Flanfire

Ah - the joys of a Friday evening after a long day of playing with my grandson Caleb, watching my daughter Melody (Caleb's mom) eat FOUR of my blackberry pecan pancakes, driving through the beautiful rain that we so badly needed, and then settling down to a long night of live music!

Earlier in the week, of course, we ran up to Ross' Old Austin for an open mike because our young friends Seth and Brennen were playing, though we had to leave before they went on. We did get to hear this lovely African-American woman named Jovette (I think), who sang one song in which she informed us that "I'm Not Tracey (Chapman)" and sang a couple of other songs she had written that were mighty fine. We ducked out, though, because we had to run to the Central Texas Harley Christmas Party to hear our pal Malford (the newly sighted) Milligan and band. Thanks to an eye operation, Malford is now learning how to ride a Harley. It was especially cool watching him give Nancy a big bear hug - and looking very happy to see us. It had been too long.

Did I mention that I have a new television passion - watching Joan of Arcadia, which features Russ Tamblyn's daughter Amber as Joan, the late John Ritter's son Josh as one of her brothers (he is in a wheelchair in the show), Joe Montegna as her police chief dad, and Mary Steenburgen (Mrs. Danson still, I think) as mom. OK - the girl has conversations with God (who appears as various people in her life and gives her assignments to carry out). In tonight's episode, God tells Joan to ask out the school ruffian to a dance that's kind of like a prom, even though nearly every adult and half of the kids are shocked and not pleased with what she is doing. Turns out that God tells her at the end of what had become a harrowing evening (well, the following Monday at school) that she had completed her assignment, which was to observe and be present in the world. Had she not intervened in the life of this tormented young man, God tells her, he would have exploded emotionally at the school and been another Dylan Kleberg, killing several of her classmates. Now, because she obeyed God and get a little into the boy's skin, he had a reason to believe that he might have a future, and of course her dad has also told the boy that he is now responsible for his actions even though he has been dealt a bad hand to start with. There are quiet life lessons in every episode - and a good bit of humor as well.

I have been excited to see a TV show that reminds us that walking with God is opening ourselves to a life of challenges of faith - adventures in seeking good for others and trusting that God will bring good into our own lives. Young Joan has already sacrificed her reputation on numerous occasions, and yet she is growing in wisdom and understanding - and confidence - every episode. By becoming vulnerable, she is making a difference - and it shows.

Now to the night crawling. So I had made plans to meet my cruise buddy Blake at the Saxon to hear our pal Floramay Holliday and her band. While we are jawing at the bar, this grizzled not-so-old character named Travis ambles in, drawing pad in hand, looking thirsty. He says he can draw a likeness of anyone in about five minutes, and I remember that Blake has an opportunity ahead in which such a likeness of his handsome (OK - he paid me to say that!) face might come in quite handy. [Private information not to be disclosed.] All works out well, but then it quickly becomes time for Travis to leave the bar.

I had planned all along to head over to Jovita's to catch part of Carolyn Wonderland's show there (Jovita's being such a great place to dance and all), and so I took Travis over there with me. A big Janis Joplin fan, Travis had never heard Carolyn (well, he IS from, and still lives in, San Antonio). Whaddya know! No sooner than I got in the door, I ran into a bunch of pals from our Texas singer-songwriter cruise to Cozumel. My pal Dr. Ruth needs a dance partner, and on a number of songs I oblige her. Great fun! Also there was the wonderful Olive and a bunch of her pals, and of course Carolyn and the Wonder Band. They close with a Duke Ellington number, after letting Lefty go for a five minute drum solo earlier in the show. If you have not gotten Carolyn's latest (and best) CD, treat yourself to a great Christmas stocking stuffer! A world of musicianship was displayed, not the least of which was the keyboard of Kole El-Salah - who tells me he is still trying to get the super guitaris (and good friend of mine) Pat McCann to trek into town from Lakeway at least once in a while to share his jazz-influenced licks with the rest of us music loving souls. Nine-year old Riley passed the tip jar - she is a sweetheart, and Carolyn says she is a very smart young woman.

Okay, so they are closing Jovita's, and I have already paid my admission into the Saxon - and the night is still YOUNG! Did I mention that Toni Price was the late show artist there? Well, DUH! Back in action, Floramay is hanging - and we discuss her photography business and my daughter's upcoming show wedding. Also present are the Dolans and the Honkytonk Angel herself - the ever-lovely Tammy. Caspar was himself worth the price of admission tonight, and I remember that I liked Toni's new CD so much I gave it to my daughter, who is a HUGE Toni fan.

Had to leave after her first set to come home and check in on the party that is still ongoing at our house. My goddaughter Candi is celebrating three weeks on her new job by throwing a party for stranded college students unable to go home for the holidays. Life is good - the house is not a wreck, even though my normal chair is in use and I have to improvise to share these memories with you.

Sunday marks 31 years walking (or trying to learn how to walk) with God - and oddly enough my oldest daughter's 31st birthday. It is a time for reflection, and having purged myself of bad vibes by having such a good time on the town, I am looking forward to a quiet weekend of going to Antone Leikam's second birthday party and getting Dressed Up to Get Down! Oops! Somewhere there must be a quiet time in the offing. Probably between sets by Ben White and the Oltorfs!

But of course the partying is not an end in itself. Celebrating with friends is always important, but so is keeping up with their lives and letting them check in on yours. Tammy told me of the fun she had over Thanksgiving with her two grown daughters - falling asleep watching a movie on TV and stuffing themselves silly with home-cooked delights. Ruth has a new chiropractor gig. Betsey's seventh grade daughter had a rough week with a virus and high fever (she's better now and went to school today).

And Travis - well, he is probably still not finding what it is he is looking for, largely because he may not be able to recognize it when it is staring him in the face. One wonders whether he hides behind his art (which he uses to attract attention and also to score some ready cash) and avoids letting people into what's inside because he does not believe that anyone would like the real him. So if you see him on the street or in a club, challenge him to tell you a little truth about himself. He could be quite a guy - he is a good dancer.