Lion King

I've waited years to get to see Lion King. When we lived in PA and it was new on Broadway I wanted to see it, but tickets were being sold a year in advance and I never had my life so organized that I could schedule something that far off. So, I never went--then we moved and were not one and a half hours from NYC anymore---so I put it out of my mind.

Now, we are in Iowa and the Lion King is playing in Des Moines---Phil bought me tickets for my birthday. The day finally arrived---last Saturday. We got up early and drove to Des Moines, getting there in a little less than two hours. We took the exit and drove straight to the Civic Center, no problem. There was a parking garage next door---with a special show price for parking---$3.00. Can you believe it? So easy and stress free. Not at all like a trip to NYC, which would involve traffic jams, paying to go through the tunnel, paying to park--a lot more than $3.00. This was actually pleasant. Got into the Center, waited in the big lobby for about 45 minutes, people watching. Couldn't help but notice how different the people are here compared to NYC---so different. When we were finally allowed into the auditorium we found our seats, about five or six rows back, if that, and in the center area. Good---no, GREAT seats. The lady who sat next to me was pleasant, from Kansas City, she and five family members drove up from Kansas City to see the show, they took last minute seats and were scattered around the room.

The show started, and it took me by surprise--I almost wish I could see it again, the woman who is on all the commercials was there, singing those three notes---long and drawn out. At the same time the stage AND auditorium filled up with actors---dressed as the animals of Africa. It was WONDERFUL, the music, the actors, the costumes---it actually brought tears to my eyes--I couldn't help it! A bicycle contraption with antelope figures attached to its mechanics had them jumping across the stage, lions (people with masks on their heads) a woman dancer attached to a cheeta puppet made it slouch expertly across the stage, a huge elephant meandered down the isle---made up of two or more people, it was wonderful. Drummers set up on both sides of the stage played bongos and drums, the orchastra was in is usual place below the stage.

The Lion King story is well known, I didn't really go for the story, but the actors, costumes, music. I was impressed with the actor who played the King---he walked proudly, as you would think a king would, and yet animal like. He had a big booming voice. The actor who played his scheming brother was wonderfully mean, oh, I could go on and on---lets just say I LOVED it.

There were times that took my breath away, set design, costume design. One in particular was when the pride of lionness were greiving for the dead king. They looked out at us, and put their hands to their faces, and pulled long strands of silvery ribbon from their eyes, these ribbons fell from their eyes to the floor, conveying the idea of greiving, tears, crying for their dead king. It did exactly that----it was an exquisite moment, I loved it.

The show got a little long in the second half, kids in the audience were crying and restless, but soon it started the beginning of the ending, again all the animals/actors came on stage and we got to see the show at its best.

The whole thing got me thinking about a Christmas program at our church, using the animal/people idea. Hmmmmmm

HGTV

How often can you say your husband appeared on national TV? The long awaited RV 2006 aired last night and we finally got to see Phil show off the 32 foot Born Free. It was long coming. They filmed it last summer, in 100 degree heat and 100% humidity. Hershey PA was the place, Phil shot for three hours!!! Three hours for what, about 3 minutes of TV time.

It's been around eight months of wondering, wondering if he made the cut, wondering when it would air, wondering if he came off stupid or ok. Yesterday we were worked up into a frenzy. Luckily, we had tickets to see Lion King in Des Moines. Phil bought me these tickets for my birthday in December of 2005. We had two things to do this past year, one was Lion King and the other HGTV, and they both happened on the same day. So, we drove the 2 hours to Des Moines, saw the wonderful, wonderful production of Lion King and headed home, arriving at six pm. That left four hours to live through before air time. We had dinner, cleaned up the dogs mess (from being left alone for 8 hours), watched home makeover, watched Sopranos (Tony's out of limbo having been called back from the brink of death by his pointy looking daughter Meadow). THEN THERE IT WAS!!! RV 2006. The host was a real nice guy, the show was put together really well. They started with Class A's and quickly got to the Class C's. At the beginning of the show the Born Free was used as the sample of the Class C, AND the host was sitting on the bench in front of the Born Free to introduce the show! Phil looked good, very professional. I told him---because I really think this---that he came across better than the rest. He said the leather chairs were "like butter" and we all laughed. The appearance had our phone ringing off the hook, first Susie then Celia, Krista and Allison.

Phil was more worked up that I realized. When it was over he headed up to bed, fatigue taking over. A restful sleep was had by all.

I can't wait to hear what people say at work today.

Phil--a TV star!! If you would like to have Phil appear in your movie---press one---now. If you would like to have Phil be national spokesperson for your product-----press two---now. All other questions----press three----now. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ;-)

It's Coming, I Can Feel It

I smell it in the air when I walk across my deck. I feel it in my bones when I look at the dead stalks--the ones I never got arount to trimming back last fall. I feel the excitement of what's to come as I look over the hydrangea plant and think about cutting it back so more flowers will come in the spring. My tulips are poking through the dirt, little tips of green against the black. The snow is gone and the pot of mums I never got around to planting appears, lying on its side in the garden next to the garage. It might not be too late for it.

The sun fools your senses, bringing to life the fever inside, the eagerness to get out and work in the garden and yard, and yet, just walking around the outside of the house pinks the cheeks and freezes your fingertips, its too soon, too early, too cold.

Back inside the house I lay with the dogs in the sun light that floods the floor in the living room. It's a secret my dogs know; lay in the sunlight for warmth and nourishment during those long cold winters.

There are some brave souls out and about, a man riding his bike, huddled in a thick down jacket. A woman, walking at a fast pace zips past the house, her ears covered with furry brown circles. But for me, I know the cold will hurt my lungs, burn my skin. Its too early, too soon.

Still, in my mind I can see it, the spring and summer to come. Lilacs blooming in the back yard. Hollyhock stalks standing tall against the garage. Tulips, the first to show their color. Mums growing too fast and needing a trim--for their own good. My herbs in the window boxes, basil, parsley and rosemary, my tomatoes---I hope they do better than last year. The deck, furniture placed just so, the umbrella, pots of flowers, their blooms cascading down the four steps to the concrete. I love spring and summer, made that much more important and glorious out here in Iowa because of the past four months of dreary grayness. It' s coming, I can feel it.

Traveling in the West

I've just returned from three weeks of traveling from Iowa to California and then on to Arizona. I'm taking a new Born Free to big Dog Shows in different states, showing it off and trying to get people interested. My first show was Del Mar California, a beautiful part of the world, but I didn't really get to see too much of it because I was stuck at the fairgrounds most of the time. I'm not really complaining because leaving Iowa for Southern California in February is not a bad thing. The weather was beautiful, I got to people watch and to dog watch for that matter. Dogs of all kinds, sizes, colors. Strange "dog" people, dog merchandise, dog talk, dog dog dog.

I brought Angie along, she pulled the people in with her natural puppie cuteness and then I took over----telling them about this wonderful RV, half people half dog. People in the front, dogs in the back. Most liked it, they came and came and came and came, I didn't have a moment to think. I was tired by the end of the three days there. I left Del Mar at the end of the day and drove out route 8 towards Arizona, stopping one time to camp--but never found the campground so turned around and headed back onto the main road, saw another sign for a campground, drove five miles, couldn't find it, turned around and while driving back toward the main road was stopped by the border patrol. "Are you really from Iowa?" the cop, who was all business, asked me, I had to turn off my RV, give him my license and allow them to search the vehicle. I guess my eastern accent made him wonder. But, all the while I was thinking what a great story this was going to make. Ha! When they were finished checking me out I asked them where the campground actually was, they told me and I arrived at ten that night. But the campground/retreat ended up being very nice, very calm, very quiet. Just what I needed. The people working there were a married couple, an ex nun and ex priest who are full timers who work as they see the country, one state at a time, each state taking years for them to see!!! I also met an indian woman who worked as a massage therapist at the Indian Casino, she was a "healer" and an interesting soul. She told me to make tea out of strawberry leaves and drink it to cure my dry patches on my hands. I'll have to give it a try.

I had one day to relax, do my laundry, clean things up, then I headed to Scottsdale and West World where I camped out on the polo grounds from Wednesday until Monday. More dogs, more dog people, and again they came and came and came and came, from eight in the morning until five at night. I had to close things up tight to get any rest. I made friends with a woman vendor who sat across from me and sold dog collars and clothing. She was a huge woman, could hardly stand up. She knew the answer to everything, was very matter of fact and I kind of liked her. We decided to go to dinner on Sunday at the casino up the road, we had a lovely dinner then went to gamble. It was so crowded I had trouble finding a place to sit and gamble. I like the one arm bandits, I finally found one, it took DOLLARS, I went through $80 in about 20 minutes, so I got up and went to a lounge area and read the paper until she was ready to leave. I usually enjoy the casinos, I guess I should have tried to find a quarter machine. Angie got a job while we were at the dog show, she was a model for a woman who had up-scale dog clothing. Angie looked so cute, everybody stopped to see her. She was given an cute pink coat for her time and trouble.

I was glad to leave West World on Monday when things were finally over. It had been a long six days. I came home with over 50 names of people who were "more than generally interested in the rv."

Once I left Scottsdale I headed north to Prescott, stopped to see my cousin Donna for the day and then headed over the mountains to Sedona. What a beautiful drive, what a beautiful place. I really do need to go back there. I think Phil and I will plan a trip there for our next vacation. I want to get off the road and see it up close and personal, I want to spend more time there. Sedona is a place I want to know more about. The weather wasn't great the day I crossed the mountains, in fact it was snowing most of the way, I had to be careful. The road twisted and turned, but when I got to Sedona it was so worth it. I can't put in words how beautiful the mountains were.

The rest of my trip was non-eventful, I was worn out from working so most of it past in a blur. It was good to be back in Iowa, the snow was gone and the neatly plowed fields were showing again. It was good to see my house and Pandy, Phil was in Pennsylvania so he wasn't home to greet me. My tulips, fooled by a few days of warm weather, were popping through the dirt. A sure sign of spring on it's way. There is nothing like being home, sitting in your comfy chair reading the mail that had piled up over the weeks you were gone. Angie was over the moon being home, running through the rooms, wrestling with Pandy.

We are back, and it's good to be home.