trust the post, luke

I love these "R2D2" mailboxes; I love that the Post Office has a wacky enough sense of humor to use them; and I love that Traverse City has one, in front of the main post office.

People always think their generation is special, but I am of the "Star Wars" generation, and this must be proof that we are special :-)

old friends, new calibrations

I spent last weekend at Frog's Ordination. It was a lovely service, very meaningful. Even better, we got to stay at his house, which gave us time to really relax and chat and re-connect. Marvelous.

Driving into the great metropolis of Chicago, I discovered an interesting thing: I have re-calibrated to Traverse City. I was stunned, and even a bit disgusted, at the sheer size and concrete-ness of the City of Big Shoulders. I have lived there, twice, for a total of seven years. But now I have become accustomed to life in a small city, with trees everywhere, and no hideous traffic problems. I still enjoy visiting Chicago, but I am glad that home is up here.

lunar sea

We saw the MOMIX show "Lunar Sea" a few nights ago. It is such a visually striking dance that it is almost distracting. We kept thinking "how did they *do* that?!!!" It turns out, a dozen incredibly strong, improbably flexible humans, wearing costumes that highlight some limbs and hide others, can make people appear to float or separate or recombine in truly marvelous ways. Check out their site, at the above link, but know that the best pieces/moves are not pictured on the web. We recommend it.

I haven't been to a lot of dance concerts--maybe a dozen, all told, from the Nutcracker to Baryshnikov to modern-dance student recitals--but I have absolutely *loved* every one.

relaxed

Lesson learned: it takes at least four or five days to truly let go and relax. I am most grateful for the wherewithall to take such a cruise. Here is a three-photo record of my time aboard the Carnival ship Imagination:

(I tried to make these photos display in a different order--lifeboat drill, towel elephant, poker chips--but could not. Alas. Fortunately, I am relaxed enough to allow it.)