Sissy bouncin* in the ATX

I evacuated town for the last week of the year. Left my house, which is almost ready for final inspection; left my family in the middle of the holidays; left my Airstream to the rodents who apparently had a BIG heyday while I was gone... My trip to Austin was just the doctor ordered. A week with my lifelong best friend Meg was both epic and ordinary, filled with both the tedious day to day of life as a modern woman and the depth of connection that can only come with a lifetime of friendship. I watched in awe as her children channeled bits and pieces of her essence- her mannerisms, her humor, her deep loving affection, her nutty creativity. And I witnessed Meg's mother, Joanne, in Meg's mothering and marvelled at how present Joanne is in Meg's family, even though she died when we were young teens, murdered randomly while leaving work one night. Meg is a lot like the mother Joanne was, except without the cigarettes and Diet Coke- loving and indulgent with her children, yet stern at times, goofy and playful, and they look so much alike it's uncanny.





I was at Finn's birth 5 years ago. He's the younger. I was supposed to be as Oscar's too, but I couldn't make it. These children hold a special place in my heart. Oscar endeared himself to me this past week with his epic giggling combined with his persistent "peace and harmony" meditation, which he would go off and do in the treehouse or garden. Finn delighted me with funny mannerisms like Meg's and his sweet little voice, which would ask the most surprising and thoughful questions- questions that let me know he sure is taking a lot in for a little guy.





This last picture here was a real good time. We were taking a walk at a lovely place with gardens and trails, and Oscar wanted to be held close by Meg and told a fart story. The union of love and humor, which is so quintessentially Meg, flowed through the generations like an ion transfer in an atom as Meg's tale of a young unclothed boy's body gas flatulating on an overstuffed leather couch unfolded. She spoke in the deep voice of a black man and had us both rolling. Finn entertained himself...

Another day, Simon was kind enough to escort us ladies to the Austin Rifle Club shooting range for some education and practice with his 9mm. Both Meg and I have been fearful of firearms since her mother's death, so this experience with Simon was significant. Simon was a gentleman, and after signing us in as his guests (he is a card carrying member), he focused on safety as he instructed us with his piece...




(Thanks Simon!)

We journeyed to the Botanical Gardens, which is right up my alley, and loitered in the "prehistoric garden."





I fantasized yesterday on the way home about a(n unrealistic) world in which I would spend every other week with Meg in Austin. I wish we lived closer and I could show up at their house regularly for a large pancake with 5 chocolate chips and cinnamon butter and her kids could read me their night time stories with really awesome story reading voices and they could come spend the day with me in the woods and we could go swimming and romping around and Meg and I could Zumba twice or thrice a week together and I could build friction fires with Simon and joke about End Times. But at the same time it is grand to have a reason to go to Texas, and she has a built in retreat here at my mountain home. I hope she comes to it soon... Hear that Meg?




* We really wanted to go to this New Years Eve show, but it was sold out...

(Click on this) Sissy bounce