I got away from work yesterday just in time to go home so I could join the rest of the family for a music party. This was a good time. Several of the other guests were Carleton graduates, although I was (by a wide margin) the Dean of the group.

Today we did our normal routine. Mia picked up Tom and brought him to church. I joined them there. Tom was reasonably well behaved through the whole service. Fr. Michael, starting with a reading from Jeremiah, preached in part about responding to God’s call. Being Tom’s parents has at least one benefit: When we are inclined to think in those terms, we have absolutely no doubt what God is calling us to do.

After church Mia took Tom back to our house, while I picked up some prescriptions and other medications. By the time I got home Tom had finished his lunch, although he was still nibbling while watching a favorite tape. After a while I took him back to his home.

After that I went to the fundraiser for Gaeltacht Minnesota, at an Irish Bar (where else?) in St. Paul. In a reversal of Friday night, Mia stayed home and I went alone. There was a good band, and a performance by one of the local Irish dance schools. Watching Irish dancing is a little different in a bar: You can feel the wooden floor vibrate to the footwork.

I had a nice talk with haddayr, and I got to meet her husband and their children. I also talked to one of the other students in my class–very much the best in our group. He (much younger guy) is applying to grad school in linguistics. Knowing that I feel a little better about not being able to keep up with him.

As at many such events, there was a raffle for various door prizes. In the very last round of ticket drawing I won a really fine Irish sweater. I think this was the grand prize, and in strictly economic terms alone I came out ahead for the afternoon, even figuring in three pints of Guinness. But that does not matter. It was a really good time with friends who have a common interest, with fine entertainment.