The Invalid House

I'm coming home later than expected (Thursday instead of Tuesday) because I am quite ill. I think I caught Donna's cold, Elisa's other friend who stayed the weekend. Now Elisa and I are both sick, though Eric has escaped so far. It is a bad cold with head congestion, a violent cough that makes my throat raw, and a fever that for me is 100.6. Plus I feel so weak and I sleep a lot. I changed my flight reservation from 11 today to 6:45 am Thursday, which is way too early but the only one they had, since I couldn't go today. The thought of transferring at Dallas/Fort Worth, that huge airport, it just felt impossible for me in this condition. I hope I improve real fast so I can go Thursday. I think I will. Don't want to overstay my welcome.

Read below for an account of my escapades with Aunt Jean and CUJ.

Aunt Jean and CUJ

I saw Aunt Jean and CUJ yesterday. They were kind enough to drive all the way from West Virginia to see me, braving the noreaster that was blowing through. We went out to lunch at this very nice restaurant called Sunset. Since we were in Baltimore I had crab soup and crab sandwiches. The crab appears to be the symbol of Baltimore, you see. It's on all the touristy magnets. Very cute.

Then we drove to the inner harbor where we felt the power of the noreaster. According to the news it was gusting up to 30 or 40 mph. It whipped the rain into my face as I struggled against the wind. Sometimes I walked backward so my better protected back took the brunt. I feel really bad for suggesting we go out there; it was more blustery than I expected.

We didn't stay long. We soon realized the error of our ways and got back in the car. Then we drove past all the homes my Aunt and Uncle had lived in during their time in Baltimore. It was fun to see some neighborhoods in Baltimore that I hadn't seen. They lived in the suburb of Severn when I was born, and only recently moved to West Virginia. So now I know all the history.

Thanks Aunt Jean and CUJ!

Judy and Timo's wedding

The wedding, the reason for this trip, was today. It was fabulous. Such a great party. And a lovely ceremony too. It included the planting of a seedling tree in this big clay pot. The are going to take it wherever they go and watch it grow, just like their relationship. When they get settled they will plant it and sit beneath its shade together. Isn't that romantic. They had a friend read a beautiful Lakota wedding blessing too, which was about how they should support each other. The whole thing just made you believe they would truly be together forever. At the question, "Will you always love and cherish the other, and will you always be faithful?" they both said yes so emphatically the crowd laughed. They are the perfect couple.

Saw lots of my high school friend's there, as that was where I knew Timo best. Abe was there, my prom date senior year, and Josh, who was in tons of plays with me. Such good people. Great to catch up with everyone. We danced till 10 at night, all these great old songs the bridal couple chose personally. Good food, open bar, great music. What a party.

Baltimore Bound

Or I guess more accurately "Baltimore Here" as I arrived yesterday night after a long day of travel. I came through Dallas/Fort Worth and had no trouble transferring. That is a lovely airport. Plenty of elbow room in five huge terminals connected by an elevated tram. All quite effortless to navigate too. American Airlines, my carrier, told us where all the connections were as we taxied to the gate and where the nearest entrance to the tram was located. The train was there as I came up and took me right to my destination, because I was lucky and the access there was close to my gate. I had a parfait and an egg roll for lunch (a yummier combination than you would expect) and took the flight out right after. That flight left almost 20 minutes late but got in on time because, as the captain explained, he "flew really fast." Oh, and he mentioned something about a huge tail wind.

I'm staying here with my friends Elisa and Eric. The wife half of the couple is my college rommate, though I met the husband half years before he was the husband. They are both so cool and have a beautiful home, with lots of color of the walls and white trim and crown moldings. For those of you who know the area they are in Catonsville, a suburb of Baltimore. The yellow bushes of forsythia in the backyard are running riot, and the tulips are coming up too.

I'm here for the wedding of Timo, my high school friend, to his fiance Judy. That's tomorrow. I'll keep you posted. It is at the museum of industry which should be interesting. I'm told they have a lovely spot overlooking the water or something. Should be nice.