Pragmatist
Pragmatist

Leisure League for October was fine...food, entertainment.  Oh, the lasagna was m-m-m-m-arvelous.  The green salad had no dressing on it.  I greatly dislike wilted lettuce, and dislike almost all dressings.  As an aside, I make my own ranch-style dressing and it's good.  

This month's meeting was at the synagogue in my neighborhood, and one that is very well attended.  The food is always great, catered by the chef at the Einstein Center, which is a popular retirement community nearby.

The entertainment was a men's chorus.  We've heard them before, so we knew we were in for a treat.  One of the men plays the stumpf.  Yes, that's what it really is called.  Manufactured in Wisconsin.  Washboard, toot-toot, jingle bell, and other stuff I can't remember right now built on a springy stick, played with a drumstick, and bounced up and down at the same time.  So much fun!

All the men are retired; the pianist is the wife of one of them.  They sing old standards, and we sing along with them.  Then there are the soloists: voices and instruments.  The guitarist is blind, so I guess you really don't need to see to produce beautiful music.  He also composes western-type songs, one of which is called Waltzing Across Texas With You.  I remember he did that one the last time the group entertained us.  

Two songs that always bring tears to my eyes: America the Beautiful, and God Bless America.  America the Beautiful should be our national anthem.  God Bless America would bring out all the atheists, unfortunately.  But both or either would be preferable to me than the current anthem.

I schmoozed with a couple I see only during the LL at this particular synagogue.  I really enjoy them, but our schedules just don't mesh in any way.  He has written of his years in Israel, and his record of those years takes on a  funny/tragic/adventurous recitation.  She works at the Childrens Receiving Home, taking care of babies and children who have been taken from their homes for a variety of reasons.  He's big and noisy, and she's small and quiet.  I love them.

Also got to catch up with another friend I've known since we were mentors at one of the local schools.  We used to have lunch together on Thursdays, but somehow, Thursdays come and go, and we eventually meet at an LL gathering.  She's a talented artist and has won honors at various shows.

The weather is finally catching up with the season (read Yetzirah).  Cool, damp and Fall-ish.  As it should be.  Snow in the mountains.  Bedroom window is open just a crack now.  Windows in my place have to be open at least a crack, or my cats drive me nuts with their whining.  Oh, and I finally got the pilot lights in my furnaces lit for the winter.

Well...Deirdre is producing quite a bulge in her mother's mid-section. Time is drawing near.  I'm ordering a red-head with lots of curls.  (As if I have anything to say about it, but I can wish.  Can't I?)

OK, that's it for now.


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