Long Hollow

Sometimes it amazes me how a weekend, as it's depicted on a calendar, can have so much white space on it, yet when it's time to live it, it has become a too-small suitcase that you've over-packed and now you're sitting on top of it, bouncing, trying to get it all to fit.

Needless to say, I didn't get many things scratched off of my dusty to-do lists this past weekend. But thank goodness happiness doesn't depend on "getting things done."

I know it doesn't because, other than finally cleaning our shower (it had moved to the top of the list and was screaming at me…otherwise it would have been ignored again) and grabbing some groceries when I took the Girl shopping, I didn't get anything on my list done! Tom even made the brownies for us to take to the Super Bowl party Sunday afternoon. (I'm such a slacker sometimes.) But I had a wonderful weekend anyway!

It started Friday…Daniel came home for the weekend. I only had time for a quick hug and kiss, though, because it was also another movie/dinner night with the girls to see "Crazy Heart" in celebration of my friend Cheryl's birthday.

Ah, Crazy Heart. My new favorite movie. The big question on my mind is: why, why, why wasn't it included in the Academy Award "Best Picture" nominations? Granted, I haven't seen all of the nominees, but I have seen three, including "Up in the Air" and (in my opinion) "Crazy Heart" has it beat all the way around.

It's just a beautiful movie…it has tragedy written all over it…yet it's hopeful and uplifting. It's a glass of wine and a visit with an old friend…a laugh and a tear. It's a song on the radio….tender, heartbreaking. It's faded photographs in an old album. Bittersweet memories. It's a quiet sigh, a smile and a kiss on the cheek good-bye.

No one applauded at the end. It was one of those you just don't want to end. You have fallen in love with the characters and don't want them to leave. They are people you know…friends, relatives…real people you care about despite their human frailties. Maybe because of their human frailties.

Saturday was when my suitcase started bulging. First, a relaxing lunch with my cousin Patricia, long overdue. Despite living so close, we hadn't seen each other since this time last year! We have vowed to spend a weekend or two this year exploring cemeteries and courthouse records in hopes of digging up more family history. There are still too many irresistible unsolved mysteries.

After lunch I headed downtown, scooped up the Girl and spent a few hours shopping…just groceries and some college supplies this time, but it was fun just spending time with her. A bonus…she showed me around the sorority house and introduced me to the house mother. (Is it wrong to live vicariously through your children?)

Once I delivered her and her bags back to the dorm, I headed for my friend Darla's house. Our mutual friend Annie (the author of Objects of Reflection) was in town for a quick visit and I couldn't pass up the opportunity to see her…and get my copy autographed! The three of us feasted on shrimp and asparagus, drifted from the past to the present to the future and before I knew it it was midnight.

Sunday was, naturally, late Mass. It's impossible to squeeze eight hours of sleep into my routine during the week, but it's a priority on the weekends! Afterwards I caught up with Daniel, did a little writing and laundry and cleaned our shower while Tom baked the brownies.

What a perfect way to end the weekend…gathering with friends to watch the "Who Dat" Saints win the Super Bowl.

Yeah, it was a fast and furious, over-stuffed weekend and I'm STILL working on Chapter 8 and behind on my to-do's…but I'm smiling!