Getting Out of the Ol' Comfort Zone

One of my hobbies, if you can call it that, is being active with my local community theatre, Little Theatre of Manchester (CT). My work runs the gamut from ushering and box office, to directing, to performing.  Right now I'm in a 10-women, ensemble production of The Vagina Monologues. 

This came about a little by accident.  I had never had any interest in the play, but decided to audition anyway, because there aren't a lot of parts for women of a certain age, so there aren't that many shows I could try for. Still, LTM is swarming with talented women, so I didn't have any real expectation of getting cast. No one was more surprised than me when I was offered a part.

Suffice to say, I had to shake off a LOT of puritanical programming and get way out of my comfort zone to embrace this production. Happily, I can report -- mission accomplished. The audiences so far seem to agree as evidenced by this kitchy critique by Connecticut Broadway World.

A Good Night's Sleep -- It Ain't

Just survived another common medical procedure for the middle-aged -- a Sleep Study.  With all the bells and whistles they hook you to, it's a bit of a wonder you get any sleep at all, let alone enough to test for anything.

This is not me, but it is a good representation of the wiring involved in my study.  By the time you are all hooked up, you feel more like a macrame project than a medical subject. But if it leads to better sleep, better health, and weight loss, I guess it will be worth it.  Fingers crossed!

One other tid bit.  It is apparently a common idea after one of these to "go out to breakfast" on the way home. Don't plan on it. Not only are you completely exhausted when it's over, you are left to deal with big globs of glue stuck in your hair, on your face, etc. All you'll really want to do is take a shower and a nap!

Beloved Aunt and Family Matriarch

The family bid farewell to another beloved elder in February. Five months after my father's passing, Aunt Mae left to join her best friend, Uncle Gene, who died in September of 2010. I worried about my mom, losing her husband and sister in such a short time. But mom is nothing if not pragmatic, and seems to be coping pretty well.

Still Aunt Mae's passing is deeply felt. She was the core of the family and her passing is a game changer. Holidays always centered on her and her little Massachusetts house. It remains to be seen whether the house will stay in the family. I hope it does. But even so, the true heart of that home is gone and now we must all make new futures for ourselves and the family.