David Sedaris

We were sitting in the back yard on lawn chairs. It was early Spring and our bodies were hungry for the sun, having spent so much of the winter indoors. I had a stack of books and was reading, while Jane was content to close her eyes and soak up the sun. I had heard of a new book called Naked; a series of essays, many of them purported to be funny, and had picked it up at the library. I was reading and laughing till Jane asked what was so funny. I began reading aloud and soon Jane was doubled over in laughter. The author was David Sedaris and we were in love.

"The dinner hour became either unbearable, or excruciating, depending on my mood. 'Methinks, kind sir, most gentle lady, fellow siblings all, that this barnyard fowl be most tasty and succulent having simmered in its own sweet juices for such a time as it might take the sun to pass, rosy and full fingered across the plum colored sky for the course of a twilight hour. Tis' crisp, yet juicy this plump bird. Satisfied in the company of such finely roasted neighbors. Hear me out fine relations, and heed my words. For me thinks it adverterous and fanciful too, to saddle mine fork with both fowl and carrot at the exact same time, the twin juices blending together in a delicate harmony which doth cajole and enliven the tongue in a spirit of unbridled merriment. What say ye, fine father, sisters, and infant brother too? That we raise our flagons high in celebration of this hearty feast. Prepared lovingly and with tender grace by this dutiful woman we have the good fortune to address as our wife, wench or mother. '"
- David Sedaris, "The Drama Bug"


Tonight we are seeing David Sedaris live for the second time in less than a year. The first time was in NYC at Town Hall. It was springtime in New York and it was glorious. It was unseasonably warm and the entire city came out.

It's now fall; a perfect fall day in fact. It's been raining for the last several days, but today it's cool, still and sunny. The leaves are only just starting to turn, but autumn is definitely here. Pumkins and corn stalks. Mums and hay bales.

Bernadette is coming with us, and Jessica is watching the girls. We're leaving in a couple of hours, so we can enjoy the day in the city. We have dinner reservations at 5:45pm at El Vez, hotel arrangements at the Loews Philadelphia, and theatre tickets at the Kimmel Center.

But, as excited as we are, there is a part of me that wishes we were sitting in our own backyard, reading David Sedaris, with a fire burning in the chiminea.