 |
I don't suppose that throwing a party really matches public
speaking on the stressor scale, but there can be that dreaded moment
when you realize that you have three hours of work and two
hours before the bell chimes.
And the hope that you will look as good as your table is fading
quickly to black.
In her novel Spending, Mary Gordon's passionate artist,
Monica Szabo, has come upon this moment," this fever, this whirligig" and
is seized by panic and recriminations. What can be "worth this
human outlay" she intones. No one wants to come to her party anyway.
Given to high drama, she imagines flinging herself down on Broadway
in the path
of an oncoming bus. As her eyelids flutter closed for the last
time, Anna Karenina hears a "kindly stranger" gently utter
the words that she, herself, has yearned to shout, "Sorry, the
party's off'".
What to do? Well, for starters, turn off Cecilia Bartoli
and turn on Macy Gray! Loud!
So why do we have parties? Obligations? We all have some
of
those and it's important to be gracious. But why else ? ~new
entertainment center? new Harley? new upper arm definition?
No, I'm talking about the
real thing, a celebration, a joyful noise, big or small,
~ gathering together the people we care about ~ greeting them with
pleasure,
serving
up good
food and great conversation. That's why!
On such an occasions, amidst hugs and laughter, plates
piled high, everyone talking at once, music only faintly
heard above the din ~ we all
know, that ’s a swell party!
Now that's a swell party.
~
Floreen Halpern
(Menus for a Swell Party~ coming soon!)
|
 |
