meirwen_1988

While I've always loved the play, I never could quite "buy" A Midsummer Night's Dream. This is largely because the notion of falling asleep, outside, on Midsummer Eve was just ludicrous. It is often in the 40s or 50s here on that night (Faherenheit for those of you who have succumbed to the pedantry of decimal mania), so just "falling asleep" in your clothes outside and waking up without a case of hypothermia just never "range true" to me. However, the next time I watch Puck and Bottom, Helena and Hermia, and the rest, the sleeping lovers will not make me shake my head in disbelief.

Tonight I got home from Eastern Star exhausted, weary--the stress of trying to buy the house in Utica, the commitments to Star and family, teaching two summer classes (which are more concentrated, and longer than each individual class is during the regular year, so twice as tiring), and the stress of packing are all seeming to hit at once. I felt barely able to put one foot in front of the other, but the puppies and kitties need things that can't be put off. Still in my long whites (we had initiation tonight), I walked the dogs--in a white lace top and a full, white lawn skirt. Even had white shoes on. And I was perfectly comfortable out in the yard, even with the leftover damp from last night's storm. Trying to watch the black dog in the darkness between the maples and the locust trees, trying to keep the nearly blind one away from the road, it was still beautiful. The quiet, the still air, the smell of iris and peonies a quiet note floating atop the scent of grass and earth.

And then I saw it out of the corner of my eye. A flash of almost blue white light in a streak across the sky. "Shooting star," I thought to myself. So I started looking at the sky to see if it was a shower of meteors. And then I saw another streak--beside the barn. And then I realized it was fireflies. The brightest, most dynamic fireflies I have ever seen. These were not twinkling lights in the lawn. These were brilliant globes of light moving in the grass, among the trees, all the way to the tops of some of the maples. And at the bases of many of the trees are little villages of mushrooms, brown and smooth.

Tonight, the subjects of Titania and Oberon let me see them preparing for two nights from now, and the Midsummer Revels.

Thank you.

This weekend was full of...everything.

We had an event in Coppertree this weekend that promised to be the kind of event I love--lots of people doing things about which they are very enthusiastic, with an incredibly flexible schedule since there was no court, or performance, etc. that people had to structure around. And our house was going to be full of family and friends (old and new), something I was very much looking forward to.

Also this weekend was La Duchezz's Homecoming for Eastern Star as her year as District Deputy Grand Matron [closest analogous position in the SCA is Territorial Baroness] is over and she gets to step down. It is also the "Reception" for her "Baron," Keith, who is a good friend, and was a good friend of John's [Morguhn], who is staying in for a second year and will be serving with a lovely woman we're very fond of in Rowan's former position. It was also the reception for his wife, Joanne, who we adore, who is a new Grand Officer.

And, inevitably, I had a mountain of school work to get through, exacerbated by the fact that my computer was out of commission for three days last week, and that when I checked my mailbox Friday afternoon the slot that had been empty in the morning was stuffed full with 75 placement tests I had to evaluate. By Monday.

So, I had to choose--miss the event or miss the reception.

I chose to miss the event, even though that meant missing my Lady-in-Waiting and many other folks I see too seldom, and go to the reception today. I consoled myself that I'd be able to get "some" of the event vicariously. When folks got home at 8 (they left at 10) I was still grading (halfway through the Placement tests, but all the rest of the grading was done). So I got to hang out and talk to folks for a few hours before I collapsed into bed.

The reception was today, and it was wonderful--lots of really nice people. The Past Grand Patron and his wife even came down from Watertown! Duchezz got some prezzies, there was some silly, and most importantly we got to see friends in a fun, relaxed setting.

The Homecoming/Reception was in Amsterdam, which is about 50 miles east of Utica. Duchezz decided not to take the Thruway and instead we went out Route 5. I don't think I've ever been on 5 east of Little Falls before. As we were going through we passed some beautiful old houses (clearly built with old river profits), and one that I'm sure was there during the French and Indian War, based on the architecture. I added a number of places to the "Saturday-bored-lets go for a day-trip" list.

Now I'm going to finish watching the NY v. NE game, then grade the rest of the placement tests, and then write the test for my English 2 class.

For all the crazy, and all the tired, it was a great weekend. But, damn, I really could have used a Tardis--one just a bit more reliable about time targeting than the Dr.'s, please.

1. Duchezz was installed as Matron of Winfield Chapter #418, Order of the Eastern Star of the State of New York last night. Her Patron, who is a friend of ours, and was a friend of Morguhn's, disappeared just as he was to be installed, and reappeared dressed as a knight, complete with crested helm, coif, halbrek, chausses, mantle, and ceremonial sword (he borrowed them from his Scotish Rite [the Shriners] temple), in order to "Make Right Worthy Loie feel more at home." It was a wonderful, touching, funny gesture, especially since the day before he fell Morguhn had decided he would join our Chapter so he could be Patron with her. The mantle was even green.

2. I got my report (I'm the chapter historian) written and delivered. Four pages, single spaced, and no one ever complains it's too long, so I guess I must be doing something right. Of course that meant no school related work got done yesterday between 3 and chapter. And we ran very long, so no work got done when I got home. I either need a longer pipe on my snorkle or to just inhale the damn water and get it over with.

3. Had a conversation of sorts, small one, with someone who has been thoughtless and unkind lately, about that thoughtlessness and unkindness. It is a start, but I am not hopeful. The most tangible result of the conversation was a nightmare that was clearly, directly, connected.

4. I'm fairly convinced I have angered two ladies, one across the continent and one somewhat closer, and I'm not sure exactly what I did or how to fix it. :-(

5. Fairly convinced I am not only suffering from clinical depression but that its shopping buddy paranoia has come along for the trip.

6. Tomorrow comes the great stove adventure. The delivery people "don't coordinate with third parties" and the gas company "would have been happy to coordinate when we called, but we "didn't give us a time range then." Um, because ... oh, never mind. *Sigh*

7. I would really, really, really like to remember what fun is--fun without interpersonal dramah undertones, awkward revelations, guilt about squandered time....Maybe in December. I can hope.

8. By the way--you all have saved my sanity for the last 14 months. Thank you.

( In which Our Heroine provides detail )

Oh, yeah--and saved a blackbird, but that's a whole other story.

The name I have for this icon is "tired." I need to come up with one that I can label "sleepwalking" and one I can label "coma." Yeah. That'll happen.

So, I'm sleepwalking.
Flat out day, came home. In the 1.5 hours I had before we had to be at the Temple for District Deputy Visitation (remember the "A, You're Adorable" nightmare?) I had to walk the dogs, feed myself, make sandwiches for the DD (two loaves of bread, no waiting), answer student emails, grade if possible, rehearse one last time (thank you midi file), tart myself up for the night....
Duchezz came home about 45 minutes before we had to leave, fed herself, fed dogs, tarted herself up, and we were on our way.

Sometimemsmemory and I will have to compare notes about "how to help our Sisters reach their full potential." Suffice it to say that it was a bit uneven. But it's done.
After helping clean up the Temple (we have a sit down sandwiches and cookies spread after the DD), we headed home. Arrived about 10:40. I came upstairs after putting away our share of the leftovers, changed, worked on my online class--tried is more like it--not really much accomplished. Now it's down to wash up, take meds, and then try to get into bed before midnight. I'm not optimistic.

(Damn music was a step or two too low, so now my voice feels like hamburger from trying to project to fill the hall. Just another service we provide. However, the DDGM, DGL, and most importantly, the women in the two Chapters [we do a combined DD] seemed happy with it. I'll call it a win and spend tomorrow sucking down tea with lemon and honey. Yes, there are some professionals reading this [yes you, Ms. Chicago Lyric Opera] who are probably saying "Honey, suck it up--it was 2 minutes of pop." Okay, that's fair. But if I didn't whine, I wouldn't have anything to saaaaaaaaay.)

It is May Day. Lady Day. Beltain. All good things. I am wearing spring green. I am smiling. On the outside.

Coming back from Wampsville this morning (whew--one thing checked off the stress list) I noticed the trilliums are in bloom along the highway. Good things.

Tonight I go with Duchezz and the Wonderful Jane to a Grand Matron's visit, wearing the new gown I got on sale (SIZE 6!!) and Duchezz will be wearing the gown I found for her, that she loves. Happy Anniversary, a little early, sweetheart.

Tomorrow we come home, get the dogs, and with luck, I will be able to watch the Derby. Not wearing silk taffeta, as I did 18 years ago, the first Saturday in May.

Not wearing a crown of flowers.

Not surrounded by friends, and joy, and hope.

But the jockey's granddaughter will watch the Derby, with a Duchezz, and pugs, and kitties, and bourbon.

Lots of bourbon, perhaps.

And still, there is love.

"And the greatest of these is love."

...one Grand Matron's Visit to go.

Duchezz is home safe from her trip to the Capitol District. All trained and empowered. Yay!

Today's agenda is try to catch up at work after completely foobaring last night, then it's time to prepare for the weekend. And the the agenda this weekend? All the stress, all the time.

Saturday--Blades and Blarney: an event I love, appreciate beyond words, and hope I have the strength for.

Sunday--OES line officers for the district I am very uncomfortable in (part of it, for which Duchezz will get no end of CRAP for leaving early), then on to the (late arrival at the)benefit for the children of the Shire member who has advanced cancer.

Here's a seldom heard cry--"Please, oh please can it be Monday!"

(I think I'm going to be very thankful for the inventor of bourbon by the end of the weekend.)

Snow was bad, edges of road invisible, but Duchezz was great--only scared the sh** out of me a dozen or so times. Very scary, but home safe.

Now we are watching Eleventh Hour which is both interesting and has "good scenery." As soon as it's done were going to bed. Tomorrow the Forester goes in, we hope for the last time, to get the stuff done they were supposed to have done before we got it.

'night all.

Saturday madness went well. Winfield Chapter's 100th Anniversary celebration was a great success. Our floor work looked good, the program was well-received, I did not have a "Robert Goulet moment" (which I feared on any number of levels), and the technology cooperated for the PowerPoint display in the chapter room. All in all, it went well.

We came home and collapsed and were all in bed, asleep, before 11.

Today I got up and went to Mass, then came home, picked up the sweeties, and we went to the LFD donation breakfast. Did our part, came home. Then I packed up Ping and headed off to the Wiggle-Waggle-Walk-a-thon.

There were hundreds of dogs of various shapes and sizes, lots of children, and many responsible parents. It was a delight. Let me just say I have never seen so many well-behaved dogs and kids all in the same place. And our boy?? I'm bursting with pride. He was incredibly well-behaved and calm, and practically raced through the course! Funniest moment was when a huge (and I do mean huge) grey Great Dane decided to say "Hello" in true doggie fashion. Ping's response was simply a "Hey...oh, well, okay, 'Hi'" and kept going. He got many treats, much praise.

I came home to find most of the roof of the porch in the yard. Okay, the top layer--wood frame is still on top. The Duke was sitting in his rocker, Duchezz having gone off to get plywood. We now have solved part of the mystery of why the roof of the porch put so much strain on the support posts. FIVE layers of asphalt shingles, in addition to the originals. Good grief. But, by snow fly we should have new roof on the new part of the porch. Yay! (and I am much relieved that the roofing materials are for the porch and not the upper roof!)

Later there will be grading, but right now the Ping is getting much deserved cuddles.