There's Something About Mari!

Tony and I had so much fun yesterday—compliments of our dear friend Mari, of the famous NoMads! Three weeks ago Mari sent me an e-mail to tell me that she had just bought tickets, as a Christmas gift for Tony and me, at the ROCKBOX Theater in Fredericksburg, for Sunday afternoon, December 12th and she and some of her friends would be joining us.

Even though I had never heard about the ROCKBOX, because everybody knows that "Tone and I don't get out much," I was excited and accepted her invite.

I received another e-mail from Mari after she read my blog, that I posted a week ago this past Sunday, about going to the Drumming Circle with Eileen and having to explain to the the nice instructor why T. hadn't come—"Well, let's just say that he's a country boy from Medina and he only listens to country music." And this concerned Mari.

Mari wrote that I might consider buying Tony some earplugs, because our seats that she had bought for us were "Front Row Center!"And then she warned me that all kinds of music is played during the performance including:  Motown, Rock, Bluegrass and Country. Then she joked about the music maybe being too loud for T., but she guaranteed me that it would not bother us since we are both hard of hearing. So, I quickly shot back an e-mail to her, to tell her not to worry and promised her that we would love the concert.

Sunday morning after Tony came back from the Old Timer he surprised me and said, "Nance, why don't we ask Frank to babysit the ranch for us while we are gone?" I started laughing.

"Tony, I can't believe it. I was just thinking the same thing, too."

After we showed Frank how to use the remotes, so he could watch some movies, we left the ranch at two minutes past noon. As we crossed the Echo Hill Ranch cattle guard, I programmed Garmina, the Garmin GPS, that I bought for Tony a couple of Christmas' ago, so I wouldn't get lost.

When we pulled out onto Highway 16 headed north, Garmina said, "You have forty-one miles to your destination. In forty-one miles turn right. Estimated arrival time one o'clock."

I leaned back in my seat and smiled, because I knew we were fixin' to have a lot of fun. "Oh, by the way, Tony, our seats are on the front row, center, so I brought along some earplugs for you, just in case the music is too loud." But, I intentionally left out the part about the rock 'n roll music and the Motown sound, which I could not wait to hear.

We were standing in the lobby at the ROCKBOX holding our tickets, at fifteen minutes past one. The show had been sold out and the place was packed with all kinds of interesting people and tourists. Then Kellye, another NoMad, walks up and greets us. "Yesterday, Mari drove down to Houston to get her mother and she just called to tell me that she is parking her car and her friend Gail will be here in just a few minutes." Then the lights in the lobby dimmed and then came back on. "Let's go find our seats?"

Three minutes later, Gail came up and introduced herself to us and as we visited with her, Mari and her sweet mom arrived one minute till show time! After quick howdys and hugs, we took our seats, the lights dimmed and the curtains opened.

OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It was so FANTASTIC and we were sitting within ten feet from these very talented performers! And, I had goose bumps most of the time, and Tony never once asked me for his earplugs! It was one of the coolest shows that I have ever been too! I've never seen anything like it and I will never be able to thank Mari enough for our great Christmas present, with the "Best Seats In The House!"

When this incredibly great, entertaining show came to an end—the cast received a much deserved standing ovation and I was totally blown away with emotion, because I was now in the Christmas spirit—thanks to our dear friend Mari Bailey.

Wait a second. Bailey? Wasn't Jimmy Stewart a Bailey brother, in the classic movie, "It's A Wonderful Life?" I love that movie so much, and I watch it every year to get me into the Christmas spirit, and I just Googled it and Stewart played the lovable character, George Bailey. Well, I don't know if that is just one of those coincidences, but I know for a fact, because of Mari Bailey—she is the Bailey, who this year has put us in the holiday spirit, along with Cheryl and Walt Ratfliff, and I thank her and them, even though I will still watch "It's A Wonderful Life" because I love Jimmy Stewart and that movie so much.

On our way back to the rescue ranch, Tony and I could not quit talking about the incredibly, great concert and how much fun we had had. We loved the performances by the singer and impersonator who did Bette Midler and sang her songs, the hilarious and way too cool ZZ Top music and dance routine, which had T. and me laughing and tapping our boots, the English Brothers' beautiful country music and comedy act and the Motown does Christmas carols—which was our favorite, especially the Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder and the Temptations. And when they finished it off with their version of Mitch Ryder's And The Detroit Wheels, "Devil With A Blue Dress On"—Christmas style, I wanted to stand up and dance, but I didn't because we were Front Row, Center. Thank you, Mari Bailey. We love you and please note that you have made our holiday season.

Y'all have a great evening!  And, if you are ever in the Texas Hill Country, go see the number one entertainment attraction at the ROCKBOX Theater. I promise that you will love it. I'll tell you about today, tomorrow.