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"A man filled with the love of God, is not content with blessing his family alone, but ranges through the whole world, anxious to bless the whole human race."
Joseph Smith, Jr.
May 11: Let's talk about Segovia, the ancient city first inhabited by Iberian tribes long before the Roman conquest, it's glory days as a Roman outpost with a miraculous aqueduct built to bring water to the hilltop town which still functions today. In more than 2,000 years, no need to call a plumber. The city boasts three main attractions in addition to its delightul quiet streets interrupted at times by colorful processions and celebrations: the aquaduct itself, the Alcazar, or fortified castle, and the Cathedral, built in the 16th C. in the Gothic style long after the Gothic style was way out of style, making it most likely the last Gothic church built in Europe (not a compliment; they were behind the times, as Spain so often was, artistically speaking. But still a marvel to visit. It's great traveling with seasoned travelers; no snivelers, no divas, just good company with fascinating people. Thanks, Daddy Bill. You are the Man, the Great Facilitator, the Perfect Husband! You made my Mothers Day perfect today.
May 10: WOW! There is something new in the Art Triangle of Madrid: a fantastic exhibition space/museum (can we call it a museum? That word just doesn't sound hip enough for this very cool place...) known as Caixa Forum, located along the Paseo del Prado. In addition to the stunning urban architecture, making use of an existing building and transforming it in a spectacular exhibition space, they have created a vertical garden on the wall of an adjacent building, covering it with a spongy, plant-supporting material, then planting it with all manner of flowering varieties including fuscia and other lovely colored flora. What a delight to come upon this brand-new spot on our walk back to the hotel. Here's a plug, by the way, for the Hotel Nacional, right across from the Atocha train station (where the terrorist bombing occured in 2003 and where there is a lush tropical garden in the middle of the station). Urban architecture these days! What a great time to be alive. It was cold and rainy today so we just had to find a chocolateria where we could dip some freshly made, hot churros into some of that wonderful, thick Spanish hot chocolate. Lucky for us, you find these places all over Madrid.
The church of San Antonio de la Florida is the burial place of Francisco Goya. A small and simple church, it is completely decorated inside with frescoes by Goya; on the walls and inside the domed cupola. One of those signature churches that are as much a memorial to the artist who decorated them as the saint whose name they bear. Think Sistine Chapel (Michelangelo) or Meditation Chapel (Rothko). Such a lovely quiet experience to come in from the grey and rainy Madrid day to a place of refuge and beauty. AND, Goya himself lies entombed right there in front. Happy day. Love to all.
May 8: 
Philip IV. We think about him a lot. A weak king who nonetheless presided over the fluorescence of the Spanish Golden Age, his image is all over Madrid. During her first visit to the Royal City, Mary and the Ed stayed at a hotel where the image of the king was annoyingly ubiquitous. After Mary had had just more than enough, she found a portrait of Phil right over her very bed. Not to be ignored, this one. When we return, we shall wear a little sign saying, "Ask me why I'm so drawn to España." May 7: 
We do love the Meyerson Symphony Center. That I.M. Pei knows how to design a building! Generations of Benacs have enjoyed a variety of musical offerings within its hallowed halls, and the latest was fantastic. Join us for a little taste of Sam's concert last night! May 6: 
The house fills up as it empties out. We look forward to hosting numerous guests chez nous during the Editor's jaunt through Spain. Dreaming about Cordoba, we are, and the charming 16th Century monastery, the Parador de Almagro, which we shall call our temporary home during our Cordoba visit. The Editor's old Spanish Lit studies come back to mind, and in that vein, we share a favorite poem by Federico Garcia-Lorca about the legendary Cordoba: the Song of the Horseman, or Cancion del Jinete:
Córdoba.
Lejana y sola.
Jaca negra, luna grande,
y aceitunas en mi alforja.
Aunque sepa los caminos
yo nunca llegaré a Córdoba.
Por el llano, por el viento,
jaca negra, luna roja.
La muerte me está mirando
desde las torres de Córdoba.
¡Ay qué camino tan largo!
¡Ay mi jaca valerosa!
¡Ay, que la muerte me espera,
antes de llegar a Córdoba!
Córdoba.
Lejana y sola.
Even if you don't speak Spanish, just taking these words into your mouth and pronouncing them dreamily should put you into a fine Hispanist trance that will brighten your soul. Or check the English translation if you're feeling stubborn. But give us that beautiful Spanish poetry any day...
May 5: 
In Mexico, it's the Cinco de Mayo with celebrations all around. In California, it's the 66th anniversary of our dear parents, Alice and Earl of the Far Coast. We thank them for their love and support all these years and rejoice with them in the longevity of both their marriage and their bodies! May 3: 
Okay, all you May birthdays; you KNOW who you are...please accept our mass-market greetings and best wishes. Adam, Ram and John, we love you all! The Editor will be cooling her heels in far-off Spain, and won't be dogging the Internet cafes as she does on her private jaunts, so please forgive. Here's an unusual birthday treat for you: a paella cake. It's on the house! May 2: 
Ahh, the glories of Texas. Bushwacking with the Tamales, the Editor's tennis team. After our final match, we all headed out to somewhere near Cleburne, where a teammate hosted us for a girls' overnight in the glorious Texas countryside. We took a wildflower hike, dined in natural splendor on the banks of the Brazos River, went on a midnight hunt for feral pigs and deer, using an SUV and a spotlight to search for the stealthy critters, and generally had a raucous, good old girl time. All hail Texas! We are converted! We avoided the copperheads, rattlers, water moccasins and pigs and came home refreshed and happy. May 1: 
Our most loving wishes go out this day to Matt, father of four of our most adorable grandchildren and magnificent husband of Cat. We love you, Matt. Have a wonderful day!
The Editor is finishing up a very losing tennis season with a very wonderful new team. We're off to drown our sorrows at the Ranch. Don't call. We'll be bushwacking with people we love!
April 25: 
In between crazy thunderstorms and hail attacks, we are managing to have some very happy little pool parties. Our dear Allreds, Morphii, Crocketts and new friends, the Brockbanks joined us for unlimited chocolate shakes and pizza tonight at the old homestead. All we need now are our distant little cousins, Mr. Will, Ms. Lucy and the Redheads. We went to an awards ceremony at the high school the other night. The kids were paraded across the stage while a list of their accomplishments was projected on a giant screen behind them. Nubs had a nice long list, but not for the same thing as a select few, who were honored for...
perfect attendance
We don't know about you, but the Benacs have never believed in perfect attendance. If you have perfect attendance, you miss out on things like this. Call us crazy, but that's they way we see it. April 24: 
As Caroline prepares to leave home and start college, we can't help but think that these pix just received today are an apt metaphor for the prospect of her setting out in the Big Wide World. Her sky diving adventure earlier this month was the stuff of dreams. Click on the photo to join her for some vicarious thrills in the Great Blue Yonder. (Does this relate to John's 'Space Bug'?)
April 23: 
Does this boy look star-struck or not? Our John the space enthusiast attended a local Yuri's Night celebration and met up with a hero who was in space in the past year and invented Microsoft Excel as well. Put those two attributes together and you have perfect hero worship material for John, who is a computer-loving space geek if there ever was one. He and Mamie are holed up in a hotel in Seattle while they prepare to make the move to Houston, where John will work in logistical support for the International Space Station. We just love writing those dream-fulfilling words!
And now, for a tragedy of inexpressible proportion: Why can we not have this sweet little thang living closer to us!? Little Penelope of the Lower Left Coast just increases in unspeakable beauty every day and we are not there to witness it. Someone fix this!
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