The beautiful supper

I had one of the happiest nights last night, since a long time. Nothing tectonic: just a dinner party. But the dear simple pleasure of good company, lovingly prepared food, and a cozy house in the winter.

In the small town of Moscow Idaho, in the empty moonscape of endless wheat fields. After biking out of town around these fields earlier that day, it put into light how dear it was to be cozy humanity together.


This made me celebrate the path my connection with these people had taken. Originally, they were just Mr. Baritone (and Mrs. Artist) and Mr. Tenor (and Mrs. Austria) from my Episcopal choir when I used to play here. I could have been "just their organist" and left it at that. But now I was returning to visit after a time away, never imagining what dear friends and inspiring models these people would be.

I thoroughly enjoy being around people who've had more time living than I have: to be inspired by their wisdom and histories, to see that brightness and happiness continues onward. We were scientists and an artist and a professor and the conversations meandered interestingly. And as model couples, both of them--man and woman--it's like watching the successful epilogue of a romantic movie, seeing them together. I was glowing to have Mr. India with me there (we failed our break-up, a break-up due to circumstance, not hearts), and for these moments I pretended I could have this too.

The creative energy and beautiful presentation that Mrs. Artist brought to this meal inspired me to want to grow up and host a dinner party myself. Candles, Spanish wine, jazzy music, and food served in courses: pear walnut salad, gallette, kale-sausage stew, and rich vanilla icecream with huckleberries.

There is something about music that is a glowing frosting for a gathering. I sat nested in the middle of them all, everyone squinting at a small hymnal, and hammered out Christmas carols on a cranky, yet obliging piano. Then we set out on a group foray--inspired by an application on Mr. India's phone which can "hear" and then name a song--to find the words and chords for the charming and little known Cherry Tree Carol. We tripped through this a few times but then eventually sounded pretty good and congratulated ourselves. And even I was inspired to sing--and that takes a lot for me.

I can't stay here. But I have learned what to strive for when I live in a place.