Brief and Great Escape . . .

Bill and I pulled off a major escape yesterday.

Even though, we had to return to the real world of fog, rain, mud and still more January, we felt revitalized, thanks to our experience. 

It was a loose-knit plan, discussed briefly the day before but without much preparation.  Still, it worked like clockwork, as this particular kind of escape must. 

In the morning, Bill headed off to town for a few hours of work.  I stayed home and did my usual chores.  

Before Bill left, I saw something that might change our reality just a bit. 

Big trucks, loaded with gravel, and smaller trucks and a grader came by the house, headed north. 

I rushed to the house to tell Bill that I was already feeling better:  the county crews had come out to work on our road! 

The rigs went by off and on throughout the morning, and every time they did, I waved a big thumbs up.  I don't think anyone ever saw me, but I made the effort. 

Later, while driving through the new layer of coating to my sisters' house, I soon had the feeling that, with warm temps and an already mushy surface, true road improvement is gonna take a lot more than one coat of gravel. 

Once again as it has done frequently over the past several months, my car started weaving on the soft surface. Gonna be a long winter of rough driving here in the neighborhood.

They're giving it their best shot, despite the circumstances, and we residents do appreciate their efforts.

Twas also a foggy drive to Colburn, which made thoughts of Bill and my afternoon plan all the more desirable.  

While at Colburn, I played with CB and visited my sisters. On Sunday, they had pulled out the jigsaw puzzle highlighted with colorful birds, and they had made considerable progress.  

I also stopped by Willie and Debbie's house to say hi to Laura aka Swiss Miss who was enjoying a quiet, laid-back day with the grandpuppies. 

Upon arriving home, I knew our escape plan was definitely gonna work because Bill had returned from town and was eating his lunch.  

We had precisely one hour to leave the house and the dogs and the horses and the water, slush and mud and soon go to a different time and place.  

We drove to town, parked, walked inside the movie theater, bought tickets, popcorn and bottled water.  

The Greatest Showman had just ended its first showing.  Two people walked out of the theater.  Staffers told us to wait while they went in to check the venue. 

A minute or so later, Bill and I were given permission to enter.  So, we did.  We found our seats, pretty much confident that no big, wide heads would sit in front of us, next to us or behind us.

We had also arrived early enough for me to add some steps to my Fitbit for the day.  I was in HEAVEN, there in the darkness, walking in circles or back and forth in front of that big screen.  

In the meantime, Bill checked out the surroundings.  Always important in a theater to know the exits in case someone yells fire.  Yesterday, we knew precisely who the culprit was gonna be---Bill, the Boy Scout, wouldn't do that, nor would I. 

We were safe.  We would sit alone in the darkness with the theater all to ourselves. 

While chalking up my Fitbit steps, I happily announced across to Bill why I was in such HEAVEN:  clean, flat surface for walking.  No mud holes.  No ice.  No ridges of frozen snow.  Also, no racing dogs.  

Suddenly, the screen lit up.  We took our seats and worked on some more popcorn as previews of upcoming animated features kept our attention.

Then, it happened. 

WE WERE NOT ALONE, after all.  Just in time for the main feature, a group of high school-age students walked in and came up our aisle.  Thankfully, they sat down several rows behind us so neither of our big wide heads would obstruct their view. 

Never heard a peep out of them through the entire movie. That was because I was mesmerized from start to finish, and they probably were also. 

I had seen other opinions on Facebook of The Greatest Showman, and every time, the writers mentioned the music.  One even said she had gone back to the show several times because of the music.

I can see why. 

Our afternoon escape took us to a semi-historical story about the Circus entrepreneur PT Barnum.  Twas based on a lot of fact, but I'm thinking Hollywood did its thing to dress up the story. 

Our afternoon escape matched and even surpassed our expectations of totally forgetting ugly January and continually ugly news. 

The movie offers phenomenal dancing and music, along with a nice, timely story, and, yes, I'm planning to purchase the sound track. 

I did include a portion of the music in a video below, but seeing the story that goes along with each song makes the movie a definite "must see."

Bill and I agreed that our plan for an escape had been a good one, definitely fodder for mind escapes as we endure all that comes the last two days of January. 

Actually, this morning there's no fog and no slop---yet---thanks to a light overnight freeze. 

Happy Tuesday.  If you need a light and fun escape, go see The Greatest Showman.  Check out the video below.  Hope you like the upbeat, catchy music as much as I did.