What a great week! So many activities that it’s hard to keep up with the blogging. I am a bit tired, but as Letterman used to say, it’s the good kind of tired.

 

Read all about it and step inside the social circle

 

Continue reading “week in review” →

People who know me well (e.g., JFA) were surprised to learn that I am having my deck rebuilt. The workers arrived this morning and I'm pretty excited … although it's a little disturbing to see nothing but joists outside my kitchen door. I usually go out onto the deck 2 or 3 times a day, typically to gauge how hot it is. (I am working on the Mapgirl Scale of Discomfort, something that ranges from Annoying to Excruciating.)

Given that, you might say, why rebuild the deck? Do you really spend that much time out there? (Actually that's exactly what JFA said.) The answer is yes, when it's not blistering hot. I enjoy coming home from work to sit outside and listen to music and read.

The deck was a big selling point for the house, although I must confess it's what it represents as much as how I use it. I envision having people over for drinks, or spending all of a sunny morning out there with a book, surrounded by a lovely container garden. Thanks to my mom, at least the container garden is a reality.

I am looking forward to cooler evenings in October, listening to the World Series, lounging by twinkle lights. Come on by, won't you? Well, let's make sure they finish it. That first step is a doozy …

 

The travel day did not start well. You know the drill: construction, lines, multiple delays, blah blah blah. I arrived at the airline check-in counter hot, sweaty and bent out of shape. But a calm, friendly counter agent had just the ticket: a welcoming word and a persuasive argument for upgrading to business class. Let me be clear: I was traveling on my own dime, not the company's. The offer was attractive. I said yes.

And after the jam-packed flight was delayed for the third time — the last of which took place while we sat in the plane, waiting for some fuel issues to be resolved. Oh, the stream of cool air, the roomy seat and all the Coke Zero I could drink. So happy. So productive! So grateful! So spoiled! So free from hassle!

I have seen the promised land. Please don't make me go back to coach.

That is where I am destined to return. But this was a nice little mini-vacation, thanks to Abdullah. That was the name of my personal airline upgrade advisor. My seatmate (who also upgraded based on his advice) agreed that Abdullah more than earned his money today. We also agreed that we will be recognizing his efforts to customer service!

I have to get something off my chest.

First of all, I know there is no excuse for what I did. But just let me say, I am on the road. In a town where no one knows me. And my need was strong. Then I found myself in a compromising position.

So I did something I said I'd never do.

I purchased something at Wal-Mart.

Continue reading “sugary shame” →

From the "I love you, you're perfect, now change" category: l live in a wonderful place that I often find frustrating. It's beautiful, safe and sanitized for your protection. Amazingly, it has no movie theater, no Walgreen's** and no Indian restaurant.

Yeah, I know.   

I have to drive about 40 minutes for Indian food, which I've thought about for the past two weekends, but haven't overcome the inertia. Finally, tonight, I had Indian for dinner! And I only had to come to Lafayette, Indiana, to get it.

______________________-

** Seriously. Can you believe it? I think there are only 5 such burgs in the continental U.S.

All the great mandolin music I've heard lately led me to get my precious baby out of the closet. I am under some kind of delusion that if I practice enough I can get half as good as John Teel, the mandolin player for Chatham County Line.

But I bet he never had 8 strong, long fingernails at the same time. This is rare for me. Now I'm going to have to cut them off. You cannot play mandolin with long fingernails.

Who am I kidding? I can't even play mandolin with short fingernails. The sacrifices a musician must make …

Today’s mail contained an envelope from my nephew containing a baseball card and a note in his 11-year-old hand: “Put this on your mirror. Hee hee ha ha.”

It’s the baseball card of the Milwaukee Brewer hitter involved in the episode that got the Braves pitcher and manager ejected. In an e-mail to my brother, I believe I used the term “crybaby.”

I like that somehow this news reached my nephew, and that he remembered it, and that he sat down and wrote me a teasing note.

How can I be sad that he’s growing up?

Steve Earle and the Del McCoury Band toured behind their “The Mountain” CD many years ago; from the minute they crowded around one microphone on the Mississippi Nights stage in St. Louis, I was hooked. I already admired the record but once I saw that show, I loved it. Every time I played “The Mountain,” I saw the musicians jockeying for position for solos, leaning in for harmonies and performing as a sum of many great parts.

I had the same reaction when I saw Chatham County Line last night. The quartet wore suit jackets, ties in some cases, even when it was broiling onstage. Against the backdrop of a North Carolina state flag, they played red-hot music, white lightning music. And some incredible ballads. I’m so glad I trekked in from suburbia for it.

Continue reading “mountaintop experience” →

I just got home from seeing Chatham County Line at Eddie's Attic and I just think I saw the best show so far this year. That's saying something because I have seen some great ones. I will write more tomorrow but now I must go online and order their latest CD, "Wildwood." If you like bluegrass harmonies and killer musicianship, you will enjoy this band.

Holy cow, I love live music.

Is it just me, or is Major League Baseball even more fun this year? The White Sox are white hot, leading their division, and the Braves are doing pretty well too, leading their division.  I am enjoying the season a lot and trying to get to Turner Field every chance I get (which isn't often).  

Here are a few snapshots from Saturday night's game against Milwaukee. Click on them for a larger view. (I have a separate Martin Prado slideshow but I will spare you.) The Braves lost but it was interesting nonetheless: Atlanta's pitcher and manager were ejected after a batter was hit twice. Apparently there's a rule that says they can get tossed under those circumstances. Then the League decided to suspend both of them for a couple games. Never a dull moment …