If ever there was a place that looks like it stepped out of a movie set this would be it. Saturday means the move-in day of the very first batch of guests who are coming to hear and experience Week 1: Our Elegant Universe.
This means that finally, cars are being instructed to leave the grounds and find their way to a parking lot. Although it's been convenient having the car at my doorstep for the last couple of days, it is not truly Chautauqua with the narrow lanes lined with cars.
I will not have any lazy mornings here. Saturdays will be the one day when I will not have to be up for a choir event. But little Miss Rudy is not a sleeping-in kind of girl when there are sights and sounds merely steps outside the front door. Very different to our country life in Afton. No more staying in my jammies while I let her out in the back yard to "do her business" in the morning. I have to be up and dressed with leash in hand for the early morning constitutional. But what a lovely place to walk a dog! Lane after lane of Victorian cottages with magnificent gardens. Rudy usually starts the day by peeing on the Methodists. The Methodist House, which is beautiful, is the first patch of grass she comes to. I choose to interpret this action on her part as not necessarily her commentary on organized religion, but rather that she is "marking" her spot as a tribute to my coming from a long line of Methodist pastors! Back when I was a church-goer, the Methodists were my peeps. So I'll attribute Rudy's choice of spots to that.
Since writing that last sentence I have been summoned to put out a choir emergency, which involved walking out to another rehearsal venue about 10 blocks away, retrieving some records, walking back to the Amp, finding the people who needed the records gone because they are setting up a buffet lunch for the crew for Straight No Chaser who will appear tonight. Unfortunately the choir room also serves as the eating space for talent. But actually, that fact has made it possible for me to meet some pretty great celebs. . . . like getting hugged by Peter and Paul last year (see a previous blog!!). So anyway, I finally located the women in the house right next door to mine. I'm sweaty but I'm back on the porch. Being a "working woman" again always takes an adjustment!
Out on the plaza. . . completely in view from my porch, the kids are gathering to play frisbee. Not a cell phone in sight. Many dogs on leashes. Much much greeting and talking and sounds of fun and happiness.
So tomorrow, two performances with the choir already. At least 8 pieces to sing. Some will go well, some are potential train wrecks. But we will move on to Monday. That's just Chautauqua.
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