Sometimes it feels like my life is the 5 months I spend at my Summer Palace, and the other 7 months are meant to just get through. I burrow down deep with my head under the covers hoping that I can stay in bed just a little while longer.
But pretty big things happen in those 7 months too. Since October I've traveled to Phoenix and Mesa, AZ, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and home to Casselton, ND.
Late in January, I discovered that my Lap Band had slipped and I had a hernia, the combination of which had caused my unbearable acid reflux for the past two or three years and the occasional bout of vomiting up everything I ate. I have a plan for fixing it, but the dang insurance company is dragging their feet. Hopefully soon I'll get the approval and I'll fly back up to North Dakota to have the surgery that will remove my band and fix my hernia. Yes, I am choosing to have it done in Fargo. I'll be in my Summer Palace before I know it, so I won't have to worry about flying back to Texas for follow-up care.
My friend from childhood, Melanie, has a very successful band in Minneapolis, and they traveled all the way to Casselton, a town of about 2000 people, to play for us, in the hotel another childhood friend owns. It was like a school reunion, but with only the people you really wanted to see! Both of my brothers were there, 1 sister-in-law, 3 nieces and a nephew-in-law. I kept my 24 year old niece out with me until 4 a.m. at the band's after party, much to her dismay and my delight.
Melanie and her husband stayed an extra day so we could catch up and experience all the small town atmosphere. Saturday we went to the Vet's Club and played Bingo. My sister-in-law won $7, but the rest of us weren't so lucky. Afterwards, lured by free Reuben sandwiches, Melanie, her husband, and I went to the Red Baron Bar, now in the old building where the Red Owl grocery store used to be. The tin ceiling is still there, and much of the bar looks like the old Baron, but we lamented the loss of the "skinny" mirror that used to hang in the ladies bathroom. The Reuben's were oh-my-gosh good, and I was told that the secret is to mix the sauerkraut with the Thousand Island dressing so it's not so messy.
Melanie and I then got a tour of the Maple River Distillery (it was after hours, but we happen to know the owners). After numerous samples of Rhubarb Vodka, Pear Brandy, and Chokecherry something or other, we purchased more bottles then we needed and headed back to the Red Baron. The original owner of the Red Baron, now in his 80's, hung out with us for awhile, and flattered us by telling us that the new owners really needed to card us since we obviously weren't old enough to be served.
And for St. Patrick's Day itself, my brother made us Corned Beef and Cabbage, with potatoes and carrots. So good! Even better with the blizzard (second one of my stay) that arrived and cancelled work for them the next day.
The trees and wisteria is blooming in Texas, and the Bluebonnets will be out soon. One more month before I go back to my Summer Palace, assuming that the mountains of snow will be gone by then! I am bringing my 2 cats with me this year, which will be an adventure in itself!
