All the lights are off in the house, save the glow of the computer.  It is quiet, the frig hums, this machine whirs.....a soft musical duet......I listen to the choir.  It's right outside my doorway, even closed I hear the sweet harmony of crickets......softly singing.  Annie chimes in .......Maoio........her one word solo......she sounds European, not American and nothing like a cat commercial meow.  Off the kitties run...........to chase and play.
Little Rio startled today and scratched my leg.  He jumped, I jumped......it hurt.  Those little hind claws are pretty sharp on tender skin.  He must have been dreaming........
I feel the coming of winter...........sounds like I'm rushing.  I've been shivering, welcoming the oversized white throw with the long fluffy fringe today.  It is made of chenille.......feel like I am shivering in the 1950's.......maybe even earlier in time.  I have an affinity for a time before me.  How can I become a time traveler?
Where would I be when I come to?  Would I wake at a home in the midst of a cocktail party?  The decor mid century modern >>>>that's what we call it now anyway........would I be wearing a shirtwaist dress or a classic sheath ?  In high heels and mixing a pitcher of martinis?  Would I be thinking now is a good time for a cigarette? 
Would I be listening to jazz?  To ?????  Roger Miller?  The Everly Brothers?  Etta James........do I have a lovely hi fi set.......a long low console made of mahogany?  I can almost smell the vinyl records and the album covers.  Remember that sound as the arm lifts, rises up, soft little clicks....... it drifts over and the needle makes contact with the groove in the record.  A brief repetition of the sound you hear before the music begins to play.
Tinkling glasses, ice melting.........I confess I don't like martinis.  I tried one on my 21st birthday.  I was trying to be glamorous.  A beautiful chic little black dress, sexy high heels........hair up in a french twist.  A light tan, blue eyed and silly over my date, the idea of being an adult 21 year old female was heady stuff......living in southern Cal.........in love with the surroundings, my immortality and I think that night a bit over the top about my own dang self.  And yet nervous, so nervous. Trying to emulate sophistication..........so I ordered that martini ... up with a twist, I said.  It was a beautiful restaurant.  Soft candlelight..........a band playing in the distance.......my date was dressed up in a borrowed suit from his brother in law. His hair was a bit too long on his collar, but there was something about his fresh scrubbed open face.......when he picked me up he had a bit of tissue on his face from a tiny shaving nick.
The boy becoming a man was so endearing......mixed with all those little attempts to doll up for me, to create this evening of romance was tugging at my heart.  I took a sip of that sweet martini nectar.  Choked, sprayed it everywhere, table, my date.........my dress.......it was not some liquid honey from the gods.  Nay, nay......it was lighter fluid's kin.....rocket fuel, a cousin to gasoline.....heinous, horrific, not meant for drinking.  How did adults put these away by the pitcher full, always laughing.......a whole world of olives & lemon twists marinading in this horrible tasting dreck.  If it came out of my nose I have blocked that part, but I wouldn't put it past me....little small town Iowa girl utterly lacking in sophistication and yet........if I can forgive myself and retain a sense of humor........I was just young and trying to find my way. 
It was my first and my last martini. 
Next outing I tried a Singapore Sling.  That's a story for another time.  I was so naive, fresh faced......it was fun..........and foolish.  It is nice sitting here in the dark remembering a lifetime ago and it is nice coming to and being in the comfort of my little house in the woods.  It seems extra dark with just the light of the mac to see by............take care tonight, rest well........remember something lovely and savor it.........and if you're like me every now and again you'll pull a pair of crazily tall high heels out and wear them as you sit in the comfort of your recliner.........in your pj's and hey, go crazy spritz a little scent on your blankie..............remember something special........
live from my home to yours.......watch a foreign film once in a while.........i wish i could go see the untouchables......heard that it was awesome.  harvey weinstein was the director or the producer, it was filmed in France.......can we go?  heard that the story transforms peoples thinking........hmmmmm.  i would like to spend some time being transformed.  i say we go.......it's probably at some small arty theater downtown.  yeeeeesh, we'll need a limo........a handsome limo driver.......if we must we must. 
sometimes even a recluse needs a night out on the town......................sweet dreams all.