Reunions, Perchance Goodbyes

Tea: Vanilla Lapsang

Music: Johnny Cash, "In My Life"

Time: Night.

The bags are packed, the trunk loaded. Tomorrow morning, we'll set out for southwest Kansas (picking up two of the kids along the way in Salina, where we'll snag a bag of sliders at the Cozy Inn.)

There are two family reunions planned, both on my mother-in-law's side of the family, along with a visit to my late father-in-law's parents. Both of them are now in their 80s, and in failing health.

My wife's grandmother, meanwhile, is in a nursing home -- fairly hale in body, but in an amiable fog.

I have already said goodbye to my own grandparents and both parents -- but any death is all deaths, as my friend/collaborator/undefinable kindred spirit Seánan Forbes is wont to say, and impending farewells evoke memories of past ones.

That said, this is not an extended series of pre-wakes. As long as there is life, it is to be lived and celebrated. Besides, tomorrow's not promised to any of us. Grim thought, perhaps, but also an incentive.

Delays, Delays ...

Tea: Stomach Soother

Music: King Crimson, "One More Red Nightmare"

Time: Night

My son was to have returned tonight from Australia, where he went on a ten-day tour with his high school's strolling strings group.

Instead, his flight's been canceled and he's spending the night in Los Angeles. All going well, he'll be here tomorrow evening.

The delay is frustrating -- but it's always good to have a loved one safe on this side of an ocean.

Move Out of the Line, Please

Tea: Blood Orange (herbal) with honey

Music: Various pieces for high school band and strings

Time: Night.

It's happened before. It's about to happen again.

I'm going to be a jackbooted thug. Sort of.

My son is flying to Australia in June with his high school strings group -- and guess who's going to help go through the luggage beforehand to make sure there's no contraband.

Not just his. Everyone's.

These are good kids. I'm not worried about finding anything. Still, I think it's funny that Mr. Problem with Authority -- that would be me -- is going to be part of a sort of poor man's TSA.

(If I find any small vials of orange powder, though, I'm making someone else sniff them. I know someone who used to travel with powdered Scotch Bonnet pepper.)

Anyway ... if you need me, I'll be shopping for mirrored sunglasses and growing a bad 'stache.

Steve's Adventures in Overloadland

Tea: Black Tea with Black Fruit

Music: King Crimson, "Neurotica" (Live)

Time: Night.

Yeah, I still love New York. (Got my introduction to Central Park today. It's gorgeous, what I saw of it -- which was only a fraction. Took some pictures of a rock. Go figure.)

And yes, I still keep meeting great people (sometimes two at a time, as with the hilariously delightful couple at Alice's Teacup) and have prospects for meeting more.

But six days away from home, moving at a different pace in a different space, have me a bit discombobulated. It's a short post and an early night, and tomorrow's another day.

Sleep well.

The Faces of New York

Tea: Earl Grey Bluestar

Music: Autumn's Grey Solace, "Eve"

Time: Morning (tea)/ Night (writing)

So many faces here. So many colors (skin, eyes, hair.)

It could be overwhelming, if I let it. Sometimes it threatens to be overwhelming, whether I let it or no.

What saves it from being so is the humanity of this city. I expected masks, focused on getting from Point A to Point B with neither time nor inclination for interaction.

It's both humbling and gratifying to admit that I was so wrong.

I've seen so many smiles here. Genuine smiles. From sidewalk vendors, from a guy on the subway with the greatest hoodie I've ever seen (it was red, with a skeleton on the front, back and hood). From an Iron Chef, who shook my hand.

(I have to credit the often-mentioned friend/collaborator/kindred spirit Seánan Forbes for that. She took me to Morimoto for lunch, then bounded over to ask if he'd say hello to me after he walked in near the end of the meal. I was too much the fanboy to say hi.)

And those are only three of the faces. There have been hundreds. More likely, thousands.

And I'm here until Saturday.

I really never thought I'd say this ... but I think I just might love New York.

Hello, Hello, Hello, Is There Anybody IN There?

Tea: Golden Monkey with Honey

Music: Too much to list. Make me pick one, and I'll choose a sung section from the Book of Common Prayer.

Time: Night

Okay, so let's see if this works. I've more than a week of posts stashed somewhere, and (grrr) have been unable to actually -- oh, you know -- post them.

So, to recap (I'll catch up later, if this works).

My Hallowe'en costume kicked butt.

I'm in New York right now, for writing (and learning about writing) purposes. Earlier posts dealt (or deal, if I manage to get them up) with the panic (and occasional joys) of preparing for the trip.

The guy playing the title role in "The Screwtape Letters" should insist the director be fired. Oh, wait, he is the director. He still should insist the director be fired. Karen Eleanor Wight, who played Toadpipe? Keep her.

I've found a church home in Brooklyn. It's an Episcopal/Anglican church, sparsely attended, the congregants largely immigrants from the West Indies. I'm a white Baptist from Kansas. Go figure.

Since this was going to be my post for the day, I'll elaborate.

My branch of the Christian tree has lost something by de-emphasizing rite and ritual and concentrating on teaching and personal experience, I believe. There is something -- well, sacred -- about treating a service as something both joyful and solemn.

There was rite this morning, but no rote. The Book of Common Prayer was not script, but a link to other congregations around the world united in the same purpose and intent. And the light that shone from those people's faces ... "divine" is an overused word, but it suits here.

My branch is still my branch. But it's good to know I can light and rest elsewhere. When I come back to Brooklyn, and I will, you'll know where to find me on Sunday mornings.

Now, I'm going to hit the "publish" button and see if this works.