congratulations!

Congratulations to John and Shelly Becker, now the proud parents of a delightful little girl, Marney Faye Becker, born February 26, 2009! No pictures yet, but I'll do my best.

She's going to be on my future softball team. It's already been decided. My fierce and gigantic niece Avery is my first team member--probably at pitcher, though she might have a center fielder's arm on her. We'll give little Marney Faye a few sprint tests before we place her, but I have a feeling she'd be a good third baseman. Maybe second base. We'll check her reflex time, and how steady her judgment is under pressure.

Now...here's the true question: Shelly's mom and my mom are first cousins. So what relation are Shelly and I--and what relation am I to Marney? Hmm. Second-thirds divided by six cousins with a double twist of lime? Not a clue.

Throw the party confetti!

proof!

Hey! I really did go to Florida...see? Check out those two cool chicks! It already seems like a long time ago...

a pair of ragged claws

Well, it's nearly time for the big V-day. Not that I really mind. It's such a silly holiday--there's no way it could have any lasting affect on my sensibilities. I just enjoy making fun of it. It presents such a large target.

But still, I cannot allow the holiday--coinciding so closely with my return from sunny Florida--to pass without a poetic moment. Without further ado, one of my favorite passages from Eliot's The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock.

I grow old...I grow old...
I shall wear the bottoms of my trousers rolled.

Shall I part my hair behind? Do I dare to eat a peach?
I shall wear white flannel trousers, and walk upon the beach.
I have heard the mermaids singing, each to each.

I do not think that they will sing to me.

I have seen them riding seaward on the waves
Combing the white hair of the waves blown back
When the wind blows the water white and black.

We have lingered in the chambers of the sea
By sea-girls wreathed with seaweed red and brown
Till human voices wake us, and we drown.

the whirlwind

Suddenly, and without warning, I find myself caught up in a whirlwind again. I suppose I was due--after all, I'd just had a few post-holiday weeks of sedate living with lots of time spent at the gym and with my temporary housemates.

I'm going to Florida on Saturday. This was decided...on Sunday. Crazy! I'll be back on the 12th, and will head back to work on the 13th and straight into a full weekend, then on into another busy work-week and then...

But I'm so far from complaining that complaining isn't even on the mile marker sign. I am excited, and all nice n' loose, ready for some spontaneity and a bit of the old bob-weave.

And, I must admit, as much as I love Michigan year 'round, I'm ready for a few days of sunshine and warm air.