HOT FLASHES TO HOT STICKS

By Jeanne Moseley

Much to my mother's dismay, one summer I dated a drummer. It was after a couple of get-acquainted dates, one Sunday afternoon he set up drums in my mother's spotless living room and proceeded to entertain the neighborhood.

No Sunday dinners for Jimmy after that.

Ours was a brief little romance, but I thought him "very tough" being a free-spirited drummer and all. Plus, I learned a lot from him, such as how to keep one hand on the steering wheel and the other pounding out the beat on the dashboard.

That's why today's mail delivery was especially exciting. All the way from California, I received a set of Macrolus Hot Sticks (the Double FX Series of drumsticks) from my cousin, who dearly loves to play the drums and is in the music business.

I come from a family full of talented musicians and singers. It was commonplace for my cousins and I to gather around while either my Aunt Sara or grandmother pounded out old show tunes and hymns on the family piano.

My grandmother had the distinction of playing for almost every funeral within a 25-mile radius of St. Charles, Arkansas and my aunt was well-known for creating ruckus at many a church in Arkansas County.

"These drumsticks are uniquely and dramatically colorful," writes my cousin, which is actually somewhat of an understatement. Bright purple and shiny gold, they're unlike any drumsticks I can remember. But the best part is ... they're mine, all mine!

I can see I'm going to put my new gift to good use. For now, they're alongside my computer, where I've already begun to practice a few techniques.

First a tap or two on the mouse pad, with a well-timed strike to my appointment calendar, then a light tap on a pile of yesterday's mail and loose papers.

My cousin (who has written more than 130 articles for music publications) says, "Drums aren't as easy to play as it might seem." Obviously hasn't caught my act, just yet.

With these Hot Sticks in hand, I've taken on a whole new persona and actually feel pounds lighter! Just walking through the house holding my "Double FX" sticks has lowered my cholesterol and I can already feel my hormones giving way to my new-found freedom.

Hot flashes, move over. Hot Sticks have arrived, and this house just isn't big enough for the both of you!

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After years of being out of touch, my cousin Rick Long and I have become reacquainted through e-mail. It was after I wrote about our grandfather in the story "Mr. Chick" that I heard from Rick. In passing, I mentioned that I'd always wanted to play the drums and to be a back-up singer. Shortly thereafter, my drumsticks arrived in the mail. Life is good and continues to get better, or as Rick would say, "has more oomph!"

If you're interested in finding out more about Rick and his music, you can find him at www.glassthunder.com