Lulu's !! And Ecuador.

Lulu's has been here in Palm Springs for awhile, but we have been there only once, with friends. It is a "California Bistro". And it has a "Bar Menu". It's FANTASTIC! Very reasonable prices, and a fun setting. Lunch was "lightly friend" oysters ($7.99) and tonight ... yes, we went back! ... was "lightly friend calamari ($7.99). I really get so sick of American restaurants that pile your plate with too much food; this is so much more sensible. All drinks are $5.00 or so, all day! Well, enough of the debauchery of the Dennis Much Memorial Retirement Tour! Dennis is loving it; I can't tell you how many times he has said to me how wonderful it is to know that he doesn't have to go back to work!

I wrote to a much admired and beloved friend today, and I said that in my blogs I was going to try to be irenic, honest, and amusing. He wrote back and said, yes, honest and amusing .... but that he doubted I would manage "irenic" since Republicans and religious fundamentalists pissed me off toomuch! I got his message .... so I will try to pay attention! Isn't it great to have friends who know you well and can tweak you with love!

Dennis and I are planning to move to Ecuador to live in December. We've been looking for a place to rent, and I think we have found it. Here's a picture:

It's in Cotacachi (not too far from Quito); 2500 sq. ft; 1 acre; 3 bedrooms, 2 bath; partly furnished; 5 min by bus or 15 minute walk to town; close to Mindo, the premier birding site (Yippee! and Ecuador and surrounding area has 1600 species of birds):  around $550 a month. We are negotiating with the (American) owners. Hope it works!

So, we are munching on home-made chocolate truffles (just one each!) and drinking cold white wine for dessert. It was 108F today, but is cooling down, and we will soon be in the pool cooling down as well. 

Both of us no longer attend "worship" of any sort. Much of "religion" is community; of course we have many friends from "church" who are part of our supportive community. But we didn't go to church primary for "community. Gayfolk are our primary community, as well as supportive "straight" allies, friends and family. We "went to church" seeking support for the process of transformation which we believe to be at the heart of "spiritual seeking" ... not found most of the time in "church-going", alas. Of course, in every Christian parish in which we have worshipped, we have found that core (and I was a parish priest for 25 years) who share the goal of seeking what the Christian (And other) faith calls the "unitive way", and they remain part of our valued family. Of course, there are many who are not Christian, or who have no institutional  connection. Our intent, now, is to live out of a sense of that union with All Being, and we certainly accept that Love is one of the primary paths for such a Life. And that a deep understanding of Jesus and the Gospel is a "sure foundation" for a life of Love ..... though we do not see that in the way that a great deal of American popular Christianity is portrayed and lived.

How terrific is the Internet! We are in Palm Springs listening to Michael Feinstein and his programme on WQXR in New York City streamed live to us. I love it!

Time for the evening swim, and watching the stars emerge in the darkening sky. There is so much for which to be grateful and in which to be delighted!