Life at my second home in Emmitsburg – ah, what a lark.  Even when I am working here it never seems like working.  It’s a double blessing when as part of my work I get to spend time with the fabulous Barbara Johnson. I am in wabi sabi heaven here. 

I love this place because there are always new friends to make and new things to learn about what is going on in different areas of the field.  My first night here I reconnected with a group of firefighters that I met last year on the campus and we talked about what they have been up to in the past year or so (and the news from here is that they’ve been up to no good and having plenty of fun doing it).  I also met a FEMA engineer based in Philly (which just further cemented my love of all things Philly) – the fellow’s name is Bob which has special meaning to those of you who recall the Philly Kim story about B.O.B. – oh yes…I was sure it was a smile and a wink from God. 😉

Wednesday’s are my favorite day of the week in Emmitsburg as it is the day of blintzes for breakfast and karaoke at night.  I have an abnormal obsession with both of these items.   Folks always ask me if I sing (I guess most folks who love karaoke like to sing karaoke).  I am not a live and in-person singer – I have no skills.  Well, no skills may be too harsh a statement.  I can make dogs howl and babies cry – but that isn’t really all that sought after. 

I just go to karaoke to have fun and support the singers who brave the stage and sing their hearts out.  I feel it is the least I can do given their commitment to give it a shot.  Karaoke night always produces lots of dancing, carousing, laughing, hooting and hollering and I know I will enjoy it.  I have so many fond memories of karaoke – from songs like Sweet Caroline to Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy to Summer Nights…and then there are the dance moves – moves that I am pretty sure are borderline illegal in some states.

Unfortunately, I am leaving very early in the AM tomorrow in my little clown car (in the dark so that no one can see me in the bright yellow beast).  I won’t be able to shut down karaoke like so many other nights – I will have to leave before the final song of the night – at a semi-respectable hour like 10 PM or so.  Alas, some karaoke in Emmitsburg is better than no karaoke and a wabi sabi girl like me understands that and appreciates the moments that she does get. 

So the news from Emmitsburg, MD today – Life is good! 

Have a fabulous wabi sabi Wednesday!

Day five hundred and ninety of the new forty – obla di obla da

Ms. C