This made me smile

Despite the sad news this week, this made me smile:

There is a tree by a lake locally, where, according to legend, the Lake Harriet elf lives. The door appeared at the base of the tree years ago, and every year, little elf things appear in the elf's front lawn. Many, many people, particularly children, stop by the tree to leave notes for the elf, and they leave offerings in his yard.

You may be aware that Minnesota is one of the states which will be voting on a so-called marriage amendment. In our case, the proposed constitutional amendment would prevent gays from marrying (something which is barred by statute already).

I am tickled as can be to see that the Lake Harriet elf votes 'No.'

Mom is returning from Italy today

Mom gets in at about 3:30 this afternoon, and my sisters and I are going to meet her at the airport. Delia has a half-release day at school, so she will be able to go with me, too.

I know it's going to be very difficult when we walk into the door of their condo to bring her home.

At this point we expect that the memorial service will be toward the end of next week. My brother is an attorney in a New York law firm, and he's just started trial in a case that will last approximately a month (he's been preparing for this for years). But he does expect to come out for the service, although he will not be able to stay for long.