedroom. I have more "junk"?"Just in case?" drawers than a well worn flea market. NOTHING! Tanner was giving suggestions, such as the "dress-up trunk", the washing machine, under Priscilla's water bowl, etc (Hey, he's four!). Finally, in my "tool" drawer of my craft room, I found a half book of matches! Yipppppeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
We fell over each other racing back to the living room! The Hot Chocolate was tempid at best. Who wanted to burn their mouths on HOT Macaroni and Cheese...WE FOUND MATCHES!!!
"Tanner, honey, you just have to stay back so Meme can light this. I don't want any wood to pop, or a spark to burn you. I'll just light the paper, and the fire will catch!" By now, Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, Goofy, Pluto were doing the "Hot Dog" at the end of the show. (Well, it's only a half hour production, and we had been at this for a while).
I struck the match, lit a corner of the paper. I struck another match and lit the center of the center of the assemblage! A tiny flame! A tiny flame that didn't catch. "Meme, try again!" said my assistant. "Ok Tan, and then we just have to eat lunch. It'll get cold and icky. Here we go!" I struck match number three...a flicker, a tiny flame, some smoke, no commitment on the fire's end. Hmmmmm. Attempt after attempt led to a tiny flame for nano seconds, not really strung together for any significant amount of time! Embers glowed and fizzled. Ah-ha! Bellows! A little poof air to catch this! NOTHING! The flame would burst and die! "Meme! Stop blowing on it! You blow it out like birthday candles!" That was it! "Good idea, Tanner! Let's light birthday candles and leave them in the fireplace! They will burn long enough to catch the logs on fire!"
Many of us, I am sure, have stray birthday candles just stuck in a kitchen drawer. So, I went to my stash. I lit the birthday candles...five on a match. (Hey, I'm quick and down to the last three matches!) A little flicker, a little smoke, a lot of cold Mac and Cheese (bless microwaves) and frigid Hot Chocolate (no tongue burning here). NO FIRE!
Hey, Smokey the Bear! Would you please tell me where you come up with stuff like: ONLY YOU CAN PREVENT FOREST FIRES. Aren't some of those trees, fresh and sappy? How do entire forests burn down, yet, some Wanna be Cool grandparent can't light a fireplace? I am not suggesting that I advocate forest fires! The death of wildlife and fauna are devastating. But, WHAT IS THE RECIPE FOR A COZY, CRACKLING FIRE IN A CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT SUCH AS MY APARTMENT FIREPLACE? The wood was laughing at me, Tanner was laughing at the wood laughing at me! Agent Ozo came on to the Disney Channel next and even his "three simple steps" couldn't rescue us from our non- atmosphere!
So, watching Disney's "Good Luck Charlie" under a snuggly blanket on my ultra-soft couch, Tanner and I ate our luke-warm Mac and Cheese, drank our Cool Chocolate and kept glancing at the fireplace, reassuring ourselves that, "It's almost...see...there is a little glow! You see it don't you? Sort of...right there?"
The macaroni danced in the bubbles in the pot on the stove. We packed our Hot Chocolate with scrumptious marshmallows (or as Tanner says..."smarshmellows"). Mickey and Minnie along with Donald and Daisy were involved in a colorful adventure with Goofy giving all sorts of "helpful" tips. We laughed at the weather outside. We were warm, dry (the rent was paid, utilities on time, etc). All we had to do was light the fireplace.
I know that I have been a little mouthy about The Villager. I know that I had enlisted an Army Batallion to bull-doze the complex. But, today, I loved my Wood Burning Fireplace and would never move (or bulldoze) for the world!
We had gathered a few sticks...kindling, the experts say. I had crumpled newspaper and placed it on the grate, beneath the kindling. Tanner helped crumple, giggling and feeling very grown-up helping this way! We placed our perfectly split, designer wood ($5.99 a 5 log bundle at Dorothy Lane)on top of the heap. Ah...matches? Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.
Tanner and I went through all of the kitchen drawers! I had to mix the Macaroni with the Cheese at this point before it all turned to paste. We resumed the match search! I don't smoke, my stove is electric, I couldn't find the matches I had hidden from the children after I lit the last mood setting candle! Leaving lunch on a warm burner, I launched the search mission in my bedroom. I have more "junk"?"Just in case?" drawers than a well worn flea market. NOTHING! Tanner was giving suggestions, such as the "dress-up trunk", the washing machine, under Priscilla's water bowl, etc (Hey, he's four!). Finally, in my "tool" drawer of my craft room, I found a half book of matches! Yipppppeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
We fell over each other racing back to the living room! The Hot Chocolate was tempid at best. Who wanted to burn their mouths on HOT Macaroni and Cheese...WE FOUND MATCHES!!!
"Tanner, honey, you just have to stay back so Meme can light this. I don't want any wood to pop, or a spark to burn you. I'll just light the paper, and the fire will catch!" By now, Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, Goofy, Pluto were doing the "Hot Dog" at the end of the show. (Well, it's only a half hour production, and we had been at this for a while).
I struck the match, lit a corner of the paper. I struck another match and lit the center of the center of the assemblage! A tiny flame! A tiny flame that didn't catch. "Meme, try again!" said my assistant. "Ok Tan, and then we just have to eat lunch. It'll get cold and icky. Here we go!" I struck match number three...a flicker, a tiny flame, some smoke, no commitment on the fire's end. Hmmmmm. Attempt after attempt led to a tiny flame for nano seconds, not really strung together for any significant amount of time! Embers glowed and fizzled. Ah-ha! Bellows! A little poof air to catch this! NOTHING! The flame would burst and die! "Meme! Stop blowing on it! You blow it out like birthday candles!" That was it! "Good idea, Tanner! Let's light birthday candles and leave them in the fireplace! They will burn long enough to catch the logs on fire!"
Many of us, I am sure, have stray birthday candles just stuck in a kitchen drawer. So, I went to my stash. I lit the birthday candles...five on a match. (Hey, I'm quick and down to the last three matches!) A little flicker, a little smoke, a lot of cold Mac and Cheese (bless microwaves) and frigid Hot Chocolate (no tongue burning here). NO FIRE!
Hey, Smokey the Bear! Would you please tell me where you come up with stuff like: ONLY YOU CAN PREVENT FOREST FIRES. Aren't some of those trees, fresh and sappy? How do entire forests burn down, yet, some Wanna be Cool grandparent can't light a fireplace? I am not suggesting that I advocate forest fires! The death of wildlife and fauna are devastating. But, WHAT IS THE RECIPE FOR A COZY, CRACKLING FIRE IN A CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT SUCH AS MY APARTMENT FIREPLACE? The wood was laughing at me, Tanner was laughing at the wood laughing at me! Agent Ozo came on to the Disney Channel next and even his "three simple steps" couldn't rescue us from our non- atmosphere!
So, watching Disney's "Good Luck Charlie" under a snuggly blanket on my ultra-soft couch, Tanner and I ate our luke-warm Mac and Cheese, drank our Cool Chocolate and kept glancing at the fireplace, reassuring ourselves that, "It's almost...see...there is a little glow! You see it don't you? Sort of...right there?"
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Arrrrrrg! Come Join The Blue Foot Pirates!!!
For Christmas, this year, I gave my Grandchildren a cruise on a Pirate Ship! Really, no kidding! We spent an afternoon aboard the Blue Foot Pirate Ship! After Todd, Tess and Tanner had their faces painted and were issued vests, swords, sashes, eye patches, bandanas for their heads, we boarded a pirate ship. We had to find the key to a treasure chest. This required taking a Pirate Oath, learning the Pirate Code (I know, if you've seen Pirates of the Carribean, not a code, merely "suggestions").
"Seasick" remained on the dock after he helped the trio onto the ship and of course, the grownups. We had a pleasant, confident Captain. I will call the female Pirate, a Pirate Princess. She was amazing! Educational, informative, fun, patient! She taught the children the parts of the boat and had them follow orders in Pirate Speak. So seriously, the children studied the treasure map, plotted just how they would fight Barnacle Bill. With Water Cannons, they had a full fledged "sea battle" with Barnacle Bill! What excitement! Background music played, I swear, music from the "Pirates" movies. After defeating Barnacle Bill and invoking Davy Jones for help, the key to a treasure chest was found and the booty/loot was shared among the brave Pirates!
When we returned to the dock, the children were all issued Certificates of Piracy and Commendations for their bravery!
Having been a child myself at one time, and continuously searching for new amusements for children now, I must say that this was a unique, fantastic, fun day! The members of the Crew were highly spirited creating excitement making each child feel special! So professional were they, that it appeared that they enjoyed their jobs and their passengers The "pirates" worked so well with each other!
If any of you are comtemplating a trip to Ft. Lauderdale, or if any of you are residents searching for an activity for guests, THE BLUE FOOT PIRATE CRUISE should be the first priority! It is a day well worth the fun!
Thank you Pirate Crew of The Blue Foot Pirates!!! Arrrg!
"Seasick" remained on the dock after he helped the trio onto the ship and of course, the grownups. We had a pleasant, confident Captain. I will call the female Pirate, a Pirate Princess. She was amazing! Educational, informative, fun, patient! She taught the children the parts of the boat and had them follow orders in Pirate Speak. So seriously, the children studied the treasure map, plotted just how they would fight Barnacle Bill. With Water Cannons, they had a full fledged "sea battle" with Barnacle Bill! What excitement! Background music played, I swear, music from the "Pirates" movies. After defeating Barnacle Bill and invoking Davy Jones for help, the key to a treasure chest was found and the booty/loot was shared among the brave Pirates!
When we returned to the dock, the children were all issued Certificates of Piracy and Commendations for their bravery!
Having been a child myself at one time, and continuously searching for new amusements for children now, I must say that this was a unique, fantastic, fun day! The members of the Crew were highly spirited creating excitement making each child feel special! So professional were they, that it appeared that they enjoyed their jobs and their passengers The "pirates" worked so well with each other!
If any of you are comtemplating a trip to Ft. Lauderdale, or if any of you are residents searching for an activity for guests, THE BLUE FOOT PIRATE CRUISE should be the first priority! It is a day well worth the fun!
Thank you Pirate Crew of The Blue Foot Pirates!!! Arrrg!
Mind Wandering Through Life on the Road to Ft. Lauderdale
I recently spent seventen hours, thirty-five minutes (one way...same for return trip) in a car containing three generations of family, an enormous amount of luggage, surfboards, magazines, books, my computer, my embroidery, two DS game systems, a few coloring books, a portable DVD player, assorted Discs for all sorts of movies, music, games. I became enlightened as to why, despite the enormous cost for so many of us at one time, God created AIRPLANES to reduce stress. The trip was divided into two days, one night on the road (each way). We left cold, grey, wintery Ohio for a week in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
That all being said, is really not what I am talking about! I believe, although I am no electronic, auidio, visual, Hi and Lo Definition Historian, by any means that Sirius XM Radio was invented by a grandparent who, for the life of her, just couldn't listen to one more: "Are we there yet?"; "How much longer?"; after five minutes in the car - "I have to poooooooop!!!!!"; five minutes after a potty stop - "I have a tummy ache..." - and then- "Mom! Meme (may-may)! Tessie threw up on me!" ; "I'm thirsty!" ; "When are we going to eat?"; "He's looking at me!"; "Tanner hit me!"; "Todd won't share!" ; "I have no place to put my feet!"; "Tess put her foot on my leg!" ; "I'm hot!" ; "I'm cold!"; "Todd burped!"; "Why do we have to look for a good place? What's wrong with McDonald's?"; "Have a cookie!" (from the Christmas Cookie basket perched on sand toys); and so the Litany of the Road to Florida Saints goes. The classic comment about all of the above: "We'd never be a NASCAR pit crew!" given the amount of time each potty, drink, puke stop took!
The rental car in which we were driving, I discovered was equipped with SIRIUS RADIO!!! I found 50's on 5; 60's on 6; 70's on 7, 80's on 8; 90's on 9!!! My fingers even stumbled upon 40's on 4! My parents would enjoy that one, the next time they laugh at the weather and ride through a storm. The children began to giggle when I accompanied Dodie Stevens singing" Pink Shoe Laces" to override my daughter's complaints about the car's interior temperature. Who couldn't smile at "Purple People Eater"? The "Witch Doctor" chorus of "oo ee oo ah ah, ting tang walla walla bing bang" just can't be beat! Tess even sang "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" with the radio and me (Hey, she saw 'Lion King"). Wiggling out cramps from legs, feet and laps, nothing fit the atmosphere better than belting out, "Do You Feel Like I Do". The 80's Baby, my daughter commented on bad music and mascara until Madonna surfaced on 80's on 8. I did some "California Dreamin" to tune out my fellow passengers. Tess appreciated the Ohio Express' "Yummy Yummy Yummy, I've got love in my tummy", complete with hand motions. After all, there was nothing else left in it! We all had "Do Wah Diddy Diddy, Dum Diddy Do" down! At one stop, Tanner had fallen asleep and had to be carried. We were all tired, 60's on 6 had the salve...the Hollies - "He ain't heavy, he's my brother"...first line..."The road is long ..." Perfect?
A little time in a car with the goof troop, known as the Macy Circus Wagon, required endurance, determination, a sense of humor. The ability to transport one's mind to another time and place just might be key! Maybe when we were younger, cooler? The Shirelles crooned, "Dedicated to the One I Love". The Mamas and Papas did a remix of that and it was played continuously when I dated a West Point Cadet. Before Bob's Plebe Year, during "Beast Barracks", well, listen to the song. For the duration of the song, in cramped quarters, I was a High School Senior again. The Beatles, "Eight Days a Week" gave me a glimpse of Bernie in his Austen Healy singing, looking over at me smiling. (Glen Campbell double) But, the absolute best... The Four Tops came blasting through the radio waves (well, I turned the radio up to override the "Keep you hands to yourself!" song) "I Can't Help Myself" had me dancing in my seat! I was at a Friday night dance in the gym - a Freshman dancing with Billy, a gorgeous blue eyed, blond Sophomore! We could dance Motown like we didn't realize that we were white kids! We were good! We won dance contest after dance contest, week after week! I was a kid, I was in the center of the dance floor, Pat R. hated me (jeaous, she couldn't dance and was wild about Billy). I wasn't a grandparent, I was a dancing teenager in a snappy pink mini dress with empire waist and matching pink shoes! Billy's blue shirt set off his eyes! We were the best, best, best! I felt high on memories! "Laura, do you want to stop here for the night?" POP!!! The bubble burst. "Sure, this is fine." Billy, by the way is a Preacher in the Southern Bible Belt now, you know. He doesn't drink (probably reached quota in High School), doesn't smoke (used to smell as if I was dancing with a dragon, handsome dragon, but, a dragon ), and wait for it...wait for it...DOESN'T DANCE anymore!
That all being said, is really not what I am talking about! I believe, although I am no electronic, auidio, visual, Hi and Lo Definition Historian, by any means that Sirius XM Radio was invented by a grandparent who, for the life of her, just couldn't listen to one more: "Are we there yet?"; "How much longer?"; after five minutes in the car - "I have to poooooooop!!!!!"; five minutes after a potty stop - "I have a tummy ache..." - and then- "Mom! Meme (may-may)! Tessie threw up on me!" ; "I'm thirsty!" ; "When are we going to eat?"; "He's looking at me!"; "Tanner hit me!"; "Todd won't share!" ; "I have no place to put my feet!"; "Tess put her foot on my leg!" ; "I'm hot!" ; "I'm cold!"; "Todd burped!"; "Why do we have to look for a good place? What's wrong with McDonald's?"; "Have a cookie!" (from the Christmas Cookie basket perched on sand toys); and so the Litany of the Road to Florida Saints goes. The classic comment about all of the above: "We'd never be a NASCAR pit crew!" given the amount of time each potty, drink, puke stop took!
The rental car in which we were driving, I discovered was equipped with SIRIUS RADIO!!! I found 50's on 5; 60's on 6; 70's on 7, 80's on 8; 90's on 9!!! My fingers even stumbled upon 40's on 4! My parents would enjoy that one, the next time they laugh at the weather and ride through a storm. The children began to giggle when I accompanied Dodie Stevens singing" Pink Shoe Laces" to override my daughter's complaints about the car's interior temperature. Who couldn't smile at "Purple People Eater"? The "Witch Doctor" chorus of "oo ee oo ah ah, ting tang walla walla bing bang" just can't be beat! Tess even sang "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" with the radio and me (Hey, she saw 'Lion King"). Wiggling out cramps from legs, feet and laps, nothing fit the atmosphere better than belting out, "Do You Feel Like I Do". The 80's Baby, my daughter commented on bad music and mascara until Madonna surfaced on 80's on 8. I did some "California Dreamin" to tune out my fellow passengers. Tess appreciated the Ohio Express' "Yummy Yummy Yummy, I've got love in my tummy", complete with hand motions. After all, there was nothing else left in it! We all had "Do Wah Diddy Diddy, Dum Diddy Do" down! At one stop, Tanner had fallen asleep and had to be carried. We were all tired, 60's on 6 had the salve...the Hollies - "He ain't heavy, he's my brother"...first line..."The road is long ..." Perfect?
A little time in a car with the goof troop, known as the Macy Circus Wagon, required endurance, determination, a sense of humor. The ability to transport one's mind to another time and place just might be key! Maybe when we were younger, cooler? The Shirelles crooned, "Dedicated to the One I Love". The Mamas and Papas did a remix of that and it was played continuously when I dated a West Point Cadet. Before Bob's Plebe Year, during "Beast Barracks", well, listen to the song. For the duration of the song, in cramped quarters, I was a High School Senior again. The Beatles, "Eight Days a Week" gave me a glimpse of Bernie in his Austen Healy singing, looking over at me smiling. (Glen Campbell double) But, the absolute best... The Four Tops came blasting through the radio waves (well, I turned the radio up to override the "Keep you hands to yourself!" song) "I Can't Help Myself" had me dancing in my seat! I was at a Friday night dance in the gym - a Freshman dancing with Billy, a gorgeous blue eyed, blond Sophomore! We could dance Motown like we didn't realize that we were white kids! We were good! We won dance contest after dance contest, week after week! I was a kid, I was in the center of the dance floor, Pat R. hated me (jeaous, she couldn't dance and was wild about Billy). I wasn't a grandparent, I was a dancing teenager in a snappy pink mini dress with empire waist and matching pink shoes! Billy's blue shirt set off his eyes! We were the best, best, best! I felt high on memories! "Laura, do you want to stop here for the night?" POP!!! The bubble burst. "Sure, this is fine." Billy, by the way is a Preacher in the Southern Bible Belt now, you know. He doesn't drink (probably reached quota in High School), doesn't smoke (used to smell as if I was dancing with a dragon, handsome dragon, but, a dragon ), and wait for it...wait for it...DOESN'T DANCE anymore!
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