The past few entries have been a bit more political than I ever intended my blog to become. I am one helluva opinionated young miss, so I suppose it makes sense for me to haul out a box to stand on and shout from every so often. Today, I'm on vacation. Relaxed. Waiting for Cyndemouse to arrive so we can head north to the Catskills for a fun getaway. I've been pretty intense the past few weeks. The election, lots of news to cover at the paper, feeling ill and unexpectedly emotional. I hope a day or two of hopping over leaves and browsing my favorite shops in Woodstock will make me feel renewed. This past weekend, I had the pleasure of attending Mr. Please Please's nuptuals. This was the first Jewish wedding I've attended and I was excited to be a part of a new experience. When I arrived, Mr. PP was greeting guests. He looked his most handsome and calm. I headed down the hall to find the ladies room. When I was shopping for hosiery the day before, I joked with the sales clerk, "I want to look better than the bride." When the door to the ladies room opened, the bride emerged in a cloud of satin and tulle, golden curls on her head, a flush in her cheeks. I was floored. It simply is not possible to look better than a bride (not that I really wanted to anyway). The bride was impeccable style. She chose an autumn theme that carried through from the invitations to the programs and on to the seasonally appropriate bouquets. Who said orange isn't a wedding color? It is now. The guests headed upstairs for the ceremony. The synagogue was very beautiful with lots of natural light streaming in, dark benches and a really cool rabbi. During the ceremony, a whole crowd takes part. Four chuppah holders, the rabbi, the couple, the parents, the attendants. Rituals like circling each other at the beginning and signing the ketubah or marriage contract were new to me. The rabbi spoke of the appropriateness of their marriage happening this week,comparing them to the love story of Jacob and Rachel (their Hebrew names) which is read in temples everywhere this week. At the end, Mr. PP, broke the glass and the whole temple erupted with shouts of "Mazaltov." At the reception, I got to meet many of the friends I've heard about for years and here their stories about Mr. Please Please and how he's come into his own since he met his wife. Their journey hasn't always been smooth but it's been interesting and they are truly dedicated to each other. They are going to have an awesome life together. Congratulations, Mr and Mrs Please Please! One story the rabbi told during the wedding struck me in particular. He said at one point G-D instructed a man to go to the top of Mount Sanai and then to BE THERE. The rabbi explained that this distinction was made purposely because we so often don't fully engage in what we're doing. The doorbell just rang. Mouse has arrived. We're going away now. And I'm going to BE THERE. Word is bond.