Today is wife Mary's birthday, and we have a full weekend of activities planned for her. It began last night with tickets, fourth row center, for the Garrison Keillor Rhubarb Tour. It was a great night of entertainment, a three hour show that included lots of singing and, of course, one of his famous, long, rambling monologues that had the large crowd of several thousand laughing out loud and often. Instead of the tightly scripted and timed two hour radio show format that we saw on the UND campus a couple of years ago, this one gave us a bit more with an extra hour. Keillor is a true genius. Blessed with terrific memory, his ability to talk and sing extemporaneously amazes me, and he surrounds himself with great talent. Susie Bogguss, one of our favorite country singers, came to Bismarck with him and Keillor's band can play any licks. He also features a sound effects man standing beside him who reacts with appropriate sound and gestures when Keillor tells wild, improbable stories, some of which are intended to stump the sound effects guy but which never do. Three hours passed by quickly.
Today started with my gift-giving of a new bracelet for her to wear. I think she likes it. This noon we will eat lunch with some of her family, and then this evening, per her choice, I'll take her to her favorite eatery, The Texas Roadhouse. Later we will attend an evening session of a bluegrass music festival in Bismarck and listen to some good music.
Tomorrow, Mary will attend a breakfast meeting of her rose club at the zoo, and in the evening we plan to drive a few miles south of Mandan to attend our state troubadour's concert at the Bohemian Hall. Chuck Suchy and his family have performed there each summer for the past several years. Suchy has attachment to the hall since he grew up and has lived in that rural neighborhood all his life. He wants to keep the memories of good times there alive and talks of social events he remembers attending as a boy. Whatever, he possesses unique talent as a guitarist, songwriter, and singer and puts on a good show under the stars.
If she has any energy left come Sunday, I plan to take her to a movie --- Tropic Thunder --- for even more entertainment. Happy Birthday, Mary !!!
