A typically struuggling downtown, with some interesting architecture. The crowning architectural glory is, without dispute, the gigantic state capitol, the phallus of its dome like a glans, protruding from its stone prepuce.
The entire day yesterday was spent in the Family Bosom. It was a cozy crew that came together for Seder: F and I, Sarah and Jacob, Ellyn, Bret, Rachel and Daila, Sarah’s cousin Joanie and her husband Phil, Sarah’s brother Steve, Alice and Randolph. It was a very relaxed familial day for me, easy socializing.
The Seder meal itself was enjoyable and interesting, led by Jacob. I noticed certain similarities with Christian rituals. Particularly the Blood of Lamb (to mark the doors of Jews against slaughter of first born sons); also, the concept of Resurrection. Of course, of course Christian ritual would have borrowings from Judaism.
A sweet part of the ritual was pouring a glass of wine for Elijah. The idea being that he could appear at any time, in any guise, even as a Stranger, so that he (and everyone else) should be awaited and welcomed. This, too, similar to certain Christian notions / traditions at Christmas.
Daila Roze was the Center of Attention all day, passed from doting hands to doting hands. She was calm, centered, happy the entire day. No nervousness, no crankiness.
Rachel did seem to experience a bit of a meltdown, finding herself in her emotional Ground Zero.
I heard for the first time in my life the beautiful song of the cardinal and finally saw with my own eyes this truly Red bird. This delighful winged creature is a small miracle for my senses!
F, Bret and I drove downtown and took a walk. A hard-hit, quite abandoned town center. We crossed the Rock River on a pedestrain bridge and came back on a roadway bridge. It is a most substantial flow of water, this river, as wide across as many a Colorado lake!
Waking image: at the corner of the R. yard, a boy of 12 or so was walking down the sidewalk, with a 3-foot-long snake wrapped around his neck and shoulders.
[Steve L., it turns out, is reading The Tin Drum right now, as am I. He, the English translation, I, Silva’s lovely Latvian version.]
Lincoln: the town where Kārlis Ulmanis studied. His experience in the land of Democracy having little positive impact upon the eventual Vadonis of Latvija.
Driving along today, I noticed numerous red-winged balckbirds perched at the top of hedgerow trees and bushes.
Lincoln: Liesma‘s concert here was a resounding success. Lincoln and Des Moines: Latvian communities . Hick towns, I used to believe, with Latvians.
This has been and continues to be a wonderful trip. A true American Road Trip. An echo of Huck Finn’s journey down the Mississippi, which river we twice crossed this trip. I am moving now in a small craft atop streams of asphalt, observing Self as the world passes by. An Outsider perched on a vessel, floating through a strange world.