mother-in-law

My mother-in-law is one of the most precious women I have known. She is 80 years old, and as vivacious as a debutante. Nick described her last year as "impossibly cute." Never at a loss for words, she is amazingly attentive to everyone around her while still keeping a firm grasp on situations that need leadership, as most do. Only her daughter is even more attentive and formidable in marshalling the loose ends of situations and offering them back in an artistic knot of advice, direction, and initiative.

She is visiting us with her husband, who is my wife's step father. He is famous among mystery fans for a prodigous output of books, radio dramas, short stories, etc which include the book for Orson Well's movie "A Touch of Evil."

Since Bob is so modest and sweet as a man, it is easy to forget that he has international stature as an artist. How many people do you know like that?

Last night we had baked salmon and rice with vegies after drinks and appetizers on the deck. The temperature was in the 80''s which is very unusual for October. We had a champagne toast and appetizers including Minnesota wild rice and artichoke salad. The oak and elm trees were going into peak color in the yards. The female berry-bearing elms in the front yard were like glorious gilded paintings seen through the living room windows.

During the conversation we discovered that Sara and I might be more old fashioned in our sense of etiquette than Bob and Jeanne. Jeanne provided presents, which included a deep red chenille shaw for Sara, some cooking spices and a framed picture of Sara for me, and a clever art deco alarm clock for Sam.

Bob and Jeanne think Sam is a wonderful, cultivated and socially adept young man. Bob has said on a few occaisions that he thinks highly of me because of how well my sons have been raised. I have to share some of the glory with Lisa and Sara and Neal, of course, but it makes me feel proud to have them recognize Sam for his character.

Jeanne looked like Gina Lollabrigida in her youth. She and Bob would dress for dinner and go out on the town in San Diego. They are clever and knowlegeable people who can hold forth intelligently on local and global politics, science and other issues.

I wish they lived here.