DAY TWO: Jan.21, 2008

We’re starting out rather cushy. We’re staying at my brother Randy’s house in Wilmette (an up-scale suburb of Chicago.) He, his wife Julie, and their son, Ross are treating us royally. I am writing this by the fire in an oversized leather chair in a room big enough to be a museum atrium. Frank and I used their steam bath, and realized that may be the warmest we’ll be for the next two months!
Their son Ross, a junior in high school, is showing me the ways of the computer. He just laughed at how slowly I type. It’s true. My fingers fly over the piano keys, but typing is new to me.
I’m going to close out for now, because Ross just challenged me to a re-match in ping-pong.
Ping-Pong. The musician’s sport. Unlike doctors, lawyers, and upwardly mobile business people who join country clubs and play golf, musicians score some big deals around the ping-pong table. Ping- pong is cheap. All you need is a table, some old paddles and balls, and some wacky, willing people. I made probably the most important music alliance in my life (which in a way is what got me on this tour- a long story, to be saved for later) battling it out across the net. My brother Randy and I played a lot as kids, and I noticed that the same quick reflexes, wrist motions and aiming skills required to play the piano were used in ping-pong. It’s a passion for me, and Frank and I have had a weekly Ping –pong group for 15 years now. I’m the only female. And yes, if you play me, be afraid. Be very afraid!
Ross won. Two out of three. I’ve been rightly put in my place. He’s really, really good, though.
Frank just rolled up with our rental car for the tour. Wow! A beautiful black 2008 Saturn all-wheel drive macho vehicle, loaded! And the heating works!
Tomorrow we head up to Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. So much for this balmy southern Chicago climate. That’s all for today, more tomorrow.