Back from one of the B Islands

We just got back from beautiful Bermuda.  We had a most fabulous time!  Unfortunately, I inadvertently told some family and friends we were going to the Bahamas and what with all the hurricane activity....well, folks were glad we made it back.

This was our first time on a cruise and for a multi-generational family vacation, it has many advantages.  First of all, you get to be on the ocean for several days.  There is something very expansive about looking out and seeing water and the horizon every way you orient yourself.  The bear and I had to take motion sickness pills even on the calmest days but they worked beautifully.  Then there is the cornucopia of food:  fresh seafood, Indian, chilled soups, and a mango lime souffle, just to name a few of my favorites.  Each evening, we went to the Stardust theatre and watched a song and dance show.  Who knew you could feel nostalgia for hits from the seventies?

Bermuda is beautiful and surreal.  You can't drive a car there or own a home so it has a very insulated feel.  Bermudians seem to be very proud of their island and their way of life and can talk at length about the complicated water system that every house uses (special roof that collects rainwater that goes to a holding tank in the basement).  See?  It can be described quite simply but I didn't want to appear rude. 

Highlights of the time on the island were snorkling, swimming in the cove pictured above and a sunset Catamaran sail with my sweetie.  The last picture depicts the Norweigian Dawn and Enchantment of the Seas docked at night.  I was swizzled by that time so the picture may be a bit blurry:)

Best of all, I was off the grid for a week (sorry to those who thought we were in Nicaragua or drowned)....unplug, it does wonders.

New Piano

One of the items on the summer bucket list was purchasing a keyboard and learning some tunes.  This leads to a small list of things you can no longer do while your kids are learning to play the piano:

1.  Blog
2. Talk to anyone on the phone.
3.  Read
4.  Keep from commenting that Fur Elise should not be picked out while the digital keyboard is on electric mode unless you personally want to be responsible for Beethoven haunting your very abode.

Here are some things you do that even the scales:

1.  Play the first four bars to "The Entertainer" 47 times with a big grin on your face.
2.  Pull out your old bassoon music books and play the grandfather part of Peter and the Wolf 47 times with a look of longing on your face.
3.  Pick out a bit of Chopin with a look of befuddlement on your face.
4.  Try to explain scales without knowing what you are talking about..."remember Sound of Music?"

We have gone too long without our instruments out.  I'm not sure our neighbors agree, but we are back, baby:)

Words to live by

One of my soul sisters came up for her annual trek to New England and we took a little field trip to Harvard Square.  One of the glorious things about showing someone your neck of the woods is that you see some trees you have not seen before.  It is all about the looking, really.

Right in the square is an old cemetery adjacent to one of the first Unitarian Universalist churches in the country.  How many times have I walked past that church?  This was my first time to do a little urban exploring.  All the tombstones written in Latin slowed us down just a bit but we persevered until we found the last resting spot of one Mr. Levi Bridge....he was a man of various acquirements...... Improved by education, study, and use.

Bingo.

I don't think it is macabre to ponder one's tombstone while still living, in fact, I think you better.  20 years ago, my tombstone would have read "She loved hats and she never voted for a Republican."  So, not only do you have to ponder your tombstone, you have to re-ponder every now and again. I would add that if you are really blessed, you will have an old friend who carries your history and honors who you have become and does not think it a bit odd that you take her to look at graves when she comes to town.  I love you Jen!

Wisdom from the Whiskey Priest

So much wisdom I could share from Friday night but I will distill it down to the key points:

1.  Free shots are never free.  I want all daughters to know this in their bones.
2.  There is a small window where you can wear a bikini in a bar and pass out free shots.  Just because you can physically, does not mean you should spiritually.  Just saying.
3.  The Whiskey Priest seems to be long on whiskey and short on priests.
4.  If you ask the hostess if they sell tshirts, you lose some street cred, immediately:)
5.  Free Mentos do not a dinner make.
6.  If you are going to be standing up at the Whiskey Priest, and then dancing to the John Butler Trio all night, please, please wear cowboy boots.....

And finally, get out, sample some music, feel the sea breeze on your face while someone is playing a didgeridoo and listen to this band.  The guys can play.

And a huge shout out to Roving Reporter, who got us there, and Maine Maverick who demonstrated the correct technique for seat pounding when the time came.  Rock on sisters!