Laurie Johns Weblog

When the Monk appeared in my life (on the drive from California), I first questioned his presence and re-occurrence, then speculated about the reason he might be showing up. What lesson the Monk (after all he was a Monk) would, by his example, teach. In Nevada, the Monk appeared in the landscape–several smooth, round heads visible from the forehead up, and I contemplated silence. Not like a vow, but rather considered what opportunity I might be missing to speak in silence and let it speak to me.

I don’t yet know the significance of the Monk, but I feel honored by his presence. Especially in the midst of the renovation project, which has its ups and downs and stories both lyrical and tough. It amazes me how things come together and have come together in serendipitous fashion. The stories are most meaningful to us, the great players in this theatre: William, Caleb and I; each of our roles necessary for the others.  This project has all of our hands, and hearts and heads all over it. There are lots of discussions, lots of laughter and some yelling. William apologizes following our tiffs and I appreciate that, but really I don’t mind. We let out a little steam, come to consensus of feeling and move on with a new understanding. I feared that my relationship with William would suffer as a result, but quite the opposite has happened. I have new found respect, understanding and deeper love for him. William has been my best (male) friend for a long, long time and he has seen me through difficulties similar enough to try even a most patient friend. Caleb has been awesome too and its really his vision that leads this project. I appreciate his sense of aesthetic and the fact that the things I was not willing to indulge, he purchased himself. We have lots of work left to do, but when William leaves tomorrow, we’ll have walls, and plumbing and light fixtures and a beautiful, large white porcelain sink. I end the day happy and wake up and work some more. I would be a Monk if I could just muster the silence and maybe a few other things.

 
Caleb and Jack waiting for a place to go

I had already decided in Marin that I would try to bring everyone to me in Vermillion. William is here now from Madison working on our bathroom renovation. It’s taken me about 12 years to get him him here and I’m hoping our working relationship doesn’t put too much of a strain on our well-established friendship. He’s been a great friend for the past 15 years. Work like this always seems too slow, but our ideas are coming together in an organic fashion. Mostly, I defer to Caleb and Will and we will have a new 10×11 bathroom soon. We took out the chimney and are in the process of lifting the house a bit to level the floor. Neither of these projects were anticipated.

Ian just left. Dropping him off at the Sioux City airport differed dramatically from picking him up. I loved having him here and know that I don’t want to allow 22 years to get between us again. His presence somehow smoothed out all the edges for me. I don’t know how to rationalize the similarities between us–does it have something to do with my father, the “can-do” attitude of our mothers, or something more universal/divine than any of that.

I am also teaching yoga again and trying to figure out how to translate the esoteric changes in my practice for others. Its all a process. Life is good. I feel grounded and happy and terribly, terribly busy.