I was such a space program geek beginning in the 1960s! I still remember that night--44 years ago today--when we all gathered around the black and white television to watch Walter Cronkite narrate the landing--and later, the first step--on the moon. It seemed so unreal, so science fiction. And now, all these years later, it seems that way again; so many people on earth now that were born after this event!
I'm sitting in the Coldwater, Michigan Biggby's killing some time before our closing performance of Fiddler on the Roof, with a nice iced coffee (my current favorite beverage) beside me. On their trivia board, it says, "How many countries have successfully sent a man to the moon?"
Oh, duh, I think. But then I realize what I said before--it was so long ago, that there are lots of people who would probably not know the answer.
I've really enjoyed my time spent in Coldwater. The people involved with the summer stock this year have really made me feel welcome as I climb up the stairs to sit on a roof six feet in the air, play, climb down, go to the basement, climb up into the pit from the non-green green room through a sort of "rabbit hole," climb back down into the green room, climb up the stairs from the basement, walk to stage left, come on stage to play for awhile, exit stage right, go back downstairs, through the rabbit hole into the pit...several times before the show ends. It's been difficult for me, physically (both because of the heat and because I'm so out of shape from not playing much in the last two years), but I think between the sweat and the moving, I've lost some weight. I hope so, anyway. But I've loved every minute of it. If you're a part of the Tibbits Summer Theatre group and are reading this, THANK you for a very good time, which is something considering how I normally feel these days. Also very grateful for my family taking me in to save on a bit of the driving!
It's also been fun re-discovering old hangouts in this just-north-of-the-Indiana-border town, and discovering new places, too. Granola French toast at Stogie's...do not miss if you're ever in Coldwater. Other notable places: Northwoods (a coffee/sandwich/gift shop with really great coffee, food, and ambience) and Allen's Drive-In (a drive in similar to Marshall's Hi-Lite with homemade root beer and delicious food!).
After last night's performance, I could see that there was a storm north of me. Before I pulled out of Coldwater, I texted my brother, who confirmed that a storm was about to hit. So, I decided I'd drive to Tekonsha to get some gas and perhaps a bite to eat and wait out the storm. I've had to drive in some rather nasty storms in the last month, and I didn't want to add a nighttime one to my list. So, a tank of gas and a delicious salad bar later, I hit the road, thinking maybe I'd missed the storm. The minute I got in the car, the wind picked up. Should I stay or should I go? I thought about this and decided to get going, thinking that since there wouldn't be much traffic on I-69 from there to the exit I needed to get to my brother's house...if it got bad, I thought, I could pull over under a bridge.
About five minutes into the drive, the rain came down harder than I've ever seen it. And was blowing sideways. And...there were waves of water on the road. Waves, like at Lake Michigan or the ocean! I was hydroplaning and going back and forth on the road in my little car. And I could not see much of anything. So...I found a bridge (it took me awhile, though) and sat for about 15-20 minutes. Eventually, I got to my brothers, but had to avoid a lot of small branches that had come down on the country roads. Grateful to be back in one piece, with the rain slowed down to a sprinkle, I gathered my things and had my hand on the door handle...and it came down AGAIN. So, I sat for awhile, lost patience, and made a run for it. You don't have to be out in something like that for long before you are absolutely soaked!
Thursday and Friday were a little difficult emotionally. Thursday marked 20 months since our world (John's and mine) turned upside down. Some of the things that happened as a result of the cancer were actually very good, as I reflect upon it. But I hate that he had to go. I hate cancer. Hate it. It is such a robber.
And Friday at 5:45 AM marked 6 months since John died. I spent most of yesterday in a quiet reflective mode and it was helpful to have the show as a distraction. But dammit, I miss him so much. I wanted to share all of this with him--how much fun I'm having with the show, knowing how proud he was of me. Yes, I do feel him with me. All the time. But I want him HERE in the flesh, dammit!
It's all so unfair to find each other only to lose him. But I guess I could look at it this way: At least we found each other!
Big breath, calm down, and on to other things...
This morning, I decided to come back to Coldwater early so I could see some of the actors here perform one of the children's shows (it's called Popcorn Theatre; they get popcorn and juice boxes at intermission!) called Peter Rabbit and Friends. It was great fun, and it was wonderful to hear the kids giggle, laugh, and scream in delight! It reminded me how much I loved doing children's theatre back in the late 1980s at the Riverwalk, a theatre in Lansing about 2 miles from my house. This particular show today was written by the director of Fiddler (and the artistic director of the Tibbits Opera Theatre) Charles, and his partner--another person taken from us way too soon. I have so appreciated the conversations I've had with my friend, Charles, about how similar the path was for both of us when we lost the love of our lives. I so appreciate his kindness! It's also been fun to see him portray the Rabbi again, in Fiddler--he was the rabbi in my first appearance as the fiddler back in the mid-1980s at the True Grist Dinner Theatre in Homer, Michigan.
Last week, Popcorn Theatre performed another original show--the premiere of the new musical Magic Rocks, written by some members of last year's actors (two of the three have returned this year!). It is wonderful and I believe has a great future as a much-performed and beloved children's (geared at about late elementary to middle school aged kids but appealing for all ages--I loved it!) show. Riverwalk peeps, are you reading this?
This show has pushed me to play more, though I don't like playing in this heat. I'm going to play in the summer orchestra in St. Johns this year, but I am sincerely hoping it is cooler when we play outside at the end of July! Today is much better than it was for the last week, though. First time in awhile I've taken Elvis outside and wanted to stay outside for awhile!
Tonight, my high school class is having its 35th reunion at a park in Marshall. Hoping the weather holds out for them, as thunderstorms are predicted. I was going to try to make the last bit of it, but I'm so tired after the performances and I think it'll be about wrapped up by the time I'm done. I may stop by the Relay for Life for a bit, though...it feels odd to know that last year I purchased a luminary in honor of my husband and that this year, I will purchase one in his memory (and also one in memory of my brother). Again, not fair. But back to the reunion--my classmates have been so supportive of me during this time, and I'm just amazed. So, if you're in the class of 1978 at Marshall High, know that I love you guys and will see you in five years! In the meantime, hoping I can catch up with some people tomorrow if they're still in town.
I was thinking just now that my time won't be filled with activity again for the first time in about a month after tonight's performance (other than the summer orchestra). I'll be sad to see this end.
Anyone want to go to the other two productions left this summer with me? They're doing the Mel Brooks musical The Producers and then will end the summer with The Foreigner, a wonderful comedy that I saw for the first time two or three years ago with my good friend, Randy, in the title role.
Well, that's about it for now...
Blessings,
Tam
PS Here are some photos from my time in Coldwater! No pictures of me, yet, but I'm hoping to get some as the fiddler--stay tuned!
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