It was a rainy night.....

About a month ago, I decided to go to a party.  It was a cold and rainy evening in our usually sunny San Diego and so getting dressed up to go out was not what I wanted to do.

However, this event was being put together by the organizers of the 101 Artists Colony as a thank you to all of the artists who participated in painting banners.  These banners hang on Highway 101 and are a wonderful opportunity for the artists and the communities along the beach.  Art is displayed along The Coast Highway and it's great fun for all.  I wanted to go.  I wanted to see the other artists.

It was being held at the Encinitas Elks Club.  Rather surreal for me as I come from the land of Elks Clubs.  Most of my cousins and friends have had wedding  receptions in such places.  I hadn't been in one for almost 20 years.  As I walked through the door, shaking the rain drops off of my white Michael Cors rain coat, the memories of alcohol soaked carpet and smoke infused wainscoting came back with a rush of humor, joy and laughter.

The bartender looked up from the drink he was pouring and the three flies at the bar turned to see.  I smiled and walked up to the bar.  "And what will the pretty red-head have this evening?" the bartender querried as he finished the pour and set two drinks up in front of the couple to my right.

"Tangueray Tonic, please."  I smiled big, " And can you make it a double?"   Ooops!  I forgot this was an Elks Club.  Double means a glass filled with liquor and splash of something sweet to take the edge off.

"Five bucks."  'Wow!' I thought, 'that's a price from the past!'  I paid up, with gratitude and laid 7 bucks on the bar, turned and walked into the band area where I found a little lady with white hair, bopping around near a table, drink in hand, sipping through her straw.  She was sweet.  We made eye contact, smiled and I continued to scan the group for friends.

'Hmmmm,' I thought, 'She looks familiar.'  The visual of this woman was rather amusing because there was an elk head hanging off the wall, right over her head.    I was conversing with my peeps, all along playing eye tag with this cute little lady.  Perhaps she was the mother of one of my friends or clients. I knew her face, just couldn't place her.  I took a sip of my double T&T, winced and set it on the table with a note to leave it there.  More than I can handle, I thought as I looked up and captured a wink and a bobity-bop, from the little white haired lady.  I did a little dance move and we both laughed.  She sat down and I made a mental note to walk over at intermission and find out just who she was.

the night progressed, becoming even more surreal.  I was the recipient of the coolest guitar.  A cigar box guitar.  Designed and created by an artist and friend of mine, named Smoke Box Bob, aka Bob Hord (smokeboxbob.com).  It's the coolest thing.  But Wait!  It gets better!  A couple of guys in the band asked to play my new guitar.  One of them was Jack Tempchen from The Eagles.     He played the guitar (which is electric!  get out!) and then gave me the pick he used.  too cool!  Can it get any better than that?

YES!   Yes it can.  At intermission, my friend and colleague Danny said that Cloris Leachman was in the audience.  Cloris Leachman!  That's who the little lady was! OMG~ (yes I use OMG).  I tried to find her, but she had already left.  It was a surreal evening of great characters, wonderful experiences and great laughter for all!

And so, I have a guitar made by a wonderful artist, played by an incredible musician and I played eye tag with an actress.  To think it all started with a double T&T at the Elks Club on a cold and rainy night in Encinitas.