Saturday morning, we bought a couple of bagels at Barney Greengrass. It's not the same there now that Moe is gone and no longer presides at the register, and there is more duct tape on the kitchen chairs, but the fish is still great. We brought them across town to visit Vivian and David Port. Vivie really looked great. You would never believe that she had major surgery two weeks before, or that she had been up half the night, walking off the effects of last week's chemo. They are a solid couple.
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We returned to the hovel, had a bit of sushi delivered from Miyago, a new place on Amsterdam (excellent!), and rested up.
Saturday evening, we drove up to Wave Hill in Westchester, the residence
on the Hudson of Arturo Toscanini. This is an elegant setting in its own
park, with sweeping views of the Hudson, gorgeously laid out gardens, everything
done in exquisite taste. White jackets and white gloves on the servants
staff abounded.
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The procession was to recorded music:Sacrifice (Lisa Gerrard), Sanvean (Dead Can Dance), and Living (Moby). Everyone was stunning--the bride most of all, of course.
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A judge in whose chambers David had served to begin his career (he later clerked for Justice Rehnquist and is now a U.S. Attorney in Chicago) officiated.
Jane Cass, Monique's mother, opened with a Cherokee blessing.
David Ingall and Bob Hoffman, David Hoffman's father, read some of the Seven Blessings from a Jewish wedding in Hebrew and English.
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There were readings from Pablo Neruda, The Book of Ruth, William Carlos Williams, and Cowboy Junkies.
Ruth
McAllister..
There was a recitation of the vows and exchange of rings by the couple, and a joyful exodus. Cocktails (the good stuff) and hors d'oeuvres (superb) were served in the foyer and on the veranda, which was covered with a tent.
It began to pour, and the thunder shook the building. Monique said in her remarks during the reception that it was a sign of approval for the wedding from her ancestors.
The band was not that big, but they made a huge sound. The dancing covered every culture, including the hora.
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The dinner was OK, but marred by grilled tuna that had spend a few days too many on the docks at the Fulton Fish Market. More important, we had a great table, and we really had fun!!
It was 12:30 AM before we were back in bed at the hovel.