Reflections From a Country Girl

Do you remember the 2002 movie – Bar Hopping – that Steven Cohen directed and Tom Arnold and others starred in?  Are you a bar hopper?  I wouldn’t say I’m much of a one…at least I wouldn’t have said that until I retired.  

Since I left the full-time world of work I have myself surrounded from time to time with those who like to frequent bars.  Not sure what that says about me but, nevertheless, that’s where I find myself sometime.  

Recently I went on a trip for a few days on my own to help some friends decorate a new place they have built in Tennessee.  We unloaded things and I settled in decorating with things I collected from a number of different places.  All total I spent $31 on this effort, so you can imagine there was lots given to me as well as things that I had in the closet gathering dust. 

My task was to decorate three bedrooms like an 1800’s brothel, two baths and a shower area.  I spent the evening and pretty much all the next few days focused on that.  

The blacksmith came by to see how it was going and asked if I would like to get a beer or two at some of his favorite watering holes.  Since I knew little about the area, I took him up on his offer and we found ourselves going out that night with one of our 25 year old Mexican friends who came to visit.  

Envision this.  One older – and very distinguished white – man with a long white beard and overhauls, a young and very energetic Mexican man and a 56 year old white woman who was worn out before she started. We were in a small town – heading for a smaller one on the Kentucky/Tennessee border.

First one was quiet and not much happening.  The owner was a friendly guy and after talking and having a drink or two we moved on to another one.  The next one was really busy, lots of friends obviously gathering for some fun after work, folks playing pool, and Karaoke was going full blast.  

Now I am a sucker for Karaoke so it wasn’t long before I was singing “Red Neck Woman” – an appropriate song considering we were definitely in Tennessee country. 

There were some really nice folks there and I enjoyed hearing them tell stories and sharing a few of mine with them.  

Meanwhile, our young friend watches pool and eventually winds up being able to play against the “champion” of the evening.  Turns out our young friend is a very good pool player and doesn’t lose for some eight rounds…so, needless to say, we had a few beers watching while we talked to the locals.  

My bearded friend knew just about everyone in that bar…and if he didn’t…by the end of the many hours we were there, he had met them.  Meanwhile, I soaked up the conversation while carefully nursing my beer since I was the one driving.  

Also turns out that our young friend had a knack for making little boats out of one dollar bills.  He made me one and next thing we knew he was making them for all the guys in the bar.  

I still enjoy seeing the one I have on my desk and I remember fondly that night.  

By the end of the evening I had been to almost all of the local watering holes, watched many a pool game, and heard many a story.  I can’t say I would have ever done that – or even known where they all were – had my friend not taken me.  However, I now know much about the local flavor of the community he lives in…and I dare say the next time I go with him I will be greeted by my newfound friends whose life stories will continue to be enriched by those they meet there to share a bit of life with. 

My wish for you today is that you surround yourselves with others whether it be in a bar or somewhere else.  If you’re willing to listen as well as to share a bit of your life with them, you just may find you all the richer for it.  

~ Joellen

This entry was posted on Tuesday, June 17th, 2008 at 6:31:am and is filed under Family/Friends Gatherings, Friendship, Living Life to the Fullest. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.