Again I weaseled in on a tic-toc gathering of the Muskrat Shrine last night .. The second time in as many years I’ve gained unauthorized entry with a bogus press-pass furnished by one of their own..
Thanks Sonny . Though I missed seeing you and the bride at last night’s gala affair , I credit you with the counterfeit pass that enabled me to attend this secret meeting … Thus this factual account of happenings from within the fortress ..
Again the vast number of Shriners was astounding .. again the food was marvelous and the music was undeniably Texas .
I was privileged to meet many masonic acquaintances from years past, including a few wandering Okies , and stumbled headlong into a few unfamiliar readers of Montague County Moments..
Rick and I were seated with our backs to the wall , consuming ribs and hominy casserole ,when a guy from across the room approached as though he knew us … Turned out he knew Rick and introduced himself to me as a regular reader of the blog.
The music was loud and the floor was covered to capacity with dancers of varying talents .. The new acquaintance said his name was Mark Lawyer and he is a professional baker , or he said his name was Baker and he’s a professional lawyer ..I couldn’t hear.. Either way , he requested I not mention his name on the blog … I smiled and said of course I won’t !….
Apparently he ain’t been reading the blog very long !.. He never said if he was trifling on his wife , or AWOL from some distant baking assignment but his body language indicated he might actually be a lawyer named Baker rather than a baker named Lawyer.. either way , he was undeniably Yankee , but a friendly one..
I later witnessed a secluded couple out on the beer-garden , he was smoking a big stogie or a blackened section of shovel handle and sipping on Maker’s Mark .She was longingly gazing into his smoke-filled eyes … It was dark and cold as a mother-in-law’s kiss , but they had mysteriously chosen this time and place to renew their wedding vows.. this moment was unorthodox even by Montague County standards ,but unbelievably tender.. I joined them in smoking a toast to their happiness and quickly located the exit .
Big Chicken was tipping large , from what appeared to be a roll of green Charmin , defiantly produced from his front pants pocket . Danica was all smiles , well mostly , she was mostly smiles but not ALL .
I was witness to terms unfamiliar in all my years of professional journalism .. Rick was quick to point out the illustrious potentate and a seven-foot Oriental …there was Jaspers and Gestures and Convee drivers.. guess he didn’t realize I don’t speak Masonic. I just smiled and said, I knew that !
Baccus seemed to be having a good time drinking and dancing with light-footed wife , til a quarter til nine ! ….The I noticed him digging into his shirt pocket for a little blue pill .. I was thinking it was probably Advil , but Rick insisted it was a crutch to counteract terminal low-tea ..
There’s still some unanswered question … Like when will Beemer feel well enough to forward the pictures ..? why did Dan continuously cross the street to Pete’s complex and back again ? What’s the real reason for Goober’s return to Graham last night , and why did Rick say those seven guys from Oklahoma were all brothers ? They introduced themselves to me , each had different last names ! Strange bunch these Shriners, but they do savor a good time , good music , good food and other people’s booze !
Read Full Post »
montague county moments 