November 8, 2009

White Dog, Steve and I went for a ride in the country to make final arrangements at the bed and breakfast where we will hold our Recommitment Ceremony in a scant three weeks! This is the ceremony rescheduled from July when I was very ill in the hospital so we are especially excited to be at this point. Today I didn't even need oxygen!

Gregg, Candace and Richard came along so that the chefs could check out the kitchen; Candace helped Steve mentally chart out locations on the property where each part of the ceremony is to take place. White Dog marked the outdoor perimeter so all would know it was "ours" but eventually ran dry. She thoroughly checked out our room and announced the bed comfy and the room as meeting her standards.

Everywhere the giant cottonwoods glowed neon yellow and the leaves blanketed the grassy courtyard. White Dog did zoomies and rolled in the crunchy bits of autumn under a warm afternoon sun...then she dragged Steve and his camera over to see a beautiful bright green preying mantis resting on the sandstone stucco wall.

White Dog rested her head on my lap as we two sat under one of the cottonwoods both of our noses upturned, breathing in the smell of leaves being burned and imagining what our day will be like. I practiced saying the vows I have written without getting teary halfway through...and once again failed...White Dog told me I'll be fine on the DAY but for now to wipe my eyes because the rest were returning. She took one more peek at our room and then we went on to Santa Fe for fish tacos and pupusa for lunch!