Blogger meetup today in Boston – yay! In a nor’easter – boo! It was all occasioned by a frizzy logical visit by qB from across the pond, which seemed a fine excuse for Pica to wing her way out from California, Beth and her husband to drive down from Vermont, Lorianne from New Hampshire, and Abdul-Walid by train from Acerbia. And yours truly traveled down the Pike early this morning to join the others at the Cambridge Zen Center, where all but qB stayed last night. We donned our raincoats and parkas, pulled hoods down over our foreheads and manned umbrellas against the rain and wind, and hiked a few blocks up to the S&S where we had breakfast and talked for 3 1/2 hours!
Then we bundled up again and went down to Mass. Ave., got on the T and headed over to the Isabella Stuart Gardner Museum with its gorgeous courtyard and eclectic art collection. While we appreciated Abdul-Walid’s art lectures, the touchy museum staff did not, hustling us away from a tight corner where we might inadvertently touch anything. So we next applied our creative talents to supplying a storyline to a wildly gesticulating couple in an open window across the courtyard, eventually sending the intrepid qB around to spy while we watched her from across the way nonchalantly admiring the flowering maples and orchids below and the domed glass ceiling above before coming back to report. (Our story for what was going on was much more interesting.)
Out into the rain again and back on the T, we sat down to an early dinner at the Middle East – great hummus, kibby, couscous, kebabs, etc. – while discussing the history of our sex lives among other things (sorry – laupe confidential) before reluctantly heading our separate ways in the rain.
Tomorrow I’m off to New Hampshire for Mother’s Day. Now very tired, need to rest up for the visit with my folks. They came down one day this past week to look at a retirement community about 20 miles from me – it was beautiful and they liked it, but it’s way too expensive. So now it’s back to waiting for another opening at the one in Michigan near my brother. My dad’s having a very hard time taking care of my mom, so we really need to get them somewhere soon.
Anyway, Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms out there!
Thank you so much for that little taste of your gathering! I only wish my imagination were wild enough to approach what your actual conversation consisted of (especially that last discussion over Indian food).
Good luck with Sunday, in any case. Your mum is lucky to have you for a daughter.
Posted by: Siona | Sunday, May 08, 2005 at 01:41 AM
Wow, I was right by there. I find the Gardner too dark on rainy days, although still nicely atmospheric. Went to the Museum of Fine Arts instead, then chickened out on the cold/wind/wet and slunk back home to tea and book.
Posted by: zhoen | Sunday, May 08, 2005 at 09:29 AM
A great description of our day, Leslee! I'm so happy we finally met in person. Even with a lot of sleep last night, I'm still tired! Good luck with your parents - they're so fortunate to have you.
Posted by: beth | Sunday, May 08, 2005 at 11:49 AM
Hi, stopping by to say I'm thinking of you today, I know how things can seem so mixed on a holiday like this. I truly hope you have a nice day with them, filled with a few less worries and a little more laughter. Hugs.
Posted by: susurra | Sunday, May 08, 2005 at 05:13 PM
Thanks, Siona. Wish you could have joined us. If you're ever out here, I'm sure everyone will converge just to meet you. And one of these days I'm going to get back out to the West Coast for a visit.
Hi Joan! Thanks for stopping by and commenting. Yes, the Gardner was very dark and it made me want to curl up and sleep on the carpet! It was definitely a day for tea and a book.
Beth - So great to finally meet you! You are every bit as sensitive and considerate in person as you are with commenters on your blog. And even warmer in person.
Susan - Thanks. Yes, we had a good day today, for which I'm very grateful. Hope yours was good, too. Hugs back.
Posted by: leslee | Sunday, May 08, 2005 at 07:05 PM
My pal and life companion Kathleen also enjoy the Gardner, especially the little (VERY SMALL!)cafe for lunch. it does tend to be gloomy, though.
I noticed the guards being real fussy about us leaning too close to the various art hanging on the walls - perhaps its a mere holdover from the famous blank spaces on the wall where thieves relieved the Gardner of Rembrandts 10 years ago. It seems a bit of "now that the horse is out of the barn..." to me.
Posted by: tom keating | Monday, May 09, 2005 at 08:52 AM
I like that cafe, but it's better when you can sit outside - and Saturday was definitely not a day to sit outside! As for theft being behind the fussiness, I thought of that, too - yes, a bit too late for that.
Posted by: leslee | Monday, May 09, 2005 at 10:54 AM
What fun to be present for the blogger rendezvous. Who knew it was so mysterious?
Incidentally I have venus in my third house, so I love all the day-to-day things.
Lori's friend, Ji Hyang
Posted by: Ji Hyang | Monday, May 09, 2005 at 03:51 PM
Hi Ji Hyang - Welcome! I have my north node there, so I'm learning to love it!
Posted by: leslee | Monday, May 09, 2005 at 07:38 PM
I too was in Boston that day, interviewing a biochemist for a book proposal that I'm writing, and I can attest to the miserable weather. Logan is a cheerless airport on a fair day; it does not improve in rain, wind, and chill. Thank god for the T, though. Dropped me off five minutes walk from my scientist's house.
Posted by: Dale Keiger | Thursday, May 12, 2005 at 09:51 AM
Cool that there were so many of us blogger types wandering around in the rain in Boston on Saturday! Maybe we all passed or just missed each other.
Posted by: leslee | Thursday, May 12, 2005 at 12:12 PM