Dateline Van Merc Hill: I hear other people awake. I could join them but it’s parent/child time so I think I’ll write till breakfast starts cooking. There are still other guests sleeping. I’m used to be the last to wake up.
Yesterday was Second Thanksgiving. I think I like that even more than first Thanksgiving. It’s not a sit-down meal it’s a party and this year I knew many of the guests; it was a Falcon Ridge/Buddha-Pest reunion. For the first time since I’ve been coming we were joined by Mel, Carolyn, Eileen, and Jim, who all camp with us. There was also Kathy who doesn’t camp but a FRFF mainstay. Is that it? I think so, which means I’m probably wrong. If I am accounted wiser than others it’s because I know that I’m an idiot.
The smoke turkey saga continues. It still was not ready, perhaps today for lunch. If not I’m expecting it for next year’s Thanksgiving. It looks great. There was no shortage of food. My dinner was bacon/potato/cheese tart.
I hear that Mel’s up so now I’ll join the throng and plan on finishing this on the train.
I’m on the train, unlike the trip up this train is not sold out; I have nobody sitting next to me. Did I speak to soon? I forgot the stops at Back Bay and Rt 128. No, I’m fine, we just pulled out of Rt 128. Now I can get up and go to the bathroom not have to worry about what to do with my computer as I can just slide under the fold down tray.
After dinner came jamming. We had one professional piano player and the rest of us were amateurs. I felt comfortable enough to lead on some songs. I’m a terrible singer but I know songs from Terre Roche’s Sunset Singing Circle. I didn’t lead on many as I am still lyrically impaired. The songs that worked the best were our Dharma Café staples, Stand and Gentle Arms of Eden.
Even better than the singing was just hanging out with Mel, Carolyn, Jim, Eileen, Kathy, and Meghan outside of FRFF or NERFA. I don’t see enough of this crowd.
Last night was my earliest night, I went to my room around 12:30 and didn’t do much online after I got there. Oh, I was wrong, we are at Root 128 now. I have to try and look like someone you don’t want to sit with. So far I’m succeeding, two people walked right past me. I think that’s it. I succeeded.
Every year I try and take one of the kids home with me. I finally got Maggie to agree but only if we could take Kathryn’s dog Rosie with us. Somehow that ended up not happening so I’m coming home alone.
I changed the laws of physics this morning. When I left home my suitcase was packed solid. On the way home I had to bring a pillow that I had left at Falcon Ridge. I made the suitcase dimensionally transcendental like the TARDIS, bigger on the inside than the outside. And was able to put in the pillow, exchange a voluminous sweater for a thin hoodie, and still close it. My Nobel Prize should be on the way. I’m looking forward to that. I can use the money. Unlike Dylan I will travel to Stockholm to make my speech. It’s going to read very much like a blog post.
Oh, no, we are in Providence and a ton of people are getting on and not that many getting off. I might end up next to someone I’m glad I already used the bathroom. Maybe I should start to snore, that keeps people away. Too late, a lovely woman is sitting with me. How do I know she’s lovely? I don’t but I’m hoping for the best. I have earbuds in so I’m not that lovely myself.
This is a good place to bid you adieu. Unhappy thoughts are invading my head and I don’t want to give them a purchase. I’ll spend the next three hours listening to NERFA music, reading the New York Times, and sleeping.
Wise Madness 