Embrace Your Inner Nerd

My sister and I and our husbands were listening to the local band playing the other night, peering at each other through the smoky air, watching the locals and the visitors on the dance floor. We always enjoy band nights, providing a chance to cut loose and dance to our favorite familiar tunes from the '70s and '80s, with the occasional commercial jingle thrown in. Side effects include hearing loss and smoke-reddened eyes; conversation is possible only by employing complicated gestures or yelling directly into someone's ear. At first, I thought I'd heard wrong when my sister said, "the singer has a book light!"

"What?" I yelled back, glancing around in search of a yellow-bulbed bug light.

"A BOOK light! The singer! It's on his music stand."

I finally saw the telltale book light, illuminating more than the page. It provided physical evidence of nerdhood.

"See, everyone's a nerd!" My sister grinned. "Some people are just more subtle about it."

"Do you suppose the drummer has a pocket protector?" I asked.

"I bet the bass player has suspenders under that bulky sweatshirt." She answered.

Have you hugged a nerd today?

Weather or Not

Winter is breathing down our necks. We've had one hard frost already and the old folks and the Farmers' Almanac are predicting a brutal season. The leaves are turning, still clinging loyally to the trees along my five-mile commute to work (see photo of my favorite stretch of road, which I'm forced to travel daily between work and home).

It's time for Winter Preparation: clean up the yard so no toys/bikes/tools/potted plants/landscape sculptures will be harmed or displaced by the snow plow; drain and winterize the boat and camper; move all large trailers, boats and campers to the storage garage for the same reason; check the garage for anything that shouldn't freeze, and move it to the basement; finish summer projects; stock up on books.

Wisdom of an Old Dog

I'm reading 'The Art of Racing in the Rain', by Garth Stein, while my chocolate lab, Spirit, ages quietly, moaning only when her legs fail her. The story is told from the perspective of Enzo, a wise old dog ready to move on to the next life. Enzo believes after being a dog several times, one graduates from that level and comes back as a man. He's looking forward to the transition.

Meanwhile, Spirit is still her sweet self, just more tired and slightly crippled with arthritis. We'll take her to the vet and see if they have any ways to prolong her life and increase her comfort.

UP Fashion Show

I attended the 2nd annual Easter Upper Peninsula Fine Arts Council Fashion Show today, where two of our charter-member Bookworms (Jean & Janelle) were modeling fabulous ensembles from local clothing stores.

In a town as small as ours, it's necessary to play many roles. Jean & Janelle have both acted in local productions and participated in the fashion show. Bravo!

Now it's time to go shopping.

PS, in case you wondered, not a shred of flannel was in sight at this magnificent UP fashion show.

Forced Horizontal Hold

Oh darn, I'm sick. A malicious virus has rendered me immobile and the only thing I can move is my eyes, back and forth across the page.

Is it possible to enjoy any other hobby in the world when you're sick? It's almost a blessing as I'm forced to adopt horizontal hold position, barely able to support the book. The biggest challenge is deciding whether I should prop it up on my knees or hold it up with my hands. Reality recedes to a comfortable distance as I rest and recuperate and read.

I can hear the phone ringing, but I'm too weak to answer. My voice fails me, startling in its gruffness and random squeaks.

Someone's at the door, but I'm too weak to answer. If I lift my head from the pillow I realize how lightheaded I am. It's sad, really, but all I can do is read.

Really, it's not my choice. It's the virus.