Just say no to Morris dancing

[zalena]

A rough day at work.

Capped by Morris Dancers at the brewery on the way back from my wander. Why can I not escape Morris Dancers? Does anyone else have a problem with Morris Dancers randomly showing up in the daily venues of one's life? It's not like I was doing something theatrical or live in a place where Morris Dancing has historical precedence. I was just coming home from my walk, and there they were, hopping, jiggling, tapping, and those ridiculous costumes! Maybe they're not really everywhere. Maybe it just feels like they're eveywhere because a little bit goes a very long way. I just don't understand it. Who does this for fun?

Then dad called to tell me the aunts are coming through town on their end-of-summer motorcycle ride. (I have aunts with motorcycles on both sides of the family. It's like an inherited disease. My Officemate is also trying to get me to ride.)

Unfortunately, it will be Saturday afternoon, which means goodbye to Job's BBQ and the show I planned to see. Dad (who I've been feeling oddly forgiving towards) called this evening to say, "I wasn't sure when to tell you because you were upset when Gma was late last time..."

To which I replied, "I wasn't upset she was late. I was upset that you didn't tell me she'd be late and expected me to come over early to clean your house with your girlfriend, whose presence you also hadn't prepared me for."

He fails to understand the difference between late travelers, and dads who expect their daughters to take time off work to help them with housework. In his mind I'm still mad becase Gma was late. He just does not understand social nuance. I asked if we'd be eating in shifts again this time. He says he has enough plates now, but not enough forks. "So it might be pizza again this time."

Can't we just go out for dinner, instead? (Not since they tore down Pioneer Pies, which was about the only restaurant my dad thought was both good food and a good bargainl. It was neither.)

So, the aunts are coming through town, including my favorite Aunt Donna who gave me my first set of Junior Illustrated Classics and started me on the road to ruin. Donna's recovering from breast cancer and I can't not take the opportunity to see her and my Uncle Dan, who has always doted on me as they have two sons and no daughters.

Uncle Dan is a parole officer, raises hunting dogs, and is one of the sweetest men I have ever met. They have a beautiful house and gardens and lots of land. I hope someday I find someone handy and masculine and who loves me as much as he loves Donna.

Aunt Linda and Uncle Jan will also be there. Uncle Jan is also wonderful. Members of my family tend to marry enablers who allow us to be neurotic and fill in the social graces the family lacks. Sometimes I think the in-laws are the only reason we are all still speaking.

I find the family exhausting, but it is the family I get and I feel fiercely proud to be a part of the clan. There is lots of feuding that goes on, but when push comes to shove we band together against outsiders. It's good to be part of something like that. Mom hardly speaks to her relatives.

Comments

[dr-tectonic.livejournal.com]

Or he could buy some forks...

I have never encountered Morris Dancers. I think you may have accidentally gotten several other people's portion.

[zalena.livejournal.com]

Still leaving us to sit on the floor. I really don't mind, I was raised bohemian, but last time there was this big issue about, "No, no, you eat, I'll sit over here on the floor and complain about my sciatica."