Sunday, January 16, 2005
Oh, in other news... We may be keeping the Goldie here. My parents think that my grandmother really likes having her around and don't know if she wants to give up Goldie. So I may have a dog for a while to come!
This reminds me, she probably wants to be let in! (Goldie, not my grandmother.)
My parents are in their new old house. The house was built, they have found out from somewhere, in 1886 (the tax records show 1901, but apparently coal was not used by 1901 for heating homes and the house has 5 coal fireplaces and used to have at least two others, perhaps three). It isn't in perfect condition, but is still a lovely place.
The walls are plastered, cracking in most spots because of the settling of the house, and the paint jobs aren't the best in the world (this is even worse of a problem for my family as my dad is/has been a painter). And of course there are drafts, sagging floors, and all of those wonderful things. The floors are all heart pine, however, and termites will not eat it. The electric has been redone in recent years and it has central air and heat installed.
Of course, they moved here with only enough stuff to fill a small two bedroom mobile home so the house is a tad bare at the moment. They plan to retrieve the rest of their belongings in a couple of weeks.
Today I cooked a meal for Becca's birthday (actually, her birthday was last weekend but we were in New Orleans and more about that will follow). I fixed a vegetable chowder, some cornbread, and oven roasted asparagus and it all turned out lovely. I made up the chowder and asparagus recipes and they worked great.
So, they are in a house and it's only about 10 minutes from me and about as far from Becca. Great stuffs.
Last week we treked down to the Crescent City (New Orleans) for our friend Anya's wedding on the 8th. We stayed Friday, Saturday, and Sunday night with our excellent friends Jason and Jennifer whom we had not seen in quite some time (for myself it had been just over a year, for Becca it had been more like two years or more). Friday was spent hanging out and cooking (Jason cooked some salmon and I fixed my famous balsamic vinegarette and some pasta with sauteed onion, garlic, bell pepper and a pesto sauce.
Saturday we slept late and then I went with Jason to get food for his snake, Jeff. We picked up a baby mouse and then watched said snake eat said mouse. Entertaining. We went downtown to get Muffeletta sandwiches for lunch and enjoyed those (also picked up a particular Italian sausage for a friend of ours/customer at the shop). Then was the wedding, I was an usher and I ushed.
After the wedding we returned to the Jason and Jennifer's place for another fine evening of being with friends.
Sunday we went out for sushi (after watching the two Spiderman movies, which I had previously not watched) and the sushi was good.
Monday Becca and I traversed the miles to Hattiesburg and saw all our college peoples who were still in town. Mostly teachers but some of our friends too. Haley came up from Mobile to see us and we stayed at Mr. Chris Lovely's residence (my former roomie). We even got to sit in on opera scene rehearsals and relive old times. Actually, before we went to the ‘burg we stopped at the seminary library in New Orleans, my first place of employment, and talked to the director of... well, nearly everything by now. He was the head of reference and circulation when I was there, he has since added music library and a few other jobs here and there. We talked about the seminary and people we knew and such.
Tuesday we made an impromptu stop in Atlanta to see Mr. Mike Roderick who was in town recording tracks for his album due out... When it's finished. It's going to sound great, let me tell you. Mostly we talked about his future plans which include marriage (in case you know him and have not found out yet).
That was our whirlwind tour of the south. Many old faces were seen and many things were discussed with old friends, it was good. Now it's back to the daily grind of coffee (no pun intended). I want a new job.
Klasinc&Loncar Duo (Just trying to help it get picked up by Google spiders, I maintain it for them)