Los Angeles, 11 days in

First, some catching up.

I spent the church year in Johnson City, TN. The church job I was there for had its ups and downs. I felt that we produced some really wonderful services, though, and I enjoyed working with the staff there. In addition, I made what I hope will be some lifelong friendships with Rosemary, Beth, and Kristin, especially. I decided in February not to stay another year, as there were enough job-related difficulties that I needed to be close to someone who was not part of the church community; and that made me realize how much I missed family. Since my immediate family is spread out across the country, I had to choose. Intellectual choice and an internal sense of "rightness" have led me to choose Los Angeles.

But first, I packed up my belongings and left Johnson City in mid-June. I had had $1500+ worth of work done on the air conditioning system of the van so that it would not "leave me by the side of the road," as the mechanics predicted. It didn't. It got me back to Grand Rapids, where I was scheduled to work Session I at Blue Lake. When I left JC, that's all I had scheduled, one session at Blue Lake.

After I got back to Annie's and unpacked to some extent -- Ruby had made me some wonderful curtains that blocked my area off from the rest of the basement to give me more privacy, and she and/or her mom had everything set up for a livable space -- I started getting emails from Hannah, one of the summer dance department directors. She seemed to think I was also signed on for Session III. I told her that could be arranged because I wasn't planning to leave for LA till after I finished subbing the first 3 Sundays in August for Parkwood Presbyterian Church. So I got an altered contract from BLFAC and had two sessions on the books.

I worked Session I with some wonderful people, the addition of playing drums for Modern Class bringing me into closer relationship with the whole department, even though it reduced my "hourly" wage from $18 to between $12 and $15, less if you count the long day of orientation for Session I. (I was very grateful not to have to endure orientation for Session III.) Toward the end of the session, I got an emergency message from Stephanie Plansker of the Cecchetti Institute. They had suddenly lost an accompanist for their 2-week program at Hope College and were hoping I could fill in. I could, indeed. Their need fell exactly between the two session to which I was now committed at Blue Lake.

This two weeks proved to be extremely enjoyable. I worked 9-10:30 in the morning and 1:30-3 in the afternoon, with 3 whole, undesignated hours between. I had access to the pool at Hope, and I discovered that Holland has a huge network of designated bike paths and bike lanes. I'd finish class at 10:30, hop on the bike and ride all over the area, then get back in time for a shower, at least, if not a swim and shower before returning to class at 1:30. Heavenly. It was so great to have 3 hours of time unspoken for and obviously suited to exercise.

Session III of Blue Lake proceeded pretty much as expected. I worked with different teachers and a different director - Hannah and Cory were co-directors this summer, so I had Hannah first session and Cory third session. When I signed on for Session III, I mentioned that I had already made a commitment to do a church service on the 5th, the last day of the session, so I wouldn't be able to play for the final show. They signed off on that, so I had a pretty easy final weekend.

I accompanied for Parkwood Presbyterian in Jenison, a place I've been subbing for several years now, when I'm in town. This was the church that was babysitting my baby grand but had to give it up because the woman accompanying the choir wasn't comfortable with seeing and hearing the director across its length. When I arrived this time, however, the sanctuary was sporting a longer grand that had been donated by a congregant. I hope that works okay for everyone. Anyway, I was told that, on the 12th, a flutist would be playing the Introit and the Offertory. Didn't find out till a few days before that I was expected to accompany her. I have learned that I need to communicate more effectively about these jobs where I jump into someone else's shoes. There are obviously expectations that are familiar to those who do it all the time. I, for instance, didn't realize that accompanying -- a soloist the first week, the flutist the second week, and the choir the third week -- was part of the less-than-usual pay I was receiving. The church and I have an agreement that, if I come out for an additional rehearsal on Thursday evening, I'll be paid more. I think throwing musicians into the mix on Sunday morning is a way to get around this. I was gracious, but I did feel a bit taken advantage of. Nevertheless, I do like the community, and I appreciate that they like having me in when I'm around.

My 45-year high school class reunion was on August 18. There were about 50 or 60 people there, I would guess. There were very few spouses. There was one guy from junior high who had left after that, but who saw the event somewhere (FB?) and contacted Jed to be included. Libby and I went together. I think she had a good time. She said she did. I made the rounds and said hello to lots of people. One, whom I would have loved to talk with, was so drunk that that was impossible. In fact, having any kind of substantive conversation with anyone was difficult. You'd just start to get beyond, "Where do you live?" and "Are you retired?" and someone else would come up and interrupt. It's the nature of this kind of event and probably the reason that I don't go to more parties of this type.

On Sunday, after church, I started packing everything up. I loaded the van, which had developed a leak in a heater hose. After I contacted Lakeside Car Company, I realized I wouldn't be able to get on the road quite as early as I'd hoped. Nevertheless, nearly everything was packed into the van. I'd driven my mom's car over the weekend and returned it to her at supper with Mom and Dad, and Jim and Carol. We ended up at Derby Station, hurrying inside when a big, windy storm came up. After dinner, I returned to Samaritas with Mom and Dad, so she could put his eyedrops in and get him settled. When he sat up from holding his eyes closed, he said, "Where's Carol?" Mom explained that Jim and Carol had returned to their home in Kalamazoo. Dad said, "No. Where's Carol?" He meant her.

Later, when we were driving back to Annie's so she could take her car back, I said, "Has he done that before?" "What?" she responded. "Not known who you were." "Oh, I think he just couldn't see very well because of the eye drops." Hmmm. Maybe. I do think that having so many caretakers is getting confusing, and he's handling it very well. But I know that at least once over the summer he didn't know who I was, and for sure didn't remember my name. This seems to be a progression.

First thing Monday morning, I made my way to Lakeside to get the heater hose repaired and to get my license plate. Since I was already "behind," when I returned to Annie's we decided to go out for lunch before I left. I finally got on the road about 12:30.

First day, to Omaha. Already noticing some possible engine weirdness or oil burning smell. Oh, well. better keep going. Second day, to Boulder. In Boulder, I discovered that the passenger side front door doesn't lock and unlock with the rest. This turned out to be a good thing. I thought I had locked the keys in the car. I could see them lying on the side of the driver's seat. Damn! Then I looked up and saw that the little lock wasn't depressed on the passenger side. Yay!! Subsequently, experimentation showed that all other doors would lock and unlock with the remote or with the buttons inside both front doors, but the passenger side door had to be manipulated manually. This means that, if I have a passenger, I have to climb into the driver's seat on my hands and knees and reach across the vehicle to open the door by the handle. Hey. It's a used car.

I was getting a little more concerned about the smells issuing from the car, so I contacted Linda in Durango, knowing I'd be there for 3 nights, to see if there was a mechanic I could contact. She gave me a number and I called. Since they were scheduling for a week and a half out, I was lucky that they had a cancellation on Friday. We were using Linda's vehicle while I was there, so I didn't have to worry about going around Durango spewing stinky exhaust and making no muffler noises.

The report from the mechanic was as follows: It needs a new catalytic converter, but even if we could get it in we wouldn't do it here because we don't know that what we'd put in would be acceptable in California. The CC we buy can't be sold in CA. It also needs an EGR valve, and it has a crack in the exhaust manifold. (That's what was causing the horrendous smell.) All told, this mechanic estimated $2000.

I had a great time in Durango. What a beautiful area! We went to a concert in a park and kayaking on a new, man-made lake surrounded by gorgeous Colorado forest. The water was clear and green. Linda was a great hostess and made me and Archie feel right at home. I'm so glad I got to spend some time with her.

Leaving Durango on Saturday morning, I didn't know for sure if I'd go all the way to LA (12 hours) in one day; but I got such an early start that it really wasn't too bad. I arrived at Joan's about 7 p.m. California time. That very evening, upon arrival, I was walking Archie down the walk and met a neighbor who works as a nutritionist at nearby Kingsley Manor. She and I talked about the possibility of my leading a choir there and/or working as an Assistant Activities Director. I subsequently tried to text her to no avail, but I think I'll make a trip over there soon to look into it further.

As I write, I've been in Los Angeles 10 days. I've emptied a lot of the stuff from my van into Alice & David's storage unit (bless them!), and brought a bunch of stuff in from the van to my very small and open space at Joan's. I try to keep it picked up, but it's hard when there isn't a place for things. I've been back to storage a couple of times, once for my clown costume, and again for sewing machine and bag and bathroom tub. I have sewed for Joan, taken her to the printer (and side errands) and to her friend Jackie's for lunch in Sherman Oaks.

Oh, and I took the van in yesterday to Alice's mechanic in North Hollywood. I dropped the vehicle off at 8 a.m. for an estimate, knowing that I would be leaving it at least through today to get the requisite repairs. I got an estimate yesterday afternoon. It's $1881.80. I contacted Lakeside this morning, and they're going to pay $1500 of that. Of course, I still have other work that needs to be done -- oil change, air filter, two new tires, transmission fluid, and front and rear shocks. Those are all things I would expect to pay for, although maybe not all at once. At least the brakes are good. I don't know, but I hope I'll be able to get it back today.

Yesterday, after I dropped it off, I began bicycling back into Silver Lake. About 2 miles away from the mechanic, I had a flat. I walked about 1/2 mile to a gas station and put air in. It got up to about 40 pounds and then blew back out again. Severe flat. I got Alice on the phone, and she looked up a couple of nearby (1.6 mi and 3.9 mi) bike shops. I chose the closer one, figuring that the time it would take me to walk there would get me pretty close to opening. And I was right. It was maybe 9:40 when I arrived at NoHo Cycling, but the owner showed up shortly. He took the bike inside and told me to give him about a half hour. I walked down the street to a coffee place he recommended called Teapop and treated  myself to a cold-brew coconut beverage and chia pudding. I took  my time, and when I got back to the bike shop, the bike was nearly ready.

In addition to great, reasonable service, I got directions for a safe and pleasant return ride to Silver Lake. A few blocks north of the shop was a central traffic island with designated bike and walking lanes. The neighborhood was residential and pretty, and the ride lovely. From there, I turned off on Victory Blvd, which wasn't nearly as pleasant. The best part about riding down Victory was that I recognized an intersection. When I was at Central Casting last Friday, waiting for hours for the process of handling new extras to begin, I had to go to the bathroom. I didn't want to give up my parking space -- a good one, since I'd arrived at 5:10 a.m. -- so I took the bike out of the back of the van and rode to a nearby Starbucks to use the facilities. As I rode along Victory, I recognized the intersection of Olive and Victory, which I had passed on my way to Starbucks.

I continued on Victory, and it took me to Riverside which turned into Crystal Springs which turned into Griffith Park, as I rode around Griffith Park. When I turned away from the park, I once again recognized my surroundings, being in the transition area between Atwater and Silver Lake. I knew my way back to Joan's from there! All in all, I rode about 14 miles and walked about 3.

To date, I've put my name in for several jobs on Central Casting's site. I got a notice today asking if I'm still available for something that films tomorrow. I said, "YES!" I also attended First Unitarian Universalist Church of Los Angeles on Sunday, in part as a followup to having sent my resume for their choir directing position late last week. It's a charming, small venue. The choir directing job is just that -- choir directing, for $600 a month. The church doesn't have a minister, nor are they looking for one, so it would be a place where I could preach from time to time, as well, I think. I have an appointment for an interview/audition on 9/19 there.

I have also had one positive response to a mass email I sent out to ballet schools and companies. This one is not far from Joan's, technically still in Silver Lake, but over near Atwater. Mario, the contact, sounded very interested to meet me. I hope that will happen in the next couple of days. Friday, Joan and I are having breakfast with her friend, Katherine, and Katherine's darling baby. Joan says that Katherine is interested in having me move in with her. I guess I'll find out Friday what that would entail. I need to be out of Joan's by Monday morning so she can prepare to have a guest in my space. If something doesn't work out right away with Katherine, I'll go to Sophie's (another friend of Joan) for up to a month.

This is all very exciting. How is it different from the other places I've lived since leaving Grand Rapids? Bay St Louis was a very quiet burg. There wasn't a lot to do there. I did get out and bike and walk, but I also spent a great deal of time in my room. Living with someone who basically disapproved of me was difficult to combat, psychologically. I knew people more quickly in Johnson City, and I liked the area; but once again there wasn't a lot to do. I had a job that barely paid my rent, and it was difficult to find other things to do. Just before I gave my notice at the church, I applied to work at my favorite health food store, but nothing came of that until a couple of weeks before I left. I feel much more alive, useful, and constructive here. This look like it's going to go really well.

I have a bunch of pictures to share with this post, but I'm having trouble getting my phone to talk to my computer, so maybe when Alice visits at lunchtime today I can get her to help with that. 

I have a new driver's license & registration

When I turned 16, I lived in Holland, Michigan. Even though I spent the winter in Mississippi last year, I maintained my residency in Michigan. This past week, I got a Tennessee drivers license and car registration. It feels weird, especially since I still don't really feel rooted here. Perhaps I will never feel rooted again, having let go of the necessity of producing that feeling.

My music directing experience at Holston Valley meanders along. I say it that way because the church year and the organization of music heretofore has no trajectory. It's always been a week-to-week thing, and it still is. Any choir groups meet for a few weeks prior to a specific performance, rather than on a weekly, year-'round (or September through mid-June) basis. I'm feeling my way, trying to determine what will best serve the people who are here, as well as help new people to feel welcome and comfortable. Trying to get a sense whether this is working or not. Too soon to tell? I started August 14, but it feels like longer.

I joined a "covenant group" organized around photography. This means that, each meeting we have an assignment to photograph something that goes with a theme. Next time, it's about "reflections." I know what I want photographed, but I'll have to get someone else to do it, because it's a shot of me reflected in the front board of the piano. I noticed this reflection last Sunday, amazed to see my mother's face looking back at me. I have many thoughts to share with the group about this particular reflection.

First, I looked grim. My mom used to look like that when she was just sitting and reading or knitting, and I always thought she was mad at me. I don't think I look like that very often, but it gave me pause. Next, I thought that I looked old. But subsequently I've thought that there is no definition for that except what I hold in my heart, so I'm letting it go. This is why I prefer the reflections of myself in other people's and creatures' faces to the ones in the mirror or the piano. There I see someone bright and young and vital. In the mirror, I see grey hair and wrinkles, and I'm not usually smiling at myself!

Archie and I get pretty bored sometimes. I visited a local ballet studio to see about playing for classes. Of course, like so many studios nowadays, they don't have a piano or keyboard, but they were interested in pursuing the idea, or so they said. That was at least a month ago. I offered to bring my keyboard in, if I could be scheduled a couple of days in a row and then bring it back home with me. I need to contact them again. I would like to have some additional work, and a little bit of ballet would be fun.

I painted Nancy's kissing Dutch figures, as well as the gnome that sits outside of One Acre Cafe. I've been knitting: a scarf for friend Jess in LA, a cowl that will be auctioned at the church fundraiser on 11/11, and I'm working on my very first sweater! I just ordered some fabric (the Joann's here is quite small and doesn't have much that interests me.), and I'll bring my sewing machine(s) back to Johnson City after I visit Grand Rapids for Thanksgiving.

I'm preaching my Dark in the Lightness sermon at HVUUC on 11/26. I'm looking forward to having that service come together, and to speaking to the congregation, rather than just sitting behind the piano. I need to make sure I have all my ducks in a row before I leave for GR on 11/19, though.

I miss being around people who know me, and who have known me for a long time -- those people who forgive the things I do wrong because they know that I am basically a person who tries to do right by everyone. I miss having access to more work, whether sporadic or steady. And I miss knowing where I can buy a certain item and how long it will take me to get there. I have made calls to local martial arts studios, but I haven't gone yet; and I checked out a clay painting studio, but I haven't produced anything yet.

I guess I feel kind of bogged down.

I'm one of those people who is most productive when I have too much on my plate. When I hardly have anything, I can get stuck knitting and watching procedurals for hours each day.

I guess the upshot is that, while I really find this area beautiful and inspiring, I am lonely and bored -- not all the time, but enough of the time for it to color my overall feeling about being here. I have committed to HVUUC for this church year, so that gives me a lot more time to feel at home, to make some real friends, and to potentially settle in.

Thought I should bring you up to date, in case you're still reading.

Johnson City

I left Grand Rapids early on Saturday morning, August 12. It's about a 10 1/2-hour drive to Johnson City from GR ... unless you have a flat tire in Fort Mitchell, KY. Then it's more like a 14-hour trip. But I was really glad I drove on Saturday and was able to attend church at the Holston Valley Unitarian Universalist Church (my new employer) on Sunday. I wanted one more chance to see how things have been without me before exploring the changes I might want to make. There was a lovely potluck after church (very little I could eat, but still lovely), and I got a chance to meet a couple of new people and visit with some members of the music committee and choir.

When I arrived in JC, I went straight to Nancy's, a place I've stayed on several other visits to JC. Nancy is not here in her house. She is caring for her parents in Glen Arbor, MI; but she and her husband offered to rent the attached apartment to me for a reasonable amount. Nevertheless, I reached out to see if I could find any other abode that cost less. Monday, I visited a couple with a home in the "tree streets." Theirs is on Laurel. They were offering a large bedroom on the main floor for slightly less than Nancy's place. In addition to a lovely, updated kitchen, they have a fenced-in yard (but so does Nancy) and an organic garden. But the place felt small to me, and I had trouble picturing myself there.

Later in the afternoon/evening, I visited Amy's place. Amy is the former chair of the Music Committee at HVUUC. She is a bright, lively personality, and her home was lovely and spotless. But by the time I visited with her, I think I had already pretty much decided to stay at Nancy's. It's a bit more money than either of the others, but since I've already been there several times it kinda feels like home. This is the place that Archie and I stayed when I adopted him, and he loves it here! Plus, Nancy's neighbor, Kristin, has many dogs of her own, as well as fosters, and some are even appropriate for Archie to play with. Everything is emptied out of the van, and I'm staying here, at least for a while. I hope to find enough work that I will still be able to travel to see Alice and Abby, and maybe even save a little (or a lot!).

Here's a quick video tour starting on the deck outside the apartment, then walking through, and ending looking out the bedroom French doors toward the pool again.

Before I left for JC, I was lucky enough to see both of my daughters, however briefly. Abby and Adam arrived in GR on Saturday, after driving from Erie to a wedding south near St Joe. They were headed up north to spend a few days with the Peterson clan, so I was very pleased to have breakfast with them before they left. Alice and David drove from Los Angeles with Harvey, my granddog, bringing him to Michigan for the first time. Before leaving LA, David posted a picture of a new Star Wars creature, due to appear in the next movie, called a Porg. He was quite taken with this creature, and I thought, "I could make one of those!" So I went to work, and before David left GR he had his very own Porg.

I had hoped to take a couple of boxes of Alice's stuff with me, as I'm planning to travel to LA in October to celebrate my birthday there, but I was unable to reach Phil and Sylvia, the keepers of the stuff. As I was headed south on 131, I got a text from Sylvia inviting me to stop and get the boxes. At that point I realized it was probably a good thing we didn't connect sooner because I couldn't imagine where I would have put two more boxes!

Archie definitely misses his best friend, Daisy, who will be 10 times his size by the time we see her again. Here they are in a playful moment in Annie's backyard before we left.

But Archie will make many new friends here in Johnson City. This is an encounter with Vader, one of the dogs from next door, who couldn't seem to decide whether he should have a taste of Archie or not. 

Let me close by saying that, while I already miss my dear friends in GR a lot, I have hope for some fun and creative times ahead. I also look forward to seeing my NC family, my SC family, Patrick & family in Charlotte, and Jennifer & Carol, and Ben, Eliza, & August in Asheville. I also anticipate paying a visit to Abby and Adam before too long -- when they say it's okay -- and maybe to Bay St Louis sometime in February. 

The following shot was given to me as a printed photograph by my cousin, Valerie, after her dad's memorial service on Friday before I left. It was taken at their cottage on Crystal Lake many years ago and shows the joy that we felt as a family sometimes. We used to gather at their cottage on July 4, because that was my paternal grandparents' anniversary. After they had both passed, the family no longer carried on this tradition, and even at my uncle's memorial some of the local folks were missing. Sad but true. Here's to halcyon days!

If anyone knows how to turn the photo, let me know, and I'll fix it.

The Adventure of staying in one place -- sort of

I think I've pretty much established that I don't enjoy staying still for too long. In fact, I wonder if I've always been this person deep down and just curtailed my travel instinct in favor of norms. Anyway, since the last entry, Abby and Adam got married in Cape Vincent, NY.

I left to drive there on June 25, Sunday. This was kind of the nature of the week, with occasional peeks at the sun:

I spent Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday nights at Abby & Adam's with a drive up to Hammond, NY, on Tuesday, to look at the flowers that would be cut the next day. And it rained, and it rained. This is from the Primrose Hill Flower Farm. 

The ones in the bucket had been cut for another wedding, but I took a picture, anyway, to give myself and Abby an idea of what was available. The proprietor had to go into Alexandria Bay (called "Alex Bay" by the locals) on Thursday morning to cross to an island for a wedding, so she met me at the Price Chopper parking lot to deliver the goods. Two buckets of a variety of flowers and beautiful, leafy plants for $100. I realized, after looking over what she had, that I was going to need some fuller, heftier flowers, and more white, to make things look the way we wanted. That meant going to Watertown on Thursday morning to get some mums, carnations, and daisies, all in white.

But I'm getting ahead of myself.

The trip to see the flowers at the flower farm was Tuesday. I returned to Cortland, where Archie and Jake worked on their relationship. 

Archie adores Jake. I think Jake tolerates Archie as an irritating little brother. I also think that Jake will be very relieved the next time we visit that Archie has been neutered. We'll see.

On Wednesday, Abby and I picked up Alice and David from the airport in Syracuse while Adam did a few things on his own, including polishing his final version of his vows. I didn't stay too long with the kids after we got back to the house, as I was expected in Clayton to get my nails done, while Adam's mom, Veronica, got some make-up tips from the same beautician. Even though the place where I was to stay on Wednesday night was far north, I met Veronica in Cape Vincent so I could see the wedding venue, and followed her into Clayton. We had lunch at this great place right on the river. It was my first of three visits to the place. It was convenient and good quality. There were probably lots of other good places, but once we'd found this one, it was just easy. It's called Bella's, in case you ever get there.

Veronica and I sent this to Abby and Adam from the deck of Bella's.

I spent Wednesday night at a very cute little Airbnb cabin quite a ways north of Clayton/CapeVincent, with Annie and her kids, Ruby and Hamish, who had come to attend the wedding and to help me with the flowers. I don't know what I would have done without them. The hardest thing -- for me, at least -- about making bouquets, corsages, and boutonnieres, is holding the flowers in the right spot while wrapping the florists' tape around the stems. Because of Annie and Ruby, I could put the flowers together creatively, and then one of them would hold them in place while I wrapped the tape. I guess if I were going to do this as a regular thing, I'd have to learn the coordination myself. As it was, they were lifesavers!

Annie holding the first version of the bridal bouquet. We ended up taking the blue flowers out and rearranging it a bit. Below is the final version.

Ruby holding the finished bridal bouquet.

And at its best, of course, in Abby's hand.

The bridesmaid bouquets were all different, and somewhat smaller. The corsages and boutonnieres were also quite different. Because they were wild flowers, we were lucky they lasted through pictures. After that, most people took them off because they were wilting so badly. Wild flowers just aren't bred to stay looking pretty for a long time without water, as carnations and others are.

Bridesmaid bouquets.

Thursday afternoon was the rehearsal, followed by a rehearsal dinner, and then a visit to the Peterson family's lodging at an old nunnery. Abby found really cool shades for her bridesmaids.

Left to right: Isabel Flikkema, Marlee Guilford, and Alice Peterson, bridesmaids!

Thursday night, I stayed at the Wooden Boat Inn in Clayton with the rest of the women from the wedding party. Friday morning, in spite of continuing rain, I drove back to the cabin where Annie and Ruby and I completed our corsages and boutonnieres and placed them in Styrofoam coolers with ice, as recommended by our flower lady. Archie had been staying with Annie and family, since he wasn't allowed at the Wooden Boat Inn. 

This was how a very happy Archie looked the morning of the wedding, after romping around the cabin in the rain and mud.

Following my advice (or maybe just on his own wisdom), Adam had set up the chairs on the lawn outside of the tent, even though it continued to rain. We believed that we would have sunshine for the wedding, and so we did. About 20 minutes before the ceremony was to begin, the sun came out. The weather was lovely and stayed that way until around midnight, when it began to rain again. The following, individually captioned, photos are from the afternoon of the wedding.

Archie cleaned up nicely for the wedding itself, and wore his bow tie with patience.

The Morrisons joined us from Grand Rapids. It was great to have them!

David, Alice, and Adam.

Abby put together some "wedding" hula hoops, decorated in white and silver. A number of Petersons were very good at this!

My brothers and my dad, talking and overlooking the St Lawrence.

And, nearby, Carol, Colleen, Mom (Carol), Abby, Alice & David. I'm not sure who's behind Mom. Probably Torri.

Seemed like most people thought ahead and brought a change of clothes. I didn't. Here's Adam, looking a lot more comfortable, and carrying one of the flower girls, Meadow.

One of my favorite shots, taken by David. Left to right: Dad (Harold), Mom (Carol), Adam, Abby, Elsie (Peterson), and then me and Alice looking on.

What a great family! I think it's funny how the Peterson women all tilt our heads.

A gorgeous professional shot by Whitney. More of these to come.

And the earth and sky blessed this day, finishing off with a gorgeous sunset that eclipsed the fireworks that followed.

That's enough for now. I'll catch you up on the last few weeks in another post.

Catching up again

Maybe I'm finally getting back to the appropriateness of the title of this blog. No, I'm not riding cross country, but I have bicycled at least 10 miles on 5 of the last 8 days, and my average speed and my stamina are improving. Before I left on this latest jaunt, I started teaching Archie to ride in the bike cart, so I can go for longer rides and not feel guilty about leaving him at "home."

"Home," until July 7, is at Annie's house. She has a large, finished basement; and while it is used by the family, there is room for me and my stuff. I bought a futon frame and mattress, and I sleep comfortably there ... more comfortably than I did on the couch. I suspect, if the weather stays hot, I'll have more family company down there when I get back from ...

North Carolina! I thought I was nuts heading south in the heat once again, but as it turns out it's much hotter in Michigan right now. We're supposed to have some low 90s over the next few days, but then my folks and I are leaving to head back on Thursday morning.

This time, my parents and I left Grand Rapids on the 8th, drove partway to my cousin's place in Parkersburg on our first day, and then completed the trip to Cary, NC, the next day. My brother's family (Two adults and two young men, currently living here - my niece is in her own place) was already hosting a friend of one of my nephews, while he interns in the area. In addition, they took on my sister-in-law's folks, my parents, and me (as well as Archie). Bless them! Colleen's folks left yesterday morning, having enjoyed, and helped out a lot with, the open house on Saturday. They had another graduation to go to in Virginia yesterday. Then home to Syracuse, NY.

We made a side trip to Southern Pines, NC, where we had a lovely lunch at a place called Rhett's on the main street of the small town. My cousin, Julie, and her husband, John, reside there. My aunt and uncle, Marty & Dave, drove up Sunday evening from Columbia, SC, and spent the night with Julie and John so that we could all be together on Monday. Often, on these trips south with my folks, we'll spend a couple of days with Marty & Dave, but we didn't really have a chance this time, so I'm glad we got to see them.

Left to right: Marty, Julie, me, Dad (Harold), Mom (Carol), and Dave. John was taking the picture.

Tomorrow is Cooper's graduation ceremony. It's held at a big conference center in Raleigh, and apparently the center runs groups through, several per day, much the way the VanAndel arena does with GVSU graduations. In the evening, we get to see my other niece (this one's from Kalamazoo, but lives in Durham, NC) and her roommate/partner/boyfriend. 

I love being able to give my parents the gift of seeing geographically distant family, especially for special occasions. I doubt that my dad will make this trip again, but I'll still gladly bring my mom down for visits as we are both able. 

Before I leave you for today, I want to post some pictures of the finished paint job on my van. I put a clear coat on over the design, and I hope that it will stay. It will probably serve me to wash it by hand, rather than run it through an automated car wash. That's okay. I like it, and I'd like it to last. 

I arrive back in GR on the 16th, have a few appointments mid-week, and then I prepare to travel to Cortland and Cape Vincent, NY, for Abby's wedding. I should have lots of pictures to share with y'all after that.

A new adventure!

First, I'll bring you up to date on my travels, since the previous post about Archie doesn't tell all. I returned to Grand Rapids via Johnson City, TN (where Archie was adopted). I spent about 3 weeks in Johnson City, a place which you might remember I really liked back in August when I visited friend Nancy, and in February when I stayed there while traveling from Bay St Louis to Cortland and back. After my February visit, I submitted a resume to the Holston Valley Unitarian Universalist congregation, since they had posted the need for a choir director. When I visited the church during that visit, I was told that they were still figuring out whether they wanted a choir director and accompanist or a music director. After I sent my resume, I didn't hear anything, so I just kind of forgot about it. I didn't visit the church while I stayed in Johnson City in March. I guess I was just doing other stuff.

I also sent resumes to a church in Los Angeles - I found out after not hearing anything for a while that they had filled the position and failed to take down the posting - Albany, NY, where I interviewed but decided that, if I was going to make something work and live in a place where I had to shovel, I'd return to Grand Rapids - and some mega-UU church in Arlington, VA, which had also filled the position and failed to remove the posting. Come on, folks!

Anyway, I've been back in Grand Rapids, happily residing in Annie Beals' basement, since April 7. While up north visiting some of Chuck's family, including cousin Nancy from Johnson City, I heard from the Holston UU that they had decided to hire a music director, with a query about my continuing interest. I told them that, yes, I was still interested, and if they wanted to set up an interview I would be in the area at the beginning of May when I was driving south for my nephew's, Keaton's, graduation from ECU.

I did indeed drive south, and I did interview in Johnson City. I did not attend the actual graduation. I went to Greenville, had some of the great food that the moms of the graduates who live with Keaton had prepared, and then decided to return to Cary with my other nephew, Cooper, and watch his baseball game. It was rainy in Greenville. It was sunny and gorgeous in Cary. I was sorry to miss watching Keaton walk, but I did not regret my decision.

The graduation was on Friday. The interview was Sunday, May 7. I attended the morning service, met members of the Music Committee after church, and proceeded to the minister's house for a lovely lunch and a casual interview in his living room. Unlike the interview in Albany, which was very carefully organized with certain people asking certain questions, and me not asking anything till the end, this interview was more like an extended conversation. Nevertheless, nearly all the information needed was communicated, and I felt very much at home.

In order to time my visit to Cortland just right, I spent a couple more days in Johnson City, and then I drove partway to Cortland on Wednesday, arriving in time to have supper at home with the kids. Abby and I packed up and left the next morning for GR. We had to get there in time to have Kathleen Singh pin the hem on Abby's wedding dress so she could finish it when she returned from a trip to Albuquerque last night. We had a great time with my mom and dad at the zoo in GR on Friday, and Saturday bopped around together before the wedding shower that Abby's aunts Betsy and Ginny had planned for the evening.

The shower was a great success! It was attended by friends and family, and some of the attendees aren't able to make it to the wedding itself, so it was great that they could come and wish Abby (and Adam) well.

Abby stuck around for Mothers Day. We enjoyed a lovely, tasty brunch at Betsy's with Petersons/Flikkemas/Burrs. Later, we picked up some food at Schuler's and ate with my folks at Samaritas, where they live.

Monday, we were driving back to Cortland, and Tuesday, Archie and I drove back to Grand Rapids.

Long sidebar: because there is some question about the legality of marriages performed by ULC ministers in New York State, I have had contact with Assemblywoman Sandy Galef, who has been trying for a number of years to either get the language of the law changed or establish an "ordination for a day" like Massachusetts has, so that anyone can pay the state for a license for a day to perform a wedding. This coming Monday, May 22, her office will hold a press conference in Albany to, once again, roll out the latter legislation. I have been asked to speak at the press conference, so I will be returning to Cortland tomorrow, driving to Albany on Monday morning and back in the afternoon, and then returning to GR on Tuesday. Yes, it's a lot of driving, but it seems important to me to do this.

AND, as of this morning, I received an offer on the job in Johnson City, and I've accepted! I'm already nervous, but I know I can do this, and it will be a positive experience. There is a way to organize Sundays off so that I can spend a couple of months in Grand Rapids during the summer and work at Blue Lake, or take longer stretches off to travel. I find the area of Northeastern Tennessee absolutely breathtaking, and I look forward to being close to family that I've lived far away from for many years. Tennessee has its seasons, but the winter is shorter and less intense than it is in Michigan.

Sorry I'm not sharing any pictures in this post. I know that makes things more interesting. But I wanted to get you updated before I drive, and then drive some more. After the quick jaunt to NY for the press conference, I'll drive my folks south for Cooper's high school graduation and open house, then back to Michigan, and then it will be time to make the final preparations for the wedding, which is June 30. After that, I'll be house sitting for Elianna and Jeff for most of July, as well as working at BLFAC, so if you're here in W Michigan reading this know that we'll be able to see each other during that time. I'll get some pictures up soon.

Thanks for continuing to follow my adventures!

Archie's Joy-Love Tour

After the difficulties of traveling with Remy, I am having a whole new experience which I refer to as in the title: Archie's Joy-Love Tour. 

Archie is now almost 4 months old. He weighed 2.5 lbs when I got him at the age of 9 weeks. He weighed 4 lbs when we visited the vet on April 13. I guessing he might be up to 5 lbs by now. His heritage is Australian terrier (which gets up to 14 lbs), Pomeranian (up to 7 lbs), and Chinese crested (up to 12 lbs), so I'm guessing he might end up somewhere around 10-12 lbs. This makes him easy to carry!

I adopted Archie in Johnson City, TN. His coat is very much like the Chinese crested, so he's not too crazy about cooler weather. Fortunately, Chris and Jackie gave me a couple of sweaters which he is gradually growing into. 

Archie absolutely LOVES everyone. He's a little afraid of bigger dogs at first, but he seems to adapt to them sometimes more quickly than they do to him. While we were in Cortland, he and Adam's dog Jake finally played together a bit. Below: Archie with Abby, with Abby and Eloise, with a couple of Abby's former co-workers at Trader K's, in a pensive moment at Abby & Adam's house, and with Jake (L) and Eloise (R), keeping warm by the stove.

Back in Grand Rapids, we visited Chris, Jackie, Spencer, Jackson, and their dogs Buttons and Jake. 

We moved into Annie's basement, where Archie quickly made himself welcome with Annie, Ruby, and Hamish.

He even made friends at the chiropractor's office and someplace else with someone I don't even know.

Below, we stopped for introductions at The Morrisons. Their dogs weren't as happy to meet Archie as Carolyn was.

Rylee's Ace Hardware always welcomes dogs, but Archie made a couple of new friends who will look forward to seeing him again. And he will look forward to seeing them because they have TREATS!

In Grand Rapids, introductions are made to my niece, Vanessa, and friends Cynthia and Sue. 

In Cary, NC, a peaceful moment between Archie and Riley. Riley is a fairly elderly dog who was not pleased with the efforts of this young whippersnapper to get him to play. There was a fair amount of warning noise, but ultimately I think they understood each other.

An arts and crafts fair in Apex before leaving NC yesterday. Many more than these two stopped to admire and pet Archie and to receive his dainty kisses.

And what have I been up to, you might ask. I've been thinking about how to spend the next 40 years of my life, starting with this year. I'd like to write some more songs and make a CD, or whatever it is people do these days to get their music out to other people. To do that, I need to get familiar with different drum rhythms, so everything doesn't sound classical or folk. 

I had a job interview in Albany, NY, for a church music job. I liked all the people I met, and the community is architecturally stunning, but as I drove away I thought, "I could make that work." And then I thought, "Is that what I really want to do? Make it work? If I'm going to live someplace where I have to shovel and make it work, I'll go back to GR where my parents and many friends are." So I told them to take me out of consideration.

About 3 weeks ago, I heard from a UU church in Johnson City, TN. I'd sent my resume way back in February after visiting the church and seeing that they were seeking a choir director. At that time, the minister told me that they were considering how to spend their music dollars -- whether to hire a choir director and accompanist or a music director, or what. I told him I could do any of those things, so I sent him the resume. 3 weeks ago was when the church finalized its budget, including money for a music director, so the minister called to see if I was still interested.

I had the interview this afternoon. I'll meet a couple of committee members again Tuesday evening, but I think there's a good possibility I'll be spending at least this next year in Johnson City -- not as far south as this past winter, but far enough not to have to shovel And if you've ever been through here you know it's gorgeous. 

Johnson City is in the very northeastern tip of Tennessee, only about 25 miles from Bristol (of the Geico commercials -- "now I'm in Virginia, and now I'm in Tennessee ...) and about 45-50 minutes from Asheville, NC. Tennessee is very conservative, but Johnson City is much less so, and it's close to Asheville, a liberal enclave in NC. And I'm happy to say that I've already become familiar with the Earthfare market, the Natural Food Store, and the Natural Pet Supply, as well as the Barnes & Noble. 

Not sure where I'll live yet, but I'll start looking around before I leave in a few days, and I'm sure others will help me by keeping an eye out for places while I'm away in New York and Michigan.

In a few days, I will drive on to Cortland to pick up Abby and take her to GR for a wedding shower, then drive her back, visit Cape Vincent where the wedding will be held, and drive back to GR. There were plans to take my mom and dad to NC for my nephew's high school graduation, but I initially got the date wrong, so now there's a possibility that won't happen, or won't happen when we expected it to. 

I start housesitting on July 7, so from there till the end of Blue Lake session III I'll be in GR -- just in case you wanted to see me and couldn't figure out when I'll be around. 

If I get this job in Johnson City, I'll start mid-August, so as soon as Blue Lake is done I'll be packing up and getting on the road.