Buffalo Gal

"Then they hit me with some pretty bad news
Concerning the payment of monthly dues
I'm not sure where that money went
And I was never quite sure it was real well spent
But I'm no trouble causer
And besides, I figured that's life
If you want good friends it will cost ya"
--Townes Van Zandt "Fraternity Blues"
Now it's probably safe to say that old Townes never set foot on the privileged shores of our little island (one of the very few advantages of dying far too young), but it has one obvious similarity to the Texas fraternities he wrote about -- if you're going to play you've got to pay.
As long as we were buying the tickets and wine by the case our social calendar was more crowded than Times Square on New Year's Eve. I'd book back-to-back lunches and eat lightly at both. Every weekend was a whirl.
They were fast friends only for how quickly they disappeared the moment our money ran out. If I run into them on the island,it's always "let's get together this weekend,I'll call" but somehow our phone lines seem to fail only them. My email account also seems to have some new kind of filter rejecting all their various notes of concern and compassion.
My buddy Carter Ramsey says that everybody wants to ride with you in the limosine, your friends are the ones willing to wait for the bus with you.
I can't pretend this realization didn't hurt, but only until I saw the excelllent company waiting at the bus.
It's no surprise that the friends who were there before the bubble are still there. They are loved and appreciated as they have always been.
There are also those who came into our lives in this strange, enchanted kingdom and will stay with us wherever we land. One sends long emails full of specific advice and encouragement from England. Another stops by after work with some cheese and crackers to share with a bottle of wine. Another finds new music treasures and swaps CDs as I know we will continue for years.
So maybe we're riding a rickety old bus without much direction right now, but I sure do love the passenger list. Who needs quantity when you have this kind of quality?
Copyright 2004 Judi Griggs

Buffalo Gal Judi Griggs I'm a communications professional, writer, cynic, mother, wife and royal pain. The order depends on the day. I returned to my hometown in November 2004 after a couple of decades of heat and hurricanes. I can polish pristine copy, but not here. This is my morning exercise -- 20-minute takes without a net or spellcheck. It's easier than sit ups for me. No guarantee what it will be for you. Clicking on the subscribe link will send you an email notice when each new entry is posted.
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Previous Entry :: Next Entry Read/Post Comments (3) Share on Facebook		2004-10-28 7:35 AM The best friends money can buy "Then they hit me with some pretty bad news Concerning the payment of monthly dues I'm not sure where that money went And I was never quite sure it was real well spent But I'm no trouble causer And besides, I figured that's life If you want good friends it will cost ya" --Townes Van Zandt "Fraternity Blues" Now it's probably safe to say that old Townes never set foot on the privileged shores of our little island (one of the very few advantages of dying far too young), but it has one obvious similarity to the Texas fraternities he wrote about -- if you're going to play you've got to pay. As long as we were buying the tickets and wine by the case our social calendar was more crowded than Times Square on New Year's Eve. I'd book back-to-back lunches and eat lightly at both. Every weekend was a whirl. They were fast friends only for how quickly they disappeared the moment our money ran out. If I run into them on the island,it's always "let's get together this weekend,I'll call" but somehow our phone lines seem to fail only them. My email account also seems to have some new kind of filter rejecting all their various notes of concern and compassion. My buddy Carter Ramsey says that everybody wants to ride with you in the limosine, your friends are the ones willing to wait for the bus with you. I can't pretend this realization didn't hurt, but only until I saw the excelllent company waiting at the bus. It's no surprise that the friends who were there before the bubble are still there. They are loved and appreciated as they have always been. There are also those who came into our lives in this strange, enchanted kingdom and will stay with us wherever we land. One sends long emails full of specific advice and encouragement from England. Another stops by after work with some cheese and crackers to share with a bottle of wine. Another finds new music treasures and swaps CDs as I know we will continue for years. So maybe we're riding a rickety old bus without much direction right now, but I sure do love the passenger list. Who needs quantity when you have this kind of quality? Copyright 2004 Judi Griggs Read/Post Comments (3) Previous Entry :: Next Entry Back to Top