"First" Campfire and Mountain Pie Party 2008
Last night Jen, Brian, and I drove to Houston to partake of Ken, Maggie, and Drew's First Third of July Campfire and Mountain Pie Party. Ken has been doing campfire/mountain pie parties since then-Pittsburgh Mayor Sophie Maslov announced Third of July celebrations back in the day. In fact, two years ago Jen, Bri, and I attended their campfire engagement party...but this is the first one for him and Maggie and eight-month-old Drew. There was the usual fare at their new home: Hot Dawgs, S'mores, dough boys, and the ubiquitous mountain pies. Jen kindly made a chocolate/cherry one for me. The rain rain rain came down down down, and the rain rain rain came down down down....It was great to chat with Ken and Maggie, and to see Drew; since I had not seen their family since the beginning of January 2008. Drew is a big eight-month-old, in the 75 percentile, and at 22 pounds plus, he is about the length and weight of my twenty-month old niece Beatrice! He is also not a slender child, being somewhat chunky and long. As we departed, we noted that he looked so sweet slumbering in Maggie's arms.
I described the view of the fireworks to the west of I 79 as we drove past the cars pulled over on both sides of the highway. Jen appreciated the described view as we whizzed north on the wet pavement. I am thankful for my friends from CAC. When they suggested that I join the Club again, I insisted that I have become too busy with the Church....
~~~
What to do about me? Jen has decided to set me up with an acquaintance of hers. Her last attempt to set me up failed, as the other party was "afraid of getting hurt again." I told them the story of my declination of a proposal when I was younger, citing our irreconcilable difference, a difference that our friend Anjali wholeheartedly agreed was fully irreconcilable and that she agreed would elicit a denial from her, too.
Despite all this, I remain open to possibilities...I also am prepared resign myself to a life of teaching, alone, as I am fully happy and feel fulfilled as a mentor to young people in this capacity.
Labels: Beatrice, Blind, CAC, career, celebration, children, Christmas, Church, dreams, friends, list, love, outside, painting, science, transportation, weather, work
Epiphany 2008
I attended the Polish Epiphany celebration two years ago, but this year was special--the anticipated Mass was celebrated by none other than Bishop David Zubic. My friend and former coworker attended the Mass; I bussed to Polish Hill right as it ended. I saw many friends from the Oratory, from Sacred Heart Parish, from CAC, Fr. Andrew from St. Paul Cathedral, and some CAC alumni: Jen, Maggie, Ken, and their new son Drew. Jen and I had sung in their wedding just a little over a year ago.
The concert commenced with a polonaise sung by the choir and danced by the pairs of dancers. The choir was occasionally accompanied by the string group. Through the concert, our friend Margie sang several duet soli and soli. Near the end there was a solemn procession of angels; Mary, Joseph, and Jesus; the shepards, and the Wise M/en. Throughout the concert I heard people singing carols with the choir and tapping their feet. What a joyous occasion!
Margie was kind to give my friend and me a lift to Oakland after the concert. Upon arrival at their home, I joined forces with Mom and Dad to babysit Beatrice--she just fell asleep a few minutes ago. Her parents are at the Steelers game!
~~~
8am Sunday
Little bits of snow
Evidences of snow on the ground.
It will be in the 50's today
And then in the 60's Monday and Tuesday.
Such extremes...
We are getting used to it.
~~~
Sunday 8:30 pm
Nancy from choir and I spent the last few hours with Amy and her friends Liz, Britta, and Mary Beth. It was a "Wise Women" Epiphany gathering of souls. The food was delicious, and we enjoyed each others' company. We three choristers ended up by the fire, talking about singing (Eva Cassidy, Calabria Foti, Paul Potts).
Labels: Beatrice, biology, CAC, Christmas, Church, cold, dance, diocese of Pittsburgh, international culture, niece and nephew, singing, St. Paul Cathedral, transportation, weather, work, Zubik
Those Duties and CAC
Last night I graded my papers (need to record grades), this morning I rose early (~5:30am) and did three loads of laundry. It's nice to get those duties completed. Now I can enjoy my weekend. I think I'll have breakfast, go out with my mom, and then go to Jen and Bri's house party tonight. It has been since summer that I've seen Jen, and longer for both of them. It will be fun to see them and to see the CAC, as well as CAC alumni again.
~~~
22:58
It was nice to see CAC-ers and to spend time at the house party. Jen and Bri had a great buffet spread for us, and lots of munchies. There were a couple of hula contests, and our hostess won the votes for her contest. Jen and I had a couple of tete-a-tetes during the evening, and Margie and I agreed to keep in touch about her Novena to St. Therese of Lisieux.
Some sad news today--Debbie R's mom passed away this morning. She called and left a message on my machine. I mentioned it to some of my friends at the house party, and we agreed that we would keep her family in our prayers.
[Signing off,]
Truly,
Grace
Labels: CAC, dining
