September 13: Cousins spilled into the waterfront restaurant for a wedding Welcome Party. We had arrived in Highlands, New Jersey, to reunite after years apart and to celebrate the marriage of our cousin’s daughter. Although we had marched through many decades (“You look good! No, I mean it!”), we saw each other through the eyes of teenagers, from a time when we shared fond aunts and uncles, our grandmother’s cooking, and the tiny adventures that don’t prompt memoirs but do season memories with easy camaraderie.
At last we saw our cousin, the mother of the bride. We’ve been thinking about you all week, we chirped. Already a veteran of her two sons’ weddings, she thanked us and acknowledged that this time was different: So much fun. And so exhausting. We nodded and then invited her to think of Monday: How will you reward yourself? “Well,” she said, “They go off on their honeymoon for two weeks — and I’ll be taking care of their puppy.”
September 14: My cousin’s husband stood resplendent in his Father-of the-Bride tuxedo (and tears). His words of welcome, gratitude and joy drew us closer to him and to each other. He saluted the families for their love and dedication and paid a special tribute to the groom’s family, some of whom had traveled from far away to celebrate the union of the two families. And then, consulting his notes, he began to speak in Polish. One young man flung his arms up in happy surprise. The groom’s mother nodded and smiled. We all beamed encouragement.
My cousin’s husband completed his Polish welcome. Somewhat sheepishly, he added, “I probably said, ‘My fishing gear is in the kitchen and I’m a jelly donut.’” Judging from the smiles and cheers, I think whatever he said was just perfect.
September 15: Until last night’s wedding, I’d forgotten how much Kevin and I enjoy dancing. You may remember how dancing figured prominently in our own personal meet-cute. Or (yeah, I’ll post it again) how Kevin and I danced almost non-stop at our wedding reception. So last night, as we boogied to Motown and “Build Me Up, Buttercup,” another guest approached us. “You surprise me,” he said. “You are good dancers! Your husband’s got the moves!” And to me he said, “You nearly reached outer space on that last song!”
As we acquire wisdom with age, it’s very easy to dance like no one is watching. Happily, one person who was watching was very, very kind!
September 17: I promised my blogging friend Mr. P that I’d share a bit about ancient Egyptian medicine. Here’s what I’ve learned: Four thousand years ago, ancient Egyptians acquired considerable knowledge of anatomy and medical treatment. They identified the function of the heart and its relation to the two types of blood vessels. They stopped bleeding using cauterization. They described in detail diseases of numerous bodily systems, including the respiratory, circulatory, genital, muscular, nervous, ocular, auditory, and olfactory systems. And they used medical instruments that we recognize today, including knives for cutting tumors, lances for incisions, and needles for suturing; pincers, spoons, saws and hooks for surgery; forceps for childbirth; and, yes, dental tools.
I never gave any of this a second’s thought until I saw a relief in the Temple of Kom Ombo depicting medical instruments. I was astonished (and then embarrassed for being astonished) at the modernity of the array. Cool crocodile mummies, and forceps too!
September 18: If someone else published a weekly collection of “delights,” they might write this:
“The National Park Ranger projected his voice into the semi-circle of people attending his discussion of the Underground Railroad. During his remarks, he would advance three steps to the left of the semi-circle, retreat to the center, and then back up three steps to the right. Again and again.
He didn’t notice a woman who — apparently unable to hear the Ranger when he drifted away from her end of the semi-circle — persisted in matching him step for step: When he moved left, she entered the semi-circle behind him. When he backed up toward her, she retreated just enough to maintain the distance between them. When he stood still, she froze. She followed him like a shadow. Or a partner craving an invitation to dance.”
The woman, of course, was me. Cha cha cha.
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If you’d like to browse my past delights, please consult the “word cloud” featured at the very bottom of this post. Find a theme or two that interests you and sift through the sands. Or learn a bit more about my Blog by visiting my Welcome page. You’ll also see links to four essays that were published in print magazines. I’m glad you’re here!
Fashioned For Joy 
I’m so glad you’re back. And your wedding pics are epic. BTW, Mike and I are FINALLY getting married, the 28th, September. If you can, it’s at 11002 Riverview Road, Fort Washington MD at 3pm❤
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Oh, Delores, I’m delighted to hear from you and to learn your happy news. Congratulations! I wish I could join you. I’ll be traveling that weekend, but I’ll raise a glass to you and Mike!
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Hi, Carol Ann – Your writing is absolutely beautiful – and you had me from your opening lines. “tiny adventures that don’t prompt memoirs but do season memories with easy camaraderie” — so very lovely!
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Dear Donna — Thank you for that mighty compliment, especially from someone who wields her own elegant pen. Blogging has been so good for me; in addition to the ways you and I have already discussed (e.g., hearing from old friends and making new ones), it forces me to find words that honor the world around us. I’m grateful you saluted that particular phrase. It was meaningful to me too.
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❤ ❤ ❤
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Love that wedding dance photo! Such grace and elegance exhibited. Sounds like the wedding was a marvellous event.
Side note – my father was Polish.
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Phew, those Egyptians! I had no idea. Wonderful picture of the dancing bride.
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I’m glad you liked that wedding photo. Such a 90’s dress! (And dark hair…) Thanks for telling me that your father was Polish. We have a special affinity for Poland in our family too. Jeremiah visited Krakow five years ago and attended an authentic Polish wedding. He learned a bit of Polish and, as a bookseller, is an avid proponent of Nobel Laureate Olga Tokarczuk. (Read “Drive Your Plough Over the Bones of the Dead” some rainy afternoon!)
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Beautifully written, as usual. The account of how you kept the National Park Ranger close – but not too close – paints a hilarious picture. I wonder what the rest of his audience made of your dance-floor moves?
Weren’t those Egyptians wonderful. Although I’ve long appreciated their artistic endeavours I had no idea they were so scientifically advanced.
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Thank you, Mr. P., for chuckling over my little dance with the park ranger. I got the idea of writing about it when I imagined how funny I must have looked to the other onlookers. Sometimes I think writing does require us to step out of our own bodies; how else would we find the courage to send our thoughts out into the universe?
Traveling to Egypt has helped me to recapture the wonder and fascination I felt as a child. I’m glad you feel it too!
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Loved this Delight! The FDR memorial is one of my favorites… and the Breadline sculpture is especially poignant
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Hi, Janet. I agree with you about the FDR Memorial. I was lucky enough to visit for the first time with my father, who was born in 1916 and was an admirer of Roosevelt. He was very moved by the memorial. Make another visit if you can; the fountains are on and ardently flowing. And, as you know, it’s magical at night!
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You are the kind of wedding guest that I would love – infectiously drawing shyer folks into the festivities! I am loving the wedding weekend account … so much love and delight and laughter. I am seeing you & Kevin blaze through the dance floor! Fun fun!
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Dear Ju-Lyn — Thank you for your kind words. Kevin and I do have a lot of fun dancing, and it can be contagious. We even wrapped a few solo dancers into our gyrations. Anything to honor the bride and groom!
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You are the kind of people we could dance with, Loving Husband & I who both have 2 left feet! You would make us so welcome and not at all self-conscious!
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