Saturday night at the Lafayette ballroom,
The floor spread with sawdust and ready;
Beer is flowing and tables are full,
The din of the crowd quieting down
In anticipation of the music to come.
It's one night to forget bill collectors,
The tractor that needs new parts,
For a time the feverish, coughing child.

People are here to listen and dance
To music coming from my father's violin.
He adjusts his shoulder stiff from work,
Takes a final drag from his cigarette.
He pulls the resin across the bow
And nestles the violin under his chin.
Slowly, softly, the strains of the
“Tennessee Waltz” waft across the floor.

Connie Russell was born and raised in the Chippewa Valley, working in the Eau Claire Area School District for 25 years. She has published her memoir, Happily Ever After, as well as articles in Volume One and Chippewa Valley Family. To learn more, reach her at ctruss@charter.net.