Guess I'm a little starstruck these days. But you know, there's a lot of yucky mess on this planet - it's just nice to see famous people acting like good humans. Ran into Sydney Penny and her family last week eating at local hamburger joint. Here's how it went...
We pulled into the parking place and they pulled in right beside us - smiled at Hubby checking to see if he was between the lines. He was. This time. It's a thing with us. I recognized her right away but didn't say anything... they deserved a quiet belly-up-to-the-burger as much as any of us.
The restaurant wasn't busy, only a handful of tables occupied. We're kinda regulars there, have been for years, and well acquainted with the owners. Husband and wife team, she works lunches, he works supper to closing most days. She's a firecracker and he's a surfer/golfer dude. Or was. Failing health has pretty much forced him out of the water. And off the course. His favorite sport these days is playing guitar and when he sees us coming he pulls out one of the several he keeps behind the bar along with a ring binder fat with chord charts and a tiny amp. He fiddles around while we eat and then Hubby joins him for a few tunes - switching off on verses and harmony and handing the guitar back and forth. That night, he sang Constant Craving, by kd lang. He did a nice job of it and we chatted about how he liked to sing it even though it was a "girl song." He proceeded through the pages, stopping for some Phil Collins, Eagles and Electric Prunes (for real.. it's a band).
Sydney and her family finished eating and her husband (famous in his own right as an artist) went to the counter to pay. He told the restaurateur-troubadour that his brother-in-law - Sydney's brother - produced Constant Craving. He was mighty impressed. Sydney chimed in, saying it was lovely that he connected to the song. He asked if he did it justice. She said he did. Sweet smiles all around and they were on their way.
When they were gone, I asked if Hubby and our friend knew who she was - in addition to the producer's sister, of course. They did not. I explained that she was in the TV mini-series The Thorn Birds as a little girl and in Pale Rider with Clint Eastwood. She went on to star in several daytime soap operas and movies.
They were speechless. It had only lasted a minute or two but right there in that ordinary place was an extraordinary encounter. Strangers - some famous, some not so much, drawn together by hamburgers and a song (which, as it turns out is not so girly after all.) Oh, and kindness. So much kindness. Isn't that just the best? Selah.
Constant Craving
Even through the darkest phase Be it thick or thin Always someone marches brave Here beneath my skin
Constant craving Has always been
Maybe a great magnet pulls All souls towards truth Or maybe it is life itself That feeds wisdom To its youth
Constant craving Has always been
Craving Ah ha Constant craving Has always been
Constant craving Has always been Constant craving Has always been
Craving Ah ha Constant craving Has always been Has always been Has always been Has always been Has always been Has always been
Songwriters: K. D. Lang / Benjamin Mink Constant Craving lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Universal Music Publishing Group
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