25 years ago on Halloween night, a woman knocked on our front door. My parents had just moved their little family (2 1/2 year old and 8 month old little girls) from New Rochelle, NY to Ramsey, NJ on that very day. The woman at the door, AQ, lived 2 doors down with her husband, DQ, and their 2 kids. And so began our life in Ramsey.
Ramsey is a family town--there are 3 elementary schools, a middle school and a high school--plus a Catholic elementary school and an all-boys Catholic high school. We celebrate "Ramsey Day" every September--complete with a street fair and fireworks. There's an amazing park with 8 baseball/softball fields, 3 basketball courts, 2 tennis courts and a huge playground that the town built together one summer when I was about 8.
I grew up in that park. My dad played in a summer Sunday softball league for about 12 years. He joined the summer after we moved to Ramsey at AQ's husband's suggestion. It was a team of men in their 30s, for the most part, so there was a whole flock of kids under the age of 8. There were barbeques and pool parties, playdates and new additions. My first best friends were boys from this group. As we got older, my sister and I became the big kids who escorted the little ones to the playground and supervised so that the moms could talk and watch the games. Later, I played softball myself on those fields. Ramsey's recreational sports program is enormous--my parents spent weekends of their lives at soccer, basketball, softball, baseball and football games (and swim meets too). My parents served as coaches for our baseball, softball and basketball teams. My siblings and I grew up walking to the Catholic elementary school across town and riding our bikes to the stores on Main Street or over to our friends' houses. My brother and his friends could walk into town for bagels, sandwiches and baseball cards by the time they were eight years old--it was just that kind of town.
I'm not sure if my parents intended to stay in Ramsey for so long, or if they really knew the kind of community they had chosen. I do know that I'm eternally grateful for their decision and the life it gave me. It was the perfect place to grow up. It's a town where you wave at least 3 times as you drive down Main Street because you see people you know. When I come home for a visit these days, I bump into old friends at church and in the supermarket. The guys who run the deli and the pizza place know who I am and ask how "mama" is doing these days. As for my parents, I think they're pretty happy with their choice too--when I talked to my mom last night, she was headed out to the bar for a glass of wine with a friend from town. And yesterday she was able to say "Happy Anniversary" to the woman who came to our front door 25 years ago Halloween night with a casserole--AQ is the 2nd grade aide at my mother's school.
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Monday, October 30, 2006
Magic Happens There
As we walked up the hill from our offices on Friday afternoon, my friend and colleague JD looked at me and said, "You're living life right." I had just told her of my weekend plans--to gather with old friends and new in a cozy living room in a big yellow house in Northampton.
I thought a lot about JD's comment this weekend. When I sit in that living room, pen on paper, I revisit a time in my life that was lonely and miserable. I felt isolated partly because I was--both physically and emotionally--and partly because I didn't know how to seek out connections in that strange city.
When I moved to MA last summer, Nerissa suggested that I join a writing workshop and I figured, "What the hell?" I never expected to discover the safety, security, community and joy that I've experienced in my writing workshops. So, I keep coming back--I delve deeper and deeper into my three years in L.A. All the while I am mindful of the fact that I'm making up for lost time. I am taking advantage of an opportunity that makes me happy and whole and leaves me "under the influence."
I'm going to fall in line behind *A* and give you a "top ten" weekend recap:
1) Team George. Rematch in March?
2) The hootenanny at kj and jb's house.
3) Songwriters...what a fabulous addition to the group!!
4) The power blowing out in A & my room on Sunday morning.
5) Seeing 3D (shy) versions of Charlotte and Iris.
6) Successfully fitting 11 of us (plus Lila) around the dinner table for family dinner on Saturday night.
7) Wandering through "Faces" with A & N on Saturday afternoon.
8) Thai food on the way out of town on Sunday.
9) Lila (c'mon, she had to make my top 10)
10) The exciting, fresh and totally outstanding writing that came out of this weekend from all of our pens and guitars.
This past weekend couldn't have been more perfect. It was the reunion I'd been waiting for with my January friends--with some perfect additions to the crowd. I look forward to our March reunion.
I thought a lot about JD's comment this weekend. When I sit in that living room, pen on paper, I revisit a time in my life that was lonely and miserable. I felt isolated partly because I was--both physically and emotionally--and partly because I didn't know how to seek out connections in that strange city.
When I moved to MA last summer, Nerissa suggested that I join a writing workshop and I figured, "What the hell?" I never expected to discover the safety, security, community and joy that I've experienced in my writing workshops. So, I keep coming back--I delve deeper and deeper into my three years in L.A. All the while I am mindful of the fact that I'm making up for lost time. I am taking advantage of an opportunity that makes me happy and whole and leaves me "under the influence."
I'm going to fall in line behind *A* and give you a "top ten" weekend recap:
1) Team George. Rematch in March?
2) The hootenanny at kj and jb's house.
3) Songwriters...what a fabulous addition to the group!!
4) The power blowing out in A & my room on Sunday morning.
5) Seeing 3D (shy) versions of Charlotte and Iris.
6) Successfully fitting 11 of us (plus Lila) around the dinner table for family dinner on Saturday night.
7) Wandering through "Faces" with A & N on Saturday afternoon.
8) Thai food on the way out of town on Sunday.
9) Lila (c'mon, she had to make my top 10)
10) The exciting, fresh and totally outstanding writing that came out of this weekend from all of our pens and guitars.
This past weekend couldn't have been more perfect. It was the reunion I'd been waiting for with my January friends--with some perfect additions to the crowd. I look forward to our March reunion.
Thursday, October 26, 2006
T13: Big Yellow Edition
Here's what I'm looking forward to...
1) Seeing kj, A, N and M!!
2) New people with new writing
3) Tea and Cookies
4) NFN's cooking
5) Lunch at the Brewery
6) Saturday afternoon freedom in Noho
7) 3D versions of Charlotte and Iris (and Eli too)
8) Testing a new motel (am I *really* looking forward to this?!)
9) Hearing the brilliant writing of wonderful people
10) Sweet Lila girl
11) Seeing N's Gatsby Girl
12) Crazy amounts of laughter
13) It is worth repeating--a WHOLE weekend with kj, A, N and M!!
1) Seeing kj, A, N and M!!
2) New people with new writing
3) Tea and Cookies
4) NFN's cooking
5) Lunch at the Brewery
6) Saturday afternoon freedom in Noho
7) 3D versions of Charlotte and Iris (and Eli too)
8) Testing a new motel (am I *really* looking forward to this?!)
9) Hearing the brilliant writing of wonderful people
10) Sweet Lila girl
11) Seeing N's Gatsby Girl
12) Crazy amounts of laughter
13) It is worth repeating--a WHOLE weekend with kj, A, N and M!!
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Tuesday 13
A little late on the Thursday 13! I went home on Wednesday night for a visit with the Irish cousins. We had a grand weekend--lots of family, food and some NYC sightseeing to boot.
1. The Irish cousins have replacement knees, hips and shoulders.
2.
Therefore, we took an aquatic tour of NYC on this boat.
3.
We saw the Empire State Building (it was a grey day, but fairly warm and not raining).
4.
And the Statue of Liberty.
5.
We came up on the south side of Manhattan.
6.
And under the Brooklyn Bridge.
7.
The World Financial Center with the restored Wintergarden Theater in between--my dad's part of the City.
8.
No trip is complete without a stop at St. Pat's!
9. All a far cry from home for them.
10. Friday night, we went out to dinner in Gramercy Park.
11. Notice the picture of Gregory Peck hanging over the table. I love Atticus Finch.
12.
The whole group at Saturday night's dinner party.
13. The group includes cousins and 2 women who traveled to Ireland with my mom in the early 70s.
1. The Irish cousins have replacement knees, hips and shoulders.
2.
Therefore, we took an aquatic tour of NYC on this boat.
3.
We saw the Empire State Building (it was a grey day, but fairly warm and not raining).
4.
And the Statue of Liberty.
5.
We came up on the south side of Manhattan.
6.
And under the Brooklyn Bridge.
7.
The World Financial Center with the restored Wintergarden Theater in between--my dad's part of the City.
8.
No trip is complete without a stop at St. Pat's!
9. All a far cry from home for them.
10. Friday night, we went out to dinner in Gramercy Park.
11. Notice the picture of Gregory Peck hanging over the table. I love Atticus Finch.
12.
The whole group at Saturday night's dinner party.
13. The group includes cousins and 2 women who traveled to Ireland with my mom in the early 70s.
Monday, October 16, 2006
Weekend happenings
I am still in recovery mode from a non-stop weekend. It was, however, just what I needed after a particularly trying week at work. This week isn't much better, so I'm grateful for a fun and chaotic weekend.
Friday night, I decided at the last minute to join a few work friends on a jaunt to wonderful Northampton, MA. Our VP's son and his band (Okkervil River) played the 10 PM show at the Iron Horse. We met up with some of Meg's friends for thai food, then wandered over to the IH. I'd NEVER seen such a line--going in both directions, up and down the street, wrapping around into parking lots. The boys had played Buffalo the night before and due to 2 feet of snow, had a tough time getting out. So they were just arriving at 9:30 when doors were supposed to open. We stood out in the cold for an hour and the show didn't finish til 2 AM, but it was fun. A different sound than I'm used to, but I really liked it and the venue was perfect.
Saturday, after sleeping in due to a 3:15 am homecoming, I went to my friend Kelley's wedding. It was in Andover, MA and it couldn't have been prettier. Kel's mom died soon after Kelley graduated from HC, so it was a little bittersweet, but Kel and her husband seemed very happy. We danced the night away to some of the best music I've ever heard at a wedding. I generally hate dancing, but it was well worth it.
Yesterday, I traveled with my friend Bethany to New Haven, CT. Since I missed N&K at the Iron Horse on Saturday night, I made up for it with their New Haven house concert. It's become my favorite show of the year. 25 or 30 of us packed into a tiny living room, surrounded by wonderful music. Lots of new songs that made me anxious for the new CD release. It won't leave my cd player for months, I'm sure. Perfect way to end the weekend.
As if that's not enough, as N reminded me earlier today, in 11 short days I will see many of you. I'm just giddy. I will miss those of you who are not there dearly, though!
Friday night, I decided at the last minute to join a few work friends on a jaunt to wonderful Northampton, MA. Our VP's son and his band (Okkervil River) played the 10 PM show at the Iron Horse. We met up with some of Meg's friends for thai food, then wandered over to the IH. I'd NEVER seen such a line--going in both directions, up and down the street, wrapping around into parking lots. The boys had played Buffalo the night before and due to 2 feet of snow, had a tough time getting out. So they were just arriving at 9:30 when doors were supposed to open. We stood out in the cold for an hour and the show didn't finish til 2 AM, but it was fun. A different sound than I'm used to, but I really liked it and the venue was perfect.
Saturday, after sleeping in due to a 3:15 am homecoming, I went to my friend Kelley's wedding. It was in Andover, MA and it couldn't have been prettier. Kel's mom died soon after Kelley graduated from HC, so it was a little bittersweet, but Kel and her husband seemed very happy. We danced the night away to some of the best music I've ever heard at a wedding. I generally hate dancing, but it was well worth it.
Yesterday, I traveled with my friend Bethany to New Haven, CT. Since I missed N&K at the Iron Horse on Saturday night, I made up for it with their New Haven house concert. It's become my favorite show of the year. 25 or 30 of us packed into a tiny living room, surrounded by wonderful music. Lots of new songs that made me anxious for the new CD release. It won't leave my cd player for months, I'm sure. Perfect way to end the weekend.
As if that's not enough, as N reminded me earlier today, in 11 short days I will see many of you. I'm just giddy. I will miss those of you who are not there dearly, though!
Thursday, October 12, 2006
T13
Sorry I've been MIA. Work has been absolutely crazy and I'm pretty spent. I will try to catch up on your blogs tonight and tomorrow night. I'm thinking of you all though...and getting increasingly excited for the Big Yellow retreat. 15 days!
1. I bought a 6-pack of Blue Moon last night.
2. Since I don't have roommates to drink/eat my stuff anymore, the remaining 5 bottles should last me til Thanksgiving.
3. I love the fall.
4. I'm going to my 2nd wedding as many weekends on Saturday night.
5. The director of the Chaplains' Office at HC is one of my favorite people in the world.
6. We scheduled our first lunch of the school year for the Friday of retreat weekend--great way to start if all off.
7. Next week, my grandmother's cousins are coming from Ireland for 5 days--they've never been to the States. I'm psyched to see them.
8. Thanks to my parents, my apartment now has a love seat in the living room.
9. After boiling pasta for dinner last night, I realized I had neither tupperware for the leftovers or a colander to drain the ravioli.
10. In using the top to drain the water, I dumped half the pasta down the drain. That solved the leftovers problem.
11. I ordered new stationery this week.
12. The cards are handmade by my youth minister from high school. Weehah! Cards
13. Let's Go Mets! (I'm still a (depressed) Yankee fan, but in their absence, I'll pull for the Mets)
1. I bought a 6-pack of Blue Moon last night.
2. Since I don't have roommates to drink/eat my stuff anymore, the remaining 5 bottles should last me til Thanksgiving.
3. I love the fall.
4. I'm going to my 2nd wedding as many weekends on Saturday night.
5. The director of the Chaplains' Office at HC is one of my favorite people in the world.
6. We scheduled our first lunch of the school year for the Friday of retreat weekend--great way to start if all off.
7. Next week, my grandmother's cousins are coming from Ireland for 5 days--they've never been to the States. I'm psyched to see them.
8. Thanks to my parents, my apartment now has a love seat in the living room.
9. After boiling pasta for dinner last night, I realized I had neither tupperware for the leftovers or a colander to drain the ravioli.
10. In using the top to drain the water, I dumped half the pasta down the drain. That solved the leftovers problem.
11. I ordered new stationery this week.
12. The cards are handmade by my youth minister from high school. Weehah! Cards
13. Let's Go Mets! (I'm still a (depressed) Yankee fan, but in their absence, I'll pull for the Mets)
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
quick check in
Ah, October is here. As I drove out to Noho on Monday night, the sunset was incredible and the light on the trees along the Pike was breath-taking. The leaves are beginning to change and the sunset cast them all in a golden glow. It's going to be a busy month (2 weddings, a huge work event, visit from Irish relatives and a fabulous BY retreat)--but I'm psyched.
Yesterday was my parents' 30th anniversary. Monday night's prompt got me thinking and I wound up writing some of what I've learned about love from my parents. NFN called it a prescription for love...whatever it is, I thought I'd share.
*You can never have too many friends. Make them at every opportunity. Throw parties where you bring those you’ve known for 10 days, 10 years and 40 years together in one place. It’s important to have friends who make you laugh, friends who will jump in front of a bus for you and friends who will sit up until 1 AM, with a bottle of wine, to plan a funeral with you.
*Be there for the little things. Coach your daughter’s basketball team and your son’s baseball team. Take a Saturday to go to Jones Beach. Make a fool of yourself to make your child-or your spouse-laugh.
*Support each other. When my father gets up at 5 AM to catch a train into the city, my mom is there with him—every day for 30 years. My mother decided to go back to school for her doctorate last year. Just when my father thought he was through with tuition, he began again.
*Smile a lot. Hold hands. Enjoy each others’ company. Take long walks on the beach. Eat dinner together. Have date nights. Ski, swim and bike tighter. Do your own thing every once in a while. Laugh.
Yesterday was my parents' 30th anniversary. Monday night's prompt got me thinking and I wound up writing some of what I've learned about love from my parents. NFN called it a prescription for love...whatever it is, I thought I'd share.
*You can never have too many friends. Make them at every opportunity. Throw parties where you bring those you’ve known for 10 days, 10 years and 40 years together in one place. It’s important to have friends who make you laugh, friends who will jump in front of a bus for you and friends who will sit up until 1 AM, with a bottle of wine, to plan a funeral with you.
*Be there for the little things. Coach your daughter’s basketball team and your son’s baseball team. Take a Saturday to go to Jones Beach. Make a fool of yourself to make your child-or your spouse-laugh.
*Support each other. When my father gets up at 5 AM to catch a train into the city, my mom is there with him—every day for 30 years. My mother decided to go back to school for her doctorate last year. Just when my father thought he was through with tuition, he began again.
*Smile a lot. Hold hands. Enjoy each others’ company. Take long walks on the beach. Eat dinner together. Have date nights. Ski, swim and bike tighter. Do your own thing every once in a while. Laugh.
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