Thanksgiving Regret

(circa 1987)

In college 
I worked as a house painter,
as many others did in
the Nyack NY area with all
the beautiful Victorian homes.

Just before Thanksgiving,
the boss asked me if I wanted
to paint over the Thanksgiving 
weekend.

Let's see, I could work 
over the holiday
OR
I could be home,
sleeping, eating great grub,
and catching up with the 
local hometown friends 
in Allentown Pa?
Thanks, but
no thanks.

At the time, we were
painting the former
mansion of the Righteous Brothers
[Unchained Melody fame]
kicked out for tax evasion.
It was a mansion on the 
Rockland County side of
the majestic Hudson River.

The home was purchased by
a Mr. Bill Murray, of 
Saturday Night Live,
Ghost Busters, Stripes and
Caddy Shack movie fame.

I came back from vacation
full and refreshed when a 
member of the painting crew
called me and said

"You missed it Polter!
We not only got to hang 
with Bill Murray,  but
Steve Martin was at
the mansion over
the weekend.

I never got to meet Murray,
but I did paint in his mansion
and was able to meet his 
Golden Lab named 'Bark."

I was told Martin was a prick,
but Murray goofed around
with the workers.