little non-drummer boy

Over the past month, demands of the j-o-b have transformed me into a snarling, high blood-pressured, eye-twitching insomniac. So yesterday Ray and I took a much needed break and went up to Calistoga, home of Old Faithful geyser and a stretch of hot spring spas. I love Calistoga’s mix of Main Street charm and wine connoisseur sophistication (even though I’m not a wine drinker). I especially appreciate that I can be in a smallish town and not feel like I’m threatened by a redneck presence. The good food, evening stroll, hot tub, and a captivating novel have put me in a much more peaceful mood (and my eye has stopped twitching).

Coincidentally, today was Calistoga’s Cinco de Mayo Parade and Festival, and many people in the area’s large Mexican/Latino community turned out for the celebration. I was especially moved to see, in a middle school marching band, a young boy among the otherwise all-girl flag carriers! He was marching, twirling, and gesturing with pointed-toe precision. I’m fascinated by how this otherwise regular-looking kid would end up in the flag corps like it was no big deal! We applauded with a mixture of great pride, support, and a little bit of envy, since he’s doing what I always wanted to do but had to disguise it as wanting to be the drum major. Good for you, little flag boy!