This post is for our friends, Julie and Brendan. This is a thank you. Without them as our touchstones, living in Berlin would have been so much more challenging, and not nearly as much fun.
I’ve already written about our adventures with them, but they are worthy of many more words, and because we miss them, and feel very lucky to call them friends, I shall write just a little more.
J&B are the ultimate Jack and Jill of all trades, or as the good folks at Columbia Chicago would say, true interdisciplinary artists.
Julie is a ceramicist, and her work is exquisite. On one of our last hangouts, I had the privilege of seeing her work up close. In her home studio, she showed me the ceramic beads that she makes. They were beautiful! What struck me most were the ones that she wrapped in thread/embroidery floss. I loved how the textures felt…the softness of the thread combined with the cool of the clay. So pretty….like poetry drops. She also gifted us with three of her lovely bowls which I carefully tucked into my suitcase for the trip back to the States. They are a gorgeous little triptych, related in terms of approximate size, but each with their own unique textures and slight variations in color. They remind me of eggshells, sandstone, and porcelain. If ceramics could speak, Julie’s pieces would have an elegant voice…deep and quiet. I know she has some shows coming up, and I wish my friend big success. She deserves it. Also, the woman is an excellent cook, but I am saving the details of her culinary talents for later in this passage.
Next, to Brendan. Benjamin got to know Brendan better, as they worked together, but during our many brunches, dinners, and hangouts at their apartment, I was lucky to get to know him too. He’s a guitarist and singer. Every now and then, he’d sing along to something we were all listening to, and I admired how he would harmonize. Along with the musical talent, he is a damn fine writer. During one of our last get togethers, he shared his prose with me. His voice was pure, insightful, and direct. He was experimenting with a new form, or maybe he would say a lack of form, and I liked how he was so willing to be exploratory. I feel like he has a thousand stories within, and I hope he tells them all. I like how he pushes his work and himself, constantly reinventing. And like his lovely girl, the man can also cook.
We were invited over to Brendan and Julie’s house for tequila drinks and Mexican food this summer. Yes, yes, there are many of us who crave food from the sweet, southern part of the American continent. What can we say, except la comida Mexicana es excelente! J&B made a phenomenal meal! Benjamin humbly admitted that Brendan’s guacamole was superior to his, and man, was it tasty, perfect! J&B also made shredded chicken and pork perfectly spiced, and a chipotle sour cream–deeee-li-cious! The tequila cocktails were fantastic, and as usual, the conversation was lively.
I truly hope that regardless of time or kilometers that we can keep in touch and visit with Julie and Brendan again someday. When you make a huge change in your life, like relocation to a different country, friends are invaluable. They make you tea with cinnamon and ginger, they make you think, and they make you laugh. Sweet Julie and Brendan, (we are raising our imaginary cocktails), may your Berlin winter be warm or may you travel to a sunny Mediterranean place to escape it, and may you and your families feel healthy and happy! We love you!
P.S. Being back in the U.S. is like “watching an invisible carousel,” and it has way too much pep sometimes. “I hate enthusiasm.” heh heh
