So, a few weeks ago, I was asked to renew the vows of a couple in our congregation, who have been married now 20 years. They invited all their friends over to their house, and asked that they all come dressed in the most awful and retro wedding attire they could find (the ugliest bridesmaids dress for example). So, being that I do not have ugly wedding attire (I dress in my nice tan and brown suit), I decided that the best way for me to honor this wedding was to come dressed as Elvis. Now, let me clarify. My HEAD was Elvis, my body was not. I had the wig, the glasses, the lip, and even the chest hair a showing! It was a blast and of course, I loved the reaction when the folks who came to this had no idea that were a part of witnessing this renewal ceremony. Very cool experience.
Well, as compensation for doing this, my wife and I were invited to stay the weekend (Thursday night and Friday night, cuz I got a gig you know on Sunday) at their lake cabin up north (that's what we call it around here....and I do mean, damn north) near Minocqua (see above map...we live just south of Madison...yeah, that's what I thought) Well, let's just say that we had an amazing weekend. This couple that let us have their cabin for the weekend, actually were in Vegas (thus the Elvis thing), so we had the whole place to ourselves. It was very cool. It is the type of cabin that I dream of having someday...it even smelled like a cabin...kind of cinnamony and woodsy all at the same time. Even the lake that this cabin is on is in the back woods and so serene and quiet. I hardly saw the lake ripple up...it was like glass both days we were there. So beautiful. My wife and I drank some good wine, I had some good scotch, we went out to dinner, took a great nap yesterday (the kind that drool comes out of the side of your mouth, and you don't even care!), and for a time, my three year old discovered his echo, yelling across the lake and hearing his momentary twin yell back at him. That was amazing to hear him yell all kinds of things, including at the top of his little lungs...KKKKKIIIIIIISSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS (uh, translated...that's the rock band Kiss of which he is a fan).
And yet, the whole point of our trip initially was as a thank you, it turned into more of a retreat, or maybe even a sequestering of ourselves. This trip north was great, but I thought of my last couple weeks and it was kind of like a veil over my excitement. Ironically, last night was the fullest moon I have seen all fall. It was so bright! I looked at it, and it was as if for a moment, it comforted me because I knew that my friend was alright...he is being taken care of, by God's love and the love that we are all sending him in our thoughts and memories, and stories. Now, that is sappy yes, but that's what went through my head... If Bram knew what I just wrote, he would of course, put his head down, get all embarrassed, and bear hug me, and maybe even give me a "tee-hee." He might even pee with excitement!
The trip north these past couple days was great (didn't catch any fish, didn't shave, didn't stay sober, didn't care). I am overjoyed with people who willingly let my wife and I use their cabin. That is awesome. I needed to go this weekend. I needed to see the moon last night through trees that have a few leaves hanging on for dear life. I needed to feel that cold wind on my face last night, and see the moon's reflection on the water. I thought of my own spirit. I thought of Bram's. Then, I ran out of Jameson in my glass. Damn little glass...
Oh yeah, if you are ever travelling south on Hwy 51 and see a mexican place on the south side of Wausau named El Tapatio and you think it might be good...keep driving! It was terrible. Worst mexican food I have ever had. I have had better food at Taco Bell after drinking all night, when the craving for mexican food was the tastiest and much needed...nothing like a belly full of liquor and topping it off with Chili Cheese Burritos with a side of Super Nachos! I am getting nauseous just thinking about it. Can you smell the spicy beef? Oh God! More later...
Well, as compensation for doing this, my wife and I were invited to stay the weekend (Thursday night and Friday night, cuz I got a gig you know on Sunday) at their lake cabin up north (that's what we call it around here....and I do mean, damn north) near Minocqua (see above map...we live just south of Madison...yeah, that's what I thought) Well, let's just say that we had an amazing weekend. This couple that let us have their cabin for the weekend, actually were in Vegas (thus the Elvis thing), so we had the whole place to ourselves. It was very cool. It is the type of cabin that I dream of having someday...it even smelled like a cabin...kind of cinnamony and woodsy all at the same time. Even the lake that this cabin is on is in the back woods and so serene and quiet. I hardly saw the lake ripple up...it was like glass both days we were there. So beautiful. My wife and I drank some good wine, I had some good scotch, we went out to dinner, took a great nap yesterday (the kind that drool comes out of the side of your mouth, and you don't even care!), and for a time, my three year old discovered his echo, yelling across the lake and hearing his momentary twin yell back at him. That was amazing to hear him yell all kinds of things, including at the top of his little lungs...KKKKKIIIIIIISSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS (uh, translated...that's the rock band Kiss of which he is a fan).
And yet, the whole point of our trip initially was as a thank you, it turned into more of a retreat, or maybe even a sequestering of ourselves. This trip north was great, but I thought of my last couple weeks and it was kind of like a veil over my excitement. Ironically, last night was the fullest moon I have seen all fall. It was so bright! I looked at it, and it was as if for a moment, it comforted me because I knew that my friend was alright...he is being taken care of, by God's love and the love that we are all sending him in our thoughts and memories, and stories. Now, that is sappy yes, but that's what went through my head... If Bram knew what I just wrote, he would of course, put his head down, get all embarrassed, and bear hug me, and maybe even give me a "tee-hee." He might even pee with excitement!
The trip north these past couple days was great (didn't catch any fish, didn't shave, didn't stay sober, didn't care). I am overjoyed with people who willingly let my wife and I use their cabin. That is awesome. I needed to go this weekend. I needed to see the moon last night through trees that have a few leaves hanging on for dear life. I needed to feel that cold wind on my face last night, and see the moon's reflection on the water. I thought of my own spirit. I thought of Bram's. Then, I ran out of Jameson in my glass. Damn little glass...
Oh yeah, if you are ever travelling south on Hwy 51 and see a mexican place on the south side of Wausau named El Tapatio and you think it might be good...keep driving! It was terrible. Worst mexican food I have ever had. I have had better food at Taco Bell after drinking all night, when the craving for mexican food was the tastiest and much needed...nothing like a belly full of liquor and topping it off with Chili Cheese Burritos with a side of Super Nachos! I am getting nauseous just thinking about it. Can you smell the spicy beef? Oh God! More later...
2 comments:
the full moon the other night helped me feel some calm too, jason.
and yes, bram would have peed a little bit.
Sounds beautiful - wish I could have been there!!!!
Deb
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