For Whom The Cow Bell Tolls

Not to brag, but I have known the 

Mountain View Toro Marching Band cowbell ringer since she was born.  

Karen has been friends with my daughter, Corinn since diaper days, 

even though both are too proud to admit that they ever wore diapers.

Karen left, Corinn right

They share a lifelong proclivity for battered tennis shoes, 

 battered legs and a disdain of "fake babies" (dolls)

Karen has just finished a fabulous football season as cowbell ringer.  
She consented to an interview.

Me:  Karen, I know you have played a lot of music over the years, 10 years of piano, 2 on the clarinet, and 5 long years on the oboe.  How long have you been playing the cowbell?


Karen:  One glorius year.


Me:  This is a silly question, but what is your favorite instrument?


Karen:  Duh, the cowbell.


Me:  Is it true that the only reason you remained in marching band with its grueling early morning schedule was the cowbell?


Karen:  Yeah, and maybe the band trip to Hawaii was a small motivation.


Me:  What is your training regimen, is performing on the cowbell physically demanding?


Karen:  It is.  It takes a boatload of wrist strength and I do lots of squats to warm up before games.


Me:  How many hours of practice do you put in?


Karen:  Cowbell is strictly on the job.  Without the energy of the crowd going wild, there is really no point.


Me:  Has it changed your life?  


Karen:  Oh definitely.  My reputation has really grown.  I get a lot of respect on campus.  There is a senior I am in competition with for cowbell time, but the crowd likes me waaaay better.


Me:  How do you care for your cowbell?  Does it have a velvet lined case?  Is it returned to ol' Bossy between performances?


Karen:  Naaaa, I just throw it in the cabinet.  It's not even locked.

Me:  How far do you think the cowbell is going to take you?

Karen:  I've got the counselors searching for scholarships.  I'm going to ride the cowbell wave as far as it will take me.


Me:  I know that your mother, Carol, has required each of her children to play certain instruments.  Will you require your future children to play the cowbell.


Karen:  Of course.  Actually, when they see videos of my performances they're going to beg to play the cowbell.