Damenfest, Pojaque-style

The damens learned many important lessons in New Mexico, not the least of which is that we really do need to keep the sisterhood under wraps. Because unworthies were pretty much banging our door down to become members. Word carries fast amongst journalists. Go figure, huh?

Needless to say, no new members were initiated on this trip, but there WERE slot machines, wine, a chocolate BAR, and late-night bathrobe gatherings that included the typical damen laughing-so-hard-you-have-to-pucker episodes.

New stink-eye labels:

Sisterhood of the Traveling Damens

I’ll be in Door County, WI all this week, reuniting with one of my favorite Damens, Elaine Warner.

Elaine and I traveled through Arkansas together in May, where we initiated two new members to the Sisterhood: Margot & Lorrie. This celebration got a little out of hand, and we ended up closing down the restaurant at Mt. Magazine State Park Lodge. We retired to Elaine’s room where we decided to terrorize a male journalist we knew to be inhabiting the next room.

We’d knock on his door and run back into our room. Then we’d call him and hang up. Then we’d knock again. All the while giggling so hard I thought I was going to wet myself. Then there was a knock on Elaine’s door and we all ran to our respective hiding places (me under the bed, Lorrie in-between the television and wardrobe). I have not acted that way since fourth grade. Well, not acted that way when I’ve been stone cold sober since fourth grade.

The evening ended with our most embarrassing stories, and while Elaine takes the prize for Most Embarrassing Tale, I definitely come in second, followed by Margot, then Lorrie. (Attention Damens! Besides the Top 5 TubWorthies and Movies, we’ve decided that Most Embarrassing Story is another initiation rite!) We took photos for Elaine’s husband Jack, who was celebrating his birthday the following day, giving our best “come hither” and “stink-eye” expressions.

There I was with this group of women, ranging in age from mid-60’s to late-20s, mothers, grandmothers, pet owners, and we were bouncing on beds like children. It made me so thankful to have my job, to have crossed paths with so many amazing people that I would never have known otherwise.