Hello!

As some of you know, my "perpetual student" of a husband is often preoccupied by academic detours into his own peculiar fascinations d’jour. Some of these rather quirky obsessions have included extensive research of vintage lunchboxes, Turkish carpets, Sumo wresting, several classical composers and musicians, skateboard art, the authors of the Constitution, the lives of several poets, writers d’Toqueville, Samuel Johnson….and on and on, and who knows what next, or why…

His most recent fascination (and eventual acquisition) was…..an accordion. Does he play an accordion? No. Do we even KNOW anybody who can play an accordion? No. Is he planning on learning how to play an accordion? I mean, besides the fact that he strolls through the house pretending that he can play an accordion? Heaven help me through the bleats and squawks!

He bought it because it was beautiful. It sits in our living room as a pretty piece of musical sculpture. And someday, someone who can play an accordion will come into our house, pick it up, and make the purchase all the more worthwhile. And it really does look cool.

I love my life with him.

My small world, for the moment, has gone from manically wild into just pleasantly busy. I have emerged, blinking, from the underworld of the costume shop and have discovered that it is spring outside. It is my very favorite height of spring right now– when the trees are pastel green fuzz and the fruit trees are whispering with color and the air is heaven to breathe. BUT when I turn around to look at the neglected interior our little house right now—and in the harsh light of day…well…there is much work to be done! I buckle down with spring cleaning for awhile…but then wander back here to my studio where there are MUCH more interesting, unfinished, or newly imagined projects waiting for me.

So, I have boy stories.

Ian.

My exuberant, adventurous, extroverted boy and his equally adventurous girlfriend Miriah, had been planning on an extensive visit to the British Isles. They saved a (surprisingly large) sum of money between the two of them, researched possibly volunteering with WOFA (World Organic Farm Assciation), but scrapped that idea when they accidentally met a European circus family online. After a volley of excited emails back and forth, Ian and Miriah were planning on staying with the family for a few weeks, learning some tricks of the circus trade and working with the animals (dogs and trick horses) before continuing their travels. They bought their tickets, packed their backpacks, and planned on being gone four months–traveling all over as cheaply as possible, living in hostels and Hotel Eurail. Off they flew, and landed in London.

Heathrow customs, wondering about the four month return flight, interviewed them. “Where are you planning on traveling and staying?” asked the customs agent. Happily and innocently, Miriah explained, “Oh we’ll be traveling around Scotland and then all over Europe. We’re going to be staying for awhile with a circus family and working with their animals and learning about their traveling act, and….” Sternly the customs agent said, “Working? You’re going to be working?” They explained that it wasn’t going to be working for money—just learning and staying with the family for awhile.

At that, Ian and Miriah were separated, interrogated and held in holding cells for hours. Customs eventually switched their return tickets, and immediately put them both on the very next plane…home. The two of them were utterly devastated. Two years of planning and saving, only to have an exhausting and scary experience, and immediately sent home. In retrospect, much was learned (carrying proof of bank accounts, and perhaps letters of parental accountability in the case of depleted funds, and never EVER using the word work, no matter what the context…) *sigh*

And then, with the wonderful resilience of youth, they regrouped, repacked, purchased new tickets and went to Thailand for 6 weeks. They spent time on beautiful tropical islands, swam with elephants, went snorkeling in turquoise waters, zip-lined through the jungle, went on river trips, and had the time of their lives. They are back now—tanned and relaxed and brimming with stories.

Trevor.

In January, Trevor and his girlfriend, Monica moved from WashingtonDC, to Seattle, Washington. Trevor and Monica were ready to leave DC, and, because it’s kind of an identical twin thing, the boys can’t seem to be far from each other for long. Both Ian and Trevor have many mutual friends in Seattle, and Monica was ready for a change. So off they went. They found a teeny apartment in the heart of downtown, and within a couple weeks, both had found jobs. Trevor had been cooking for a large catering/reception company for several years in DC, and was ready to branch out into a different culinary field. Upon glowing recommendation from his former DC employer, Trevor was hired at “Earth and Ocean”, a prestigious four-star restaurant at the Hotel W. Trevor knew that he was making a big leap by moving into high-end restaurant work, and he enjoyed the tremendous new experiences and skills that he was learning. What he didn’t expect, however, was the competitive and back-stabbing nature of his co-workers. “It’s like being on some sick TV reality kitchen show, mom. It’s hard and exacting work, but everyone literally tries to make others look bad, so that they can look good. It’s not just me that is being undermined—although I’m a great target. I’ve never been in such a non-supportive and ugly working situation”. He worked for 7 weeks, dreading every day of work and constantly guarding his back. He gracefully gave his two-week notice last Friday—and they are going to give him good recommendations. Thank goodness. He and Monica are flying back to DC for Monica’s brother’s graduation, and then they are packing up some things left behind in DC and driving cross-country back to Seattle. They will be HERE for a few days on their way through!!! *beams*

Charlie.

Charlie has finished his fourth year of a five year athletic (cross-country/track) scholarship in Little Rock. He usually spends summers here at home, training at our high altitude, and hanging out with me. We are happy movie-going buddies—(bless his heart for not minding to be seen with his step-mother!). We enjoy our great conversations about many topics— often about relationships, as he thinks I’m a good advice-giver. Heh. Last summer, we had a big heart-to-heart about divorce and growing up with two households and blended families and all those complexities. I told him that I knew how hard it was—especially on him. He said, “You know, Kari—in retrospect, you are one of the best things to ever happen to me. Without you in my life, I never would have had Ian and Trevor as brothers. And I also know what a really good relationship looks like, and how happy my dad is. You are just amazing.” I told him he was an absolute gift in my life. Of course we got all teary eyed and then laughed. I sooooo love having him around all summer. BUT. This year he found a part time job in Little Rock and has decided to stay THERE for the summer. Auuuuggghhh! Breaks. My. Heart. I knowIknowIknow this is what they need to do…these children of ours that we raised to embrace independence out there in the world….but still. *sobs*

And so, my summer stretches out before me…projects of this and that…travels here and there…visitors from near and far. I will struggle to not melt in the heat, but I look forward to all that will unfold.

All is well in my little world.

Love to you all!

:)xo Adagio