The Best Laid Plans of Mice and Men
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (340230)
Rockingham, Australia
September 4, 2016 2:42am CST
We have had to revise our plans several times for the next few weeks. We volunteered to help at an endurance (horse) ride on the 10th September but, when it was cancelled because the arena had been double-booked, we decided to have an indoor house concert as we'd heard of an entertaining singer who sounded as though he'd suit our audience.
We'd no sooner organised the guy when the endurance ride found another place to run the ride from but of course we were now committed to the concert. Then – we began to get apology after apology from all our regular attendees. Most are pensioners and/or retired and many had gone up north chasing the sun and some warmer weather. Just yesterday we decided to cancel the concert because bookings were so low.
So now we're back on board to help at the endurance ride. I'm really pleased that people bothered to apologise for not being able to come to the concert or we might have thought we had BO. Attendance figures have never been a problem before.
The photo is of a camellia flower I photographed yesterday.
20 people like this
21 responses
@crazyhorseladycx (39509)
• United States
5 Sep 16
beautiful camellias! i've a rosebush nearly the same color 'n hope that such comes back out next year. the grasshoppers 've severely damaged 't :(
i'm glad those folks bothered to let'cha know they'd not be able to attend yer concert, hon. 'round these parts they'd jest not show'p with nary a word. hope that endurance ride goes well :)
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39509)
• United States
6 Sep 16
@JudyEv yes ma'am, 3rd year'n a row...pesky creatures. they didn't bother the pepper patch 'n i found out why - they're all fiery hot! the hubs'd not listen 'n e'en the sweet bell peppers'll bring tears to ones eyes coz he planted 'em all too close.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (340230)
• Rockingham, Australia
7 Sep 16
@crazyhorseladycx They sometimes have plagues of locusts in our wheatbelt but we rarely see more than one or two here - for which we're truly grateful. :)
1 person likes this
@koopharper (7601)
• Canada
4 Sep 16
Good that people let you know. I'm impressed. I put together an event once for a group and on the day of the event only one person showed up and he wasn't very good company.
1 person likes this
@koopharper (7601)
• Canada
4 Sep 16
@JudyEv There really wasn't much cost involved. It was just the most ambitious group bicycle tour I'd ever put together. I'd done other tours with groups that were a big success but this one ended up a disaster.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (340230)
• Rockingham, Australia
4 Sep 16
@koopharper What a shame. We've always had good crowds and never gave any thought to the fact that it might flop.
1 person likes this
@Jessicalynnt (50523)
• Centralia, Missouri
4 Sep 16
hey stuff happens, I never minded tons if I got a note letting me know, rather than my house warming party where NO one showed up, and only 1 apologized later and told me why (dental emergency, so she really HAD to miss)
1 person likes this
@Jessicalynnt (50523)
• Centralia, Missouri
5 Sep 16
@JudyEv guess they werent friends. dont count them as friends anymore
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (340230)
• Rockingham, Australia
6 Sep 16
@Jessicalynnt They certainly weren't worth keeping.
1 person likes this
@sueznewz2 (10409)
• Alicante, Spain
4 Sep 16
Nice photo of the camelia...it was thoughtful of your attendees to phone and let you know they would not be coming..., so you can make alternative arrangements. ... 
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (340230)
• Rockingham, Australia
5 Sep 16
We were really, well, humbled almost because there was absolutely no idea for them to RSVP. At least getting apologies we didn't bother to send out a reminder. We just cancelled. Without the apologies, we might have thought we had BO! 
1 person likes this
@Letranknight2015 (51969)
• Philippines
4 Sep 16
Well, there's always next time to be able to attend the concert. And that's a beautiful flower you have photographed. Have a nice day.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (340230)
• Rockingham, Australia
4 Sep 16
The concert was to have been in our lounge. We have a couple of outdoor ones occasionally and sometimes on in the lounge as well.
@JudyEv (340230)
• Rockingham, Australia
5 Sep 16
That's very true. We waited till last Wednesday before deciding to cancel. I am sure we have contacted all those who bought tickets but I really, really hope no-one turns up on the night. We don't sell tickets at the gate so it should be okay and we'll be at the endurance ride so no doubt they'll just go home again - if anyone does turn up.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43418)
• Denver, Colorado
5 Sep 16
I'm sorry your concert didn't pan out.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (340230)
• Rockingham, Australia
4 Sep 16
It would have been embarrassing for the performer too. We thought we might have filled the place with backpackers (let them in for free) but we still needed minimum numbers to get enough to pay the musician a decent sum.
@epiffanie (11326)
• Australia
4 Sep 16
That's absolutely frustrating when you have to cancel .. But that camellia is gorgeous! .. I have one exactly like that in the garden my old house. ..
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (340230)
• Rockingham, Australia
4 Sep 16
We were pretty laid-back about the whole affair. Never dreamt that we'd need to cancel. Then we started getting apology after apology. So - never count your chickens before they hatch. Isn't that what they say? I would love to have this camellia in my garden. It is just so pretty.
I would love to have this camellia in my garden. It is just so pretty.1 person likes this
@JudyEv (340230)
• Rockingham, Australia
4 Sep 16
It's a pretty colour isn't it? I'm sorry but I'm not sure I know what you mean with the rest of your comment.
@Macarrosel (7498)
• Philippines
4 Sep 16
I hope the endurance ride and a concert will succeed soonest. I love your photo of a beautiful flower.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (340230)
• Rockingham, Australia
4 Sep 16
I'm sure the next concert will go ahead okay. And we'll enjoy helping at the ride too so all is good.
