FROTH

Froth:  foam, made mostly of air

I have always wondered whether or not,  if I stayed up here for the whole season, my head would explode around week 6.   Well, we're smack in the middle of week 6, and while there are no explosions on the horizon that I know of,  my brain feels pretty full.   All the more reason to have a "froth" day.

There was no choir this morning because we had to report to the Hall of Philosophy to sing the 2011 CLSC class up the stairs for their "graduation."   Oh I wish I had the writing gifts to explain this one to you.  But it would take a book.   In a nutshell, the CLSC (Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle) is the world's oldest book club.   And if you sign up and read the required number of books and join the graduating class, then week 6 includes your ceremonies.   And they are patterned after the original ceremonies of 130 years ago.   So we crank back the clock, and march this class and anyone who is on the grounds from previous classes across the grounds in the morning, lead by a marching band, to the golden gates that have been constructed over night in front of the steps to the hall. . . . . oh geez. . . I'm trying to describe it.  And I can't.  You wouldn't understand.   So it was raining this morning, which RARELY happens on the graduation day.  So I find myself at 9 o'clock in the morning, wearing my Door County rain pancho which protects me from the elements but causes me to simulate a steam room of sweat underneath,  holding an umbrella, which seems like overkill but prevents the music from getting wet, singing verse after verse of an ancient hymn while little children spread flowers (oh there I go again.  .trying to explain).  . . . anyway.   A truly unique experience. And "frothy" when compared to our regular daily church service.

I skipped the morning lecture and finished reading my latest book.   I needed to finish, as Thursday is author day.  And although I'm going to miss the author because of my 2-day Whole Foods class which starts tomorrow,   I said I'd read it and I did.  There is nothing frothy about this book. . which I did finish.   It's called The Tiger's Wife by the author Tea Obrecht who will be here tomorrow.   The interesting factoid about this book is that it reads similarly to the Salman Rushdie book last year.  Part fantasy. . . convoluted multiple stories, jumping back and forth, to and from various time frames.   But this author is 26 years old.  I wanted to see her just for that.  The book is very sophisticated and I can't imagine someone that age being able to write this.   But I'm glad to have finished it.  It was not frothy and was getting in the way of Ruth Powell's theme of the day:  FROTH!

I did start next week's book:  American Rust by Phillip Meyer (who I will get to see).   I can tell I will enjoy this one.

But back to froth:   went to my massage.  Can't get much frothier than that.   Then this afternoon I went to the movies to see Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts in Larry Crowne.   And it was frothy!    And I needed that after the first 15 movies I've seen this summer, many in foreign languages with subtitles, and pretty much all of them mentally challenging.    I liked the movie. . . . a sweet little romantic comedy.  My criticisms would have been that the dialogue was weak in parts, many of the circumstances unbelievable and a couple of out and out examples of ethnic stereotyping that were a little disturbing.  But who doesn't like Tom Hanks?  And his wife, Rita Wilson who has a small part is very good as well.

Tonight there is a dance concert which I'll probably go to see at least a part of. . . .  Haven't seen any dance this season so I guess I'll go to this one.  I usually like them.

Oh and by the way. . . from last night's Old First Night event:   the person who has been at Chautauqua the most consecutive summers was a cute little lady in the front row. . . . . .97 SUMMERS!!!!!   Nothing frothy about that!