In Which a Clam at High Tide Has a Birthday

Friday evening I felt a bit at loose ends. Then on top of that one of my children irritated the hell out of me and I just started feeling grumpy. This week is my vacation, and although God knows I'm lucky to have a paid vacation, I was sorry we hadn't been able to swing going to Maine, and I was sad I couldn't take all my vacation days, which means I will lose them, and then on top of it I have to do some work over the week despite it being vacation, so all in all, I just felt a bit grumpy.

Well.

Next thing you know I'd booked a hotel room in Nashville for the following night. It all seemed perfectly reasonable and like a brilliant idea. Yes, there may have been a glass of wine or two involved.

The next morning I got up, it was storming and dark, and I thought, "What the hell is wrong with me? What was I THINKING?" I double-checked, but of course it was too late to cancel the hotel. I said to Ernie, "Should we really do this?" and he just calmly pulled out the overnight bag and started gathering things. Well, ok then.

And good God, I'm glad we did. Yes, I did have moments of what-happens-if-we're-killed-and-the-boys-are-left-parentless-and-it's-all-because-I-was-in-a-bad-mood-and-selfish (I get more and more like my mother every day), but we forged ahead. Before long we got out of the rain and had an easy drive. Well, of course I had an easy drive...Ernie drove and I dozed and looked at my phone periodically. I also ate some junk food and made myself feel absolutely horrid. Really? I can't eat junk food anymore? WTF? We got to the hotel in time for me to lay down for awhile though and I soon perked up. We headed over to the 5 Spot and got easy, close parking---the whole thing seemed charmed.

picture stolen from Gina Frary Bacon because mine were lousy (thanks Gina!)

I had never been to the 5 Spot. Ernie had, but I hadn't, and good LORD but I tumbled right into love with it. It didn't hurt that Kristi Rose waved at us as soon as we walked in, and then Kevin Gorden and his wife (who was delightful) ambled in. We found a perch at the bar, and they had big old tumblers of wine, a charming bartender, and POPCORN. I ask you...what could be better? Well, the great Chuck Mead and His Grassy Knoll boys, that's what. WITH Kristi Rose on a few songs as well. Oh, oh, oh, and I got to hug Sergio Webb and Stacey Huckeba...got to finally meet Gina Frary Bacon. Oh, and we met the famous, infamous, Phil Kaufman. I was happy as a clam at high tide.

Chuck Mead was so great. I only saw BR-549 a few times. Once at Robert's so long ago they still had a sax player, once, later, at Schuba's in Chicago. I've always followed him though and was so tickled to be there. He was charming and friendly to boot. We chatted a bit, he talked about playing Mabel's over the years and even remembered Stokes which made me happy. I love watching someone who is just so damned good at what they do. They exude a certain confidence that is comforting. I can't quite articulate it, but it felt like that. And, of course, my beloved Kristi Rose. No words to say how great she is, or indeed how much we love her.

I didn't even notice that he was wearing a Phil Lee shirt....Owen pointed it out.

Afterwards, we met Kristi Rose at the Nashville Palace, listened to some music and got a bite to eat. Nathan Belt and the Buckles. You gotta love it. Great voice...and I love watching people dance. And yes, there is someone dressed like Elvis in the crowd of dancers.

Side note...wish we could have seen Kristi Rose and Fats on the recent tour they did with Garry Tallent.

By that point we tired and full, so tumbled back to our hotel. Went to sleep with the curtains open as we had a nice view of downtown...and railroad tracks so we could think of Leo every time a train went by. I fell asleep happy and woke up on my birthday feeling happy. We'd left the day open, thinking we could wander Nashville, even stay over another night if we really wanted to, but somehow I felt full if you know what I mean. It was such a nice nugget of fun that I didn't want to dilute it by staying longer, and besides, I missed my boys. We took off after breakfast at the Nashville Biscuit House, where we went because it was delightfully homely. I stand by my choice, and I now think that sliced tomatoes should always come with breakfast. 

We stopped for a quick picture of some lovely neon (Nashville folks, does this neon still work?). And then we headed home, getting home around 2:30, another painless drive. We pulled in and the boys met us at the door. I got birthday hugs and kisses and they directed me over to the table where I had wonderful flowers and gifts from my dear Heather and a beautifully wrapped (stylish newsprint) gift from my boys. I'm so excited....I got a sous vide wand. Ever since my friend Urban had written about his I've been tempted. Steak tonight!!!

I was told we could do whatever I wanted for dinner, go out, buy something, but honestly it just felt so nice to be home. I voted for the whole chicken we had in the refrigerator...spatchcocked and smoked on the grill, with a creamy herb vinaigrette, sweet bell peppers, sugar snap peas and onion, and corn on the cob. The vinaigrette wasn't quite as good as I wanted but still added a nice touch, and the whole thing felt like summer. That, a phone call from my sister, a little reading, a little tv, a couple of white chocolate chips for dessert and I was good. Reportedly, all went well while we were gone. Owen went for a late night bike ride but he asked Leo to text him periodically to check on him. Who knows if they did anything illicit but the house was still standing and they actually seemed happy to see us, although they did admit they hadn't missed us. Which is as it should be of course.

So happy. Thanks all.