The Smiling Goat Literary Club In Review

Well, dear reader, the very first Smiling Goat Literary Club (the unofficial name) is in the books...literally. To say that it didn't quite go as I envisioned it is an understatement. Let me begin by saying it was a wonderful night. I had almost everyone I love in one place. My bestie, Tricia, ditched me. But all is forgiven because she has a puppy and gets some well-deserved Tricia time (aka alone time without her husband). There was an Irish-themed feast, good books, and great company.

I am looking forward to April's meeting and already have the menu planned, am working on the activities, and am excited to get together once a month with the people who make my heart happy. 

I knew it was going off the rails when my wonderfully curated collection of a few people turned into twelve. At first, no one wanted to join my book-themed group, and I felt like a loser. Then, I bullied most of my friends into saying they would come; bribes may have been given, and a few threats may have been made. I am not above using guilt, bribery, or the threat of physical harm to get my friends to hang out with me. Janet took the bribe. Jenna was threatened, and Tricia got the guilt trip. I even went so far as to make her walk around the Ligonier Saturday Winter Market with me so I could buy gifts for our Book Bingo Game. It was one hundred percent on purpose that I picked up everything she likes. I kept telling her she was going to regret not coming this month. I'm pretty sure she has regrets. 

The second hint that the night was not going to go as I had imagined was when my twenty-something friend Abby showed up with St. Patrick's Day-themed Jell-O shots and a cocktail called Leprechaun Piss. Abby was like, "Do a Jell-O shot with me!" I told her I haven't done a Jell-O shot in thirty years and wasn't about to now. Mind you, I chugged the half-bottle of Guinness left over from the beer cheese dip and vacuumed my house while buzzed. My little face and neck turned all red, I found myself talking to myself and answering, and not going to lie, vacuuming was way more enjoyable with a slight buzz.

I'm stepping out of my comfort zone with hosting. I mean, I like to set up a gathering, but the social thing is a little overwhelming for this now fifty-three-year-old farm hermit. Luckily, most of my friends are extroverted and can carry the social obligations for me. Everyone mingled, chatted, and introduced themselves while I put on the finishing touches to the meal. 

Janet and my friend Abby's friend, who joined us, Mariah, knew each other. Janet was one of Mariah's favorite professors. So that was a fun little interaction and connection to witness. It really is a small world. There were twenty-somethings, thirty-somethings, and over-fifty-somethings in the group. I have a perfect plan for a perfect friend group set-up. Jenna, Abby, and Erica are my favorites. I adore these young women, and it would make my little heart so happy if they became good friends. They all share very similar interests, complementary personalities, and I happen to think each is exceptional. So, I was thrilled when they all seemed to hit it off and form a connection. 

My dear friend Debbie broke out of her comfort zone and came. Deb and I have been friends since junior high. I appreciate her efforts to support me and my ideas. My friend Angela arrived, and I watched my big red canine bff hang out with her all night. Buster is the best judge of character I know. I am not surprised Angela and Buster hit it off. It speaks volumes about who you are when an animal that isn't always the best socially chooses you. My friend Marie arrived with her posse in tow. Marie and three of her four daughters joined me and supported my nerdy little gathering. Marie and the girls are family, and it is always an event when the Buggy women arrive. 

The gathering was loud, boisterous, hilarious, and filled with so much love and laughter. I mean, don't get me wrong, it was mostly off topic. There was a lot of talk about babies, lactating, boobies, and birthing. With that many women in a room under the age of thirty, the conversation is going to go where it goes. I give them all an A+ for at least attempting to stay on task with the book discussion, literary theme, and book sharing. It is such a wonderful group of women at all stages in life. I look at Marie's girls and my twenty-something friends and remember those days with Debbie and Marie. It doesn't feel like it was thirty years ago in some ways, and in others, I feel like a different person. It all comes full circle.

The literary discussion was insightful and enjoyable, and it created a portrait of each person's interests. There were some really cool and unusual books brought to the exchange. Erica brought her favorite cookbook because that is what she enjoys most. Everyone thought that was a really cool idea. Deb brought a design book by Erin Napier because that is where her interests lie. That is the book I chose and read before bed last night. Morgan discussed a faith-based book she is reading about near-death experiences. My dear friend Monica is Morgan's aunt, so this is a poignant choice for many of us as we grieve the loss of such an incredible woman.

Marie, Monica's twin sister, reminded me that Monday marked the one-month anniversary of Monica's going to heaven. My mind blocks out painful days. I simply choose not to remember the painful days and focus on the good ones. I celebrate birthdays, not the days of loss. However, our discussion about the book Morgan is reading gives me a different perspective on death. I know Monica would want us to celebrate the day she met Jesus and went to heaven. Her faith in the afterlife was so strong. I know she went without fear. That is just how my friend lived. I also know she would want that for us, too.

It suddenly all made sense, dear reader. Although our Monica is not with us physically, she was there in our souls and in spirit. Of course, there were Jell-O shots with rainbows, and a cocktail called Leprechaun Piss. Monica would have loved that. Of course, we were all together on this day. Erica and Brock, Monica's kids. Marie, her sister, her three nieces, and I were at my farm, which my friend loved almost as much as I. Of course, there was a gathering of celebration. In my mind, I kept repeating to myself that today is a day about joy. I believe, dear reader, that is my friend speaking to my heart. She is with us. 

So, overall, I would consider the Smiling Goat Literary Club a success. It was not the quiet, low-key, book-centric gathering I imagined. It was way better. It was love-centric, people-centric, and joy-centric. The books, dear reader, are just a bonus.  

On this chilly Wednesday, stay safe, be smart, may you be love-centric, joy-centric, and people-centric. Oh, and keep washing your hands. Friends carry stomach bugs and then tell you how it affects them after they've used your bathroom multiple times. (You know who you are, and I love you!) Wash your hands.