Ole Man River

I may have flown over it several times before in my life, but yesterday I actually SAW the Mighty Mississippi River. It was brown and wide but over too soon as we cruised over the bridge in our white Chamber Van, which my friend Steven has dubbed: Vanna White. He's been on alot of chamber tours and confided in me that whenever tha van is white she ends up being Vanna White. If it ain't broke...

I don't wish to jinx myself or tempt fate by saying that my job seems to be getting easier. Of course the JOB isn't any easier, but my body and spirit are submitting to it with less resistance, which makes it appear that finally things are falling into place. It is still a time crunch trying to do the job of 3 people and do them all well, but at some point you just have to resign yourself, smile (at the specific request of my father), and get it done. If truth be told, I find it very difficult to smile on some days, or in some perticularly trying moments, but then I get to see the Mississippi River (if only fleetingly), I get to meet alot of very friendly and interesting people, and I get to see the magic of what our show does for those children.
Even if the show hasn't gone particularly splendidly, even if energy and morale is running perilously low and all sorts of problems littered our way, when I see the kids and hear them getting into it, whispering between scenes and laughing or gasping or "eeeeeewwww"ing at something we've done, then the corners of my mouth lift without effort. I can't tell you how many teachers and chaperones have told us what an impression we've made, how these children don't get to see live theatre much and what a great thing we've done coming out there and doing the show for them. Sometimes that's the only thing keeping my heart in the game. And I am grateful to be able to have a position in the house for every show, because without that things may be difficult to keep in perspective.

Last night I saw the biggest bug I have ever seen in my life. It was bigger than the dreaded and evil cockroach that plagued me on one of my last days at The Stratford Arms, and no less horrendous. I'm suprised the whole building didn't hear me shriek. I quickly called the hotel desk and asked someone to come "deal" with it. When the gentleman came in I handed him a cup. He just sort of tried not to chuckle at me and declined the cup.

He squished it.

I never in a million years could imagine stepping on something so large- it would be tantamount to stepping on a canary (almost) or a chipmunk (nearly). I asked if it was a Palmetto bug- I'd seen one flying about in one of the carolinas, and they looked like nothing more than a larger, flying variety of cockroach. {this one hadn't flown, but I wouldn't put anything past the beast.} He told me it was called a "Water Bug". I was skeptical, telling him that that thing didn't look like any type of water bug i'd ever seen. He then admitted that the 'water bug' is a close cousin to the cockroach.

IN happier news, a couple of days ago in Alabama, I tried a popular local dish. I hope you'll be as proud and shocked as I was of myself! I sampled Fried Alligator Tail. Yes folks. Alligator tail. It isn't something I'd make a habit of whether or not I liked it, because I don't think alligators are a creature we should be exploiting- be it for belts, boots, purses or even appetizers. I couldn't, didn't have the heart (or the nerve) to order it myself, but did try a piece offered to me by a local. He maintains that it is highly nutritious and very good for you.

I'll admit that is actually was pretty tasty- at least a lot tastier than I'd imagined. It was battered and fried and served with a zingy pinkish sauce, and though it was (as you can imagine) very tough and chewy, the texture didn't put me off at all. I can't decide whether it reminded me more of chicken or of steak, or of pork. But it did not taste in the least like fish or squid or scallops as I had expected. Now I can say I've had Alligator Tail.
I'm still hoping to sample squirrel one day- but I'm not sure where I'd have to go to find that on the menu!
(By the way, my meal- which was baked chicked with a rosmary crusted sauce, was absolutely dilectable and probably the most satisfying meal I've had while on tour- so it was a very good afternoon all in all!)

Missing you all very much- missing my mother's spaghetti sauce and my father's whistling! Love from Louisiana and Bayou Country,

BETH