1) I dreamt that my head was sticking out the end of my father's bed (he was not in it). I don't remember what else was going on, but my mother came into the room, appearing as she did when I was a child: smiling, dark hair. I was so glad to see her! It was a nice way to wake up.
2) 'Twas dark, and I was surprised when I saw 7:24 AM on the clock. OMG, I didn't want to miss breakfast!
3) Put myself together and was thrilled to encounter a schoolmate, Krista, just outside Stone. A small group assembled in Stone for coffee and baked goods with Weeping Baby Pumpkin Head. And good catch-up talk.
You cannot get to Thor Johnson from Stone any more. It's been walled up!
4) The new president made an official welcome to the entire alumni community at Corson at 10 AM, and I think he made a good impression. The audience was certainly enthusiastic! Before he arrived, I made sure that Weeping Baby Pumpkin Head had a photo op on stage.
5) Then the hilarity and chaos of a group photo call for all alumni in the Bowl, grouped by decade. This was made more hilarious and chaotic by friends seeing each other for the first time, sometimes in years. Certainly I was delighted to run into Christina and Brahim, and a few others. One of the alumnae running the photo call finally gave up and said into the bullhorn "I'm tired." This earned a huge round of applause! I can't wait to see the photos.
Roommates!
6) Roommate Ed and his wife and I ambled down to the lake and chatted a bit. Sunny, and very beautiful. Whatever they do to the lakefront, the lake itself doesn't change.
7) I hadn't realized that I would actually have to go inside the new gym, but that's where they were serving our brunch. As everyone knows, I am ambivalent about Interlochen even having a gym, much less such a nice one. I came here to get away from all that! But it can't be denied that it's a beautiful facility.
The gym lobby. Lee Dennison, may she rest in peace, was a lovely, lovely person, and this is undoubtedly a solid tribute to her.
They have a rock wall in the new gym.
8) And they gave us a very good, tasty brunch! Eggs, salad, sausage, chicken, grilled veggies, all sorts of good things.
Gym brunch.
9) Long tables stretched the length of the room, and I was very surprised to see my old Russian Lit teacher Mrs. Garside sitting across from me! Almost the first thing I said was "I never did finish reading The Brothers Karamazov!" Lunch was really nice, lots of good talk, remembrances, photos - all the things you expect from a reunion.
Mrs. Garside!
10) After changing into my suit (I have to wear it for my turn as Etiquetteer during coffeehouse tonight) I was bused over to Norpines, the home of the president, for a donor reception. They've redecorated - lots of white, including a cape made of white feathers on a mannequin in the dining room, wonderful student artwork - and it contributes to the impression forming that Interlochen is beginning a new, more welcoming era.
11) I gave myself a gold star for drinking red wine on a new white sofa, and not spilling a drop.
Weeping Baby Pumpkin Head made some new friends at Norpines.
12) The weather turned to rain, so I'm glad I brought my umbrella. After the reception, I ended up in Apollo to use the internet. The bonus was getting to talk to a couple of the staff, who have been great putting this whole weekend together.
13) And then reviewing my script for coffeehouse. At least three people have said "Can't wait to hear you sing!" They will be in for a disappointment. Editing, editing . . .
14) . . . and more editing over dinner at Stone: chicken tenders, tater tots, corn on the cob, and salad. It's like I'm still a student.
15) Then it really started raining, and I just decided to hunker down in the lobby of Stone to read the news and catch up on ye Fycebkke. So disturbing how President Trump is remaking the judiciary with so many conservative appointments . . .
To be continued . . .