Week in Review

Highlights from the past week:

--Attending DeWitt Beal's memorial service. I knew him mainly through his wife, Elina. The service introduced me to many aspects of his life and interests I wasn't aware of; made me wish I'd known him better--and grateful to have known him even a little bit. Five of his poems were read during the service; they were amazing meditations on his children, his wife, and when things turn out differently than you expect. It truly was a life celebration with more laughter and joy than tears. Top notch.

--Having dinner with friends after the service--three classmates from the 2-year certification course we took together, our teachers, and a classmate's spouse. Was great to catch up with everyone.

--Having the Easter talk come together over the course of the week and not staying up past midnight to do it. It must have been important if I didn't procrastinate. ;)

--Meeting with the first photographer and florist Saturday. Touching base with the caterer and making some headway with the wedding plans.

--John reporting that "Gardening Ain't For Pansies" was the title chosen for his seminar for senior citizens. His co-workers did enjoy "Soil Yourself" enough to have it be in the running.

--Had a NAP Sunday after brunch--bliss! Until the neighbor revved up the leaf blower a couple hours later.

--Getting closer to being on the same page with Mike after an arduous conversation about wedding plans.

--Hearing from women in the ward that it's not possible to stay sane while planning a wedding; it's better to cry in short bursts than long jags; that it's better to meltdown a few days before the wedding than on the day of; that during wedding planning was the only time one friend had ever in her life hung up on her mother.

--Finding a new definition of the word tedious: watching the movie, "Benji."

I remember watching it in the 70s, but as an adult, I kept wondering "Why did I like this movie?" Endless shots of Benji running from place to place. Soft focus and gloopy music when Benji spots his canine girlfriend, Tiffany, rooting through the trash. It was fun saying "Oh, look, he gave her his bone" and "She's his bitch".

We channel surfed in the middle, but came back in time to see Benji steal the rough draft of the ransom note and take it back to the FBI agents at the house! Benji ran in slow motion for what seemed like hours with flashback shots of the kidnapped children and the mean kidnapper kicking Tiffany. It was like an accident you can't help looking at and wondering how it happened. See also: cloying, melodramatic, manipulative, maudlin and cliche.