DC Birthday - Michael's Wedding July 2014

Dear Aunt Audrey,

Spence had a conference in DC on my birthday. He left a day early so I could travel with him. After a seven hour trip, two glasses of ice water with orange slices in the air conditioned hotel lobby weren't enough to cool me from DC's 95° heat. I changed into my bathing suit and convinced Spence to climb to the roof so I could swim while he joined a meeting in Columbus via his cell phone. He sat in the shade at the end of the small pool. I swam laps and rested near him in the breeze at the shallow end. A teenage girl doing the butterfly stroke splashed Spence's tablet screen so he moved to the side of the pool where canna lilies grew in a huge planter. Behind the opposite wall, the top of a huge construction crane turned like a robot. The capitol dome was visible over the far end. A toddler from China paddled in her life vest and petaled bathing cap while she practiced English by repeating, “My father is at school. My mother is at the pool.” After an hour and a half, I was sated and left for a shower. Spence's meeting went on for another hour.

Love,

Janet

Dear Joyce,

While Spence was at a conference, I visited the US Botanic Garden in Washington DC. Wandering through rooms, I gawked at plants and listened to background sounds–classical music, trickling water, cricket chirps, and children's squeals. Cacti grew large in the dessert room. A youngster asked, “Are these real?” I assured him they were. In the orchid room another youngster said, “What if a snake comes out into your face?” He'd read the sign beside a rattlesnake plant. I even climbed to the canopy in the jungle garden. The temperature got hotter with each step. Outside, I toured the rose garden first. Only one flower hadn't wilted. Around the bend, water lilies bloomed in a pond. When I headed back to the hotel, a motorcade drove past: five police cars with flashing lights and blaring sirens were followed by three vans and a black sedan which were followed by two flashing, blaring police vehicles. I asked a police officer if that was President Obama. He said, “No. The President's motorcade is twice as long. That was an ambassador.”

Love,

Janet

Dear Marilyn

,Like Aunt Jane's funeral, my nephew's wedding was a time for catching up with family, with my sister and nephews, that is. The evening before the wedding, Spence and I relaxed with Anita and her dogs. She takes in Tibetan Terriers for the rescue league. She had three when we visited. Smidge carried toys in her mouth and waved her tail in circles. Lexi (at Anita's feet in the photo) cuddled with Spence but stayed within three yards of her mommy. LuLu preferred to stay in her cage downstairs. The first two followed us around as Anita showed her recent remodeling–attractive tile in the bathrooms and beautiful marble counters in the kitchen. Smidge barked a couple times, but the girls were mostly calm and quiet. We had comfortable chat about Anita's travels through Turkey, Greece, and the states; her doll collection; and how the bride and groom met during college tours for high school counselors. Anita made the best meal of our trip–chicken baked with mushrooms, spinach, and cheese (or not), Greek salad, plus strawberries and blueberries for dessert.

Love,

Janet

Dear Nancy,

Spence drove Anita and me from her house in Hampton, New Jersey to the Baptist Church on Staten Island for her son Michael's wedding. Anita turned her Garmin on for directions. Anita would give a direction, I'd repeat it in case Spence hadn't heard, and the Garmin would say everything twice. “Enough!” Spence protested. “Too many women are telling me where to go.” We let the Garmin get him through the rest of the trip. As we zoomed along the interstates, I used a hotel towel for a bib to eat almond butter on pretzel sticks, apple sauce, strawberries, and blueberries. The others skipped lunch. As instructed, we arrived early so Anita could help supervise arrangements. The florists were carrying flowers into the sanctuary. Todd (on the left in the photo) and Michael (on the right) were talking with the minister and his wife. Since we had time, Spence (not in the photo), Anita (in blue), and I (in the long dress) took photos. Then Spence played bricks on his phone. I talked with guests and soaked in everyone's celebratory vibes.

Love,

Janet

Dear Lori and Ellie,

Spence and I sat in the front pew to be with Anita at her son Michael's wedding. (He would be your third cousin, Ellie.) White flowers and ribbons decorated pews. An arch of flowers stood in the chancel. The first time I teared up was when Anita walked down the aisle to the tune of “Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring.” The ring bearer and flower girl made it down the aisle with the help of the flower girl's mom. Lisset, the bride, glowed; Michael was a good sport putting up with all the camera flashes. When the soloist sang, “I Swear,” Lisset cried. Her maid of honor passed along a handkerchief. The minister gave a short, sensible homily which included, “Ignore the photographers,” and “Love is patient.” Spence snickered at the last part. I nudged him with my elbow. I only knew three people in the reception line but talked to everyone anyway. Outside the church, rain held off long enough for the wedding party to pose for pictures and for people to blow bubbles for good luck. The couple drove off in a classic white Bentley.

Love,

Janet