Give Me The Beat

The aging angular face of Marlin, the guitarist/singer was spotlit in red. The drummer, who was skinny as a rail, had signs of a mild stroke or Bell’s palsy. He threw himself into his six piece set of Pearl drums with a rapt look that lasted the night. Off to the side, a guy on keyboard kept melody in a supportive, even way. Though the volume was way too loud, some extraordinary music was happening in this Quality Inn lounge in Harpers Ferry and we couldn’t resist staying and dancing, stretching out a couple of Blue Moons and a basket of homemade chips. Marlin’s vocals lured us to the dance floor with Mustang Sally, Drift Away and a very lyrical Always on My Mind. The band looked like they were on Medicare and, as heavy smokers all, are probably using their benefits. But their music was very fine and it was a great way to start our new life in West Va. Jo-Anne and her kids had come in earlier in the day and she and Paul did a few turns on the floor with the same grace that they brought to the Buttonwoods dance hall in the summers of the late 50’s and early 60’s.

We have already been reveling in the closeness of family again with our stay at the "compound" in Great Falls, VA with sisters Patricia and Doreen and Pat's husband Lloyd. We parked ourselves there for days enjoying the space and the generosity of “kinfolk”. Liza came to visit there as her summer job ended and she began a short vacation before starting back to grad school. We went shopping, had pedicures and played Hi-Lo Jack like old times. Everything is feeling right. Tuesday night we will get the keys to our new home and then we move in and wait for our furniture. (The moving company can’t “promise” when it will arrive but say they will let us know “soon”).

Meanwhile, yesterday morning Paul and I did a “test drive” to Rockville to the federal building where I will work. It was fine until we exited the interstate and attempted the convoluted route to the Twinbrook Parkway and I freaked as unexpected left exits and narrowing lanes threw me in the wrong direction, encouraging lots of horns behind me and a few explicit gestures. When we finally spotted the 1.4 million square foot building where I will bring my little briefcase, I vowed to only use the train to get there! Beginning tomorrow…Monday AM… I will leave the house (or Quality Inn for now) at 5:15 to catch the MARC line. I don’t know what to wear or bring for lunch. I am already feeling a lot like Diana in her little plaid dress, about to cross the street for the first time.

Wish me luck.