Shelley

This is by Galway Kinnell--my dad showed it to us over Thanksgiving and I've been thinking about it ever since.

Shelley

When I was twenty the one true
free spirit I had heard of was Shelley,
Shelley who wrote tracts advocating
atheism, free love, the emancipation
of women, and the abolition of wealth and class,
a lively version of Plato's Symposium,
lyrics on the bliss and brevity
of romantic love, and complex
poems on love's difficulties, Shelley
who, I learned later--perhaps
almost too late--remarried Harriet,
then pregnant with their second child,
and a few months later ran off with Mary,
already pregnant with their first, bringing
along Mary's stepsister Claire,
who very likely also became his lover,

and in this malaise a trois, which Shelley
said would be a "paradise of exiles,"
they made their life, along with spectres
of Harriet, who drowned herself in the Serpentine,
and Mary's half sister Fanny, who, fixated
on Shelley, killed herself, and with the spirits
of adored but neglected children
conceived almost incidentally
in the pursuit of Eros--Harriet's
Ianthe and Charles, denied to Shelley
and sent out to foster parents, Mary's
Clara, dead at one, her Willmouse, dead at three,
Elena, the baby in Naples, almost surely
Shelley's own, whom he "adopted" but then
left behind, dead at one and a half,
and Allegra, Claire's daughter by Byron,
whom Byron packed off to the convent
at Bagnacavallo at four, dead at five--

and in those days, before I knew
any of this, I thought I followed Shelley,
who thought he was following radiant desire.

Leah and Reagan's nuptials

Leah and Reagan running to the moped


photo shoot with Leah and Reagan


I'll start with this past weekend's BIG even and go backwards: Leah and Reagan were married last Saturday, June 2. They are now in Hawaii on an island-hopping cruise. The wedding was "the most beautiful indoor wedding I've ever experienced," said Jennie, a bridesmaid and sister to the bride. Jennie also said that Anna, another sister, had the most beautiful summer wedding and Jessica, sister number 3, had the most beautiful fall wedding she has been to. Someday Alice will have the most beautiful winter wedding, Jennie will have the most beautiful spring wedding, I will have the most beautiful, and only, destination wedding Jennie has been to--if Dad isn't broke by then, that is.

tired little princesses

The bride stunned the celebrants as she proceeded down the long aisle of First Presbyterian Church in Greenville, SC. I, personally, did not cry, unlike most people in the church (brides are breathtaking--aren't they?). I did, however, tear up at the rehearsal the previous night. The groomsmen wore a Reagan-esque combination of striped green ties and patterned shirts with navy blazers. Bridesmaids wore olive green strapless dresses that belled under at the knees. They brought to mind an era when women vacuumed their houses in pearls: the fifties. But Leah really stole the show--I mean, she looked smashing! From head: Jessica's veil (the "something borrowed") to toe: pink high heels. Yes, she pulled them off splendidly.

spoiled little princesses

The reception was at the church and was catered by Linda Abrams, who is also, I have heard, a phenomenal history teacher. I wish I could have had her for a class (preferably her class on Napoleon). The family of the bride is still eating leftovers like spinach artichoke dip, brie & apricot delights, and wedding cake (would you like a piece? Come to our house and we'll give you a generous one!). The immediate family of the bride and groom enjoyed mingling with their most amazing extended family, who came in from MA, NM, OH, FL, PA, etc. Little Olivia, the bride's two year-old niece, was especially popular with the family. The family also enjoyed catching up with old friends from high school and beyond. The self-serve candy bar (table to fill your own bag of candy) was a big hit with the guests with special appearances from Runts, m&ms, Reese's and Skittles (Reagan's favorite). Pictures of the nuptials and rehearsal dinner are to come.

Dad with his granddaughter Olivia

all the cousins but Leah and Kayla

OK--other than that, I started working with an interior decorator part-time on Tuesday. I'm mostly just running errands for her--taking her kids to the pool, organizing stuff in her office, finding fabrics that she has to return to a fabric library (they have those! Isn't that cool?). Well, it's really tragic, but I got to work this morning and there were a ton of cars parked in front of the house and some of her friends sitting outside to tell me that Cindy's ex-husband had just passed away this morning from a heart attack. They had two children, a boy, 10, and a girl, 14. It was really shocking. Everyone was/is mostly concerned for the children. I'm really thankful they have a great support group around them--really, a lot of people praying for them and trying to comfort them. It hit me as someone who's just met this family how strange it is that life just goes on for other people who don't know them. People are having road rage a street away from them. I felt like the whole world should stop and mourn their loss with them. Be kind.

Jared and me on the Boston metro

A couple weeks ago I took a road trip to Boston to visit my friend Seth (and see the relatives!). Other than rain the whole week, Jared (my road trip buddy) and I thought the trip was quite nice. We learned a good bit about Boston traffic, which is horrendous. I'd never tried to navigate the roads there before! Use the Metro system, if you can! And, go on a sunny week! I got to see my dear friend Emily, who is now back in Yellowstone. I talked to her and Lindsay the other day and mourned that I'm not there this summer--but I honestly think very good things are in store for me here and now. Joy, another Yellowstone friend, and I made a pact to do some cool expedition together in three years (when she's out of dental school)--either biking across the country or hiking the Pacific Crest Trail. Hold me to it!

I'm learning Spanish right now! I'm getting excited about teaching in Madrid for the next year. Who knows how I'll grow and change? That's an exciting thought. Pray for me. I leave at the end of July with Biz! Adios!

VA Tech victims' profiles

(click title)

I just read these, with tears. Gosh. All such wonderful people.