Interfaith families ARE fascinating, aren't they? (I never have seen chocolate Easter bunnies or even Peeps labeled Kosher for Passover--can you imagine the marketing possibilities of Passover Peeps--especially little marshmallow Pharoahs you can nuke into oblivion in your microwave? I think that the "Ten Plagues" Peeps collection might be a bit much, though). Tonight we had our first tri-generational interfaith family Seder since before Gordy was born and the "mishpocha" (both Jewish & Catholic) would gather back in Brooklyn at my folks' place or Queens at my Aunt Pearl's. Bob's dad moved in with us in May, and had not planned to stay up late enough to participate (Bob keeps pretty late work hours). But he decided to give it a go. We kept the pre-dinner Haggadah reading and ceremonies fairly brief, as Bob saw so many patients he was nearly hypoglycemic by the time he got home (we moved up the whole Hillel-sandwich part to make sure he didn't get those two cups of wine into a completely empty stomach). For someone who hadn't attended a Seder in 25 years, Bob's dad did a pretty good job even with the tongue-twisting transliterations of ancient Rabbinical names. I spared Bob my leaden matzo balls this year--nothing could top my Aunt Pearl's, so light they needed guy wires to keep from floating skyward--and I did provide some prefab prime rib and gefilte fish; but I did just about everything else from scratch. Even dragged out the Cuisinart to make the charoseth (the apple-nut-matzo-wine relish that symbolizes mortar used by the Hebrew slaves in Israel but tastes a whole heckuva lot better), the only other time besides Thanksgiving and cranberry relish it sees action. Bob's dad, eschewing meat (even poultry) during Lent, got miso soup while we had chicken with mandlen (honey-I-shrunk-the-popovers made with matzo flour) and ate a little of everything but the prime rib. I did my best to point out which traditional foods overlapped both the Easter and Passover traditions. Tomorrow night will be interesting. Gordy has a friend's Seder to attend. Bob has office hours. I have the temple Seder. I invited Bob's dad, but his church is holding one leading into the Holy Thursday service. He would have gone to the one at temple, but he'd have had to miss his church service; I'd have gone to the one at church, but since my own temple's holding one and I'm singing there next week I ought to go. I'm guessing that both houses of worship will hew much more faithfully (and lengthily) to the haggadah then we did tonight, and I wouldn't be surprised if St. Gertrude's were longer and stricter than Emanuel's (we're Reform and there will be a plethora of restless toddlers in tow). But I find it delightful that in a neighborhood that is overwhelmingly Catholic, darn near every family will have celebrated Passover in some fashion this year! Sunday night's benefit at the Heartland started off slowly--due to rapidly deteriorating weather and even more rapidly shrinking parking, not enough of the ad hoc pre-show band had arrived in time to test the PA and we had the venue for a limited time. But RIck ran the lineup like clockwork, nobody hogged their time slots, and the place filled to the point where people had to rotate seats. There were amazing performances and collaborations (and people I hadn't seen in ages, such as Amy Lowe, Jim Post and John Benischek---who haven't lost a note to the march of time). Mick was energized by the presence of so many who love him, and gave a closing performance (as well as some deft supporting work earlier) that was truly stellar. His anthemic signature closer, "Last One of the Night People" left not a single dry eye in the house, with his spoken "good nights" on the outro to all the venues and local folkies who've left us. (I can't do "Ghosts and Angels" again without thinking of that performance, and I will be sure to mention Mick's salute during the intro). The really good news was that not only did I not end up winning anything I donated for the raffle, but we raised over $4K for Mick's expenses! There will shortly be a similar benefit to retire Tom Dundee's medical debt, and I'm sure we'll all do Tommy's memory proud. I'll keep you posted. The memorial on Saturday for learning-disabled children's advocate and therapist Lannie LeGear was touching, sad, funny and uplifting. Gordy's eulogy was so moving that people buttonholed him for hours after the service to tell him so. Not only was Lannie a marvelous therapist and friend and national pioneer in getting the educational and medical establishments to recognize that learning disabilities are not limited to autism/ADHD/dyslexia, but she was a gentle and generous soul--proudly but matter-of-factly out long before it was socially the norm, she and her partner Dorothy sponsored a Hmong family from Laos and adopted them, eventually becoming grandmothers several times over. Dorothy brought the house down when she mentioned that the neighbors didn't quite know what to make of the "Unitarian lesbians sending their Buddhist kids to the Catholic school around the corner." I'm glad we can live in a world--well, at least a city--where that is not only possible but now raises no eyebrows, just knowing smiles and approving laughter. And I'm especially grateful that Dorothy shared Lannie with all of us. When people die, we speak of them "passing on," or "passing away." Lannie LeGear "passed in:" a little of her spirit burrowed into the hearts of everyone who had the honor of knowing her. I am slowly but surely emerging from the depths of the allergy-cum-bacterial sinusitis/bronchitis that began to creep up on me Friday night (and mercifully abated just long enough to get me through my two songs on Sunday). I was able to get through a little chanting tonight, but still shutting up so I can be in good voice for the show I'm doing this Saturday night 4/11: Andina & Rich and the SASS! Trio at the Ethical Humanist Society 7475 Lincoln (at Howard and Skokie Blvd), Skokie 8-10 pm. $7 includes refreshments and parking. You'll get a double dose of me--doing eclectic acoustic Americana with Stephen Lee RIch and original classic folk with Susan Urban and Kate Early. You'll hear harmonies and lots of humor--much of it topical (I haven't mastered subcutaneous, though I can sing "I've Got You Under My Skin") in a comfy and lovely room with great sightlines and perfect acoustics....and ample parking! So Happy Passover, Happy Easter...and Happy Birthday, Rona!