Of Gravity and Levity and California

Annamaria on Monday

California, there I went.  Specifically to the glorious East Bay for ten days, two book events, and visits with five friends.

Gravity

I was leaving behind a sack of personal tsouris, with public troubles multiplying in the news that continued to pour forth.  All the kinds of things that drag one under.  I left New York burdened, not entirely aware how much.

Levity

I flew, defying gravity alla American Airlines

First stop: Two days in Oakland chez friends Ann and John.  They fed me delicious meals.  Conversation bubbled continuously.  With ZERO differences of opinion, we could even unburden our feelings regarding the prevalent political insanity.

The redwoods in Ann's backyard

And Ann took me for a walk around Lake Merritt.

My lifelong friend Molly came to carry me to her home at the Athenian School at the base of splendid Mount Diablo.  That sojourn involved more wonderful food and conversation, and:

A visit to SFMOMA

Memorial Day Weekend at their house in Inverness

The view from my room in Inverness

Sights along a 6 1/2 mile hike from the house to the beach.

The two planned book events:


One at Orinda Books

And the pièce de résistance, an evening at Janet Rudolph's literary salon, up in the Berkley hills, a conversation with my fellow historical crime writer and dear friend Michael Cooper.  Our theme was mysteries at the crossroads of empire, and the evening could not have been better.

After the warmth of those friendships, the hugs, the laughter, by the time I left the next day, I felt as if my soul was attached to a helium balloon and floating higher than the plane on the flight back home.

There are forces on this planet of gravity AND levity.  Gravity keeps you in place, but it can pull you down.  If you give yourself up to levity, its warmth can lift you--right off your feet.