Spring Break Comes to an End

Spring break has passed quickly and here I sit on the eve of going back to work. The big push to the end of the school year bears down and time is flying by too quickly.

For spring break, I flew back to North Carolina to connect with loved ones. Did I get to see everyone? No, the time was too short and the list of loved ones too vast.

Mark Z hosted a wonderful Leprechaun themed party. All were encouraged to wear green and all were also encouraged to drink a horrible concoction called Green Goblin. Party punches are a thing of the past for me favoring instead wines of a little less green nature. The joy of the evening was, of course, reconnecting with wonderful friends.









































Easter was spent with my family, enjoying the rites of spring. North Carolina is just beginning to blossom with daffodils and pear blossoms. The matriarch of the family, Anna, is doing well. She remains busy with bowling leagues, gardening and house projects.

The rest of the family is in good health and continues to enjoy North Carolina.

A visit to North Carolina would not be complete without a visit to the Flying Saucer. Sitting there with a group of friends, I was reminded of a painting by Renoir, entitled "Luncheon of the Boating Party". It's a painting of a group of friends having food and drinks under the canvas of a boat on the Seine.The details of the painting aren't as important as the feeling left in my mind. The painting depicts an almost ethereal moment in time; a perfect split second. This fleeting charmed few seconds forces an overwhelming feeling of contentment washing over the onlooker making him wistful to experience this slice of nirvana. We all have these moments embedded on the Etch-A-Sketch of our minds. My moment is connected to an afternoon under the awning at the Flying Saucer. The warm summer breeze brought the scent of humidity, decaying vegetation, diesel from worker's trucks, and even the cliche of jasmine. The taste of a light summer hefeweissen lingered on my lips. Friends sat around the commandeered tables, the usual suspects of course. The conversation ranged from light to introspective. The infectious joy of laughter flowed as easily as the beer. Everytime I recall this moment, the details are slightly different, as is the case with one's memory. The details aren't as important as the intense feelings of contentment, satisfaction, and strong affection.

This past trip, I sat with several friends at the Flying Saucer recapturing bits of that perfect moment. Home to me is more than a place, rather a collection of our loved ones. So, I always feel at home with the usual suspects. Thanks for showing up and reminding me of all of this wistfulness and evoking these thoughts so uncharacteristic to this German guy.

By the by, side note is that Rusty's plate is back on the wall, so those boycotting the Saucer are free to return. Rusty appreciates your long vigil and encourages you now to move on to other worthy causes.
So back to work before a strong push to the end of the school year. Brace yourself Effie, it's going to be a long one. Love to my peeps! Post note: Sorry to Beth who I kept calling Carmen in my last post. Nothing more than a brain fart.