Hooray for Erin and Sean

They've been married a week.  And what a wonderful wedding it was.  Something happens up at the altar, that makes a relationship of love different.  I'm not sure what it was, for me, but perhaps it was the making a commitment in front of friends and family. We are happy you found each other.

I think there are probably better people to do a re-cap of the wedding, but I think we all have our own slices of what we experienced, and taken all together, they add up to a pretty full picture of the entire affair.

First of all, on the fun-meter, it looked like the score was off the charts.  It was just plain fun, from the pajama-wearing bridal party getting their hair done, to the extended breakfasts talking about pretty much nothing and everything, to the crazy dancing on the terrace. Okay, there was that one brief moment when Janet was trying to track down Peter, who was at Target with David, but that's just one of the stories that make weddings, well, weddings.  At one point I heard Sean say he didn't like being the center of attention.  But he did a great job, and his sense of humor added to the overall fun of the event.

Second, on the thanks-meter, we add our voices to the many thanks to the couple for putting everything together.  I also heard Sean say that it was Erin who did much of it, even though she was quick to point out all he did do to help out.  We loved the photos on the tables of the two of them growing up, and the cakes that Erin made herself, and the tables that they put out themselves.  Thank you.

Third, it also scored high on the memory-meter.  For those of us of a certain age, who watched Sean grow up, and who just met Erin, it was really great to hear the stories from your friends. We are far away, and don't see you but once or twice a year, but these stories help us know you better. For being unscripted, Johanna's story also filled in a little background to how they, and their cousins, "played" with pets.

And of course, you hit the ball out of the park on the family meter.  It was nice to catch up with Janet's family who we had seen only occasionally over the years, some of whom we had a hard time recognizing, or was it the other way around?  It was really special to have another chance besides the Poconos to see everyone.  Mary did remark on the importance of the Poconos since we all just fell in with each other quickly.  And, you were so kind in your ceremony to mention those who could not be there to share in your joy.

It took us a few hours to get home, after dropping Annie off at the airport (and going to a small restaurant we recommend - Pop's Bagels.)  We jumped back into our routines, mowed the lawn one more time, watched the evening news, and then we got a text from Andrew and Lur that they had made it home.  That's a long drive.

Annie headed back to work but not for long  By week's end, she was on her way to Argentina and Uruguay for a short vacation.  Margaret and Andrew enjoyed Columbus Day, or as it is now known in Pittsfield schools - Indigenous Peoples Day - by going to see A Start is Born.  We went on their recommendation, and pass along the five stars to all of you, if you have not seen it yet. Leonor, Joe and Thomas spent the day in the park.

We close with a few pictures.  I know there were plenty of photos taken of both the wedding and the surrounding events, but here is at least one you may not have seen.

Love from up here.

Rain

I think I know how climate change will affect this part of the world.  Rain, and more rain.  The water over the dam at the lake is as loud as I can ever remember.  Our yard is swampy, and we even have had a little pond near our driveway.  The grass is green, and all the trees are healthy.  And we're still getting cucumbers.  

Anyway, I wanted to get a letter in before the big weekend, before Sean and Erin's big weekend.  Or is it Erin and Sean?  Then, we'll have enough material for another letter next week.  Looking forward to the big day, to seeing everyone again and to joining in Erin and Sean's happiness.  

This will be our third straight weekend of travel.  Two weeks ago we headed to Washington DC with Pittsfield friends, one of whom had never been there.  We arm-twisted Margaret, Joseph and Jeffrey into giving us tours of their respective government buildings.  I know they get used to it, but, seen with fresh eyes, they work in spectacular buildings, rich in history and, yes, even aesthetically pleasing.  I can only imagine what a foreigner must feel entering any of these buildings for meetings.  Thanks to each of them for their tours.  

We stayed downtown after joining a "consular club" that would admit us; they have a small guest quarters with reasonably good rates.  We spent another day doing Smithsonian stuff and eating food that was too good and too costly.  Fortunately, Andrew and Margaret invited us over for dinner one night, so we were able to eat more healthy and save a little cash at the same time.  Thank you. 

Did I mention Thomas?  Yes, we saw him, as Mary managed to "bump" into Leonor and Thomas as they were coming out of day care downtown.  He's more and more a boy, not a baby.  

This past weekend, we blew even more dough by going to New York City for the wedding of a college classmate, who was getting married for the first time.  These bankers know how to throw a party; I felt a little like Eddie Murphy in "Trading Places" as I entered their club for drinks.  Anyway, it was fun getting together with about a dozen classmates, most of whom were members of the soccer team.  And best of all, Mary seeemd to be enjoying herself.

David and Paula have also had busy weeks.  David attended the New York State Fair, where he ran a Shaker oval box woodworking demonstration for a few days.  His civic project, of building affordable housing units for seniors in Fairport, has also taken up a lot of his time.  They are still unpacking from their move, and find themselves in need of more bookcases.  Paula has helped out with some babysitting duties for Everett, who David says is the calmest, happiest baby in the world.  

Andrew reports that he has played his first round of golf in years, and did pretty well.  Good news, on both counts.  Daniel has been coming home on off days.  

One good piece of news as we approach this weekend's wedding is that I may be able to hear people.  Yes, I broke down and got hearing aids.  Very fashionable ones too.  Thank you to John Boyle for a tip that saved me roughly $1300 in the purchase.  They're pretty incredible pieces of technology, and I'll be happy to bore anyone with all the details if the conversation slows.

It's getting cold around here; we've had the heat on a few nights.  I've been chopping wood for our winter fires, and we're easing into other end of summer chores, but not too quickly, holding out hope for some return to warm.  The good news about the change of seasons is mowing the lawn may be coming to an end, sometime soon.

Happy birthday to Johanna!  and to Paula!  and to Auden!  

I close with a picture from Provincetown, on my first time ever to the Cape, to watch Mary swim across the bay.  We went out for a bike ride the day before along the national seashore, a quiet counterpart to the fun in the center of town.

Love from up here.  See you all this weekend!