Practice Disaster

      We piled the car with last minute props and baskets of healthy snacks. This was it! The last performance before dress rehearsal and I was notably excited because the plan was to go through the entire thing from top to bottom...which we haven't done yet. And there was no reason why anyone would be missing--none! Had there been a practice yet with every single person? We didn't think so. But this was the day! This practice would prove that we are ready for production in just.one.week.
     Four o'clock came and went and the Explorer-load of main actors from the far end of the county hadn't shown. Blaze got a text. A phone call was made. The news? Stranded with vehicle troubles. Thankfully, another mom present had a large car, and willingly left to fetch them. Already 30 minutes into our precious time, we tried working on a scene with the SS guys. (Wouldn't you like to practice how to arrest some diplomatic fools?) 

    Finally they arrived! Ok, late. Late. We'd never make it through the whole thing but we had to start somewhere in the middle so the gang members can change. (Three girls with noble professions in the rest of the play need to make a drastic transformation with only a blanket for a changing room and very little time.) But where was that page--or where they come in-or leave--or what--? And at that moment I drew a enormous painful BLANK.  I couldn't think a single logical thought and half a dozen teens at a time were demanding my attention on completely different issues no matter how often I begged "give me five--"
     We finally figured out the page, agreed on the set (in which I scolded props for not taking notes) and began practice in earnest. But a general sense of chaos ruled. Lines! What happened to these kids? Suddenly it seemed they couldn't remember their lines, cues, where to exit or anything else, for that matter. There was nothing to do but plug on, wrap up, remind them to show for rehearsal. Then go home, find my way to my dear old garden swing, and cry my heart out.  Now the truth will really be out for the whole world to see--in one week, no less. The truth that I don't have a clue what I'm doing. That I can't track the gazillion details. It was the worst practice ever and the play is falling apart around my ears.

     It was relatively mild out and eventually I calmed down enough to hear peepers. Peepers, in March!  They don't even practice but how sweet they sound. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you, not as the world gives...don't let your heart be troubled. Don't be afraid. How can I say it was the worst ever? I have 20 teenagers in my care and they all want to be there. They don't talk back, make trouble, or show disrespect. Sure, sometimes silly and distracted but also incredibly engaged, helpful, interested. They all want a chance to act. I suppose when it's all a thing of the past, they won't remember my faults--probably they won't remember me at all--but they will always look back with joy and say "Remember that play   we were in?  Remember how much fun we had?" 

     And that's enough to make it all
   worth it, don't you agree?                                                    



Look forward! love, Zinnia Girl

Winter Jam 2017!

We've been going to Winter Jam since it's beginnings. You know those long lines in the
cold of January? And as it grew in popularity,
it also became more stressful to find seats.
Our Hero decided that it was worth the investment to become JamNation members and
get in early. It was a balmy March evening and the time in line was pleasant...but we thanked him over and over when people started crowding in. Holding to tradition, we headed to "our" seats. That's because we like the first row of the second tier. There's no people in front of us and what a view!  We're the tradition-three; we also like to buy a hot pretzel mid-show, share a soda,
and watch the tear down afterward-- right up to the disco ball being lowered to it's moving box.
Oh, and then there's the gas station candy bar to keep us awake on the way home. Good memories.




There was this incredible moment when the stadium was full, the lights were down, the show hadn't officially started and the setting sun streamed through the door in all it's golden glory....

    True to style, the wind started the evening of our perfect snow and blasted our end of the valley for over twenty-four hours.  I have lived here for 16 years and I still find it unnerving. It roars and growls and rattles the house.  Literally, we can feel the bed shake with us in it.  I remind myself that the same winds battered these sturdy bones for over 100 years....dear, faithful old house. Still, it felt like an endless day; seemed like all we did was add wood to the fire and watch out the window as mesmerizing whirls of snow transformed our surroundings.
      By 5 pm, the seven mile stretch of road beyond Main Street was completely drifted shut.  Even the state trucks gave up, unable to keep ahead of the rolling snow.  A semi was the first to slide across the road into a snow bank and the recovery efforts of first responders began in earnest....multiple cars pulled out of snow drifts, two minor accidents, an Amish buggy swept away by the wind, an Amish school teacher taken home by our Special Unit, two elderly women stranded in their car and they didn't know where...
       Once Hero got home from work, he and Blaze reported to duty.  He was placed at the main intersection to divert people from heading south.  Blaze was put on the Brush Truck, they stayed on the road for a while and then headed back to the station for standby.  Five hours later, the state permitted the road closure we needed and they came home. Talk and tea and more watching out the window. Bit by bit, the winds settled down and we fell asleep to a strange but welcomed silence.


     

Main Street photo by Blaze, 11 am

           This is the snow I have been dreaming of!  

Soft transformation...not a car on the road

Blaze and I will never miss a chance to play in a foot of snow.
Of course we "did school" too, but even a home school kid needs a snow day--only math, art, and creative writing today.

This does complicate things for a little doggy who likes naps by the fire...
"Can we go in now?"

Snow day!