Your Mom and I went to see the play “Les Miserables” at the PAC last night. It is about the French in the early 1800’s. The citizens were oppressed and always fighting. They are still fighting. The story was told in operatic style. I didn’t know I was going to the Opera. An opera is akin to a root canal. It is steady pain. I made it through the whole play waiting for the “fat lady” to sing. An opera always ends with the fat lady singing. She never sang. Finally there was a break and we left the theater. I didn’t know if it was over or not. I wasn’t going to go back and find out. There was no traditional song. (note from mom: “we stayed until the end”).
There has been a strong wind blowing this morning. It is the result of 600,000 deer hunters headed north. The insanity has begun. For the first time in my life I wished (just for a moment) I was a deer hunter. Then I would have had an excuse to miss Les Miserables.
I have found out what “Les Miserables” means in french. It means “make the audience miserable”.
I usually don’t pay attention to obituaries. In fact, years ago I swore I would never read obituaries. Alas, I do peak. I noticed that a lady named Miss Julie, 92 had passed away. It happened to be the matriarch of the family who owned the dance school Grasshopper No.5 attended from second grade through high school. There were times that I thought No. 5 might have been adopted into their personal family. Next in line is “Miss Julie’s” daughter, Marcia (hence the name Marcia’s School of Dance). And then there is Marcia’s daughter, always called “Miss Juliana”. Grasshopper No. 5 did a smashing dance routine with her at their annual dance recital 2 years in a row. Also, Grasshopper No. 5 won 1st place in Chicago for several years at a dance competition sponsored by the Nat’l Assoc. of Dance Masters she attended with her teachers, Marcia and Juliana. So, you see, they were very instrumental in a small way to No. 5’s development. I personally witnessed No. 5 grow as her confidence in dancing grew. Most people don’t know No. 5 is a really good dancer. I mean really good. So,to the family of Miss Julie, my deepest sympathy.
Stay warm,
Love,
Dad