...Of Dancing Girls & Dirty Old Men

Good afternoon,
Sorry to be so remiss in writing lately. I "was" assuming that Clay
and I
would be leaving on that road trip to Connecticut on
Saturday..."until"...he
called me at about 2:pm on Friday afternoon and said he might be a few
minutes late for our 3 pm planned meeting and debarkation..."WHOOPS!".
Major
league mis-communication. I guess that's why Carol and Dee always make
the
arrangements when we get together. Long story short...we drove down in
my
old Ford Ranger (which is running better than it ever has (knock on
wood)...) stayed over night at his sister in law's "Estate" about 40
minutes
south of Hartford...and returned the next day with a truck full of
used, but
serviceable furniture. The sister in law's house is a brand new-custom
built
modern 8000+ sq. ft. "castle"...that took over two years to build. it's
faced in stone with oak and stucco accents...many crenellations, cut
glass
windows...French doors, oak paneling, granite counters (even in the
janitor's closet)...it's set atop a high, gently rolling hill on 55+
perfectly groomed acres...with at least five large horse barns, a few
utility sheds about the size of my house, a small; one acre pond,...and
seemingly
"miles" of brand new 6ft high horse fencing which encircle the whole
estate and then separate the whole into individual sections ...so that
each
of the many horses in their stables has it's own personal pasture to
romp
about in. It was a classic example of Modern American wanna-be
Aristocracy
design... and if it's purpose was to make a statement to the world
about the
owners... and make Clay and I feel like white trash...then the whole
thing
succeeded wonderfully. The master of the domain was away...vacationing
in
the Dominican Republic...while the Lady of the house supervised the
staff
and worried over her horses. We only saw her for a few minutes...when
she
finally came in from the stables around 8:30 PM. She had told us to
make
ourselves comfortable when we arrived a bit after 6:30...so we had
grabbed a
couple of Coronas from the garage fridge (nothing so "base" as beer was
apparently kept in the "good" state of the art, stainless steel kitchen
refrigerator.)...and had finally figured out the remote control that
turned
on the 60" plasma TV (she mentioned that the custom remote we were
using
costs $800}...When she asked me how I liked the house...I favored her
by
acting the simple bumpkin that I am..."Gee!", I said with bug eyed
enthusiasm.."you must have had to have a lot of help getting all the
wheels
off this trailer and jacking it up!" I'm not sure if she knew that I
was
kidding or not. The funny thing is, ..even though the mansion was
gorgeous
in all it's marbled, oak, brass, granite and crystal chandeliered
perfection...it just didn't "feel" comfortable...or real even...it was
more
like spending time on a movie set..or the living embodiment of the game
of
"CLUE".....rather than a real home. If nothing else, it was a reminder
to me
of how happy I am with my own humble abode...such as it is...and how I
should sit down with Carol and start talking seriously about how we
will
begin downsizing in preparation for our rapidly approaching golden
years.
The bulk and weight of excess possessions and the responsibilities of
storing, protecting and maintaining them ,can drag down and encumber
even
the most carefree retirement. Based on what I've seen of life...if we
are
lucky enough to live long enough to end up in a nursing
home...everything
we're eventually allowed to keep will have to fit in a dresser draw and the
small closet supplied by that institution. Though only the most
precious
possessions would be worth keeping and bringing there...it would be a
tragic
mistake, since such objects are often "lost" amongst the comings and
goings
of patients, visitors and staff. About the only thing of value that
we're
left with in the end, in fact...are our memories...which take up no
space...and can't be stolen...except by the cruel forces of senility
and
dementia. That's why I will take care to spend more time making
memories,
instead of gathering possessions from now on. How'd I ever wander from a
perfect weekend at a Baronial estate...to thoughts of aged loss in a
nursing
home?...
So...It;s obvious that you guys really know how to throw a party. If
everyone had a good time...with only a couple of people complaining
about
the antics of "Wild Holly"...the beautiful but overly seductive dancing maiden...then you can certainly chalk the whole
thing
up as a success. Personally, I rather enjoy watching gorgeous women
dancing
provocatively. Carol says that it's because I'm just a "dirty old
man"...which isn't true...because I've enjoyed such things since I was
old
enough to be a "dirty little kid". A love for...an ability to enjoy
such
sights, is hard wired into the male psyche, I think. I know it is with
me,
anyway.Certainly, the marriage/ fertility rites of most cultures-both
primitive and modern, are rooted in sensually provocative dancing
(south
seas hula ...African mate taking... your classic rhythm & blues bump
and
grind) as a way of expressing sexual availability...viral energy...and
the
shear joy of living in the moment, losing one's self in the music...and
freeing one's spirit from the daily constraints of propriety. Some may be
offended...even appalled by blatant exhibitions of sexuality, but
"everyone"
looks...and whether openly, or secretly...enjoys what they see. It is
an
affirmation of life...a reminder that our ultimate mission in this
life-is
to propagate the species...and usher in and train a new generation to
replace us ...before we finally retreat to nursing homes and
eventually...the damp comfort of head stoned grave yards. The thought
might
seem to be a description of a long fruitless, frustrating, depressing
journey...but it isn't. As Dylan Thamas would
proclaim..."Rage...Rage...against the night...Rage against the burning
of
the light"....and when "Wild Holly" dances...it is fuel to feed the
fire...and a reminder to all of us...of passions, instincts, and
needs...which are kept hidden and suppressed beneath our veneers of
civilized accommodation. I think you handled the whole thing
perfectly...you
are a very wise...responsible...and sensitive hostess. It makes me feel
privileged to know some one such as yourself...you are an inspiration
to all
who are lucky enough to be touched by your grace and wisdom...that
said...is
there any chance of seeing any of this on video?
I'll try to write a more decent note tomorrow...have a great night...bye.