A LOVE LETTER FROM KEITH & MARY

WORTH IT!

Before February fades, I thought you deserved a haiku about winter kisses to accompany this chilly greeting. I hope you’ve been warm and happy. Having now written a few of these pandemic-inspired love letters to you, I wonder if you are struck, as I am, by the rituals in your life, the sameness of each day. At first, I resisted them. I sought variety, adventures, and new experiences to embellish our isolation. Eventually, I started sinking into the simplicity and slower rhythms, and now I’m immersed. Nothing feels the same. I’m not sure I can come back to the frantic bustle of the 21st century. Truthfully, I’m not sure I want to — or maybe I can’t wait to return. Not sure. How are you feeling about “normal” and returning to it? While I’m sorting through my ambivalence and what Keith’s and my post-vaccine reality might look like, here’s some of what makes our life WORTH IT. — m2

Fun Fact: These rabbits and their ancestors and descendants have lived under our deck since Keith built it decades ago. He was inspired to create this painting after encountering these furry neighbors one night while taking out the trash. He was forced to change the title for the print marketers from “Hoppy Bunnies” to “Moonlit Moment.” I guess that’s to be expected when you let kids name your paintings.

*Fun Fact: When I was a baby, my mother gave me the nickname Mugwump. She said it’s a bird that sits on a fence with its mug on one side and its wump on the other. It’s also an early 20th century term for a political independent.

*Fun Fact: Keith’s photo was taken through our kitchen window on a melty February afternoon. We discussed that we should probably insulate better, but agreed we’d rather have this icy magic.

WORTH READING
Keith and I are currently reading Ready Player 2 by Ernest Cline for our Chapter-a-Day book. I read the text. He does the sound effects. This science fiction book was Keith’s Christmas present from our daughter Maggie. It’s great fun so far: new tech, new Easter egg, new riddle, new villains. If you like sci-fi, you will appreciate this book.

WORTH WATCHING
We always appreciate TV recommendations and try to return the favor. So here’s some February TV we’re currently enjoying. (1) my favorite Star Wars offering, Mandolorian on Disney+. (2) Check out the funny, tender, surprising, coming of age series called Dickinson on Apple TV+. I will never look at Emily Dickinson in the same way. (3) Ted Lasso also on Apple TV+ is about a football coach who takes a job coaching soccer in the UK . This style of humor squarely hits my funny bone. I loved this series so much, I will likely watch it again. (4) Best recommendation award goes to my cousin Annie and Brian for the Bee Gee’s documentary on HBO Max. So many layers. And the music - loved it!

WORTH CHERISHING
We celebrated Keith’s birthday this month. The best of his gifts was a calendar created by our family (credit for the production to our granddaughter Ada). It combined three of his loves: family, art, and apples. Each of us were assigned a month of the calendar for which we were to create some art with an apple theme. Priceless keepsake.

WORTH BUYING
Keith bought me a love gift. One of those copper-colored brownie pans with the old-style ice cube tray dividers. I smirk at things like this because I think they’re just gimmicks, but I baked a batch to show appreciation for his gesture. Oh, Lordie! Why did I not have this pan years ago? Each little brownie has that perfect crunchy hard part all around its edges. Otherwise the best you can do with a normal pan is half the crunch on a corner piece. I am in love again with brownies. I should probably regulate my consumption or this could get ugly fast.

WORTH REMEMBERING
I sometimes feel like other people dance around laughing all day and my life sucks. When you’re as old as me (gosh, I love saying that), you realize everyone’s life sucks about the same. I am a little concerned that my carefully curated news might give you the impression that I am somehow spared heartache and suffering. That I did not mourn the death of a loved one this month. That I didn’t cry with anguish watching the erosion of democracy. That I didn’t feel so lonely I stayed in bed until after lunch. That I wasn’t afraid Keith will die if he gets Covid. I don’t know how to find happiness. I’ve tried all my life. But I do know how to find gratitude. And that seems to work just fine. And it feels a lot like writing this letter to you. Life is wondrous.

CLASSIC VALENTINE DEBUNKED
This is the Valentine’s Day greeting I wrote for Keith this month.

Poets say roses are red 
Despite 150 species and thousands of hybrids

Poets say violets are blue
Although, as suggested by the name,
I suspect the predominant color is indeed violet

Poets say sugar is sweet
But is it really sweet unto itself? Really? Isn’t sweetness the result of interaction with our tongue’s taste receptors for sweetness?

Poets say “so are you”
Okay. Got me. One line outta four.

For the past seventy years, I have cherished good and bad memories alike, little patches to be stitched into a love quilt. Although February is only partially ended, it is already overflowing with patches. My daily journal is where I lovingly record this life. Once, I thought I would reread the journals when I was old. Once, I hoped my family might have some interest in reading these journals after I die. But now, I realize reading is not the point. Their best purpose has been to make space for me to pause each day and notice the pure magic of being alive, moving through time, feeling this love. Thank you, truly. Thank you for being part of our journey. You are the soft parts that make us smile. I’ll write again in March. — Mary (and Keith by proxy)