In April Michael and I went to Rochester, NY, to celebrate Krista and David’s vow renewal (see April 23rd blog entry). Nobody spoke about Krista’s impending deployment or the bittersweet news that David wouldn’t be able to join Krista’s unit (Pardon my Army jargon–I may be using incorrect terms–unit? group? company? young people going into harm’s way?). Krista had asked that the focus of the vow renewal be the celebration of love and not the war in Iraq. And so we all obliged…

Fast forward to a month ago: Krista knew the date she’d be going to North Carolina to “refresh” (my word—not Krista’s) her military training and I was asked to keep any mention of this out of my blog. And so I obliged…

Krista recently blogged from North Carolina about her experiences, so I asked if I could now tell you that she has, indeed, begun the journey that leads her back to Iraq. I was told I could now discuss it. And so I oblige…

Krista, you have given so much of yourself to the people of Iraq already. You have helped many people with your insight and your actions. You have witnessed the deaths of some close friends, for example, a strong Iraqi woman who spoke out for women’s rights. You have carried their spirits, their struggles, back to the US and have helped us get to know them through you. You’ve been awarded a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart. We are very proud of you and love you very much! We support you in everything you do, in every action you take.

I do not support the war that President Bush created, but I support you.

I do not support the changes President Bush made to the rules about “active duty” for the National Guard troops, but I support you.

I do not support the chaos you will enter when you return to Iraq, but I support you.

http://desertdivairaq.blogspot.com/

http://www.icasualties.org/oif/

  Please, please, please click on the image to preview the ultra cool Save the Date card we’re sending for Great Getaways 15th Anniversary Bash!

Now, for those of you who aren’t susceptible to my pleading here’s the info in readable text:

SAVE THE DATE FOR OUR OUT-OF-THIS-WORLD 15TH ANNIVERSARY BASH!  SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 16TH AT ARTichokes IN MISSION FARMS

 If you tell me you can read the image to the left without enlarging it, I want the name of your opthamologist! It reads:

The Leawood travel agency that gives you the luxury of experience is turning 15! Treat yourself to a night of experience at ARTichokes, Leawood’s premier art space in Mission Farms, Sunday, September 16, 2007, 7 – 10 PM, ARTichokes, 10557 Mission Road, Leawood; Light Hors d’ Oeuvres; Cruise & Vacation Silent Auction to Benefit Alzheimers Association; Sponsored by: Great Getaways, Virgin Galactic, Holland America Line, Creative Leisure, ARTichokes, Oberoi Hotels & Resorts, SPACES magazine

No need to read on because I know you’re anxious to put the date in your calendar, pda, or perhaps create a tasteful tattoo reminder!

On April 14, 2007 our niece, Krista, and her husband, David, renewed their vows. It had been two years and a few days ago, in April, 2005, that they married before Krista left for Iraq.

Last weekend seemed magical—time stood still—there was love, laughter, dancing, dining, a beautiful bride, a handsome groom—all the stuff that fairytales are made of. An honor guard of military officers with sabers drawn and blades towards the heavens (to cut all problems into small pieces) protected the bride and groom as they exited the church. We danced to “Shout”, “Mona”, “Unchained Melody” and shared in the many toasts and good wishes. We ate yummy wedding cake and watched the grooms cake of Dunkin Doughnuts dispappear in the mouths of the many law enforcement officers present. Krista was radiant, dancing almost every dance and still having time for just the perfect comment to each of her guests. David’s toast, a tribute to his father and his longtime friends still glows in its sincerity. Yes, last weekend was truly special. We watched young men and women, many of them veterans of the Iraq war or of the hunt for Bin Laden in Afghanistan, celebrate a very special couple’s love. The mood was joyous and for a brief moment I was able to put aside my fear for Krista’s safety and David’s loneliness. I knew I could not afford to give words to the rage that smoldered inside me. Why, Mr. President, must you tear families apart? Why do you send innocent children into harm’s way? This is not a fairytale, sir, this is a frightening, demoralizing reality!

I’m devastated! I’m crushed! I’m so disillusioned! Before I explain why, let me give you some background:

Today is April 13th, Friday, April 13th to be exact and it started out being a “Lucky” day! Michael and I winged our way from Kansas City to Rochester, New York to attend Krista and David’s renewal of their vows (aka an official wedding post Iraq!). I blogged about Krista and David on March 25th (once again, I present the Cliff’s Notes version of a past blog: Krista is our niece; she met David in the Reserves; they got engaged; Krista’s unit was called up to Iraq; they were married by a priest prior to deployment; Krista is back, toting Purple Heart and Bronze Star; now we’re having the “official” wedding; Krista is being redeployed to Iraq…). It is very cold in Rochester—still not an unlucky thing—we left brrrrr cold KC. We attended the rehearsal and the rehearsal dinner, and we planned to go to…………….drum roll, please…………WEGMANS!!!

You remember Wegmans, don’t you? (See Feb. 23 blog) I salivate just saying the word, Wegmans—-Wegmans, Wegmans, Wegmans—oooohhh! Six of us plan this exciting outing–Michael, me, Sandy and Chuck (Michael’s sister and brother-in-law), and John and Diane (cousins). Six normal looking adults, of apparent sound mind and body, headed out to Wegmans. You may know Rochester for Eastman Kodak, Rochester Institute of Technology, or proximity to Corning. I think Rochester’s biggest claim to fame is being the birthplace of Wegmans! Based on a recommendation from a local Rochesterian, we eagerly drove (thank you John for having a GPS) to the food mecca. We raced inside and there it was…

…a not particularly clean, boringly stocked (i.e. no pretty displays), large supermarket. Greeting us at the front door was the produce section with a display of broccoli remnants and a few tomatoes. Nobody was stocking the display. It just sat there–forlorn, neglected, alone. “Oh no!” cried the grocery goddess and food know-it-all that lives in my head, “Tell me this isn’t so!” “Not to worry!” the hopeful child inside admonished, “Let’s look at the yummy pasteries in the bakery!” Off we went to explore the bakery section. Adults, please, if you have a child reading this, you may want them to look away because the next words may be offensive and graphic—-the doughnut trays were half *#h)ptH  *#)$& empty!!! Okay, there I’ve said it. I’m not proud of my reaction and yet I have to be honest! Even the flower section was paltry by Wegmans standards.

The average person, not already used to the high quality of food and displays at the Wegmans in Hunt Valley, MD, may have been impressed (except for the barren broccoli display). After all, we were still in a very large, well stocked supermarket, but it just wasn’t that over the top, oh my God I want to shop there, aesthetically spectacular experience I remember. It was just another supermarket and who wants to roam around a grocery store after dinner on a Friday night? Wegmans, what happened to you? Are you experiencing PMS (plain, mediocre supermarket)? Is this a temporary situation or is Thomas Wolfe correct, “You can’t go home again?”

This morning I decided to work from home, and, in this case, blog from home, which allows me the opportunity to dress in jeans and a t-shirt (definitely beyond “business casual”!). Today I’m in a short-sleeved lavendar tee that says “I Need My Space” with the NASA emblem below the words. From that play on words my mind drifted to Virgin Galactic’s tagline, “Space is Virgin territory” and from there I asked myself, “What’s a nice girl like you doing in a Space like this?”

I have definitely been bitten by the Space bug. I believe that my training at the Kennedy Space Center moved me from passionate to  passionately and wildly interested in Space, our universe, black holes, solar flares—all sorts of things that occupied very little space in my head in years gone by.

When I was 9 years old I came home from school very upset. When my mother asked what was bothering me, I complained, “You never take me anywhere!”

With a puzzled expression, Mom said, “Barby (I ditched the “y”, the “i” and the “ie” in favor of Barbara many years ago!), how can you say we don’t take you anywhere? That’s just not true. We’ve taken you to Florida several times, California, New York, Canada, New England, Wisconsin, and we’re going on a cruise to the Caribbean in December!”

“So…” my swift and challenging reply, “All my friends go to Starved Rock and you’ve never taken me there!” Gotcha! I made my point, jutting out my bottom lip, smirking, with hands haughtily on my hips!

Starved Rock State Park is approximately 95 miles west-southwest of Chicago, along the Illinois River. It was (is???) a popular getaway for Chicagoans. I have photos of my parents, brother, and sister at Starved Rock on a wintery day making a big snowman. But, do I get to go there? Hey, no fair! You guys went before I was born!

I must have hit a nerve because within a few weeks our family headed to Starved Rock with my sister, age 14 at the time, whining “Do I have to go?????” I didn’t let her disdain dampen my anticipation. We were going to STARVED ROCK where I was sure my every dream of the perfect vacation would be fulfilled! Actually, I remember very little of the two nights we spent there other than it felt like a very, very long time and my family has never allowed me to forget my pleading, “Can we go home yet?” Obviously, “fitting in” with my classmates meant more to me than knowing I had seen the Statue of Liberty, the Henry Ford Museum at Greenfield Village in Michigan, eaten freshly caught trout in Wisconsin, ridden the Teacup Ride at Disneyland, or attempted numerous times to dig my way to China on various Florida beaches! Please, please understand my point—Starved Rock State Park is a wonderful destination and it only helped me to begin to realize how fortunate my life experiences had been–even at the tender age of 9!

By the time I graduated high school I added two Caribbean cruises, many more trips to Florida, New York, California, Hawaii Canada, two visits to Israel, and a journey to Europe. My father, an importer of screws, nuts, and bolts, traveled all over the world and he loved to take our family to all sorts of exotic locales. Whether I suffered from entitlement or ignorance, it took me years to treasure the experiences I had. When I was 11 we were in Paris, staying at the Ritz, and I was very whiny and jet-lagged. For some reason, my room was down the hall from my parents, rather than our usual “adjoining rooms” (don’t you love it when I talk “travel!”) and, one day, upon leaving their room, I knocked on every door that separated them from me. To this day, I still remember the sounds of “Oui?”, “uno momento,” “Si?” as I brattily weaved my way down the hall. So, if you were staying at Hotel Ritz in November, 1959, and when you opened your door, nobody was there, I confess it was me—I promise I haven’t ever done that again and have deleted that adolescent behavior from my repetorie! 

Fast forward to 15 years ago, I had a life crisis that forced me to examine where I was, what was important to me, and how I wanted to proceed on this journey of living. I looked over my resume to see if there was some common thread in my varied career paths: graduate of Northwestern University, travel, school teacher, travel, hospital administrator, travel, real estate sales, and travel….hmmm, anything standing out to you? 

From an amazing childhood and adolescence filled with traveling to faraway places, I continued this passion as an adult. I loved discovering destinations new to me as well as spending time at some familiar favorites—I cruised countless times, beached it, city stayed, toured, flew, railed, and drove. All I had to do was remove the “a” from avocation!

I’m often asked what my favorite destination is and I reply that my #1 is usually the last place I’ve been. In all honesty, I have several favorites and my current #1 is Africa–East Africa and Southern Africa; India; the Galapagos; and Italy (including Sardinia!). Closely following those destinations would be China, Thailand, Bali, Tokyo, London, Crete, Bora Bora, and St. Petersburg. I could go on and on—in fact, I have!

Did you notice that I didn’t list Space as my favorite? That is only because I haven’t been there YET! I definitely want to experience Space, and, perhaps, my helping you travel to Space will assuage my impatience to explore our universe!

My sister-in-law, Sandy, called this morning. We chatted about the fun stuff of life: her alma mater, Ohio State, being in the Final Four; the Ohio State-Xavier game (pitting her university against Michael’s alma mater); my 15 seconds of fame on the Today Show a couple of weeks ago; Virgin Galactic’s head of Astronaut Sales, Carolyn Wincer, coming to KC tomorrow; and Krista and David’s Re-Commitment Ceremony. 

When Krista, our niece and Sandy’s daughter, and David were engaged, Krista found out she’d be deployed to Iraq. The lovebirds met in the Reserves and were planning their wedding when the news came. Not wanting to be apart, they decided to marry in a private ceremony and have a formal “Re-Commitment” when Krista returned from her tour of duty.

The big day is April 14th and, as Krista’s website reminds us we have 20 days until the celebration! (http://www.theknot.com/ourwedding/kristaenglert&davidenglert)

When Krista was in Iraq, I kept my friends posted on her activities, often copying her poignant emails to everyone. Whenever I heard about a soldier dying or being wounded, I froze, “Please God, no—not Krista!” Thankfully, Krista made it back home, Purple Heart and Bronze Star in hand; and, hence, a wedding in 20 days!

Krista, a nurse, focused on community health and women’s rights while she was in Iraq. She is bright, pretty, intelligent, and a gifted writer and speaker. One day Lauren, my daughter, and I sat glued to our computers when Krista was interviewed “live” on an East coast radio show. I was so proud of her, the way she articulated her views, described the warm friendships she formed with many Iraqis, the tragedy of her Iraqi friend being assassinated, and Krista’s humvee being hit by an IED.

So, we are so blessed to share in the joy of this union of two brave American soldiers (David had already completed a tour of duty in Afghanistan when they met). 

And I am so angry, full of sadness and rage—Krista found out two weeks ago that she is being re-deployed to Iraq in early summer. Last time she was based in Mosul, not exactly a walk in the park. Today, however, Mosul is a lot safer than many other parts of Iraq! Krista doesn’t know where she’ll be based (and I’m not sure she could tell us if she did know—Army rules, you know!) and David plans to volunteer to go to Iraq with Krista. Now, these two beautiful, vibrant young people will be headed to the dangerous morass we call Iraq.

Krista is committed to focusing on the celebration that will occur in 20 days and I will honor her wishes and concentrate on the good, the hope, the love David and Krista share. Privately, in my heart, my mind, and probably on this blog, I rage at this war. The latest “surge” requested by Bush is what is taking Krista back to Iraq so soon (”at all” is what I really mean!). There used to be a rule that a reservist had to be home a year before being asked to return to duty in Iraq, but what’s a guy to do? Our prez needs some fresh bodies over there and, after all, he’s the “Decider” isn’t he? 

Dictionary.com says ESSENTIAL means absolutely necessary, indispensable. I usually like this word—breathing is “essential”—short, sweet and true; however, the “Essential” Home Theater (sorry, NYT, I adore you but I found this phrase in your magazine today—must be your lucky day!). What is “essential” about a home theater? Perhaps, the NYT writer was trying some “tongue-in-cheek” humor (tongue-in-cheek, another catchy phrase originated in 1845, fyi). Perhaps, one of the fortunate beings who own an “essential” home theater would donate a like amount to the poverty and AIDS ridden children in Africa. That, I think, would be ESSENTIAL!

Check out www.goodburgerny.com and find out about the newest and best entry in burger restuarants in New York. We ate at the 54th and Lex location (near the Benjamin–which is one of the most comfortable hotels I’ve experienced in NYC). How fun it is to happen upon an “in” place to dine!

My friend Charlie noticed I hadn’t blogged for awhile and I told him that I was too busy doing “stuff” (working, catching up at work after being in NYC, planning for the visit of Carolyn Wincer, Head of Astronaut Sales for Virgin Galactic, on Monday 3/27, oh, and did I mention working?). I assured Charlie that I was eager to get back to the blog, that I had lots of great ideas of what I wanted to write about.

I came home from work (that word keeps coming up, doesn’t it?), sat down at the computer, and FROZE! Okay, Barbara, where did all those good ideas go? Remember, the insight on life you had a couple of nights ago? How about those clever comments you had while taking the subway to the bball games in NYC? That incisive polital and social commentary?

Does that ever happen to you? I seem to have great thoughts during the night and wake up with only a vague, if any, recollection of what rolled through my brain while my body tried to sleep. Other times, while you and I are having a conversation, you’ll say something that triggers some amazing observation to race through my brain. When I open my mouth to share the pearls of wisdom, nothing comes out! That racing thought is probaly somewhere in outer space, eager to leave my cluttered brain.

In the past several months I’ve had the realization that the world is changing much faster than I am. I walked through some clothing stores recently and couldn’t figure out why the racks were full of “young people’s stuff” aka things I wouldn’t (and couldn’t) wear. Who, I wondered, buys these things? Where did all the good stuff, the familiar stuff, go? When did stores change how they merchandise?

I love Antrhopologie—it’s colorful, edgy, funky, and a wonderful mish-mosh of things that seemingly don’t belong together and yet complement each other perfectly. Ceramic knobs are scattered across teeny, tiny little sweaters and both are for sale! Pricy t-shirts are piled next to scads of notecards, both on a painted tin tray—again, all begging to come home with me. What is dawning in my over-stuffed and cobwebbed brain, is that type of merchandising is more the norm than the exception! Locally, there’s Feng, Style & Grace, Standard Style—to name a few “mixed bag” or “buy the dress and the armoire it’s displayed in” stores. They’re fun and I love their creative energy but they challenge me to “independently” create an outfit, to pretend I’m secure enough to know what my “style” is!

 I’m getting old, I guess. I’ll be 59 soon and I don’t think of that as old (although I’ve come to accept that my true definition of old is anything that is 30 years older than I am).  I am acutely aware that while we boomers may be an important influence on culture, we are no longer setting the trends…and maybe that’s okay! Maybe, I’m more interested today in the quality of my life and less on the quantity. The world may moving in a very different direction and today I’m comfortable ambling along my own path.

So, I guess that’s my inspiring input for today. The topic is either “I like who I am and I am content on my journey” or “She’s older than dirt–let’s humor her.” Do me a favor, don’t tell me which subject you picked!

Not much else to report! I’ve heard people say that all the trends hit the coasts first and then trickle down to the Midwest. I’ve just experienced a trend that I hope stays on this East coast. Apparently, in keeping with moving daylight savings time earlier, New York has moved April Fools’ Day up a couple of weeks, too. That is the only logical explanation for the icy, snowy, rainy, cold, windy, sleety day we had Friday, the frigid blast on Saturday, and the contest today of wind versus sun—wind won—no contest really!

Continuing with this logic, if Friday was April 1 in the new and improved   calendar, then my birthday, April 9th, is really the former March 24th! So, it’s my duty to inform you that this coming Saturday will be National Let’s Eat White Cake with White Icing Day. It’s been a long tradition that I eat white cake with white icing (preferably baked by Hen House bakeries) on my birthday. Thanks to the new abbreviated March as mandated by New York, we get to eat white cake in 6 more days. Are you with me on this? For those of you a little slow on math, let’s review: If the 16th day of the 3rd month of this year, oh let’s call it, say, 2007, has been changed to the first day of the fourth month, same year (makes the math easier, don’t you think?), then today, what used to be the 18th day of the 3rd month, is really the 3rd day of the fourth month of 2007 (remember, we agreed to keep the year the same), then the 9th day of the fourth month will be the former 24th day of the third month of the year 2007. The importance of this date change should be immediately noted by all Hen House bakeries as the annual April 9th raid of white cakes with white icing will take place earlier than originally planned. Okay, students, did we all get the correct answer??? Are we ready to eat cake in 6 days and counting? (For those of you who dot your I’s and cross your T’s, please note that today is really 3/18/07 even though the date on the blog is 3/19/07–the time is set to Greenwich Mean Time on my blog even though it’s EDT here, and CDT at home—what’s a woman to do???)

 Amazing what happens to one’s brain when frozen in New York…and YES THE RAMS WON! GO RAMS!