March 4th Bugged

 (On our way to town we saw two eagles looking for their morning meal in the South Fork Valley - )

     Grumbling, I sat waiting in front of the Harris Café for about twenty-minutes before I ventured inside. I was meeting my dad and sister for breakfast and I had hoped to be done and get back to work on my apple trees before 10:00. Lisa was driving and I absolutely knew my she would be late, she’s always late except for work, but that’s only because of some promise to God she made a thousand years ago. She hadn’t spoken to Him on my behalf. Forever a fool and a perhaps a glutton for punishment I got there early and called my dad’s temporary U.S. cell phone.

    “Are you two almost here?” I asked hopefully.

    “You know your sister we haven’t even left yet, she’s doing some @^& *$%# thing with Phoebe’s hair,” he practically wailed.

    “OK, then. I’m here,” I sighed snapping the phone closed with attitude before scanning the sunny yellow room for a table. I spied a sun-drenched table for two in the window and boldly pulled over another chair. This was just what the doctor ordered, a nice dose of vitamin d. I sank into the chair and nodded gratefully to the smiling waitress who asked me if I’d like some coffee. Once again, I was waiting, my mind racing as I soaked in the warm sunshine in the bustling cafe.

 (butterfly - mixed media)
 

    I looked around and noticed a painting on the wall. Tom came to mind; he’s been falling behind on his painting. Mental note: gentle reminder or nag Tom if necessary. I thought about him mixing mediums like the painting on the wall and wondered if he should paint on some of our old barn wood. I took another relaxing sip of coffee and thought about my dad. The reason we were coming together. He was leaving, going back to Paris for another year. It was strange really, this annual visit. I’d imagined it a lot differently. I thought he’d come out to the farm and help me with some of my more difficult projects. Help me with the cattle and clean the barn. I saw us fixing dinner and chatting over a glass of wine, but that’s not exactly how it went. He was at Lisa’s most of the time. No hard feelings, she’s closer to town, which means he can go and listen to his friends and sit-in for a number or two and he gets gigs. –  The funny thing is he never ever calls when he’s in France. Lisa and I told ourselves this is because of his bad hearing. Not so. When he’s here he calls France as many as three times a day. C’est la vie.

     My mind wandered to Henry and Grandpa Horn. My dad had taken it fairly well, when Henry said he wanted to switch instruments. My dad had even generously suggested Henry rent one of his horns to another kid in the bad to pay for the oboe rental. My dad’s an ex-Catholic and no saint. He did his best to help Henry see the light. “There’s nothing for an oboe to play anyway. You’ll sound like a snake charmer,” and the like. But to Henry’s credit, he stood up to the old man. Which my father did like and thus began fondly calling him, “Oboe One”.  I smiled to myself at the rebellion. My father loved that part even if he didn’t like the oboe. “You’ve got to like what you play or you won’t practice. Why you’d like the oboe over the horn, any horn, I don’t know.” He persisted affably.

 (Grandpa horn still sporting his surgical bandage)
 

 (Comparing lion paws)

 (Oboe One and Grandpa Horn)
 
     I took another gulp of coffee after the server slogged it full. It was hot, hot, hot. I loved it. I considered taking off my jacket now that the morning sun was baking through the window. I leaned closer to the glass careful not to touch it lest I feel the chill of the Spring air. My eyes fell on a bug. It was a brown innocuous bug. Neither a mosquito nor a fly. Obviously it was no ladybug. Entranced by the bug tapping on the glass I stared at it wondering if it would find it’s way out. It could see the green leaves and blossoms on the trees. It felt the sunshine and wanted to go out and live. Instead it was stuck behind glass. It was safe. There was plenty of food and water in here. He didn’t have to do anything. I bet hundreds of his brothers and sisters wanted him to stay close to town and not struggle so hard, but my little bug wanted something different. It wanted to take chances and feel the danger. It wanted out and I felt it was my sole responsibility to liberate my brown buddy.

    I remembered I had a caramel-colored coffee cup in my purse – for emergencies- you never know when you’re going to have to scoop something or be offered a cup of something. The farm equivalent of the sleuth’s hairpin for picking locks. I unsnapped the strap and opened my chocolate leather bag pulling out the cup Awesomez had given me with FARM GIRL printed across it. Carefully, I tried to trap my new friend, a kindred spirit. He didn’t want my brand of help, he knew in his heart he should be able to do it on his own. He felt inferior with this Gulliver coming to his rescue. Obstinate he was. I had to stop trying to save him, because he simply kept thwarting my efforts. I didn’t want to smash his tiny legs and then he moved into the perfect position. I slapped the cup right over the top of him, slid my menu between the cup and the glass and transported him to freedom. I watched him flutter away and land in a tree. Silly, I was euphoric as I went back to my seat.

I considered taking off my jacket again, but had another cup of coffee instead as I sat there waiting, happily.

 (blinded by the light)

 (Lisa catching up)

 (Same Time Next Year- Denise, Daddy and Little Lisa)