Monday, October 30, 2006

Wasted trips and crazy dreams

Cliff agreed, some time back, to take me to Iowa City, Iowa, to see Iris Dement in person.  She's my current favorite folk/country singer.  Cliff really doesn't care for her, and he isn't crazy about six-hour road trips.  But for me, he agreed to bite the bullet and go.  I bought the tickets months ago.

Saturday I grabbed one of my garage-sale paperbacks for the road, since I always read aloud on our trips to make the time pass.  Sudden Prey turned out to be a real page-turner, and kept us on the edge of our seats; I stopped reading once in awhile to gaze at the lovely fall folliage, which is at its peak now.  We left home before 10 AM, only got lost once, early in the trip, and arrived in Iowa City around 5:00.  The first thing we did was locate the Englert theater.  Iris Dement's name was on the marquis, along with Saturday's date.  Good.  Then on to get ourselves a motel.

Iowa City is a college town, and when we got there, a big football game had just ended.  What a crowd!  Of course, because of the game, the motels had jacked their rates up to a ridiculous level.  So, we chose the crummy little Motel 6 and paid $72.  After all, we'd only be sleeping there after the show, and heading home early the next morning.

As always, I had packed a cooler with salad makings.  That took care of our supper, and then we headed to the theater for the show.

I couldn't believe my eyes:  There, under Iris' name on the marquis, was a huge "POSTPONED".  That wasn't there before.  I went inside to get my refund (I certainly wasn't going to make that long trip again in December) and was told Iris had laryngitis, and had called them just a couple of hours earlier.

I was more disappointed for  Cliff than for myself.  After all, he had only made this trip for my benefit. 

So there we were, stuck in a Motel 6  watching a 19-inch TV for the evening.

We were both awake by 5 AM, hit the road early, and were home by 10.  We got 2/3 of the way through "Sudden Prey" because I read almost non-stop on our trip home.  

We had a brief motorcycle ride and I gave some attention to my horses.  I'm being very careful not to mention Iris, and I won't be playing her music while Cliff is in the house.

I made spaghetti for dinner.  Cliff's favorite.

Last night, I dreamed Jay Leno flew his airplane right up to my door, got out with briefcase in hand, and started to visit with me.  He was laughing and joking as though we were old friends.  My granddaughter took pictures of us, standing side by side.

This dream, no doubt, was my subconscious way of dealing with not seeing Iris.  So, Iris didn't appear for her show?  That's OK, because my good friend Jay Leno came to my house just to talk to me.

I wish I could remember what we talked about.

22 comments:

Anonymous said...

I am so sorry about the concert!

Anonymous said...

Sometimes you're the bug, sometimes you're the windshield...as the saying goes.

Sorry it was such a long trip but then again...not everyone gets a visit from Jay Leno. <grin>  

I enjoy reading about your lives....

Thanks for sharing your life down on the farm!

Anonymous said...

how disappointing!!!!
Becky

Anonymous said...

Nice dream.... I would have drempt Dave Letterman visited me...lol. Sandra

Anonymous said...

Awww, I know that was disappointing. That motel money would have made a nice trip another time. Helen

Anonymous said...

Sorry the concert was cancelled.  How disappointing!!  That's a long drive to go see her.
LOL on Jay Leno!
Pam

Anonymous said...

That was disappointing.  Glad you had a good book to carry you over... not the same I'm sure.  You do have a good hubby !  'On Ya' - ma

Anonymous said...

Awww sorry. What a disappoinment! Paula

Anonymous said...

I'll bet you if Jay really did come he would be just as he was in your dream.  Your friend!

Anonymous said...

The bug?  The windshield?  Either way its all  "splat"    

Anonymous said...

So you and Cliff had some nice together time anyway. All is not lost who would you rather spend time with anyway? You reading Sudden Prey to Cliff was something very special in my opinion.

Anonymous said...

Aww, Donna, what a disappointment... BUT.. I love the way you and Cliff took that sour lemon and made lemonade out of it.  I love the fact that you read to him while he is driving.  Sounds like something I would do.  Except no one would be interested in listening...they would want the radio blaring instead! lol

Sorry about the concert, but glad you and Cliff had another wonderful memory to add to your collection! :)

Jackie

Anonymous said...

You talked about how he was never, ever going to have Iris on his show because you are his friend.  And what a wonderful friend you have in NORTHERN Virginia.  :o)

Sorry you missed the show.  At least you got your money back.

Anonymous said...

Bummer!! Nice of Jay to save the day LOL rich

Anonymous said...

Well Poo! I'm so sorry that happened to you.
http://journals.aol.com/astaryth/AdventuresofanEclecticMind
http://adventuresofaneclecticmind.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

Oh what a bummer! I would have been so upset. (I have a bit of a Italian temper.) I am so sorry your weekend did not go off as planned. i am glad Cliff didn't get too upset.

Jay Leno Huh? Wonder what tha was about? ;-)

Toodles,
Tia

Anonymous said...

A bit of a disappointment, but the time alone is always nice.  

Anonymous said...

Like Cliff wit you, I never made Frieda a promise I didn't keep. Lawd aful tough sometimes, buuuuut the rewards were many. LMHO!

Anonymous said...

awwwwwwwww Mo...so sorry you didn't get to see Iris...It was so sweet of Cliff to take you...but even sweeter of you to feel bad for HIM and fix is favorite meal! You two were made for each other!
At least you had a hot date at a motel! hehehe!
love ya,
carlene

Anonymous said...

awwwww...that is a bummer...sorry you didn't get to see your singer....and even worse the wasted trip....not a good way to make friends huh???  with the musical world that is....!!!  have a happy day....you got a treasure there in that man of yours...for sure....Ora

Anonymous said...

Ouch...that stinks!  My reaction in that situation would not have been pretty. :-)

Anonymous said...

Hello~
I have read Sudden Prey and it's a great book! Bobby and I also listened to the CD version of it, Bobby doesn't read (LOL), on a road trip and he really liked it.
That's just rotten that the concert got posponed after that long drive! I'm so sorry. Cliff is a sweetheart for taking you, even if there was now show. :)

Good Jay Leno dream...LOL
Huggers,
Gayla