Broken Lives Matter

Gotta love Patsy Cline after a long day:) There's something about all the bebop/country/classics that makes the heart happy. Especially while I'm suffering through a really allergy-miserable day when I volunteered at our would-be wedding venue. Now I know you all just braced when you heard that I was at St. Cecelia's Music Center, but don't worry; it's such a nice little building I couldn't stay away forever. And I made a point this time of not going upstairs to the Dexter Ballroom. And to my surprise all the women there knew about me (since I've already called and canceled), and offered their kind, kind condolences. I wasn't there to wallow, anyway. Since I graduated Grand Rapids has begun this extremely fun annual city-wide art awareness program for kids in school all the way up to elderly art lovers looking for something to do, called Art Prize. Saint Cecelia's was one of the several stations for visual art throughout the city displaying p...

It's been almost a week; I don't want to go ten days without writing; that's become something of a habit, and I need to nip that in the bud! These last few days have been especially hard for some reason. I keep remembering little things that didn't used to mean as much: the smell of the air now that Fall is finally inching toward us--particularly at night--the words my contractor said weeks ago running like a CD on repeat over and over again; "I miss the little guy." And imagining what it will be like to meet his friends and family in person, after almost 3 months to the day of talking on the phone or through text messages or Facebook...everything seems to be coming to a head. I had a nice talk last night with his brother in California. I always feel bad ending the conversation early; it's only dinnertime where he is. But for me, it's usually past my bedtime:) We talked for about a minute about how the trip will probably be one continuous (cheerfu...

Last night I happened to be in town for another reason, purposely lingering until dinner time. I looked and looked for a little tavern I'd heard about, hoping for a cold beer after walking around in the 80 degree heat. After about an hour (really, I held out that long), I decided to try a wonderful, relatively small place called The Bull's Head. http://thebullsheadtavern.com The outdoor sign that jutted out above my head was a little rustic, but also kind of classy, just the outline of a the head of a bull in silver against a dark backdrop. It reminded me of the old Dublin Brazen Head Pub, or the Galway King's Head Pub. Such associations just can't be ignored:) Immediately, I was a little nervous about how much this little place would cost me; white linens on the tables, cushy faux leather benches, dark wood, a little well-stocked bar, and a swanky-yet-charming staircase that led to yet more dining space. But I told myself to relax and give it a try. I even order...