#45 / 2004 Tour 3: Las Cruces, NM

LAS CRUCES, NM

#45


Albuquerque we're here! Joe is back home after all this time. We had to scope out where to land in town so first we called up Joe's old friend Tom Powell. He's a sculptor, metal worker, an artist of the highest order. We called him on Thursday night and he says he is having a party on Friday, come on over. So this is a grand way to start out the visit we think.

Sometimes I don't know exactly what's wrong with me; I do the strangest things these days. And upon this day I did something out of order. Now many and I do mean many years ago I was a hairdresser. And there was even a time when friends not in the "beauty business" used to criticize me for wearing too much makeup. Well of course I hardly wear any makeup these days; it only makes me look older.

But anyway, long before I left Nashville, in a very weak moment, I went out and bought a pair of false eyelashes. I confessed to no one but my sister. She and I almost busted a gut laughing one day, the only day, when I decided to wear them. I batted my eyelashes and Debbie would just howl, no one got the joke but us. I got the idea from seeing all those makeover shows on television. It seemed to me I used to be able to use some mascara and get some kind of effect. But these days I can't even seem to find my eyelashes. So on they went.

And for some strange, hapless reason, I decided to pack the eyelashes when we left town. And there they have set, in their special little case, with their special little glue, and mascara. So knowing Tom was going to have this party, I thought those false eyelashes would be just the thing I needed to make me look and feel quasi attractive, like I used to be able to do.

The party was indeed sparkling. I don't know why it is, but every time I am someplace else besides Nashville, it seems like all the people are so much more fascinating. And this was such a night. About 20 local artists, librarians, writers, and one adding machine salesman showed up.

There was a couple newly arrived from Bern, Switzerland, rhythm and blues kind of people. There were a couple of newlyweds, still glowing. Then there was the horsey set, the artistic set, the guerilla artists, whose billboard defacing stunt I am forbidden to share. It was a grand old time we were all having around the fire pit. And it did get warm around that pit.

So, later, I am standing in the kitchen in the harsh light. At first I saw a spider crawling up my cheek when I realized to my horror that my false eyelashes had become dislodged. I started backing away from the table as conscientiously as if a cop with a bull horn was saying, "Step back from the table, drop your guns and step back from the table."

I retreated to the bathroom, retrieved my eyelash from my cheekbone, and thought dreadfully, how many people saw my eyelashes sitting on my cheekbone and just decided not to mention it. None I hope. My confidence level plummeted as I visualized what a silly sight I must have been to more than a few of these people.

Oh well, I pulled what was left of my eyelashes off and surreptitiously put them in my pocket and rejoined the party.