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Sunday, November 27, 2005

How I Spent My Saturday Night

A co-worker of mine likes to comment on my penchant for Western shirts. Tonight I learned where that passion comes from: My family. My grandfather is a card-carrying member of the local Moose Lodge (as well as the American Legion). Every Wednesday and Saturday he and my grandma carefully pick out their clothes, make the proper phone calls to ensure the attendance of friends, and head to the lodge to kick up their boots with the other old folks. This evening I, along with several other family members, had the pleasure of joining them.

I can’t say that I blame my grandparents for their semi-weekly excursions, what with $4 pitchers of beer and $2 well drinks. (I learned the hard way, though, that only members can order drinks.) Plus, as my grandpa was quick to point out during the drive to the lodge, they served a Thanksgiving dinner FREE for any member who wanted to attend, and only $5 for non-members.

It’s been awhile since I’ve danced to anything except club music, but I’m proud to say that I kept up pretty well with my two-stepping grandmother. Back in the day my sister and I spent many a weekend country dancing with the grandparents, so tonight was sort of a return to our roots. Or something.

Right after we arrived, an old man with a buzz cut shoved an 8x10 photo in front of me. “This is my daughter’s buck,” he said proudly.

“Wow…” I replied. “That’s pretty big.”

Honestly I didn’t really even look.

“Do you hunt?” he asked.

“No, I live in the city so it’s kinda hard.”

“Are you married?”

“Um…. No.”

“Well, you’re huntin’ then!” he said with a slap on my back.

Toward the end of the evening I was about ready to step up with a mean polka to put a show-off old lady to shame, but then the big moose head on the wall distracted me and I had to take its photo. Damn thing kept blinking with the flash, though.

It’s too bad, though, that I could only make it to the lodge this weekend. Next weekend’s Handicap Xmas Party will just have to go on without me.

P.S. You may like to know that I inquired whether women are allowed to join the Moose Lodge and—good news—they are. Sort of. Women have their own separate-but-equal society, the official Moose man informed me with pride. I have an application if you want to sign up.

Posted by Aaron on November 27, 2005 12:16 AM