We hold the keys...

Hot is not a strong enough word to describe this day. Eric had two gigs scheduled on the Causeway, both on outside decks. We made our way through the Blue Gill and out to the outside deck at 11:15am, his show was noon until 4pm…it was the hottest part of the day! Soon I was feeling much like a melting candle and wondering if I would melt down to nothingness before it was over.

Though he was even more in the heat, dressed in all black, a shirt and a vest; surely hotter than any of us, he kept a close watch on me. His concern the whole time was making sure I was not overheating. Several times he looked my way and mouthed the words, “are you okay?” 

The unique experience we had here was when Eric said, “Uh Oh!” He had our full attention when he explained he had dropped his keys and they fell through the stage deck. They rested on the main decking underneath the stage; precariously perched next to a good sized gap on that deck. The slightest touch could potentially cause them to drop on into the water below. Some suggested get a broom to sweep them to a place within reach but that would have increased the chance of them landing in the murky water below. Eric was able to get a wire hanger from the manager, Jan. After some maneuvering, steady hands and lots of patience, he successfully pulled his keys back up through the crack. The day was saved..….actually it was the keys that were saved, but happiness was restored to us all.

Blue Gill has been good to us over the years. It is a mainstay in the schedule of lots of local solo musicians and bands as well. 

At 4 we hopped in the car and headed the short distance to the second and final gig of the day at Ed’s Seafood Shed on the other side of the Causeway. Initially I was filled with dread at the idea of 4 more hours outside on a deck. Yet I held out hope for a breeze that is often present on Ed’s deck. Even in the summer I carry a jacket to Ed’s because it gets cool after the sun goes down over the bay.

There was a perfect breeze gently blowing for the entire show at Ed’s. The sunset views were beautiful as well that evening.

At restaurant gigs the crowds come and go with some staying for the entire show but not all. Some have children with them, or other compelling goings on in their lives that require they leave early. At one point the whole deck was full and many were on the upper deck nearby. A big percentage of the audience that night were friends and fans. We had a combination of family, friends, friends of friends and strangers all joining in on the fun as we enjoyed seafood, good music and fellowship together.

Soon the show came to an end and we were headed west. Our bellies were full, our souls were satisfied and it was now time to rest. 

We left Eric’s house at 11:00am that morning and now it was close to 11:00pm as we pulled out of Ed’s parking lot. Another FULL day of adventure which included good food, great music and great people. How could a person ask for more?

I offer these lyrics from an Eagles song, "We live our lives in chains, and we never even know we have the key".

We  hold the keys... to our own happiness.