Beauty and Wonder

Posted October 2nd, 2004 by Michelle

It is a morning so glorious I’m not sure what to do with myself. Ian and Tessa are sleeping about five miles away, I’ve got a new lover in my life, my cat is healing, I got the furniture I’ve been waiting for for months, it is sunny and cool, Kerry made me proud on Thursday, and I’ve relegated job stress to Monday through Friday. Got to go refill my coffee.

Ahh, better. Tessa just called from the coffee shop where I spent all of last fall working on a novel that promptly died a peaceful death. I guess I should have known that she would have been up long ago, but at least Ian is still sleeping.

So, yes. I’ve started seeing another younger man, but this one is at least a little closer to my age, and a musician, and a truly sweet guy. Jon asked, “How is he crazy? Do you know yet?” because that is our experience here in the dating world: you meet someone with potential and quite soon find out that they are a conspiracy theorist or think all crimes should be punishable by the death penalty or some other weirdness that makes them unacceptable to friends and family. My new guy is certainly a little strange, but in a lovely way. I’m wondering how it will develop. When I first started seeing the baker, I was determined that it was only fun and silly and that love of any kind was not in the future. Strong feelings developed without me even realizing it, but clearly not strong enough to withstand differences and distance. Right now, I’m not sure that strong feelings are the direction I’m going with this new guy, but that is rather good, really. Where once I pounced on hope and created entire life fantasies if I had a great weekend with someone, I now understand how unsure these things really are. I really enjoy my time with New Guy- he is so incredibly sweet and fun and he swing-dances like a madman. It’s all-around good news.

Speaking of good news, last weekend I hosted a birthday party for my dear friend Elizabeth. Not unlike summer as birthday season for my siblings, fall is when all but one of my friends was born. It’s been one after another. I’ve never had a tighter group of friends, who I love so dearly, in my life, and I’m so thankful that I get the opportunity to celebrate them.

But to get a true idea of the grace and wonderment of my friend Elizabeth, let’s take a little trip back to Jon’s party a few weeks ago.

Isis in all her glory…

Medusa looking awfully friendly…

Isis in a tribal circle with the other goddesses…

Let’s be honest. I am simply ridiculous.

And now, the beginning of Elizabeth’s party, guest starring my brother Steve!!!

And finally, why Jon and Matt will never be able to run for public office