Lots of happiness or rejoicing."
Well, I'm not so sure about "lots," but I am sure that there have been some small jubilations chez moi lately. I call them small because... Well... From what I've seen around me, there's been plenty of reason to feel most un-jubilant. Friends are sick, parents are aging, doors are closing, and doors are opening (which can sometimes be equally jarring). For lack of a better phrase: There's just a lot. And I'm not sure "jubilation" is what there's a lot of — but yes, despite life's trials, the small jubilation-y things are ever-present (and that's really what I hope comes through here at Stuff&Nonsense). So here are some of my recent jubilations:
Nights with Novotnys
Last Friday, I visited the home of one of my closest family friends — we've known each other since 2nd grade, saw each other through first crushes, first periods, and the first year at college (we were roomies). When Maria got married last summer to her high school sweetheart, I was a bridesmaid — only one of two girls who wasn't a sister of the bride or groom. Maria has four sisters, all different but the same. Whenever I'm lucky enough to go over to the Novotny house, I feel like one of the sisters myself — I know the family's yearly vacation patterns, which sister has an affinity for stray cats, which one whines, which one is really into hugs, and which ones makes Mrs. Novotny say "Oh who knows!" when you ask about her. It's a jubilant feeling having a home-away-from-home like that, complete with inside jokes about Simma's cheesecake. (It's world-famous, you know. As world-famous as Miller — just ask the Novotnys.)
Irish Festing
On Saturday night, I had some quality time with the inhabitants of my home-NOT-away-from-home — AKA my own parents. Initial thoughts: Why can't every night be Irish Fest night? I'm proud of my heritage, that's for sure. I don't know what clan has more fun or whose music could be better-suited to make me want to jump out of my skin with jig-filled glee. Milwaukee's Irish Fest is, hands down, the best. We munched on Rueban sandwiches from McBob's (honestly the best corned beef I've ever tasted!) followed by potato pancakes topped with sour cream. We sipped on whiskey and Irish cream coffee while our ears feasted on a trio of a fiddle, guitar, and Uilleann Pipes. Mom, Dad, and I then stopped by the Miller High Life stage for some Scythian — a band of four boys who were new to us. Talk about a sheer delight! Fiddles, guitars, mandolins, banjos, accordions, giant drums, Irish dancers — you name it, these fellas had it. And they were handsome, upbeat, and jigging up a storm to boot! Swoon. As if the night could get any better, we topped it off with cherry strudel. And that was just jubilantly fine.
I had a third jubilation in mind, but it is, I'm afraid, going to have to wait for its own post. It deserves its own post. Not that the others don't, but there's only so much time in a day. So for now, I go with the wish that we all experience some small jubilation today — no matter what life is throwing at us otherwise.
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