February 25, 2007

Soup and dancing

We gathered early evening, every woman bringing food – three kinds of hot soup, a big salad, breads and veggie dishes and all kinds of snacks. The ten of us have been friends for years, and we know each other's dietary needs. "Don't worry – this is vegan," Makes Bread said to me as she set her crockpot on the counter. "I brought feta made from soy," Gorgeous Eyes announced. By the time everyone had arrived, the floor near the door was piled with duffle bags and sleeping bags, and the table was crowded with food and piles of CDs.

A pajama party is one of the best ways to combat the February blues.

For the first couple of hours, we milled about in the kitchen, all eating and talking, catching up on news, most of us jazzed from the stress of the week. The meals that I share with this group of friends are always amazing: Makes Bread is a dietician, Gorgeous Eyes owns a health food store, and Quilt Artist cooks intuitively, turning something simple like squash soup into a work of art. When we could eat no more, we gathered by the fire, relaxed, ready to sink into deeper conversations. Of course, not all the conversations were deep and meaningful: some were silly. This group of friends are able to go from serious to hilariously funny in about ten seconds flat. We discussed everything from the Stockholm Syndrome to pug bowling to the Saturday Night Live clip "A Dick in a Box."

Gradually, the high energy chatting gave way to a quiet contentment. Signing Woman gave Dark-haired Woman a massage. The fire had heated up the room enough for everyone to begin stripping off their heavy sweaters, snuggling into the comfy couch. When we saw signs that a few of our friends were getting sleepy, Long Beautiful Hair and I took matters into our own hands, took control of the boombox, and pushed back the furniture. It was time for dance music.

In the dim room, with candles burning on the window sills and flames from the fireplace reflecting from the window panes, we twirled and shimmied and bounced to the music. We teased Dark-haired Woman for knowing the words to one of the corniest songs; we cranked up songs that many of us haven't heard in a few decades. How good it felt to move to music, releasing all kinds of tension stored in our bodies. We agreed later, as we talked by the fire, that dance deprivation is a problem in our culture.

After midnight, we settled back onto the pillows and cushions, and the conversation grew more intimate. "I've been waiting all week to tell you this story," Long Beautiful Hair said, shaking her hair out of her eyes and we all leaned forward eagerly. We were all tired by then, but we stayed up late anyhow, luxuriating in the each other's company, eager to confide in each other. By the time we finally went to bed, the beeswax candles had burned down to the bottom of the glass containers. Stars shone above the snowbanks outside as I drifted off to sleep.

14 comments:

Pilgrim/Heretic said...

I just love your pajama party stories... they're so rich in all the things that so easily get short shrift in modern life, the food, dancing, the intimacy.

Lydia said...

That sounds wonderful.

landismom said...

I'm so jealous, I wish that my close girlfriends lived close enough for that!

SusieJ said...

What a rich wonderful life. Thank you for your beautiful writing, and for sharing.

OneTiredEma said...

I would never attempt to get through the winter without a large arsenal of soups!

And I could use a little more dancing, certainly.

Thanks for sharing this slice of your life. :-)

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing your evening with us. I could almost see evening unfold. :)

P.S. Jo(e), visit my blog again- not telling why. ;-)

ccw said...

That sounds like heaven!

Mona Buonanotte said...

I wish I could be you. For one pajama party.

Anonymous said...

Wow, what an awesome evening. I wish I could have an evening with women and talk and fire. Sigh.

Yankee, Transferred said...

Sounds terrific

susan said...

I love the joy and the belongingness of these stories.

wwwmama said...

you make me miss my best friend. and i agree about dance deprivation. i am suffering from that now.

Silver Creek Mom said...

I have Friends like that. Although I havn't known them as long as you and your group I feel like I do. We get together once a year, one weekend somewhere. It is AWESOME! Some fly in from so far away. It's always worth it. I come back rejunvenated.

Anonymous said...

Oh that sounds lovely - thanks for sharing it with us.

I agree about the dance deprivation. We should take to the streets in protest, twirling and shimmying all the way.