Every now and then when life gets too stressful, my friends and I head for the mountains. Our day trips always include good food, window-shopping, a soak in the mineral hot springs, and, of course, gut-busting laughter.
A couple of weeks ago we made another jaunt to Banff, a day I cherished since I know I’ll miss my friends and our road trips after Hubby and I move to the coast. We managed to complete the hour-and-a-half drive acting like actual adults: Chatting and exclaiming over the scenery that remains spectacular no matter how often we visit.
But then (as it frequently seems to happen when I’m involved) we reverted to the mental age of thirteen. To protect the guilty, I’ll identify my companions only as J, L, and Swamp Butt. Yes, there’s a good reason for that nickname.
Here’s how it started: In the restaurant at lunch, Swamp Butt and I claimed the banquette seat with our backs to the wall while J and L chose chairs across from us. I had just settled in when a sudden movement made me glance over toward Swamp Butt… who was canted away from me at a steep angle, ass pointing in my direction while she muttered something about ‘the crack’.
Apparently the look on my face was priceless, because J and L burst into uproarious laughter. By the time Swamp Butt managed to explain that she was only scooting over on the bench because she’d been sitting on ‘the crack’ between the banquette cushions, we were all in tears of hilarity.
Which primed us nicely for what happened later.
After a lunch of rich food and beer followed later by a gigantic dinner and more beer, Swamp Butt was living up to her nickname. We managed to maintain a semblance of composure while she walked along crop dusting the streets of Banff, but just as we got into J’s vehicle for the drive home she cracked off another fart that clung like a vile cloak when she got into the vehicle.
Gasping, gagging, and giggling, we all powered down our windows and rode out the stink.
It was late, and we subsided into tired but happy silence on the drive home… until halfway back to Calgary when the quiet was broken by the sound of Swamp Butt’s window powering down.
In the next instant the rest of us simultaneously slammed our windows open, causing another paroxysm of laughter; especially when the sudden burst of highway-speed turbulence sucked an unsecured shopping bag up from the floor. I snagged it just before it soared out the window, generating a volley of badinage about what a ‘crack’ team we are.
Swamp Butt didn’t let any more slip and we all made it home unscathed, but it’s a testament to the power of aversive conditioning how quickly our reflexes developed.
And it’s a testament to the power of friendship that our day will become yet another funny shared memory that binds us together regardless of geographic distance.
These precious friendships will never slip through the cracks… despite anything else that may slip through ‘the crack’!
Author Diane Henders 
And what’s a fart or two between friends, Diane? The aroma may dissipate, but the friendship lasts far longer.
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That’s right! Despite the teasing (or maybe because of it), Swamp Butt is a dear and trusted friend and our adventures are always full of laughter. It’s great to have friends who accept you warts (or farts) and all! 🙂
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Diane, I read this yesterday and couldn’t even crack (intended) a smile. I am so sorry. It is not your fault. It is mine for believing America was a better place than it turned out to be. I will laugh again but just not for a while
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It seems a lot of people aren’t feeling very amused – the Canadian Immigration website went down because it was too swamped with traffic. I wish that was a joke…
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We’re like that with my sister and brother-in-law. They’ve been married four HOURS longer than we have, and my sis and I have been best friends all my life. It’s an all-day trip to get to where they live, so we can pretty much only get together on holidays with long weekends. Not nearly enough, in other words. But when we do, it’s all-day-and-half-the-night talking and laughter until we have to leave again. Never a dull moment.
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That kind of friendship is priceless! And you’re lucky enough to be related to them, too – bonus! 🙂
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Absolutely. Could not agree more. 👍
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It’s the sign of a true friendship that you can spend a while apart and when you do have a get together it’s a if you on!y saw then days or hours ago.
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That’s the best kind of friendship! I’m lucky to have it. 🙂
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Oh the restaurant must have loved your four! these friendships that can be picked up where left off no matter time or place are treasures in life. Well other than Swamp Butt. She might need a GI consult. 🙂
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LOL! Actually we behaved ourselves pretty well in the restaurant other than that initial burst of laughter. They didn’t kick us out, anyway…
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I have a friend like that and it’s been 50 years
Of laughing, crying, weekend shopping
Trips, kids and grandkids. Now we are finally
Moving closer to each and joke about
Getting older together (we are in our
70’s). So much joy.
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Friendships like that are incredibly precious! I keep hoping maybe my friends will follow us out to the coast. 🙂
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