First week of Lent

1. Had a great breakfast with Evonne last Saturday; try the Hawaiin french toast. I was telling Wayne recently what a great model of God-child/God-parent our relationship has become, but it takes years to develop, so he has time to get it going with Memphis. Evonne has been my Dear Abby for so many years... hard to imagine what it would be like without her shoulder to cry on. There was a gentle debate about the Sally Clark selection to the city council [I worked with the lesbian mafia at CSB; they are very clubby but they took damn good care of me]; which was a safe choice for a political org not used to taking risks. Apparently Evonne had a friend who was also on the short list. In general Evonne is doing incredible work with youth; and I admire it all [cuz someone has to do it!].

2. Ash Wednesday service was like bliss; got to sit in on the kids version, where the kids get to put ashes on the other kids [and adults]. You see kids getting raised in the church... life just seems perfect at some level; what a blessing. The potluck afterwards degraded into daredevil stunts where the little kids laid down on the ground while the other kids jumped over them [Who thinks of this stuff? Reminds me of the stuff we did with Ana and Dan's kids at the house.].

3. Had some nice visits with Chula recently; she continues to evolve into a single bright light; where the glare is enough to warm you for several days. I will never, ever tire of being in her presence. We did a detour stop at Archie McPhees for cheesy toys [kind of Mardi Gras release]. There were a few items I wanted to buy Chula, Deborah thought they would be inappropriate for my profoundly Catholic Grandmother. Has anyone been to Ballard lately? They're like trying to turn it into a real destination; with culture and everything. They even have homeless people! Anyway Chula was telling me about attending church as a little girl; the promise she made to her husband [my Grandfather] about remaining a Catholic. Very sweet. I love holding her hands; it's like holding eternity.

4. Got this kick-ass cold on Wednesday; it was so bad that on the way into work had to pull over and go hunker down in a gas station bathroom and do the thang. Sucked. But nurse Deborah did the medicine and I feel much better today. Lots of folks sick on my team [not suprising given the insane hours we all work here at the evil empire]. Lesson: eat well, play hard, pray like a saint.

5. Josh/I had to opt out of the foundation web site Susanna is setting up for Paul. We're both slammed with work, just didn't have the extra time to meet her deadline. At least they have a domain to work with; should be straightforward to get the rest completed. Josh started a new gig in mortgage banking; yet another adventure for a fine young man [wonder when they're going to have children?].

6. Bathroom remodel is on schedule [whatever that means]. It's been a gas to watch Deborah deal with a pack of men who aren't used to a strong women telling them what to do. I can see them looking at me like "Can you step in here please?" No. She's doing a great job as general contractor, running their little butts all over the place, we're getting a pretty sweet setup as a result; despite a few bumps in the road [or was that inspection]. Many thanks to Dennis and Wayne for their encouragement and assistance.

7. And Ms. Deborah is now white [as if we didn't know this]. I defied the Redmond gods and bought her Apples. They're actually very cool machines but not my style; too used to Windows boxes. It's interesting how new Apple owners immediately snap into the 'lifestyle' personna. Steve must be doing something right. We're dumping MS stock and buying Apple [and Disney]. Amen.

8. Tyler is one year old this week. He's such a little buddha; and Wi/Mark are so locked into loving him like crazy. Memphis still isn't sure what to make of him; he likes to grab her a lot. Birthday party tomorrow.

9. We did the first parent conference with Memphis's teacher last Friday. It was a hint of things to come. She's way ahead of her class, on many levels. It frustrates me but have to let it go; they're pros, they know what they're doing. Deborah is monitoring it closely. Evonne gave me some great advice on how to think about it. Memphis loves her classmates [and other children in general]; it's all good. She is craving a sibling... more on this later.

10. Prayers for the week. So many areas of pain in the world right now; where do we start. Lately homeless people have really been on my heart. It would suck - I mean down to the bone suck - to live in a cold alley with the weather we've had this winter. And add children to the mix and it's just raw. Father please help them, and help us to help them more. The broader family is always in my prayers. Evonne has to tolerate my utopian ideas about how to re-connect our large family; I know it's just dreaming but you have to have dreams, no?

11. Sarita is talking about a cousin reunion; I'm game if we can agree on logistics [not easy]. Kind of think Los Angeles would be fun; hang out at the beach then do a road trip to Tijuana. Can you imagine all us cousins taking a bus to a Mexican border town; cutting loose. Wonder who would end up in jail. Street tamales are on me.

Have a great weekend; remember to kiss the one you love. Con paz.

frank[ie]
"I thought the only lonely place was on the moon"
- Paul McCartney