Happy Birthday in Abilene...

So, let me tell you about my whirlwind weekend in Fun Capital of the World, Abilene!

Friday was kind of a downer, with the funeral Mass and all--really rainy and miserable, so we spent a pretty quiet day.

Saturday, we were up at 4:30 (yes, AM) to get on the road. A leisurely drive out west, with our usual stop in Eastland for breakfast (nothing good, just McDonald's) and to stretch our legs by walking around their Walmart.

Outside, they had a bake sale, and I bought everything. Okay, not everything, just a couple of brownies, some banana bread, and some peanut butter cookies. Hey--I wasn't just being a pig, it was for a good cause!

We reached the outskirts of Abilene a little after 9:00; we killed some time cruising around town, where I hit a couple of pawn shops (found some classic DVDs for $2 each, really lit up my cheapskate nature), then went to McKay's, a great local bakery. Irene asked me if I wanted a birthday cake...I looked at her like she was nuts. Me, *not* want a birthday cake? Was she kidding?

Yes, she was, because she'd had them bake me a nice red velvet cake...it was waiting for us. That sneaky little devil! I was completely surprised. (She's so good to me; there's no joy in the world like a happy marriage.)

Being satisfied with herself for having successfully sandbagged me, we killed some more time having lunch at a local Chinese place (Szechuan) until we could check into our hotel...where we settled in and took a nap. (Really exciting, yes?)

We decided to skip dinner, since I'd nibbled on bake-sale stuff and Irene was still stuffed with whatever she'd had for lunch, so we got organized in time to get to the Civic Center for the 8:00 performance--Copland's Appalachian Spring suite and Beethoven's Ninth.

The place was nearly sold out, which is quite surprising--we've been to several Abilene Philharmonic concerts, and they're usually well-attended but nothing close to sellouts. (Beethoven brings 'em in, I guess--unless there's a big contingent of Copland fans in Abilene.)

One thing about the Abilene Philharmonic--they sing the National Anthem at the start of every concert, and the audience really belts it out. It's incredible, and beautiful, and more venues should do it. I remember as a kid going to Cubs games in Chicago, at a time when people would sing the anthem...for years afterwards, I thought that the last two words of the Star-Spangled Banner were "Play ball!"

(...Okay, dumb joke.)

The performance was wonderful, except for the audience, which coughed so much throughout that the Copland sounded more like a Concerto for Tuberculosis Ward and Orchestra. It was distracting, to be sure. (Many years ago I attended a TV taping of a Chicago Symphony concert, and before the performance they threatened us within an inch of our lives to be quiet--or leave before the start. I wish they'd do that at every concert.)

Anyway, the Beethoven was wonderful--the only mitigating factor being the relatively small size of the orchestra. During the finale, they were almost overwhelmed by the *three* combined choruses. Still, a great evening; I was left with a lump in my throat at the conclusion. Just astounding that someone stone deaf could compose anything so celestial. (If that isn't proof of a higher power, what would be?)

Sunday, we had a relaxing morning and checked out, stopped for an early lunch at an excellent local burger place (Rick & Carolyn's), then had a quiet drive home. Later, my neighbor brought over her 9-year-old grandson Robert for cake and presents (I was very touched; Robert conspired with Irene on a gift for me--I don't know why that kid likes me so much, but he's definitely the current president of my fan club.)

All in all, one of my best birthdays. Ever since my 39th, which I spent in the Emergency Room with a knee injury that put me in wheelchair for four months, any birthday I walk away from is a good one!

That's probably more than you wanted to know...but it was a good weekend. Too bad I was too busy to take any pictures!

Any day now...

Our Obama, who art in Washington, Deficits be thy name.
Thy socialism come, thy will be done, On Wall Street as it is in Congress.
Give us this day our daily food stamps, and forgive us our income, as we fail to forgive those who actually create jobs.
And lead us not into bankruptcy, but deliver us from free markets.
For thine is the Oval Office, and the teleprompter, and fawning media forever and ever.
Amen.