August 2, 2009
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Last week I quit drinking and eating at happy hours. I’m not drinking at all and I’m cooking at home again. Whew. I don’t see how people do it. It was fun and my brother and sisters and I really got reacquainted. Every day since June 17th we worked on getting my mother set up and every night some of us would get together and compare notes and plan who was taking care of what the next day. Somehow I was always there.
Now I can’t wear some of my summer clothes and the thought of fried food gags me. I even went to two parties, one in the heat of the day and one tonight, and only once did I glance longingly at someone’s drink. I’m over it.
The party in the afternoon was a street dance. The woman I used to teach bellydance to and her husband, along with two of their neighbors, have a band. For years they’ve been having a block party. My friends are always busy hosting so I sit with this married couple and more recently they have invited his best friend and the wife. I don’t even feel like I’m the odd-man-out with these people.
Over the years the music has gotten really good. Tonight they had a world-renowned pianist from Japan who played keyboard while this guy who used to be in one of the top bands in Oregon played harmonica. They were playing tango music and they were fantastic. One of the guys in the blues band he’d been in knows my friends and sits in with them sometimes. They hold a jam most Friday nights in their basement. The neighbor who is also in this basement band owns a place where a lot of good musicians play so that explains the top entertainment we heard.
The married couple always bring me a wine glass from their house and he is quick to fill it with a good red so it threw him off that I wasn’t drinking. He and his wife are the nicest people. He reminds me of John Updike. I hope she didn’t mind that I talked to her husband so much. We were comparing stories of our parent’s demise. He’s such a great guy. She’s lucky.
As their kids have gotten older and younger people have moved into the neighborhood the number of babies has increased. Before there were none and tonight they were everywhere. I can’t wait to have grandbabies, not that any of my girls are married.
I left around 8:30 to go to another street dance. They billed it as that but really it was a band in a beer garden. Some of the high school people said they were going to meet up but I didn’t pay attention to when, assuming it was when the band played. But the only person I ran into was the baseball coach. Remember the guy who housesat when I went to Florida? I’m sure fond of him but the music was so, so bad I had to leave.
Shoot, I keep forgetting to tell you about Alaska. Next time.
Comments (6)
every year our neighborhood talks about a block party. i don’t know why we don’t act on it. this one sounded like i imagine them.
If it weren’t for the fact that you make your guests sleep on the couch you would be a perfect mate for me. I can picture it now. We go out to a nice restaurant and I have a steak and you order an inexpensive salad. I have a few pints and you have water with lemon, complimentary water with lemon. You drive home as the designated driver. Once arriving at your home after a delightful but very affordable date, I would still be sharing the evening with an attractive, intelligent, witty woman.
If only I didn’t have to think about that awful couch.
(evil grin)
Best regards Wyatt Earp!
Aren’t you being bombarded with a heat wave over there?
Hey, Pru. I know I’ve not been in Xanga for awhile, but I’m trying to make the rounds.
Kinda odd that you’re passing up the wine when I’m having my first glass in YEARS as I type this. Life is so strange.
I love you…GFW
“Now I can’t wear some of my summer clothes and the thought of fried food gags me”
I am having this same experience, perhaps a little more severe..nearly 35 pounds over the last several months. I know that for me it has been about putting on my armor, being involved with my family seems to drive me into unhealthy ways of dealing with the stress. The writing has helped me put my reality in check. So, last night I went to the market and bought lots of fresh organic fruits veggies and whole grains. I feel the urge to clear out all clutter…from my body, my mind and my home. I will eat well write and clean out all the nooks and crannies of my home and existence. I too have taken a stand to care for myself and to reclaim my life…though I find it difficult when I have to be there to take care of my mother. She has been so mean for son long the others will not come to aid her. With such little time left I want to gain as much as I can from the experience…but not at the cost of losing myself. Does that make sense?
Thank you again Prudence, for your comments…I do listen and appereciate your comments. I just have to say again…I love your wirting. I am a fan, and I look forward to buying a copy of your first book.
On Saturday I made a contract with life…I commit one full year to total dedication to my writing. Every day for the next 362 days…I will either write or send out submissions.No more…will I avoid that which is mine to do. In doing my part I have full faith that the Universe will do its part and support me all the way. Have a great day!
Ashes
Man,I just need to hit some happy hours.
When you write about music, even if it is bad music, I can hear music.