Little Things

Someone's post on Facebook today brought back an unexpected memory that made me smile.  We lived 2 blocks from the school (yes, the one and only school in town; elementary and high school) and sometimes the marching band would come out to practice, marching right by our house.  It always felt like it was a surprise present just for us, and we'd drop everything to go listen and watch as the teenagers in uniforms marched by with drums, saxophones, clarinets, and tubas.

Thinking about that reminded me of other memories, like hearing the fire siren blow and jumping in the car to go chase the fire trucks.

Taking Miss Pepper, the dog, to Dairy Queen for an ice cream cone.  And Butterscotch Dilly Bars!

Bowling night for Mom, when Dad would make us popcorn in the electric skillet, but pretend all night he wasn't going to this week.  Bowling night for Dad, when Mom would wax the hardwood floors and we'd take turns running and sliding in the hallway with just our socks on (it was also bath night).  That tradition ended when I got a huge sliver and had to have a tetanus shot and stitches.

Laying out on the cool grass late at night watching a meteor shower because Dewey Berquist said we should (Dewey was the weatherman on TV, and we donated our grandfather's telescope to him so we felt like we were his friends).

Making the first snowman of the year and getting our picture in the paper for it.

And riding on top of the firetruck with the sirens blasting on Halloween.  If we were real lucky we'd get to sit inside and actually blow the siren ourselves.

The smell of burning leaves in the air.  The last day of school.  The feel of a fish tugging on our line.

Today I watched two hummingbirds chase each other, up and down, in circles, and side to side.  It almost seemed like they were dancing for me.  It felt like the school's marching band was coming down our street, playing just for us.

Batteries Recharged!

WE Fest is one of the nation's largest music and camping festivals, and it happens about a mile from my Summer Palace the first week of August every year.  The site, still called Soo Pass Ranch, used to be a horseback riding "dude" ranch, and my brother and I rode horses there as kids.

Some of the most famous musicians in the world have performed there - Ray Charles, Kid Rock to name a couple.  This year some of the headliners were Toby Keith, Alabama, Jason Aldean, Eric Church, Brantley Gilbert, Sawyer Brown, and John Anderson.

I had never been to WE Fest and wasn't sure I wanted to - I like country music all right, but I'm not a huge fan.  And there are always stories of younger adults getting really drunk and doing stupid stuff.  But my neighbor talked me into volunteering for the Humane Society and serving beer at the festival.  Two six-hour shifts and I would get a 3-day music pass.  When the Human Society called me, they asked if I could work three shifts since they were so desperate for volunteers.  For that, I got a camping pass (not needed) and $10 in food tickets every day in addition to the music pass.

From the first moment (Thursday night) of getting on a shuttle bus, it was as if I was dropped into an alternate universe where everyone was happy and everyone loved everyone else.  We were greeted in the aisle of the bus with "happy WE Fest", and one kid told me I was beautiful.

We got to work at the Leinie Lodge, which specializes in Leinenkugel, a Wisconsin beer.  The jobs were servers or pourers.  I was asked to be a server, which meant I took people's tickets, and gave them the beer of their choice, all the while trying to get as many tips as possible for the Humane Society.  Sweet muscle-bound tattooed boys would come in my line and tell me they loved me, that I was beautiful, and would kiss my hands before leaving.  And we in the booth were having the best time ever, making up claps and chants for when we got a tip.

The next day I worked the day shift and then joined my brother and sister-in-law to see Steve Martin (yes, THAT Steve Martin) and Toby Keith.  Soon after I sat down, an announcement was made that a bad storm was heading in, with rain and winds up to 50 mph.  We ran for shelter, and I ended up under the "porch" of the Leinie Lodge with an umbrella.  The porch didn't have a solid roof, so it wasn't that great of a shelter.  A 21-year old boy squeezed in next to me, told me he wanted to be a paramedic, and was worried about his girlfriend in the Hilltop campground.  He asked if I knew where that was.  I did, but told him it was way too far away to get to on foot in the storm.  He hung out for a little while longer, then took off running into the night.

The rain lessened, I was reunited with my brother and sister-in-law, and we wandered up to the Saloon for awhile, since it actually had a roof on it.  On the way back down I bought a delicious lamb Gyro and a sweatshirt since it was now cold AND rainy.  Even though it was miserable outside, everyone still was happy!

Steve Martin finally came on and did an abbreviated show (his banjo playing is amazing), and then Toby Keith took the stage, a week after having gall bladder surgery.  After "Red Solo Cup", we started the mile walk home around 1:30 in the morning.  There's nothing like a late-night walk in squishy shoes to make you wish for a hot bath!

The final day of the festival I worked during the day again, and walking around the grounds was just as much fun as before.  We'd start conversations with perfect strangers, and end up getting big hugs or high fives.

Today is Sunday - everyone has packed up and are heading home; some to homes several states away.  I am stiff, sore, have multiple blisters, and still feel like I just came home from a 3-week vacation.  I met so many fun people, all of whom were out to have as much fun as possible in the 3 days they were there.  Why did it take me 30 years to go?