I Am A Muse (And You, No Doubt, Are Amused)

Dear Mom,

Yesterday was President Obama's birthday and the Senate, as expected, gave him Elena Kagan on the Supreme Court. There are now three women on the Court, a lifetime total of four. Kind of wild, considering the first woman was put on the bench less than thirty years ago.

I sometimes think I should have started this project a couple of years ago. So many times I wanted to call you during the 2008 campaign - the surging force of the Obama and Clinton candidacies, the nomination of Obama, the last great speech by Teddy Kennedy, McCain's selection of Sarah Palin, the historical election night - I think you probably heard my scream wherever your ashes float - and the inauguration. But here and now are where we are, so... moving on.

M is getting ready to finish summer session next week. Her final project for her Darkroom class is supposed to be a narrative series of mounted photos, so she decided to do it on Sabbath Dinner - my preparations, the set table, the lighting of the candles, etc. She says I'm her muse! I actually think it's the dog, but it's still very sweet of her to say so. The dog is actually more photogenic. (I know, I know, you do not want to hear about it...)

Carolyn and Kasey and I have formed a Supper Club - rotating courses, trying new things. First meeting is a week from Sunday, with Kasey claiming the entree - Chinese spare ribs. I'm trying out a recipe for Chinese Almond Torte, and Carolyn is making corn souffle. M has offered to work for food. They're thrilled to get a willing dishwasher, so everyone's happy. In spite of her tensions and differences with Carolyn particularly, M is very pleased to be part of this, and I'm pleased that she's pleased.

Okay, I've talked about the dog, about Kasey and Carolyn, you are probably getting irritated...

My contracts for fall semester came in and I signed, of course. I have eighteen students signed up for the new Tudor/Stuart course! I've completed my first Powerpoint presentation for it, and think I managed to make sense out of the Wars of The Roses. A friend looked over the Powerpoint, and said, 'it's really pretty', lol.

Speaking of flowers, there's irises popping up around the apartment decor. I never see one without thinking of you. Also thinking of you while watching the miniseries "Pillars of the Earth", which deals with the building of a medieval cathedral. You'd have liked it if you had the patience for it.

Love,
b