Brown's Daily Word 7-5-07

Good day to all.
We (Alice and Brown) traveled to Boston very early on Monday morning to
see Janice, Jeremy, and Micah. We were hoping to get to know Simeon
too, but he apparently is ignoring his "eviction notice" to leave his
home of almost the last 9 months. He is snug, warm, and contented, and
he is not at all concerned about everyone's eagerness to meet and greet
him. Anyway, that is my poor way of saying NO BABY YET!
This morning Brown left Jamaica Plain to drive back to NY. He has a
wedding to perform tomorrow night (July 6), a Continentals Concert to
host (July 7), and plenty of Sunday business to attend to (July 8).
This is his first really long drive alone since his surgery, so he has
been making plenty of stops along the way.
Brown and I came to Boston early (5 a.m.) on Monday morning. We came
hoping to be in town for the "eviction" of little Simeon from the only
home he has ever known up until this point. We have had a wonderful
time with Janice, Jeremy, and Micah, "Micah-sitting", and soaking up
the local sunshine and culture. It has been a nice break for both of
us, but Brown left early this morning to return to New York. In fact,
he should be reaching there very soon.
Brown and I have had a wonderful time since Monday, soaking up
the attention of little Micah and basking in the sunshine and warmth
along the way. On Tuesday evening Brown and I went to Boston to hear
the Boston Pops "live and in concert". It was the dress rehearsal for
the 4th of July Fireworks Extravaganza which was to be aired on CBS. We
were among many many thousands of people who were eager to hear such
classics as the "1812 Overture", the "America" singalong medley, and
"The Stars and Stripes Forever" (What a fabulous piccolo on that one!).
Though we stationed ourselves on the island portion of the Esplanade at
first (because we couldn't really see the band shell and went there by
mistake) we were only about 100 yards or less from the cannons. Thus,
the 1812 Overture took us the the battle front, quite literally. It was
awesome! After that we were able to approach the "oval", where we could
both hear and see more clearly the rest of the concert. WOW! As a full
dress rehearsal it was almost like being at the actual performance -
but slightly smaller crowds, no fireworks, and no rain. However, the
show was being taped and the emcee performed all of his lines, just as
if it was the real thing.
Yesterday, July 4th, Janice, Jeremy, Micah, Alice, and I walked, and
walked, and walked some more (or so it seemed. Actually, it was only 4
to 5 miles. We took a T to town, where we picked up the Freedom Trail
to make our way over to the North Side, where the Italian Quarter is
located, along with Old North Church, Copp's Hill Cemetery, etc. After
dining al fresco we crossed the Charles River to go over to the Bunker
Hill Monument on Breed's Hill (where the American Revolution began) and
through Charlestown before taking the T back to Jamaica Plain. It was a
fabulous way to spend Independence Day - in the birthplace of our
Independence.
While we were celebrating here, Jessica and Tom went to a 4th of July
Barbeque, Laureen went with a friend, Tiffany, to DC, planning to see
the fireworks there (we hear that there were "natural fireworks"
there instead, and Sunita spent the day in Rwanda. Sunita is supposed
to return from Africa on July 11,
according to her sister. Though we generally spend the 4th at the
Maynard Family Reunion in Preston, NY, we had a delightful day, and
were able to check in with each of our daughters.
Alice remains in Boston, hopefully to be of help when Simeon arrives.


In Christ,
Brown and Alice

Jesus is honey in the mouth, music in the ear, a song of gladness in the heart.
... Bernard of Clairvaux



And what might this noble Lord do of more worship and joy to me than to show me (that am so simple) this marvelous homeliness [i.e., naturalness and simplicity]? Thus it fareth with our Lord Jesus and with us. For truly it is the most joy that may be that He that is highest and mightiest, noblest and worthiest, is lowest and meekest, homeliest and most courteous: and truly this marvelous joy shall be shewn us all when we see Him.
... Juliana of Norwich, Revelations of Divine Love

The Anesthesiologist Bill
Margie received a bill from the hospital for her recent surgery, and was astonished to see a $900 fee for the anesthesiologist. She called his office to demand an explanation.

"Is this some kind of mistake?" Margie asked when she got the doctor on the phone.

"No, not at all," the doctor said calmly.

"Well," said Margie, "that's awfully costly for knocking someone out."

"Not at all," replied the doctor. "I knock you out for free. The $900 is for bringing you back around."