Memorial for a Friend

Today I lost one of my oldest friends to cancer.  I met Don when we were 14 and 15 at a speech meet in Belle MO.  We were competing against each other in poetry reading.  Immediately, he introduced himself and asked who I was.  Don had beautiful blue eyes and the warmest smile.  He didn't care that we were competing against each other or that I was from a different school he just cared that I was a new person to know.

 That's just how Don was, he loved meeting new people.  He always wanted to include everyone in everything, no exceptions.  His generosity of spirit believed every person was a new friend.  I never knew him to exclude anyone.  We dated on and off in high school, but truly we were always more friends than a couple.  After high school I ran into Don at a gay bar, which made us both so happy to reconnect.  We stayed in contact over the years even ending up in the same city.  Seeing him was a treat and he always welcomed me with the love of an oldest and dearest of friends.  Again that was how Don was, all of us were old friends he was overjoyed to see.

Today the cancer he has been fighting for the last 2 years finally won the battle.  His baby sister broke the news on Facebook.  We all knew it was coming, but still we all cried as our hearts were breaking.  A world without him in it seems less.  All I can do is cry and remember that warm smile including me in his inner circle of friends.  An inner circle which is legions of friends all heartbroken by his passing.  We will miss you my friend.

Love Jamie

Open House

As I have said we have moved and it was hard.  Early on in this process we started telling people, "Oh yeah and we will have a big open house."  Well today we had to do just that have the much promised open house.  I wanted to do it a little fancy and send out invitations with a photo of us on the front.  With help from my sister we did just that.

 

We opened our door and hoped for a good turn out, and we were not disappointed.  You came with gifts of plants, flowers, food, and knitted things.  You came with smiles and good wishes.  You came and filled our home with love and joy.  You saw our new home on its best day and listened to our stories of all the work that went into the house.  Thank you so much and know we were overwhelmed by the out pouring of excitement and generosity.  We are so lucky to know so many wonderful and kind people.

 

Sadly, some of you could not make it, we missed you, but we understand life is full of many things and sometimes there is not enough hours in the day to do everything.  Also, some of you live far and away from us.  However, you are always welcomed in our home and we look forward to giving you a tour of the new digs.  Sadly, I can say you missed some amazing almond butter cake made by my beautiful wife.  I cannot promise we will have that in abundance for your visit. 

 

As always, thank you for all the support in the last year, your kindness and patience with us is much appreciated.



And the World Continues to Turn on Its Axis

Just a little under a month ago, as you may have heard, Natalie and I's marriage was recognized by our country.  Our whole country; all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the US territories.  Since then the I have noticed the sun still comes up and the moon still continues to wax and wane.  Our mail shows up with the same bills and junk mail.  The internet functions and the grid has not fallen.  I have not seen a rain of frogs or the Mississippi turn to blood.  I will admit we have been plagued by a swarm of mosquitoes, but bug spray seems to be taking care of that problem.  My marriage has not destroyed our world.  In fact so many of my friends, co-workers, neighbors, knitters, and family have rallied around us to congratulate the recognition of our 30 year union.  We feel blessed to have so much love and support.  Thank you my friends and allies for all the years that you have opened your hearts and minds to my family.  Your helped change my world. A world that continues to turn just fine on its axis.



An Iconic Vacation to Chicagoland

My beautiful wife and I went to Chicago for a 4 day, 3 night vacation.  Those 4 days were filled with many wonderous and iconic things.  First we had a nice drive and meet up with some of our dear friends for a good visit and dinner.  Selena and her mother were their normal gracious hosts basking us in their warmth and hospitality.

After leaving our friends we checked into our hotel, perfectly situated in the posh Gold Coast area of North Chicago.  We settled in for our stay.  Wednesday was more time with good friends, gambling the day away.  We even managed to squeeze in a yarn store called Knit Nirvana (http://knitnirvana.com/).  I bought some Wicked Madelinetosh and had a good time with the owner, Sue.  Our friends even took us out to eat at a Czech restaurant, Czech Plaza in Berwyn (http://www.czechplaza.com/).  We had a great meal with liver dumpling soup and delicious pork tenderloin.  It is always hard to say goodbye to our friends, Bob and Greg, needing many hugs.

Thursday found us at the Contemporary Art Museum (http://www.mcachicago.org/) looking to have a meeting with David Bowie.  What a meeting it was.  The 90 minute multi-media exhibition of Bowie was amazing.  The costumes and the music alone were stunning.  I also got a kick out of all the crazy shoes, too.  It was an unexpected way to spend our Thursday.  We also got to see 2 Frieda Kahlo paintings, and wonder why the museum had a Fiat mounted on the wall.  We left happy that Sue at Knit Nirvana had suggest we go.  We also squeezed in another yarn store, Loopy Yarns (http://www.loopyyarns.com/).  Again another great yarn store with helpful people.

Thursday night was the main event, Fleetwood Mac in concert.  When I heard the classic line-up of Fleetwood Mac was going to be on tour, I knew I would kick myself if I missed it.  Sadly, St. Louis was not on the list of tour cities.  I did some hard thinking and decided, I only need one kidney, and bought the tickets.  I am so glad I did.  The group performed for over 2 and half hours.  They rocked and rolled.  The band gave their all for a great evening of the music I love.  Big Sigh!  After the concert it took us awhile to get a taxi and it started to rain, but all I could do was glow all the way back to the hotel.

We capped our vacation with a stop over at IKEA on the way out of town where we spent some dollars on Swedish design.  My car is still full of a kitchen island and a bathroom cabinet.  In all our vacation was full of icons and IKEA, Big Sigh!  Oh well in another year and a half I will get to go on vacation again.

Deborah Harkness and The Book of Life

Once again Deborah Harkness stopped by St Louis on her latest tour for The Book of Life.  Since we had so much fun last time she was in town (http://tempestinapot.blogspot.com/2012/07/deborah-harkness-stops-by-st-louis.html), my friend Kim F (not Kim G or C) and I decided to repeat the experience.  We were not disappointed.  Harkness was just as delightful as I remember.  This time she was talking about the last book in the her All Souls Trilogy: The Book of Life.  She was very keen to not give any secrets away on her new book, and neither am I, but she read from the first couple of chapters.  She talked about writing her books and answered questions too.

Deborah Harkness Working the Crowd

One of the topics another fan brought up was how does it feel to be successful female scholar and novelist.  Harkness loved this question and said she hoped her success inspired other women to not be afraid of being an over achiever.  I found her encouraging words refreshing in a world that does not always embrace feminism.  Also, when asked how many languages she knew she reeled off about 8 languages, mostly romance languages, but she did also know some Finnish and German.  Impressive.  I felt so lucky to have a second opportunity to bask in her intellect and charming personality.

Deborah Harkness and Tempest

When I had the opportunity to talk to her as she was signing my copy of her book I made it a point to thank her for including married same-sex characters as part of the normal tapestry of the books.  She said, "I wanted to include couples at all stages of a relationship."  I was just happy that the LGBTQ characters were there. 

Now to finish the final book and find out what happens to our cast of vampires, witches, demons, and humans.   Excited, but no spoilers for you.

(Also as an aside, it was so nice to see so many people I knew from my library days.  I miss them all so much).

Goodbye Girl

Okay, I am too old to be a girl, but goodbye woman does not alliterate, so forgive me the youthful reference.  Today was my last day at the library.  Big heavy sigh.  Endings are hard, and today was no different.  I was overwhelmed by the tide of love and good wishes.  Even as I am typing these sentences I am tearing up thinking about the last couple of weeks.  Words cannot express how special my co-workers made me feel.  Tearful verklempt coming on here.

In the end the bad times and crazy customers are forgotten and only the good people will be remembered.  This job is not the first one I have left, and as always I count myself fortunate to have such good people pass through my life.  I can only hope they feel the same way about me.

Today I was hugged and hugged, showered with well wishes and gifts.  My team gave me Fiestaware!  Yes, Fiestaware, they know me well.  My work BFF, Cynthia, gave me an adorable cat pendant and lunch at our favorite spot.  Yarn, flowers, food, and peeps also showed up at my desk this week.  All very thoughtful and appreciated gifts.  However, over the last five years the real gift has been their friendship.  To these fine co-workers I say thank you for so much.