Sunday, December 14, 2014

Tom and Debra's Yearly Night Out

So last night we attended Tom's office Christmas party and fortunately it didn't require that we travel through a snowstorm down the wild, treacherous New York state thruway. You know, like last year.

No, this time the drive was serene, along the moonlit Niagara River even, to an old National Guard armory built in 1896. I used to drop off Naomi there to play youth basketball what seems like only a handful of years ago, but turns out to be 19. Oh dear, that Time character! He zips around too speedily for me.

Anyway, always I'd wanted to see inside that armory with its looming, dark-brick hugeness and its turrets and so my favorite part of the evening was the story we were given of its history.  After three wandering violinists finished, well, wandering, a young woman at the microphone told us early 1900's men used to practice their drills and maneuvers in that very room and suddenly I could see them! Even hear echoes of their marching boots from over a century away.

But crowds of people stood at the bar and talked loudly throughout the woman's whole presentation and I had to resist the urge to resent their rudeness. Sadly, some folks just don't get it and never will and slowly I'm learning to accept such truths. And move on to those who ask for my help.

A band performed while we ate dinner and we played the ol' Shouting To Be Heard Game with Tom's favorite co-worker and his sweet wife. A couple speeches were made, one by a man retiring after 33 years and I appreciated his thanking us spouses who stay behind when our loved ones travel. Really, that meant much.

Tom spoke with a ton of people, I shook many hands and nodded a lot, brushing up on my lip reading. When it became Tom-and-Debra-late, we visited some of the (blessedly quiet) rooms open to our group, ones like this:



And this:



Lots of photos were taken of us last night, but only one survived my picky deleting finger because it came out darkish and you can barely see us (just the way I like it):




But even so, I looked at it and thought, "Gah. We've certainly reaped what we have sown! Tomorrow we go on the Mediterranean Diet." 

And we are. Seriously. But never fear-- you won't hear the details here because I'm not a fan of blogs which talk about diets or clothes or hairstyles or other temporal things. No, I prefer deeper stuff which, I like to think, will always matter, even in Heaven.

Anyway, there you go--my annual report of our yearly night out. It was lovely, an appreciated change and yet, oh, how good to drive back home through the dark night over streets heavy with pleasant memories of fifteen years in that area. 

And how even more marvelous to pull into our own driveway and then return to the cats and warm, golden rooms of Hobbit Cottage.


*****






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Waiting for Rachel



8 comments:

Pam said...

Debra, you sound a lot like me...I really enjoy staying home, but when we do go out, it's fun. Then when we return, home is even more wonderful! What a lovely old building the armory is---full of history. BTW, I think you and Tom look great. You're very youthful. Enjoy your weekend!

lorie said...

You and Tom are cutie patooties and I like all the other pictures too.

Diana said...

HEY... you are quite attractive... and such a deep thinker. I love your blog. So refreshing, so like I feel most of the time.
I am so happy you included a photo.
I eagerly wait for your post every day.
Diana in Illinois

Bonnie said...

Debra, you look great in that picture! Your hair looks longer than I remember from the last picture. And I remember the story last year of the weather. And a whole year has passed! Thanks for the interior pictures of the Armory. History is good. My husband is having his office's party (employees only) around 3:00 Wednesday afternoon at a restaurant. I found a 3' Christmas tree and we're going to attach a variety of gift cards to the boughs for folks to pick from. Hope it goes well. Christmas will be here before you know it!

Thanks for sharing your outing with us.

*Reading Between the Lines* said...

Debra,
It was nice to see your picture & be able to have a face to put to your writing. :)
I too enjoy reading your blog & look forward to it.
So glad the weather was nice for your outing. :)
Take care.
NANCY from Montana

Morning's Minion said...

I read your posts in batches, but seldom find time to comment on anything I read lately, Nice to see you and Tom in a photo. Its difficult to be at a party when most of those attending are noisy or drinking--I know we need to go out some times, but home is very lovely.
BTW: I don't decorate either--cats can undo creative touches very quickly!

Debra said...

Thank-you, Everyone, for your too-kind comments about our photo and the nice words left about my blog. I appreciate each of you taking the time to comment here to let me know what you're thinking and to be so nice! :)

Blessings, Debra

Yellowhouse Grandma said...

Oh Debra, is that the Connecticut Street Armory?
When our sons lived in Buffalo They took us there. I took pictures of it and we walked all around and sat at the park across the street. I remember well that day. Our son used to live on Niagra Street near by. Amazing old building! Thanks for sharing the inside views! Lucky you! Merry Christmas! Linda in Michigan