Wedding update

When this site was selected, and the date was set I wondered if it was too early in the season to have an abundance of foliage and flowers in this setting. Last year this area was covered with snow for a very long time. By the same date last year there were few green tips peeking through the ice and straw. This year has been mild, balmy at times. And today the tulips are up, crocus and the snowdrops are blooming. Not just one or two, but alot and green tips of hosta are peeking through the dead leaves and straw. I imagine it will be in full blossom by the time  we all stroll down to the Knot Garden and witness them tying "the knot". Two separate, independent strings coming together, in accord, to state their intentions to explore a greater intimacy, committed to personal authenticity and a merging of families, histories and biology.  Would you take a bullet for anyone? What would you give up for someone else's dream to manifest? And for how long? What are the terms of the contract signed today with this ritual? Every marriage has it's own individuality, it's own life source and demands it's own breath. What will happen for this one? How will it evolve, expand? who will be included in it's configuration? I haven't found a dress, but I'm just not worried. It will be as it will be...It's not my day, but I will paricipate in whatever way requested. At this point, the main request is that I absent myself from the celebration long enough to attend the DFL city convention and cast my vote for the candidate selected by my daughter. What an original wedding present! This is the story of my daughter's life and passion: campaign manager, champion for social justice built on the foundation of educational equity for all economic levels. When I sat in my green kitchen on Nicollet Avenue over 27 years ago listening to my beloved daughter singing "I like to take my time and do it right..." I had no idea where our journey would take us. But I had curiousity, faith and hope. And enthusiasm. None of which has been lost.

birthdays

It just seems like it's worth celebrating whatever happens, so I like to keep a bottle of Chandon in the refrigerator. And a bottle of Sauza next to a bottle of Triple Sec in the cabinet above stove. Fresh citrus fruits on the counter top in various stages of ripeness, and a couple of bottles of key lime juice in the 'frig. I used to add maple syrup to my margaritas but I'm cutting back on calories due to the upcoming wedding. Besides the grapefruits are so sweet you don't need the additional sweetener. The days are quieter now, more subtle shifts of mood and memory. I am looking at a ticket to Phoenix to visit my Dad His birthday was yesterday and I almost missed it. But he was still awake when I called and sounded good. He hasn't had much luck with his bridge games lately. There isn't much you can do if you don't have good cards. He is daunted by the price of gas and has curtailed his mileage for the moment, waiting until the prices drop back to a more reasonable rate. This leaves him with a lot of space for hanging out in the sun, by the pool. And reading the newspaper. His life is sedentary, like many of us, he doesn't jump out of bed and go immediately to the exercise area. He wakes up slowly, drinks a little coffee, heads out to breakfast at the Red Mountain Cafe and stops at the dollar store before climbing onto the recumbent bike. And even then, he's not focused on speed. His priority is endurance. And when he reaches his limit he moves to the couch, takes his blood pressure and drinks a glass of water. His lifestyle is easy, laid back and nothing much upsets him. His priorities have shifted. He knows any day could be his last. Celebrations, like his granddaughter's wedding, are milestones, incentive to keep getting out of bed in the morning. He does sudoku and enjoys learning new things. My kids are so grateful for his presence in their lives, he listens to them, supports them in ways I did not experience when I was their ages. And for that I am truly grateful. So grab a glass of champagne and let's drink to his continued long and healthy life! And best wishes to him for the coming year.