Mishaps and a good time

Dear friends are visitng me. They're from Omaha--a long way from Fort Worth and I'm flattered they would drive this distance to sit on my porch and visit, reminisce and sip a bit of wine. We figured out the other night that we have known each other fifty years--a scary thought in some ways but wonderfully comforting in others. I'm grateful beyond measure for friendships that endure.
We've had a series of mishaps. It began innocently enough Thursday night when Martha and I misjudged each other in passing salad--the result was water all over the table, salad in Martha's soup, and a lot of laughter. Then as we cleaned the kitchen, I took a pratfull--into the dishwasher. Even Jacob came running to see what happened. I was okay, although the next day bruises developed and my knee really hurt.
Friday was a bad day in several ways--I could not, absolutely could not, find my prescription sunglasses. I know they were on the kitchen counter but they had vanished. Dick, in trying to fix one TV, effectively killed another. There were spots on the tunic I wanted to wear that night.
Fortunately all things work out--the TV is replaced, plus a new one for the apartment. My sunglasses suddenly appeared sitting on top of the food processor--go figure! My knee is much better. The spots came out with water, and I wore the tunic.
And we have had wonderful moments--a trip to my brother's ranch, where we had a long, leisurely lunch and visit, a good lobster dinner tonight, lunch at the deli, Plus we've had all those long, lovely visits. It's absolutely the best front-porch weather, and we have rehashed our lives, our children's lives, in-laws, life experiences, causes, beliefs. We haven't touched much on politics not so much because we disasgree but because they are not as fervent as I am.
Best of all, they think Jacob is marvelous, and they love Sophie. I think she adores having a man around, for she will go to Dick in a flash and behave for him in ways that she never would for me. Hmmm--do you suppose they'd like to stay?
Old friends are indeed gold, to be treasured. I am so blessed.
 

Life gets out of control sometimes

My life, it seems, has gotten out of control--partly through no fault of my own, but a large part my own fault, which I attribute to having too much on my mind. Last night I was expecting guests--friends who are also advisors to the press and were coming for "wine on the porch" to talk about the press. I prepared an antipasto tray (more about that in a minute), waited and wondered why they didn't come. I finally looked at the calendar and realized they're coming tonight. Well, tonight, I was supposed to be at my brother's in Tolar, but we had about decided to cancel that even before I discovered my calendar mistake--his daughter had a baby girl yesterday morning, and he and Cindy need to be free to be with Jenn and Baby Emelie. So if I wasn't going to Tolar, I asked Susan if she'd take my speaking gig in Granbury tomorrow, and she, admitting she loves an audience, readily agreed as long as I supplied her with notes on what to say. So, I thought, my life is simplified and all will be well.
Well, sort of. Jacob is still sick--I took Jordan lunch, and poor little Jacob could barely manage to smile at me, though he did. And he does NOT want to let go of his mama. And then when I came home I thought the key acted funny, but I got in. Cleaned the cat box and went to empty the droppings--and I was locked out. Jordan couldn't come rescue me, with a sick baby, so I called Christian--his office is not far, and he said he'd come right away. But when he got here, he said that Jordan had called as he was leaving and said, "You're not going to believe what I did." She locked herself out of her house--fortunately, she had a key hidden. Christian told her he was on his way to my house and said, "What is wrong with the Alter girls today?" Actually, that one wasn't my fault. Socorro, who cleans for me, had pushed those little buttons in the lock, which I'll ask her never never to do again! So now I'm walking on eggshells--I've lost count and can't tell is that's three misfortunes or not, but I hope it's the end of the string.
Back to my antipasto tray--it really is elegant. I cut dolma in half, for bite-size pieces, sliced some smoky Gouda and Manchego, added cornichons, and the piece de resistance--fig halves with blue cheese, warpped in prosciutto and broiled. Of course now those fig halves are cold, because I simply bundled up the whole tray and stuck it in the fridge. I'll let it get to room temperature tonight. When I was putting it together I kept thinking of the phrase amuse bouche which translates to please the mouth of "tickle the tastebuds."
Last night, after discovering my calendar mix-up, I had my own happy hour--with a sandwich of chipotle meatloaf that my neighbor had made (yes, it had a kick to it) and a glass of wine. So sophisticated!