TheBanyanTree: Get Ready

[Margaret R. Kramer]

It was warm enough to leave the windows open all night and it's interesting
to listen to my world wake up in the morning.  We live on a busy street, so
there are always cars going by, but early in the day there aren't very many
wheels spinning along the pavement.  The car noise picks up as the day moves
along.

I begin to hear barking as dogs are being let outside to do their  "morning
duty."  The birds pick up their singing.  Sometimes I hear pieces of
conversation as people run or jog or bike by my house.

The open windows signals summer.  We're moving into a warm stretch.  At
last.  Nothing beats these early summer days for sheer pleasure before we
begin griping about the heat.

I went for my first relatively long bike ride (eight miles) yesterday.  I
rode along Mississippi Blvd in St Paul.  It runs along the bluffs above the
Mississippi River and has nice views of Minneapolis over on the other side.
My legs and butt held up well, so I'm encouraged to take a longer ride next
time.

I rediscovered bike riding last summer and I LOVE it!  I don't wear a biking
outfit or have an expensive bike, it's a cheapo six speed from K-mart, but I
zip along OK.  We have a gazillion bike trails in Minnesota and many
interesting things to see, so my bike gives me hours of summer pleasure.

Ray and I don't go out a whole lot on the weekends anymore.  I don't mind
spending Saturday nights on the couch watching the Twins lose another game
(they're not the team they were last year), but we went out last night and
it was an "oh, wow!" kind of night.

First, we went to D'amico and Sons for sandwiches on Grand Ave, which is St.
Paul's trendy place to shop, eat, rest, and be seen.  Susan and I did the
Grand Old Day 5K last Sunday (Grand Old Day is the largest one day street
festival either in the Midwest or the country).  By the way, the sandwiches
were wonderful as was the STRONG coffee.

Then we went to Penumbra Theatre (http://www.penumbratheatre.org)  and saw
the play "Get Ready" written by Jaye T. Stewart and Joe Plummer.  It was
directed by Lou Bellamy, our wonderful local director who just won an Obie
for an off-Broadway play.  The play was about five guys, The Doves, with a
Motown sound, trying to get back together for a reunion tour.  They fought
and picked at each other, and in between, were some remarkable singing and
dancing.  The play ran almost three hours, but it seemed like we just sat
down and it was over.

If you live within or near the Twin City metropolitan area, consider going
to this play.  It runs from June 7 through July 1.  It's funny, captivating,
and you'll hear some great music.

By the time we got home last night, the street had quieted down.  There were
no birds singing.  I let Axel the dog outside and September the black cat
came inside.  But they were quiet and hushed as they went about their
business of getting ready for bed.

We left the windows open to catch the cool night air and slept with music
playing in our ears.

Margaret R. Kramer
margaretkramer at comcast.net
margaret.kramer at polarispublications.com

Dad, your guiding hand on my shoulder will remain with me forever.
~Author Unknown