weekly bits 13 & 14

a wedding on a remote island, pirate kickball, the missing bulgarian barista, and a doggy date

My friiiiends, I am so happy to be back — sincerest apologies for going totally MIA and missing last week’s bits. Today’s are extra long to compensate. I was traveling and enjoying a wonderful long weekend away at my friend’s wedding on an island off the coast of Wisconsin, and it was dreamy and busy and full of fun bits to share. Shall we?

1. We had to say goodbye to Dr. Limb, one of the more prominent limbs of our 40-year-old Madagascar palm that frames our living room. We nicknamed him Dr. Limb after our Nancy Drew production doctor, Dr. Lim, but never thought he’d face such a devastating end. Dr. Lim was wonderful, as was Dr. Limb, and that’s why we named it that. Sorry Dr. Lim! Dr. Limb just stopped producing leaves! We’re currently drying the remains outside in hopes we can use it for decor somewhere, though admittedly, it’s very spikey. But thanks to Dr. Limb’s sacrifice, the new budding limbs around it have room to grow and flourish. A new era for the Madagascar palm begins.

   

   Sam and Dr. Limb’s remains.

2. Sam was at a business conference while I was away for this wedding trip, so my parents came through to babysit the pets while we were away. We received top-notch photo updates, including the following:

   

   

   Leonard, clearly, had a lot to share.

3. We’ll start out the wedding content with the fact that I absolutely, positively, bawled my eyes out at the ceremony. It was gorgeous — altar on the dock of Lake Superior, guests in the sand, flowers and paper cranes everywhere. The bride and groom gave the most beautiful vows, and I especially lost it when their dog Iris came down in a bow as a bridesmaid with one of the groomsmen. She also burst onto the dance floor during their first dance, just as the chorus hit: “Just the two of us…” Oh no, says Iris. The three of us. I weep again.

   

   Losing it.

4. One of the wedding weekend days fell on the notorious Talk Like a Pirate Day, which I feel like was a big deal when I was growing up. It remained a big deal, and the wedding party hosted a pirate-themed game of kickball, in the rain, and yes, my team won. I did not, however, help, as I thought it better to quick run back to the AirBnb to grab people some sweaters and coats as it was frigid and we were all dressed as pirates, and by the time I got to the rental, struggled endlessly with the lock, grabbed the cold weather gear, lost and found my phone, and returned to the game, it was over and we had claimed victory.

   

   Below the paywall, the missing Bulgarian barista, Mafia on the lake, an audiobook recommendation, a date with Otis, and more…