Years and years ago (1988?), I met a little girl in Dublin who said, when she found out I was from America, "I have a friend named Emily who lives in America. Do you know her?"
No, I didn't know THAT Emily. But the other one...
No, I didn't know THAT Emily. But the other one...
...well, first the context. We're both now in Atlanta, so I don't want to confuse you. But within walking distance of our Amsterdam apartment is this building with that light-blue, painted panel running across it's mid-section (click to enlarge).
This is what it says:
Not too long ago, my sister, Ruth, had a post about the shortage of honey bees because of global warming. It's almost as if Emily knew.
She is one Emily I really wish I could say I knew! Don't you?!
Now switch gears. I arrived home on Wednesday and Donica arrived home yesterday afternoon. Withing a few short hours, we were at Atlanta's Chastain Ampitheater for a Cyndi Lauper concert last night! Can you believe that Donica! Neither one of us knows that we're too old for this yet. HA!
Today I'm writing this at the Honda dealership while my car is getting it's 60K-mile maintenance. From here I go to pick up Nicholas for an overnight. WE MISS HIM! Tomorrow we celebrate my birthday at Amy's, with Mark included. Sunday we celebrate Father's Day at Donica's mom's (step-dad) just before I take Donica to the airport for a week of business in Barcelona. Yup. This is her 3rd trip in a row where she has come home only for the weekend. Man!
I'll stay home this time...getting ready for our annual trip to Michigan for the 4th. But more on that later.
In the meantime, have a great weekend with Emily-style revery! I have lots of blogrolling to do and will find you soon, I hope.
**********
Now switch gears. I arrived home on Wednesday and Donica arrived home yesterday afternoon. Withing a few short hours, we were at Atlanta's Chastain Ampitheater for a Cyndi Lauper concert last night! Can you believe that Donica! Neither one of us knows that we're too old for this yet. HA!
Today I'm writing this at the Honda dealership while my car is getting it's 60K-mile maintenance. From here I go to pick up Nicholas for an overnight. WE MISS HIM! Tomorrow we celebrate my birthday at Amy's, with Mark included. Sunday we celebrate Father's Day at Donica's mom's (step-dad) just before I take Donica to the airport for a week of business in Barcelona. Yup. This is her 3rd trip in a row where she has come home only for the weekend. Man!
I'll stay home this time...getting ready for our annual trip to Michigan for the 4th. But more on that later.
In the meantime, have a great weekend with Emily-style revery! I have lots of blogrolling to do and will find you soon, I hope.
Dear Ginnie, I so love reading your posts. I love how you write, it's as if you're speaking directly to me.
ReplyDeleteI, too, wish I could have known Emily Dickinson.
How fun the Cyndi Lauper concert must have been. I was in 9th grade when "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" came out.
Have a great time with Amy, Mark, Nicholas this weekend! Maybe sometime Nicholas could go over to Europe with you two for a holiday!
ReplyDeleteGlad you're state-side!
Have the happiest of birthdays. you are so young at heart, it's wonderful, wonderful.
ReplyDeleteWow! So much to post-celebrate! Have fun. I can't wait to hear how the concert was :)
ReplyDeleteBTW: How does Donica do it? I'd be zonked!
Mad: Your words are so kind! Some day you and I will meet, for sure! I do think we're soulmates. Anyway, the concert was part of Atlanta's Pride month and had 3 other groups, all supporting the Human Rights Campaign. It was eye candy for anyone interested in gay guys! I'm guessing we women were outnumberd almost 3-1! :) Those gay guys really like Ms. Cyndi, who is very supportive of the gay community because her sister is gay! BTW, I first learned about Cyndi when Amy listened to her when she was around 12! She's almost 35 now!
ReplyDeleteMrs.M: We have actually talked about the day when Nicholas will come visit us in Europe. We're thinking around age 10-12! What do you think? Thanks for the welcome back to Atlanta.
Susan: Yes, staying young at heart may mean living longer...or at least living life to the full. :) Thanks.
CS: The concert was really great (read what I said to Mad). I feel like I always get my education! :) Donica is one amazing woman, for sure. She's like that Energizer Bunny. :)
Well, as you know, my mom took the girls on a trip for their 12th b'day--it seemed to be a great age!
ReplyDeleteThat seems to be the magic number, Shari. And since your mom had such good sucess with it THREE times, maybe I'll follow suit. Man, that's 5 years from now, but you know how time flies!
ReplyDeleteDon't wait. Do it now!!! He will have incrediable memories. We never know what tomorrow will bring, and we have so little time...I am reminded of what you write about your brother Bennett.
ReplyDeleteOne of my college friends has a father who is a professor and has been ALL OVER THE WORLD. He is dating my best friend (they are in their 20's). He has such a compassionate world view,having been to many 3rd world rural countries..... and needless to say...is quite good at travel and "travel coping skills"
Don't you want that for Nicholas?
He should go EVERY year at least once, if not more.
ReplyDeleteThose Emily lines are simply gorgeous (as my friend rauf would say). They really touch me, as her lines usually do. They are especially interesting because of the honey bee colony collapse disorder, as you said. Wow, the word revery here is just so sweet and poignant.
ReplyDeleteI really do feel exhausted just thinking about Donica's schedule. I'm so glad she sleeps so well on planes, that has to be the salvation of it. I've heard wonderful things about Barcelona, but she might not get much time for sightseeing this trip. :)
I had no idea about Cyndi and gay guys, that's very cool. Must have been a hoot to be there in that atmosphere. So fun!
You know, I don't know if Anon. is right about Nicholas going soon and every year with you, because you all know best, but of all the little kids I know, he is one who really would absorb it like nobody's business! He's so observant.
Love you!
Anon, twice: Yes, we would love to have those skills for Nicholas and you're very right that if we knew he would be gone from us sooner than later, we'd want to make sure he'd travel with us now. But we also want him to be old enough to "understand" on some level what he's doing. That may be now. We'll definitely have to think about that. But first, we want to get his Mom to see us in Europe! Maybe they can come together!
ReplyDeleteBTW, I'd love to know who you are, if you'd care to share. :)
Ruth: I do like that Ms. Emily, yes! She seemed way ahead of her time. And the same thing can be said about Cyndi, I guess!
We both have been to Barcelona together and Donica has been several times on her own. It is an incredible city. We will be there again at the beginning and end of our Mediterranean cruise this October. Can hardly wait.
And I do think you're right about Nicholas and travelling. If any child could do it now, it would be Nicholas! Thanks.
Great quote from Emily Dickinson! Thanks for sharing it.
ReplyDeleteI love Emily Dickinson. One of my fav. gems from her is
ReplyDelete"I held a jewel in my fingers
And went to sleep
The day was warm, and winds were prosy
I said, " 'Twill keep"
I woke - and chide my honest fingers,
The Gem was gone
And now, an Amethyst remembrance
Is all I own
And Ginnie, did I tell you, that we are just back from a trip to Michigan, Upper Peninsula...loved the place....will love to be there in fall again to see landscape changing colors....
Belated Happy Birthday and what a great time to be born - in the mid summer weekend! Have fun:-)
ReplyDeleteGreat thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteTim: You're welcome! :)
ReplyDeleteMoi: Yes, that Emily is something else. Makes me want to read up on her life! And don't you just love the UP of Michigan! Seeing it in the Fall is spectacular!
Renny: Actually, my b-day was on the 13th but I was in A'dam then, so we celebrated with the family here now, once returning Stateside. Thanks.
L&N: You're so welcome. :)
Doesn't it strike you as unusual to have lines in English written by a 19th century American poet inscribed on a building in Amsterdam? I wonder why......
ReplyDeleteEmily's poetry is always so poignant. Wouldn't it be great if every building had a poem inscribed upon it? We'd be reading all day!
ReplyDeleteOK, so I'm trying to keep up - you're in Atlanta now and you'll be in Michigan soon and then who knows, right? :-) And my goodness, Donica really must have a solid consitution to be able to travel back and forth like that.
That was a wonderful poem by miss Emily. I should read more of her stuff!
ReplyDeleteGinnie: Can you believe it? I've been reading your blog for how long and just now decided to leave a comment? Your blog inspired my [very basic and simple] blog. Since I love to cook, I was hoping for "It's Miller Thyme", playing on the beer AND the spice, but I had to settle for "It's Miller Tyme." Bummer.
ReplyDeleteEx-S: Yes, it certainly does! But I have been surprised at how many of my fellow photobloggers on my other blog quote Emily--bloggers who live in Europe. So, she must have been a sensational cross-over!
ReplyDeleteChristina: Atlanta now, Michigan next week, and the day after we return, we fly back to Amsterdam (July 9th). And yes, that Donica is the Energizer Rabbit. Thank God she sleeps on the go!
RRD: It make me want to read her biography!
Jerry: NO. I CAN'T BELIEVE IT, Herr Boss! Once you get your own blog, it almost always brings you out of lurking. :) I still like your name. It works! :)