My friend Liz came to visit.
Beautiful Liz and Gayle
She lives and works in New York City and never gets to see the stars. Well, with the exception of those shining on and off Broadway. As a drama therapist she is animated enough to be one of those stars. Heck, she is a star! She twinkles, and not just her eyes.
Before she arrived I wondered what my simple country-livin’ lifestyle could offer a big city girl, besides stars, that is.
As it was, that was enough! She was so excited about seeing those stars, that we slept out under them–in that king-size bed on our deck that we keep especially for star-gazing.
Mike went to town and bought an electric mattress pad for our viewing and sleeping enjoyment, as winter weather had settled in. It would have worked too, except we got the controls mixed up. Mine turned out to be hers, and hers turned out to be mine. She was cold so turned hers on high. I was too hot so turned mine off. She slept like a baby wrapped in her own body heat. I nearly drown from sweat in that king-size bed-turned-sauna. Oh, well, I did see some spectacular meteorites streak across the black-velvet sky.
King-size frost!
The next day Mike and I took Liz to see the Three Shastas.
The Three Shastas:
Shasta Dam, Shasta Lake, Mt. Shasta
We also took her to pet her first horse and hug her first redwood tree. Next we took her snowshoeing.
Still Twinkling!
We also danced, sang, cried, and laughed with her. That’s what a country girl does with a city girl–enjoys The Sweet Life with her! When we drove her back to the airport we couldn’t bring ourselves to say good-bye. Instead, we said what my Swiss friends taught me when we last parted. “See you later,” we uttered. Then she flew off into the morning, out on a new adventure. I can’t say the same about her, (well, maybe I could) but I will never be the same. I love her. We love her. And I can’t wait until I see her again!
How about you? Who in your life brings you joy? If you’re a country mouse, what activities can you share? If you’re a city mouse? Maybe those small joys you take for granted would bring a twinkle to someone’s eye. If you share them, that is!
A dream come true for all of you. I remember sleeping in the back yard as a child on Third street in Red Bluff, Ca. Always invited a friend over for that adventure, way too afraid to do that alone. Oh the experiences of youth, you are missed. Then I realized, through your post, that the same stars are still there, in the same black sky, in the same world. Problem is, none of my friends want to come over and sleep outside anymore, on that damp grass, with all kinds of little creatures making noise that God created. But through you I did get a glimpse of that past. Thanks for sharing. Love you, Sharon
You are always welcome to come sleep out under the stars on our mountaintop! I’ll sleep out there with you. We might want to wait until warmer weather, however!
What a smart city girl to enjoy the beauty of this area. The frost near that mattress makes me shiver to the bone!
I thrive on the beauty of this area–how about you? Are you interested in flash mobbing?
What a great story! You were able to give her so much!
Next time I’ll bring her to see your paintings–that will really do it! My friend loved your book of cat paintings that I gave her for Christmas. If m readers love cats, hope they check out your website.
In the last words of the Wabi Sabi book, when Wabi Sabi is asked to describe his adventures, he replies “It is difficult to explain.” Well somehow you manage to put it into words! It is true it is true all of it is true and then some and the smile does not fade I tell you!! After speaking with you today I smiled all the way to the train- how wonderful is that??? And it be gray out. And these streets be filled with ANGRY folk! Did not touch me! Thank you for reacquainting me with a love for life and a belief in the goodness of people I have not experienced since I was a kid. Love you!!! And yes!!! The sky was black velvet! xo
Literally, my heart was doing somersaults when I heard Mike say, “Hi, Liz!” We already miss you so much. That one is easy to explain, we LOVE you. Somehow, though, I wasn’t surprised to hear you were walking along Broadway. Can’t wait until we see you later. Blessings!!!!
Yahh. Right in front of the Acupuncture school. 21st and Broadway.. Screaming and holding back my inner even louder scream. Then I went to my shrink and had to explain that I am just plain healed and happy and that it isn’t pathology to be analyzed or clinically observed. It’s bliss. LOVE YOU!!!
You go girl! The healing world will never be the same!
L.O.V.E. this post!!! Liz – you went blonde and I went brunette!!! How funny is that! I miss you both so much…can’t wait until we can get together again. I loved sleeping under the stars, too, but I was by myself!
I laughed out loud about swapping the thermostats!
Great writing once again, Gayle!
<3
Thanks, Nancy! That bed fits three–maybe next time, we’ll all be together out there. Maybe I’ll go redhead.
Love this posting, Gayle. My two best friends and I went to NYC when we turned 50! It was “Country Mice visit The City”…I will never forget my friend’s hubby who hails from Mass. in his Eastern accent “Souledad visits New Yourk”…We had an absolute blast! Just trying to get through the turnstile in the subway was an adventure…one of my friends got kicked out of a backroom “purse” store…so many memories….thank you for sharing your experiences. Love you! I think of you every time I look at “Uncle Bear”. LOL
Aw, New York, New York! I love that city. Love my memories of it, too, and now I love the anticipation of making new memories there with my friend Liz. So glad you are enjoying Uncle Bear. Could it be his chin whiskers that remind you of me? Ha! Ha!
Sounds like you had a Wonderful visit with your friend. Most Excellent!!!
Can you imagine the world without friends? Nah, me neither!