You’d think the spleeny economy would be bad for business, but the humor biz seems to be going good. The worst things get, the more we need to laugh. My spring calendar is filling fast. (An optimist, I consider February “almost spring.”) Just got invited to be auctioneer/storyteller at a Plymouth Friends of the Arts fundraiser on Saturday, March 7, It’s at the Common Man Restaurant. Evidently there will be cocktails, dinner, smoozing, and an arts auction – run by my own self. Ha! Going to sneak a few stories in between the sale of masterpieces. Come by; bring your pocketbook; take home some art.
The theme for the night is “Believe in Magic, Believe in Art.” Mark Dionne, who’s coordinating, asked did I have any stories about magic . Which got me thinking: What is Yankee magic? So far this is what I’ve come up with: 20 below this morning and the Ford started right up.
(Note: NH pronunciation, Ford has two syllables, Fo-ahd. I know this because one of my best friends growing up was Patty Ford, and that’s how she pronounced her name. I remember the whole family: Patty Fo-ahd, Jackie Fo-ahd, Judy Fo-ahd and little brother Stephen Fo-ahd. Mother Betty. Father Merle. They lived in a small house at the bottom of Corn Hill Road with a sand pile out front, great for playing in.)
Here’s another: Electric went out but it turned back on before the pipes froze.
Or: The beagle run off. Then he come back.
Unfortunately, not much magic around this house lately. My sad little red Saturn, Bridget, decided she doesn’t like cold weather. Some days she starts. Some days she does not start. Took her to Harold, our beloved and trusted mechanic. He did all kinds of diagnostics, even called the Saturn dealer for advice (they were not helpful), but because the problem is “intermittent,” the solution seems to be jump-start. Harold says you can buy a jump starter battery for around $40 that plugs in to your cigarette lighter. As you drive the battery charges up. Then, if you get up in the morning, and Bridget’s dead again, just jump the regular battery from the spare and you’re good to go.
Simple enough.
Valentine’s Day is coming up. I’ve dropped a hint or two to John Rule. There may be a battery wrapped in red tissue paper with a big bow in my future. That’s the kind of magic I’m talking about.
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