Humoring Grandma

Friday was the Homecoming Game.  The Blue and White won, the game was over about 9:30.  I parked in the agreed upon pick up area, under a light so Laura could read her book.  The game may end, but the band keeps working.  The band plays both teams off the field, then marches off themselves.  Through the windows we could see them marching through the lit up gymnasium, drummers still drumming.  It was close to eleven before my little flutist came out, band uniform in the garment bag over her shoulder, hat box in the other hand, her little sister asleep in the back seat. 

Band duty is back to Tom this week; Laura can sleep in his truck after the game she has rooted to a conclusion with Uncle Tom and while they wait for Emily to appear with her garment bag and hat box.  I had Laura demonstrate her whistle technique.  We should have taken the demonstration outdoors.  I dare any team not to make a touchdown with that little girl yelling and whistling them on.

If Friday was the Homecoming Game, for sure Saturday would be the Homecoming Dance.  Emily and Aunt Janice found a pretty little dress for the dance and dancing shoes.  But Jan was at Quilting with Machines last week and Gramma’s expertise does not extend to cool dance hair.

Who to the rescue but Aunt Beth.  Beth and Bill came down on Saturday to facilitate a little cousin time and to rescue us from a week of restaurants.  Uncle Bill took Francis, Caroline and Laura off for some rock wall climbing; Beth stayed to visit with her old Mutz and participate in dressing up a little girl for a dance. 

What about the hair?  We went looking for some greenery, which is mighty sparse at the rainy end of September.  Beth snipped off a pampas grass frond from in front of the house, but nothing else appeared until we found Queen Ann’s lace and some chicory behind the barn.  They joined the little bouquet and we trouped into the kitchen to see what Beth could do.  “Don’t you remember, Ma, I’m the queen of French braids. I braided Patty’s hair every morning before classes?”

From the fabric scrap drawer.

I have an eye on you!

Greenery from the yard.

One for the money, two for the show, three to get ready, please can we go?

First, the hair!

Three young women off to dance until the coach and four returns at ten.