Turning Sixty – or as Patti Smith says, Fuck the clock

For months I had a feeling of dread, shit I’m turning sixty (Oct 7th) and where am I in life?  What have I done?  But my new job is demanding, learning new services and capabilities, working with a new manager and enjoying the new culture, but all of this has kept me away from getting too deep with the sixty milestone.    

My routine is the same, still writing – fiction – finishing the last novel.  Writing Charles Plymell biography and poems when the inspiration strikes.  I’m going to the gym more often and have noticed the change.  Running, twice a week on a good week, three times, and reading as much as possible.  But it’s the work that has taken my time.

Meli and I had lunch with some friends in Northport a few weeks ago, and both are in their seventies, you would not believe it, they are active, traveling around the world. My friend’s wife said, sixty is the new forty and of course it’s just a number.  I am grateful for where I am in life.  Meli and I have a good life in Bethlehem with friends and yesterday, my two oldest daughters drove up from Long Island to visit and brought a card and a book on bridges in Pennsylvania.   We walked around Easton and were amazed at the amount of protestors, no more kings demonstration, one truck with Trump flags, but it was a warm and peaceful day. We watched when they drove back as they passed us on 378 and we waved and I wished they’d visit more often.  As I wrote, I am grateful.  Had dinner with local friends at our favorite Mexican restaurant last night and made it home at a decent hour.  Watched most of Al Pacino in Scarface, why did they have an Italian acting in the part?  It wasn’t necessary. 

Emma is married, there was a lovely celebration on October 5^th – it was a warm Sunday like today, it’s 73 degrees outside.  Matt, my son-in-law brought tears to most of us, yeah me included during his declaration of intent.  He was weeping when Ali and I brought Em down the aisle.   We danced with Em during the Stevie Wonder song, Isn’t She Lovely which we heard when Ali was getting a sonogram – expecting Emma Tess. 

The air conditioner is packed away and we’re taking out our warm clothes.  Yet, I can go outside and take in the sun, instead I am jotting down some thoughts.

Thank you for reading this.

MG

Married to a Tica

01/05/20 flying over Cuba

I am married.  Meli and I were married on December 29^th in front of more than fifty friends and family.  It was raining before the ceremony and a few asked if I was nervous.  I was not, but as we neared the event the butterflies started.  Rain stopped.  A beautiful sunset lit up the sky over the lake.  Yes, there were sections I had to recite in Spanish, which was the main reason for my nerves.   Meli came out as the music started, Here Comes the Bride. Her parents walked her to me.   There was not the formal hand off, Meli and I approached one another and kissed.  She looked beautiful and calm.  Are you happy, she asked me with a bright smile.  Yes, I am very happy.  The night is a blur.  We were busy talking to the guests and I tried my best to speak Spanish, Mucho Gusto.  There were some relatives who spoke English which made it easier for me.  We ate dinner, shared cake and soon enough we were packing.  I paid the attorney who handled the ceremony and we discussed the visa process.  Once the holidays are over, she will file the papers.  I will set up an appointment with an attorney from Catholic Charities when I am back and when I have the marriage certificate.  Last month they were busy till mid-January.  There may be the possibility Meli will move to the US before this year is out.  With everything it is God’s hands.  Looking at Florida in the near distance.  I will go through immigration and have to recover my bag and check it in again.  But it is alright.  I have five hours in Orlando to ponder the state of my affairs.  I have work emails, reading and will buy something to eat.  I think we have another forty-five minutes in this flight.

22:20

Flying over Virginia.  I am picking up a rental when I get back.  There’s nothing quite like listening to a grown man telling his kids he got a nasty look from a woman, for who knows what, but he adds, go ahead and arrest me.  Mom calls her child an idiot and suddenly I feel the warmth of the winter, note the sarcasm is seeping into the cabin.  I am almost back in New York.  Had a coffee.  Up since 3:30 AM, worked on my emails and still feel there is a lot more to accomplish.  Jet Blue offers WIFI on most of their flights and it gave me the ability to work.  I could have watched NetFlix, but didn’t.  I worked while at Orlando airport, well most of the time.  Picked up a late lunch or dinner at Burger King, an Impossible Burger and it was delicious.  For most of the past two weeks I’ve kept up my vegetarian meals.  There were some meats that slide into my system, and I know if was difficult for my Mother-In-Law who always wants to feed me.  She was upset that she could not find some real recipes.  The woman has her hand’s full, taking care of her granddaughter.  Thinking back to the beautiful weather in Costa Rica, holding Meli’s hand whenever we drove or sat together.  Attending mass last night and not knowing what the priest was saying.  I will make an effort to learn Spanish. 

Thank you for reading this.

Dreams of Robert Johnson

12/11/19 21:57 Bethlehem, PA

Listening to Robert Johnson blues since I may be hosting a show on WDIY and I need to become familiar with the music.  His voice is like a dream from the past, a link to the dust bowls and crying in pain.  There must be a book about the man who supposedly sold his soul to the devil.  King Hearted Woman.  I was on a tear today.  At the station for an interview, back here for a few minutes, went to get a haircut at Tim’s down the road and up to the mechanic for an inspection.  I need to get the passenger light fixture replaced, the whole thing, since it is cracked and only then will I get the official sticker, and I will be free to drive around the state without a fear of prosecution.  After that, up to the supermarket to buy some food, but first some Christmas shopping at Marshalls and after, food, home.  Cooked dinner and I am back at the keys getting down the thoughts.  I checked if my black suit fits and it does.  The white shirt is ready, but I may go out for a new black belt and shoes.  I don’t want to wear anything at our wedding that I’d feel embarrassed about.  And we discussed our vacation together in Costa Rica and it is just that, an easy vacation without any concrete plans.  This is interesting since it’s a stark difference from our vacation in Ireland or even the recent weekend we had together in Mexico.  Just as well.  They’re Red Hot, by Robert Johnson and this is something I can get into it. There’s a story of a record producer trying to find Johnson, only to discover he died the year before.  Dreams of Robert Johnson.

Thank you for reading this.

Driving through New Jersey in The Rain

11/18/19 23:32 Bethlehem, PA

Driving through the rain to get here.  I think Meli is sleeping since I told her I will call when I arrived and have called her a few times.  I feel horrible since we didn’t get a chance to speak for too long today.  I was busy at work, finishing up an RFP and stressed out since the system was not accepting all of my answers.  Nothing like it.  So that is done.  I was working on the new novel which I already enjoy.  My son is leaving school and heading home.  This may be for good.  He wanted to call me to let me know.  My oldest is in France.  My youngest sister had a meltdown at my parent’s house, I rubbed her shoulders, which is something I never do, touch my sister, and felt the tension around her neck.  She is stressed.  I drove out East to Riverhead to get the necessary paperwork from the courts.  And we are moving ahead, the dress, the flowers, the cake, the rings.  There are the vows and the guests.  But I don’t want to be as passive as I have been and will be an active participant.  To have a successful event, it must be planned and typically I like instantaneous action.  Let my impulsive mind take the lead and let’s do this thing, but how?  I don’t know, it’s like writing a novel, let it create itself.

Thank you for reading this.