Book of Catholic

Awaiting the second act

Paul and I went to the musical "Book of Mormon" Thursday night - the decadent show's first night in Des Moines. My children had so very thoughtfully given me this ticket for my birthday, after Amy and I listened to the soundtrack. It was September when  headed west for my Homies get-together with high school friends. I rode with Amy from Winter Park Back to Boulder, and she had the soundtrack playing in her car. Loved it! She remembered that and the fact that I told her the show was coming to DSM. When my bday rolled around November 4 - score!

Paul with tenderloin, dirty martini

Paul and I planned a date for that night. We came home a bit early from work to let the pooch out and hang with her a while. Then we headed back downtown to have a drink and eat at our fave place from last year's stint of East Village living - The Standard. We parked on the bridge on Grand, to make for a quick getaway after the show. When you park in the ramp next to the Civic Center, it takes a while to get out of there post show.

My fish tacos, white bean soup, Lemondrop

Wow Thursday night was cold! My eyes were watering walking over to 3rd and near Court Avenue. Brrrr! A solo singer provided entertainment that night - not too loud but nice. We ordered drinks and Paul got the pork tenderloin, I was in the mood for fish tacos with white bean soup. Everything was good. For dessert - some kind of rich coffee/butterscotch martini with whipped cream. Yum.

Snagged this off Jeanne Westbrook Smith's Facebook - she attended Saturday - thumbs up!

Our seats for the show were in Row U - the kids (Amy) did a great job because they were great! Low enough to see faces and right near the middle. We didn't even need to use the binoculars we'd taken. Since I'd been listening to the soundtrack, I was familiar with all the songs - and was expecting the raunchy language. And I've watched South Park - so I know what the show writers are capable of. I hope nobody went into this production not expecting the bad language and bad taste. I didn't see anyone heading for the doors!

Yes, it makes fun of the Mormon religion. It was interesting to see the Mormon church advertising in the play booklet. It led me to ponder, "what if?" How would I feel if someone (these guys) did this on my religion - the Catholic Church? Of course, if you know me, you know I am not a staunch firm Catholic. But despite all odds - it's who I am. I believe there are a lot of good things that have come about from people of this faith.

Would I think an expletive-filled hilarious play about Catholicism was great fun? I believe that answer is yes. All religion is somewhat mysterious - it's a leap to have faith. Does it seem dis-ingenious to those of us who aren't Mormon to think that some of God's story occured right here in the United States? Does the stuff we believe seem more believable because it was longer ago and farther away? If you listen to the words of one song, you'll hear them say - maybe that's what God was going for.

It's a crazy world. I like to laugh. This musical certainly made me do that - lots and out loud. It was a fun night out with my boyfriend. Thanks to Amy and Jud for their thoughtful gift!

Full of Thanks

Thank you to all the Veterans and actively serving troops. We can never thank you and your families enough for your service to our country.

Next - a shout out to my fabulous family. We are strong and loving. It never shows more than when one of us needs the support of the others - as when some 21 years ago, Baby Patrick was born and too soon, died. And now when our beloved Boldie is spending his last few days on earth.

Last Sunday, Paul and I drove to Colorado - stopping at Amy's in Denver when we got there. It was my birthday! The big double nickle. I recall when my dad turned 55 - he said he was turning the speed limit. Yay. Sister Betsy and Jud were each due at the airport about 4:30 p.m. so we picked them up and drove up in 2 cars - the gals in Amy's Honda Fit and Jud and Paul talking sports in our car. (I suggested they talk about their feelings and emotions, but I don't think that happened...)

When we got to Lefebvre's home in Edwards, Colorado - a mountain village just past Vail at 7:30ish. The Alvillar girls were already there - my sis Susan and her daughters. Bolder - prognosis BAD, was settled into his chair, tucked in with a blanket. Son Colby was there too. Friends had delivered fab food. My nieces, Leslie and Jordan - the lil cuties - had gotten me party hats and a badge for my birthday. The hats said something naughty - Susi was a bit embarrassed that her daughters had purchased them, until I reminded her I am a former landfill lady and have a bit of a potty mouth...The girls also got mustaches for all of us - in honor of their Uncle Boldie, who sports a great 'stache.

My kids (I'm guessing Amy) put me through a "follow the clues" to my birthday gift - tickets to Book of Mormon, when it comes to DSM. Can't wait to see it! My sissies purchased a couple cakes. Cindo's neighbor offered rooms in her home for the kids to stay in. Paul and I and Susi and the girls had hotel rooms - we headed there pretty early as everyone was beat. Betsy - our resident nurse (though she's a retired RN to concentrate on her true love - selling Longaberger baskets) stayed in Lefebvre's spare room. Bolder's condition is worsening daily.

The next day we arrived back at their place in the a.m. to eat the quiches friend Eric Pottorff had baked ahead. Fab! Bets was able to attend a doctor's appointment with Cindo and Bold. It was as we feared - all blood counts were worsening. We were glad Bolder was able to go to the pub that night with us, before the kids headed back to Denver. Susi, Leslie and Jordan headed home from there, while Amy and Jud came back for yet another meal supplied by friends. Lasagne.

That was the hardest time for me - when the kids had to say goodbye to their Uncle Bold. Amy lived with their family when she was just out of college and worked at Beano's on the mountain. So she's kinda like their pretend daughter. And Jud has bonded with Bolder over sports - the guy wears ISU garb in our honor. So tears were shed when they left to head back to Denver. This is SO hard.

The next day Cindy, Bets and I went for pedicures. Paul hung out with Bolder at the house. We took care of some necessary business - tough stuff, but glad we were there for support. Then we stopped by Colby's work to say goodbye. By then Paul had driven Boldie to another pub to see his peeps. E-town, his regular hangout, was closed for cleaning. Paul said people were hugging him, and greeting him - he's so well-liked and obviously the news has gotten around. He was exhausted by the time he got home though. So that night - when it was time for us to leave, oddly it wasn't all that emotional. It was like we were all too spent at that point.

Bolder's brother Bret has been there since Thursday. It's a good thing because his health has diminished very quickly. He was able to go to E-town with his brother Thursday night - and it was packed and they toasted him. But that night was bad - he needed help changing clothes and showering. Since then he has needed oxygen and they brought in a hospital bed because he can't make it up the stairs to their room. Cindy says his breathing has grown very raspy. Bret had to leave today to go back to Massachusetts, so I hope the hospice nurses give her enough support with his care. I'm so very proud of my sister Cindy. She's been so strong through this, and I can't say enough about how much I admire her.

Cancer is ugly stuff. I hope and pray Bolder is not in pain. Though I know that mentally he was suffering when we were there - I cried with him as he lamented this illness stealing his life. The frustration that he wasn't able to do what he wanted. Cindy says he's so sad that he won't be around to watch his son get married and have children. That makes me tear up to think about. We will have to be sure to tell the little Colbinis about their grandpa - the legend of Bolder! Thank God for family.