In which I miss the BBQ. Of course.

Today a bunch of friends came out for a BBQ, but it didn’t really get into full swing until past 2:30. I had to leave for band practice, but Bread made me this stunning portabello mushroom with sauteed peppers and swiss on a bun thing, to go, so at least I didn’t starve.

I think there were five or six people here, enjoying the spring-like weather, eating outside, socializing. *sigh* I bet it was fun. (I don’t know for sure, though, because everyone was gone when I got home and Bread was asleep on the couch.)

Band practice was fun, as always. I have such a crush on those folks. PJK taught us his latest song and man is it good. Makes me feel like I need to bust out my guitar and write something new myself.

~+~+~
The memorial was lovely. The day was long, though.

MIL came over at 7:30. We left here at eight, caravaning, stopped in Ottumwa and went shopping at the Super Wal-Mart because it was the only thing open at that hour. Bread got black pants, a black sweater, black shoes, a black belt. I got a black purse… and a brown prairie skirt out of the fat chicks’ section. (I love half the clothes in the fat section. The first iteration of the new brown skirt that I picked up was like a size 22 or something, but I found a 14 that works. The waist is elastic, whew.)

After buying clothes, we ate at Country Kitchen then drove to JG’s eldest son’s house in Harford. He drove MIL, Bread and I rode in Bread’s truck. Eldest son and MIL went to the church, Bread and I stopped so he could get a haircut and his beard trimmed. (It was $13. For a cut and a trim. Love Iowa.)

The service was for both JG and his mother, who had passed in December. I think a mother/son service is particularly sad, but the pastor who did the mother’s service gave a nice homily about death being like the transformation a seed must go through to become a tree. A family friend did JG’s service and told the kinds of intimate stories and jokes only a good friend can. She played a Waylon song that had been one of JG’s favorites and MIL burst into tears.

After the service, there was food in the basement. A lot of people came, which MIL said was really gratifying. We’d arrived at 12:30; left around four. Met a lot of sweet people.

MIL bought us dinner at Spaghetti’s in Osky on the way home; we discussed the service and the distribution of JG’s things. She really seemed like the memorial service had given her a lot of closure… she even made a joke about forgetting her husband at the eldest son’s house (we had to swing back so she could get his ashes). She’s going back to work Monday, she says so she won’t stay home and wallow and sniffle all day. I think she’s terribly brave and strong.

Got home around eight. Hung out for awhile, ravished each other, went to sleep.

In other news, I’m practically well now, so my personality should be returning any minute. Amusing, thoughtful, well-written posts shall resume shortly.