January 27, 2004

• My almost-20-year old daughter was feeling a little blue last evening.  She was sitting in the old recliner, wrapped up in a blanket 'cause its a little drafty in that corner.  She had Carmel firmly clamped in her arms.  His ears were pinned back mostly because it wasn't his idea to be held at the moment, but, hey, even cats have to earn their keep from time to time.  I couldn't tell what was weighing on Beth, but I could tell that this was probably not the time to ask, "So, Beth, what's eatin' you?".  Ever had the experience of throwing a cup of kerosene on a camp fire?

  
  

  It was time for Dad to take decisive action!  I rifled through the DVD's until I found just the right one...nope...nope...nah...YES!  The Blues Brothers!  I turned off her favorite down time tv, Law and Order reruns (risky), and in a flurry of button pushing that I'm not sure that I could repeat, ever, I had the new DVD player talking to the TV.  I popped in the silver disk, found the right frame, and turned up the volume.  Aretha!  I can't sit still when Aretha is singing Think so, I'm pounding the arm of the chair, feet are keeping time, and I'm howlin' right along with the queen.  It didn't matter what brought it on; the pure energy of Aretha Franklin, the women on-screen telling the men how-it-is, or dad being stupid again, but about half way through the number, a quick glance over daughter's way revealed a big grin, a few less clouds, and even the cat looked a little less pissed.

  • 9:46 am
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