Hold onto your socks -- I've been socializing!

There was something in the local rag (a rant all of its own is planned soon) that piqued my interest.  A town just south of me was putting on a program with a fellow who sang and talked about local (as in the State of New York) ditties, ballads and the like.  It sounded inneresting, as they say in these parts.  Trouble was, it fell on a week night.

There used to be a time when I would pirouette out the door without a single thought after a full day's work.  That was a long time ago.  Now, unless it would be the opportunity to meet one of my (living) heroes, it takes nitro to blast me out of my nest.  Besides, there is the dog guilt to deal with.

A friend of mine, who is more fun than should be legal, emailed and said, hey, let's go!  I wavered and blithered and went on and on.  She finally said that she would come and get me.  I was backed to the wall.  I gave in.  I blasted home and went through a flurry of evening chores - on my way to the barn, I hear this perky voice - "Hey, Suze!!!" She was early.  So she went in, let the dogs in (they adore her) and then borrowed my boots and shoveled my front walk; all within 5 minutes.  I did try, weakly, to explain that I was on strike and had vowed not to lift another shovelful of snow.  She ignored me and power-shoveled to her car.

We had a little time so we split a glass of wine while she sat, covered in dogs, and chattered away.

We picked up our mutual friend, Lisa (where Patty, the human dynamo, also shoveled her walkway in six seconds), then off to the historical society.  After a rather too-long going-over of last month's minutes, various announcements and stabs at humor, the main attraction was introduced.  It was so worth the trip!  It was a foot-stomping, toe-tapping hour and a half, led by Dave Ruch who seemed very much at home in the sea of grey heads nodding and bobbing around him.  He played the guitar, banjo, mandolin (my fav) and octave mandolin (my other fav).

Of course, I didn't get home until after my bed-time and had to oblige the dogs with some playtime shenanigans before I convinced them they needed to settle down for the night.  I won't deny there were treats involved.