I have always been an early riser. In my own family, I was the first one up, even including my busy-bee grandparents, Annie Bell and "Mack" Temple. When first light appeared, I jumped out of my bed refreshed and ready to see the world. I would wander around the house, or look out the windows, or sometimes get our my water colors and paper and paint or draw all by myself. I cherished that time on my own, as I was fortunate enough to live in a multi-generational home where there was always someone keeping an eye on us children.
Once, in Laredo, when I was about ten years old, I saw a startling animal which I've never forgotten. I was first up, and the sky was fully light. I saw the paper outside and thought I would run out to get it, as I often did (and still do.) We lived out on the edge of civilization on Piedra China Street (and that house, so big then, so small now) is still there. When I opened the door and started to push the screen open, there lay at my feet on the small space between big door and screen door, the strangest lizard I have ever seen. He was about ten inches long, and, instead of being sleek and sinuous like most lizards, he was fat and rough-looking. He looked, in fact, to my ten-year-old eyes, like a Mexican Beaded Lizard or a Gila Monster--except that he was green. Grass green. Lizard color. I was horrified, and stepped back inside and closed the door.
I never told anybody about seeing that lizard, or if I did, nobody believed me. I can hardly even believe myself, as I've never seen or heard of a green lizard that looked like that. I now guess that he was some kind of chameleon or anole--but that big? And what was he doing in hot, dry, brown Laredo? Ah well, just another of the things that happened to me in my life that I never told anybody about. Until now.
Last night I presented my presentation, none too smoothly, I'm afraid. My best points were weakened by my not eliding my thoughts ahead in a serene and secure style. Too bad. Sometimes you're on, and sometimes you're not. But I was in a good mood, and enjoyed a couple of glasses of wine. I wish people would quit putting out bowls of nuts; they do nothing for a speaker's throat. I know--I should just say NO.
The main presentation of "eats" was spectacular, caterer's food, with a delicious fresh raspberry tart, a chocolate mousse cake, bowls of cut fruit, lemon squares--something for everybody and it was all good. Next month, April 4th, we will be listening to Lee present Divisadero, by Michael Ondaatje. I voted for that because I love San Francisco, northern California, and the first pages of The English Patient. And I look forward to reading the book. I'm mad at Amazon.com, because they've somehow thrown me off of "Buy With One Click," which was so convenient. I should be thanking them, of course. I have saved a small fortune in the last month or so, not buying those one-cent books...But anyway I will go to eBay, because I can pay easily there with Paypal. And there shall I look first. YAZZYBEL
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