Lima Beans

Every morning Michelle and I open the curtains to check the weather for our walk/run. It’s quicker than flipping through television channels or waiting for the computer to boot. And every morning I have to remind myself that it is the early morning darkness of the shorter days and not overcast skies I am seeing. We’ve had lovely weather once the initial few rainy days passed. I didn’t want to miss out on a walk in the pleasant weather even though Leslye wasn’t up for one, and I didn’t see Lisa or any of the other walkers in the lobby. So I grabbed my whistle and my phone and headed for the park we passed on the way into town.

I followed the signs towards the golf course and tennis courts; there were plenty of cars and people headed that way. The other direction looked more scenic but a little deserted for walking alone. The placid pond with swimming ducks was very picturesque, the effect somewhat marred by the graffiti on the park buildings. Spotting a signpost with arrows, I followed the road in the direction of the Band Shell. Expecting an elegant gazebo or similar structure, I was surprised to find the boxy, sturdy looking structure nestled in the trees.

After only twenty minutes in the park, I gave up dodging cars and headed down the main road until I found a neighborhood and school. After a quick stop at Kroger for some fresh fruit, I headed back to the hotel to get ready for my quintet rehearsal. It was interesting, trying to fit the five of us into a room with two double beds, a nightstand, a dresser/TV stand, and a table with two chairs. Jan brought a chair from her room, and Leslye, Jennifer, and Chris took the chairs, Jane sat on a bed, and I stood in front of the TV. Since we had rehearsed quite a bit during Tour Rehearsals, it was more a refresher than a rehearsal.

The drive to Lima wasn’t very long (Note to self – it is pronounced like Lima Bean…we must be in the Mid-West or something), and with the concert site attached to the hotel, it meant a little extra free time before the concert. From my window, I could see the loading dock of the concert hall, with the crew unloading the truck. On my way to meet Kristin, I stepped out the back door and positioned myself to take pictures of the crew at work (I rarely get a chance to photograph a load-in.) Standing near the hotel’s dumpster, I was just getting started when an officer from the sheriff’s department stepped out the door and looked in my direction. I smiled and took another photo. He crossed his arm and continued to stare. I took another photo and he glared at me. I decided I better quit while I was ahead (and before he called for back-up to deal with the suspicious looking female casing the concert site) and skedaddle.

The walk through the convention center to the concert hall took us past the Senior Expo. Turning down the hallway connecting the convention center to the concert hall, we found the line for the concert. It was a little like running the gauntlet, trying to make our way through the crowd in the narrow hallway.

Sara had the audience rolling with laughter several times tonight – the loudest and longest laugh was during her narration for The Three Cornered Hat. Giving a brief synopsis, she mentions the Governor tries to seduce the miller’s wife “…or what we call just another day in Washington…” and the audience laughter kept her from finishing the story.

Check this link for an article on the Band:

http://www.lancastereaglegazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081006/NEWS01/810060304/1002