LAUGHTER IS GOOD MEDICINE

Aaron Canvasser is one of Jim's, in his words, weirdest friends. Aaron and his wife Cheryl are ballroom dancers. They follow the ball room dancing circuit and enjoy the intricate, challenging part of the dance. Aaron goes nowhere without his dog, Shaka. Cute, endearing and friendly, like Aaron.

 Shaka made herself right at home in the motor home. Cheryl, however, had to work this season, and Aaron does  the dancing circuit without her. (That might be the reason he is weird, or different.)  She stayed home and Aaron has had to dance with partners whose husbands or partners are out of the competition.
I  planned to go find a place for a haircut. Aaron offered to cut my hair for me. Naw! I don't think so.  His wife Cheryl confirmed over the phone that Aaron cuts her hair for her and is good at it.  He  charmed me into it. He cut my hair and did a credible job. But, the haircut was secondary to the laughter we shared. Every passing walker and driver either smiled or cat called and asked when it was their turn. Jim insisted on a picture.

The hair fell, I brushed off, we laughed a lot. It wasn't the best haircut I ever had, but it was the most fun haircut I ever had. After all, I reasoned, the difference between a good haircut and a bad haircut is about a week.

Then, much to my surprise, Aaron asked me to cut HIS hair. I'm game. I cut my boys hair when they were kids. I warned him I hadn't cut hair in about 30 years.

 

He was game. So this time the guys passing by were cat calling and asking when the next appointment would be.

Aaron left less shaggy than when he arrived. I guess it was a credible job as well. If I ever come back to this life a second time, I might try barber as an occupation.

 Who would have thunk?

ROADSERVICE

After our big event, the clean-up crew sweeps through, but inevitably, something gets left behind. A pair of sunglasses, one stray sock, a pair of small size cut-offs hanging on the fence to dry, and a sleeping bag. Not bad considering the number of people and the chaotic nature of a "yard and flume bash".
I spent the day after finding things the kitchen crew put away in places foreign to me, washing towels and linens, eating wonderful leftovers and sorting through an overstuffed refrigerator. Two weeks home doesn't give me much time to catch up.

Brother bill and sister Dawn came yesterday to look over Bill's pictures from a 39 day road trip from here to New York, Upper Michigan and back by way of Sedona, AZ. Bill, above, carving pineapple, was one time an avid road warrior.

 My youngest grandsons came to spend a couple days while their parents get fully moved into their new house. But, before we could go anywhere, we had an untimely flat tire to repair.

It was fixed in about 10 minutes after a two hour wait.

  Then, within fifteen minutes after the service left, the front tire went flat. We've determined that "tire monitors", basically valve stem caps that detect when a tire is losing air, are at fault. The technician checked all of the tires while he was here to make sure they were all filled to 36 pounds. So, this makes my third flat with the monitors on them. A very expensive device. No more! Jim and I can't remember the name of the  company we bought them from. I'm sure there are good devices, but ours wasn't one of them.

  So, Grandson Theo got a haircut before going to play in Murphys Creek for the afternoon.

COME FOR A HAIRCUT OR THE TREES

The weekend is full of attractive venues in the Mother Lode, but if nothing excites you, come and see the Big Trees. This group of young people made great sport of attempting to push the "Big Tree" stump an inch or two. Hah!
Art In The Park from noon to 4 p.m. in Jamestown Saturday with wine and violins may interest you.
The Valley Springs Jazz Festival from 10am to 9pm at the Terrace on Saturday, with great bands. Online info or call 209 772-3000.
Sierra Repertory opens "Around The World In 80 Days" Friday through May 24. 209 532-3120.
Murphys Creek Theatre has two comedies, "Laundry And Bourbon" and "Lone Star", Fridays and Saturdays at Black Bart Playhouse through May 17. 209-728-8422, (for mature audiences.)
Sonora Spring Festival 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sat. features bands, a chili cook off, art, activities and demonstrations for all ages. 209 532-7725.
Competitors from all over the world come for the Bob Mernickle Fast Draw Challenge 10am Saturday and Sunday at the Mother Lode Gun Club in Jamestown. 847-0483.
And, "Barefoot In The Park" by Stage 3 through May 17. 209 537-1778. Sonora.
Gold Rush Day: A Miner's Picnic", Sat. at the Angels Camp Museum. There is frog jumping, Gold Rush Impersonators, gold panning, and haircuts. Haircuts? 209-736-4658.
A Double Horseshoes Tournament will begin at 10 am. $40 per team, price includes a barbeque lunch and prizes or just come and watch. 209 743-5119.
Cinco De Mayo Family Festival Sat. 5 to 9p.m. Mother Lode Fairgrounds Sonora. Mariachi music, games, dinner, 209 984-0888. But, hey, I'd try those haircuts.