Wonderful Memories

I have just about recovered from the family party. Perhaps the fact that I had to work the day before and after made it tougher than usual. I went straight to bed after dinner yesterday. Still, it was oh so much fun visiting with everyone. I am especially intrigued by watching the future generations develop. Families are growing, and children are growing up. Melissa is driving now, for crying out loud!

I wish we had time to get together more often than we do. I may just have to add some visits to my list of New Years resolutions.

Another Project Done

I have finished the snowman blanket for my yet-to-be-born grandnephew. It was really fun making this one. The toughest part was weaving in all the loose ends from the color changes. I am not a big fan of weaving. I try real hard to get the back to look like the front (too much of a perfectionist, I guess). I think it came out real cute, though.

The Hubs took a picture of it for me.

I hope to give it to Tyra when she comes over today for our holiday party. Everyone will start arriving in about an hour, so I guess I had better get to work.

Simply Having a Wonderful Christmas Time

We have had such a wonderful Christmas so far. The boys came over on Christmas Eve, along with their girlfriends. I have so few recent pictures of them, I made them pose in front of the tree. They both hate having their pictures taken, but they cooperated.

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Chris is now officially engaged to Jenna. They haven't set a date yet. My brother-in-law joined us for dinner, and we had tamales, chorizo con huevos, beans, and mexican rice. It was great (especially since the Hubs cooked!)

The boys put so much thought into their gifts this year. I was impressed when they presented me with a collection of the top 100 masterpieces of classical music, which they had burned onto 10 CDs. It is in date order, and includes so many of my favorites. It begins with Bach's Tocatta in D Minor (1685), and ends with Ravel's Bolero (1928). I'm sure it was a lot of work putting it together. Maybe some of my love of classical music did rub off over the years. I didn't even know they were paying attention!

On Christmas Day, the Hubs and I spent the whole day at home together. We sat around and read the paper, opened some gifts, watched a movie together, and ate mexican leftovers for dinner. I even baked some Christmas cookies (the only ones I have made this year). It was delightful.

Tomorrow I host the party for my family. It will be great seeing everyone again.

God Rest Ye Merry Diet

I won't delude myself into thinking I can stick to my diet for the next two weeks, but I sure hope I can maintain some level of control. There are packages of goodies at work from every vendor imaginable. The in-laws sent us a box of baklava last week (that we managed to finish off already). Over the weekend, the hubs and I went to a vintage candy store. The idea was to find some Brach's neopolitan coconut squares (for Sara at work). While we were there we couldn't help but notice the Jelly Nougats (my favorite), the Squirells (his favorite), and the Nonparells (Mom's favorite - so of course I had to get some). We were literally like two "kids in a candy store"! Then there are the tamales (we brought home a dozen yesterday, and there will be more at the posada on Wednesday).

For as many years as I have been watching my weight, I haven't quite figured out how to make it from Thanksgiving to Christmas without indulging now and again. So far I haven't gained anything, but then it is only December 21...I had better get on the treadmill!

Making Tamales

Now it really feels like Christmas.

Today I helped the girls make tamales. This is a classic example of "working the foundry", as Dad used to say. It reminds me of the times we used to gather around the dining room table and make sauerkraut or schneiderboner (I'm not sure that is spelled right). Just change the ingredients and add a couple bottles of wine.

This is a mexican tradition, and must be done every year if you are going to have tamales ready for the "posada" (which, this year will be on Wednesday, at our friends house). It is quite a process, that takes all day.

First you make the masa (mixing the corn meal with lard, chili peppers and pork stock)

Then have a glass of wine.
Once that is done, the masa is spread on corn husks... stop for a sip of wine.

then fill it with shredded pork and chilis....more wine....

Then it is rolled up and steamed for an hour. The result? Mighty tasty!

But this is one of those things that takes many hands to make light work. It is back-breaking at best, since it involves standing for hours. A true labor of love, but worth every bit of the pain.

Christmas Party With a Twist

On Sunday we met up with friends for our annual Christmas get-together. In past years we have exchanged gifts, but this year we agreed it would be better to do something for charity. The economy being what it is, and all of us being at least solvent, it seemed like the obvious choice. So, we each drew a name and our assignment was to picture them at age 10 and buy a toy that would fit their personality. I got the new version of Rubik's puzzle. Something like a three-dimensional octagon. (Yeah, like I could almost do that...I couldn't even get one side of Rubik's Cube to a single color!)

Anyway, we had so much fun guessing what each person would get, then enjoying the joke when they unwrapped them. Good thing we couldn't open them, since several of us were tempted to actually play with them. But we had to consider the kids they were going to.

All were donated to Toys for Tots yesterday. What fun!

Jann's Handiwork

Yesterday, my neighbor gave me some beautiful coasters she had made. They are cut from glass, and edged with copper. I just love them.

It is difficult to get a close up without a massive reflection from the flash, but I did my best. This one shows the beautiful handiwork.

They will be the perfect compliment to my cup of Christmas Cocoa!

An Expensive Day

I had to work today, but the hubs stayed home. He decided that, since he was home, it would be a good day for the plumber to come in and fix that filter on our water softener that has been leaking. Now, you may think there is a recession, but someone forgot to tell the plumbers. It was a huge bill, considering the work he did.

Unfortunately, when the hubs tried to open the garage door to let the plumber in, a spring that holds the door snapped, and kept it from opening. So, the next call was to the garage door folks, who also have not heard about the recession, apparently!

How did I end up spending hundreds of dollars on Black Friday, without even going to a store??

Getting the Carpets Cleaned

It's that time of year again. Although I generally don't like it to get this close to the holidays, we have the carpet cleaners coming this week. So, the hubs and I had to get everything ready today. He says this is like the old joke about cleaning the house before the maid shows up. But really it's a matter of getting all the funiture out of the way so they can do their job. And, of course, once you start to move furniture you uncover all sorts of things...

Now the carpets are cleared and ready for their semi-annual bath. Thank goodness we aren't entertaining for Thanksgiving. Instead, we will be spending much of that day putting everything back where it belongs. While we are at it, the Christmas decorations will start going up. And, no doubt, we will be more than ready to sit down to a relaxing dinner at my sister's!

Homemade Bread

This morning over breakfast, I was reading the Free Press. That is the way I spend most Sunday mornings. This morning there was a recipe for a pumpkin braid, which sounded pretty good. It is a yeast bread made with apple cider and pumpkin pie spice. Thought I would try it today, although I haven't baked my own bread in many years (I just never could get the hang of it well enough to do it regularly). Anyway, since I also go grocery shopping on Sunday mornings after breakfast, the time was right to pick up all the necessary ingredients.

It went together very easily, actually. I even kneaded it by hand, rather than use the dough hook on my mixer. I guess I was in the mood to get down to the most basic level (save the wood-burning stove, or course). And, it turned out beautifully. The hubs and I enjoyed it, still warm, with our dinner tonight. Now I just need to get him to take the leftovers to the OPC tomorrow so I'm not tempted to eat them all!

Finally Finished!

I haven't posted for a while, because I have been spending every minute of my spare time working on the baby outfit for a girl who used to work for me. I finished it last Thursday. On Friday, she met me for lunch so I could give it to her. It came out really well. It's a favorite pattern of mine, and I have made it a couple times before. This one is pale lavendar, and perfect for a little girl.

Now I have to start on a baby boy blanket. It is for my grand nephew, who is due to arrive in January. It is not an intricate pattern like this one. Its all stockinette stitch, but with different colors of yarn that make a picture of a snowman. It is done on #10 needles, so hopefully it will go fast.

Getting Back to Work

I am not a person for long vacations. I get too antsy. Our vacation in DC was wonderful, and we capped it off by playing golf for a couple days. But, I have to admit I am anxious to get back to work. I have never taken a vacation for longer than a week (except for our honeymoon). There is something about the daily grind that I find so appealing.
I also like to come home a day or two before I go back to work. It gives me time to unpack, do laundry, and get paperwork straight before I go back to work.
I guess this is a little strange, but I find it so relaxing to be sure my life stays in order. That's a good part of what vacations are for, I figure.

Keeping Our President Safe

I am essentially pretty naive, I guess. I knew the security around the White House had been kicked up since September 11, but I had no idea of the extent. Sure, I expected to see the shooters on the roof. But, I was taken aback by the fact that Pennsylvania Ave is completely closed off for a few blocks, as it passes in front of the grounds. OK, that makes sense. So, we walked along the sidewalk (and fence) to the point where we were standing directly in front of the White House. As I paused to get a picture, the guard started moving the crowd to each side, making sure there was no one standing directly in front of the building (in other words, we were separated by at least a city block). Then a small motorcade went by, after which we were allowed to walk in front of the building again. (The kids coming home for lunch? Who knows.)

We walked back down Pennsylvania, past the Treasury building (which was also blocked off), and at the end of the blockade there was a spot where cars and trucks could enter (a delivery entrance, if you will). At that point, the vehicles were stopped and searched, including opening hoods and trunks, and a complete search by bomb-sniffing dogs. We watched as three or four vehicles were cleared. An amazing process.

Now I see why it was so difficult to score tickets for the tour. I don't disagree with any of these efforts, mind you, but it does detract from my image of the White House as being open to the public. Still true in fact, but it loses something as we strive to protect our president. Sad...

Arlington National Cemetery

Today we visited Arlington National Cemetery. It was quite a walk....I didn't realize it was that big. We saw the Kennedy graves. What a contrast between the spot where John, Jackie and Patrick are buried, (with the eternal flame and all), and the simple white crosses that mark Bobby's, and now Ted's graves.

We went on to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. We saw the changing of the guard, which was pretty impressive.

But then we watched a wreath being placed by a couple of students from the Walker School (I don't know what the occasion was).

The two young boys who carried the wreath to the guard will likely remember that moment for the rest of their lives.

The rest of our time there was spent just enjoying the beauty of the setting, and marveling at the number of graves. Most of them were simple white plaques.

But, there were other, more impressive stones as well. We were surprised to see a home town name that we recognized. I had no idea Joe Loius was buried here.

A Beautiful Weekend

I haven't been feeling too well for the past few days. Nothing serious, just a low-grade virus that is keeping me a bit under the weather. I have spent several hours just sitting in a chair with my laptop, and putting the finishing touches on our plans for Washington DC.

That means I have also spent a good deal of time staring out the window. Fortunately, this has been such a beautiful fall, so far. And, I'm lucky to have several full size windows in my house. Seems like no matter where I look....

The colors are beautiful!

My Husband the Chef

The hubs has been watching The Food Network, and has taken a real interest in experimenting with new dishes. Today he downloaded a recipe for Chicken Parmesean, and had it ready and on the table when I got home from work. He had forgotten about my yoga class, but I was easily convinced to skip out for the night. I will double up on my sessions next week. It was worth it. The meal was delicious!

A Long Commute

I am praying for a very, very mild winter.
Right now, the only complaint I have about my new job is the commute. It is nearly 45 miles. And, so far, I haven't found a route that makes it easy. The ride in the morning isn't too bad (only about 45 minutes or so), but that is at 6AM, before the freeway backs up. The evening ride is an hour and 15 minutes, no matter what I try. The freeway is stop and go. If I take Schaefer to Coolidge, and then my old route up Woodward, there is far less traffic. But, I can't go over 35 miles/hr for most of the trip. Telegraph is faster, but then I have to go west to go east, which just seems silly.
I can only imagine what ice and snow is going to do to complicate things.
I am praying for a very, very mild winter.

Planning for Vacation

The hubs and I have decided to stop talking about visiting Washington "someday", and do it now. We have been planning, each in our own way. He has gathered more literature about the DC area (and, when I say area, I mean anything within a day's drive!) than I will probably read in my lifetime. I have scoped out the most expensive hotels in the heart of town, and dreamed of being waited on hand and foot. I'm sure we will meet somewhere in the middle eventually. After 25+ years of planning vacations with him, I know we will end up with something we will both enjoy.

While I'm at it, I have been reading up on various events in American history to get me in the mood. We haven't been able to score tickets to the White House yet, but I did get an invite to see the Senate in session at the Capital. Might just do that....

The Brooksie Way

Our neighbor and golfing buddy, Warren, decided to run in the Brooksie Way this year. This half-marathon is run in memory of L. Brooks Patterson's son, who was known to his friends and family as "Brooksie". It begins and ends at Oakland University, but at one point it passes pretty close to our house (well, about 2 miles away).

So this morning I met up with his wife, and we walked down to where he would be making his final turn toward the finish. At this point he had run about 10 miles, but he still looked like he was going strong, and gave us a big "thumbs up" as he passed us. I couldn't resist getting a picture that I could email to him later.

Running isn't my thing, but I understand there is also a group that walks the 10K course. Maybe that would be a good goal for me to work toward. I could sure use something to get me back into shape. Frankly, the 4 mile walk there and back was about all I could take for today!

Knitting Fool

I have been working on a baby outfit (sweater, bonnet, booties, blanket) for the niece of a girl who used to work for me. I have decided that, while I love to knit, no money can be made on these types of projects, so it's best to just enjoy making them and giving them away as gifts. It's a great way for me to relax in my spare time (and it keeps me from eating all evening long!)

The problem with this project is that I started it when I was not working, and had much more "spare time". Since I went back to work four months ago, I have had very little time to work on it. Meanwhile, the baby was born last week. She may well be in High School by the time I finish, at the rate I'm going.

Topping Off

Today we had the "topping off" ceremony for the new medical center. For those who haven't seen this before, it involves the raising of the final beam to signify the steel structure is finished. The beam is painted white, and is signed by those invited to do so. That's generally the owner, the developer, often the contractors, and dignitaries who are invited to the ceremony. (When Beaumont finished their south tower in Royal Oak, the beam was left in front of the hospital for about a week, so that any employees who wanted to - including yours truly - could sign it)

Then a tree is palced on top of the building. I never did understand the significance of that part, but my research tells me it dates back to a Scandanavian religious practice of placing a tree on top of a wooden structure to appease the spirits of the tree-dwelling ancestors that had been displaced. (Huh??)

What this whole ceremony means to me is that I will be in a new office in a year or so. Now that's progress!

Yoga

One thing about going back to work is the stress level is up again. During the summer, that is resolved with golf. Now that winter is approaching, it's time for yoga. I started my new class today. I haven't been in a yoga class since last April, so I was anxious to get back to it. Amazing how much stiffer I feel than I did a few months ago. Ah...getting old!

I recently heard an exercise expert make the comment that yoga is the best exercise for women. The reason given had little to do with exercise itself. But the fact that yoga requires full focus on movement and breath prevents us from multi-tasking. I must admit, I didn't think about work once tonight.

Euchre Club

Our monthly Euchre Club started up again on Saturday. We always take a break over the summer, since many of our neighbors have extra-curricular activities with their kids that prohibit them from committing to a regular card game. So, it's always so much fun to get started again, and gives us something to look forward to over the long winter months.

We always seem to spend at least as much time sharing stories, eating and drinking, as we do actually playing cards. This week, though, I guess it wasn't enough for the guys. After we finished (about midnight), some of the guys decided to have a cigar together to finish off the evening. So, of course, the hubs invited them over to our garage (his favorite "smoking section"). I decided it was time for me to go to bed. Good thing....they finally broke it up at about 3AM!

My Second New Years

This time of year always inspires me to make resolutions. Maybe being raised in the household of a schoolteacher had some influence. The start of a new school year (even though I am long out of school) feels like a time of new beginning. Or, maybe it's because my birthday comes around at this time. Whatever the reason, it seems like Labor Day Weekend is often spent thinking about how I will get my life (diet, finances, fitness, household, what-have-you) back on track.

So today, after putting up several pints of peach jam, I cleaned out the refrigerator, then the rest of the kitchen. The hubs is a great cook, but when it comes to some of the more mundane jobs (like wiping down the cabinets and counters, or scrubbing the floor) not so much. Since the kitchen is predominantly white, I went through about 1/2 a bottle of Clorox Cleanup. Then I finished folding the laundry and went outside to pull weeds in the yard for about an hour.

I'm exhausted....but it was a great start on a long list of things to do.

Ted Kennedy

I learned some time ago not to engage in significant political debates with my family. My views can sometimes surprise, if not enrage others, I have found. Today, though, I have to express my feelings of loss after following the memorials of Ted Kennedy over the past few days. Not because I am or ever was a huge political supporter of him. But because I admire what he stood for as a man.

It seems to me that it would have been so easy for Ted to check out after some of the tragedies of his life. He certainly had the financial means to seclude himself from society after the tragic loss of his two brothers. Who would have blamed him? At that time the name Kennedy was something of a bullseye on the back of anyone in the political arena.

The bad press that surrounded him after the death of Mary Jo Kopechne must have been something he wanted to run away from. The loss of the presidential bid to Jimmy Carter could have left him terribly bitter about politics. Instead, it appeared to free him to devote his energies to matters in the senate.

No, this man was not a runner. He used his losses as challenges to better himself and his environment. He became a well respected colleague among his business associates, and a trusted family member in more than just the immediate Kennedy family. One of Bobby Kennedy's sons was quoted as saying "John Kennedy inspired America, and my father challenged America, but Uncle Teddy changed America". Regardless of your political views, I'm not sure you could argue with that.

I have never been to Washington DC, but the one thing I have always intended to see in my lifetime is Arlington National Cemetery. Perhaps I will make a point of doing that soon.

Golf and Friends

Yesterday we played golf with our friends and neighbors, Warren and Jann.

We played at Greystone at 32 mile and Mound. I haven't played it in many years, and had almost forgotten what a pretty course it is. It was a hot day, but there was a cool breeze, and lots of shade (one of the advantages of playing with the guys - you get to see lots of trees!). Jann made sandwiches for lunch, and we had plenty of water and Arnold Palmers while we were playing. Afterward, of course, we sat in the air conditioned clubhouse for a couple beers.

The Hubs beat me by three strokes, but had lots of fun, from beginning:

To end:

My New Office

I was talking with Godson David over the weekend and he asked how the new building was coming along. I realized I haven't given an update in the past couple months.

Mostly that's because there hasn't been anything to see until recently. For a while it has just been an artist's rendering hanging on the wall. Now we have steel, and something of a structure.





It probably doesn't look like much to most people, but I am really enjoying watching it change from 2 dimensions to 3 dimensions. Since it's just down the block from our current building, I pass by it every morning.

Move in day seems very far in the future. But, I know it will come quickly, considering how much we have to do before we move.

A Lazy Weekend

I didn't get much done this weekend. OK, I paid bills (which it seems I do every weekend), and the laundry (actually the hubs did most of that). I was kinda glad I had a hair appointment yesterday, cuz it got me out of the house in all that rain. then when I got home I finished the novel I started last weekend. That took most of the afternoon.

Today I managed to make blueberry pancakes for breakfast. Then we went grocery shopping (another chore for every weekend). The hubs spent the afternoon in front of the TV in the basement, where he could stay cool. I played Bejeweled 2 on my laptop while I watched golf upstairs.

Yep, we basically accomplished nothing, but boy we had fun doing it!

The Camping Trip

We had a great weekend, despite the cold and damp weather. Of course, I forgot my camera, so I will have to wait until someone emails me a picture of the group This was the 33rd consecutive year they have got together, but we have only been going with them for about 26 years. Seems like just yesterday that I gave the hubs-to-be a look of "you've got to be kidding", when he mentioned a weekend in canoes and tents.

Now I am an old hand at camping, so even the rain and cold did not get to me too much. We still had a great time with the group, although I did pass on tubing down the river in 65 degrees and a thunder storm.

When we first hit the road, I realized I had left my camera behind, and the hubs had forgotten his favorite flannel shirt. We decided not to go back for them, though. He said we would just have to "take mental pictures and keep each other warm". (I really don't think he gets how romantic he can be at times!)

Getting Ready for Camping

I'm looking forward to our annual canoe/camping trip this weekend. We go to Indian River every year with a large group of friends that Nick grew up with. The age range is broad, from babies to elders. The purpose? Just relaxation! There is no real agenda, although Saturday is generally reserved for the river (canoes, rafts, or tubes, as the mood dictates). The rest of the time, we will be enjoying the shores of Burt Lake, and eating way too much great mexican food (yes, it tastes even better cooked over a campfire).

Nick is busy trying to figure out how to cram all our stuff in one Saturn Aura. (Boy, we were really spoiled with our bigger cars.) Then Thursday we are outta here for the wekend....

Reminiscing

The closure of I75 last week required me to take a different route to work. I decided to travel south on Coolidge, then follow Schaefer all the way to my office at Michigan Ave. That takes me right through the "old neighborhood", and I have found it both unnerving and strangely comforting. What is unnerving is the preponderance of urban blight. But, that isn't all I see as I drive by.

I remember the corner well, with Federals, Cunningham's, A&P and Wrigleys taking up the space from the corner to the Mercury Theatre. It is barely recognizable now. There is a hole in the ground where Wrigleys was, and the signature neon sign of the Mercury Theatre is just an empty lattice. Biffs is now a coney island, and there is still a bus stop just off the corner (where I used to wait patiently to see my friend Debbie's purse dangle out the window to let me know she was on the bus). The steeple of Precious Blood church still stands proud, although the name has now been changed (I think to St. Peter Claver parish).

It's hard to imagine now that I used to walk from Immaculata to DeMotts Drugs (on 7 Mile and Sorrento), then over to Mount Carmel (now Sinai Grace) to deliver dietary trays to the patients at the dinner hour. Then I would walk home to have my own dinner.

And, while I am on the subject of reminiscing, let's not forget that today is the 40th anniversary of our first walk on the moon. I seem to recall holding 3-week old David while I watched it on the TV.

Remember what else happened that year? Woodstock, Chappaquiddick, Richard Nixon's inauguration, the Beatles' last public appearance, the Manson murders, the premier of Sesame Street, to name a few.

Is this what getting older is all about? Remembering lots of first time events that happened before most Americans were born?

Sisters Lunch

Every few months, the four sisters in the family get together for lunch. We meet in Port Huron, and spend a few hours just catching up. The conversation goes from jobs to health to getting the latest on family and friends. We eat, drink way too much coffee (at least I do), laugh, and reminisce. (It always fascinates me that the four of us can have different memories of the same events.) Our birthdays fall in February, July, September and December, so there is always something to celebrate as well. We have a great afternoon.

My hat's off to the very patient wait staff at Bob Evans. We look forward to seeing you again in September.

Golf

I play golf once a week in a chapter of the Executive Women's Golf Association (EWGA). This is a national organization dedicated to teaching women to play golf for fun, competition, and business and social networking. Today was our chapter championship. We played at the Majestic golf club in Hartland. The weather forecast wasn't good, and when I arrived at the course at 7:30AM it was pouring rain, with lots of lightening. We were delayed about 2 hours. It wasn't a good start.

When we finally teed off, some patches of blue sky were trying to peak out. It ended up being a glorious day. And, though I didn't play well enough to advance to the regional championship, I did take third place in my flight.

I also won a prize for being closest to the pin on hole #16. The best part about it was that I beat out the best girl in the chapter to win it!

After a very long day, it was nice to bring home some mementos.

The Moon

I generally don't consider myself a superstitious person. There's something about a full moon, though, that really makes people weird. I was first advised of this phenomenon by my girlfirend's parents, who owned a bar. They insisted a direct correlation could be made between bizarre behavior by their customers, and a full moon. (I don't know how they figured this out, considering the bizarre behavior I have seen in bars as a general rule, but they knew the difference for sure.)

Today it was a brutal day at work. Patients seemed impatient (no pun intended). Insurance companies weren't responding. Physicians were short-tempered. Staff and management were both having their issues. And, in the middle of it all, I got a call from the Hubs telling me our insurance would no longer deal with our local Kroger pharmacy. By day's end, I had not yet finished the one thing I had set out to do at 7AM. I did have several new things on my list, though.

I got home later and tireder than normal. When I checked the calendar...a full moon!

OK, it was yesterday...but, close enough for me.

Fireworks

Next to Thanksgiving, I think the 4th of July is my favorite holiday. They have many similarities, actually. Both are uniquely American. Both involve hanging out with family and friends, eating lots of good food.

But the 4th of July also has fireworks, which I will go to watch any chance I get. Last night, we went to Lake Orion to watch their display. We set up our lawn chairs along Lapeer Rd., and waited patiently for the show to start. Beside us was a young family, with two little boys. They were sure the fireworks were never going to start, and nearly drove their parents (and us) crazy, while they were waiting.

When I was their age, and we laid on a blanket at the park in Port Hope, it was all about the colors, and the loud explosions. But now, there are so many shapes and sizes to enjoy. The boys' mother began to point out the shapes "Look, that one looks like a flower....that one's a heart...etc."

The boys picked up on the game easily. One yelled, "Hey Mom, that one looks like a 6!" And, not to be outdone, his brother soon shouted, "That one looks like a eyeball!!"

And a good time was had by all....

Enough Already!

Periodically I get fed up enough with the media that I have to let off some steam. This time it centers around the death of Michael Jackson. I fully understand that he was an icon of sorts, and have enjoyed his music over the years. Let's face it, there is a reason the Thriller album is still the number one selling album of all time.

I also understand that an icon is a pulic figure, and a grief process is required when we lose them. So naturally I was tuned into the TV over the weekend, much like I was when John Lennon was shot, or when the Trade Center was struck.

What I don't understand is why the media must focus on the most sensational pieces of a remarkable story, until they are horribly distorted. I must have seen the video of Michael dangling his baby son over the balcony railing about a dozen times over the weekend. Clearly, this was not his claim to fame. Just one example of how a tragic childhood can continue to haunt future generations.

But, it seems what generates press is the shocking photo. The child's shoe in the street after a car accident. The First Lady's emotional reaction to her husband being shot. Just the right angle of the planes hitting the twin towers.

I wonder why just reporting the news, and telling a great story, are not enough any more.

Father's Day

We don't get to see the boys nearly enough. So, it was especially nice having them come by yesterday. We had a great visit, and they indulged dad's fishing obsession with some new lures and stuff.



Of course dad took advantage of it being "his" day, and we went out for mexican at the Sagebrush Cantina.

Come over more often, you guys!

The Anniversary Dinner

Yesterday we went to dinner with another couple who were married a week after we were, and had a joint 20th anniversary celebration. We went to one of our favorite restaurants, Its a Matter of Taste, in Commerce Township. We were joined by two other couples, all good friends, and had a great time together.

This restaurant faces onto Union Lake, and it was tempting to sit on the patio overlooking the lake. We elected to stay inside, though you can't really call it "inside" when they open all the overhead doors along the lake side.

It was just a beautiful night until about 9PM, when the storm started to roll in. The people who were sitting outside began to move for cover as it started sprinkling, and by the time the boys went to get the cars, it was pouring. The hubs was soaked, but we then drove home (about an hour) in one of the heaviest rains I have ever seen. I was sure glad to get back safely (and glad we didn't order that extra bottle of wine!)

A Pleasant Surprise

This morning we went up to Vassar to play the Timbers golf course, one that we have not played before. Afterward we were going to stop in Frankenmuth to enjoy lunch on Zehnders (we belong to their birthday club, so we are each sent a coupon to be used during our birthday month).

The weather was beautiful, and the Timbers is a lovely course. I was also able to beat the Hubs by two strokes, which is always fun. We had a great time. We finished up about 12:30, and headed on to Frankenmuth.

What we didn't know was this is Bavarian Festival weekend. The big parade was scheduled to start at 1:00. The main street had been completely blocked off, so we had to find a parking space and walk in. That's the bad news.

The good news is that we were able to enjoy the music and festivities as we walked about 1/2 mile to Zehnders. The restaurant was not busy at all, since everyone was outside watching the parade. We had a great lunch (I enjoyed a plate of chicken livers - my favorite - and no one can make them quite like Zehnders). Afterward, we saw the end of the parade as we walked back to our car. And, let's face it, a long walk is just what the doctor ordered after one of those meals!

I remember going to Frankenmuth with the family, when I was a kid. I'm sure it must have been just once or twice, but I remember it as something we did when Uncle Joe and Father Francis came to visit. The town and the food have always been a special treat for me. But, I have never seen it during one of their festivals. The streets were lined with people sitting in folding chairs, eating soft pretzels and drinking beer. Lots of little girls in dresses, with flower crowns on their heads. Music playing from floats, and from storefronts. Many people just dancing in the street or in parking lots.

What fun! I'm just sorry I didn't have my camera with me.

Bummer!

Well, the Wings ultimately lost the championship. I don't quite understand what happened. I mean, the guys had their pre-game cigars and everything!

One thing I love about living in the Detroit area is the way we band together around a cause. A charity fund-raiser, the Dream Cruise, the Free Press Marathon, the Brooksie, whatever...

If there is a team within reach of a championship, we drape the jersey over the Spirit of Detroit, and cheer them on. If they don't make it, we console each other.

We laugh along with those who make fun of the Lions and Tigers.
We remember the great days of the Pistons, and know they will regroup.
We say the Red Wings will always be champs to us, and Stanley will come home again soon.

Cigars and Companionship

We have a neighbor who loves to come over for a cigar with the Hubs in the evening. During March Madness, they discovered a certain correlation between having a cigar together before the game, and a Michigan State win (these are two educated men, mind you).

Now that the Wings are in the playoffs, there has been a heavy emphasis on continuing the tradition. Tonight is the final game, and all is on the line. We went out to dinner (as we do most Friday nights), and shortly before 7PM, a text came over the Hubs' phone: "Where R U?!?"

Of couse we beelined it home so they wouldn't spoil the Karma of that pre-game cigar!

Go Wings!!

A Milestone

Today is our 20th wedding anniversary. It's hard to believe the time has gone by so quickly.

I dug through some old pictures and found this one that was taken on our honeymoon...






...and one from a recent Christmas party...





Other than a few grey hairs, I would say we have done pretty well together!!

Oh, Deer!

When we returned from our annual trip to Myrtle Beach last month, I was so happy to see that the tulips had bloomed while we were away. Then I looked at the ones in my own yard. Just stems! Dozens and dozens of them, left after the deer had munched off the blooms.

A couple weeks later, I was looking out my window, and noticed that my neighbors must have gotten a new dog. What looked like a large great dane was standing in their driveway, just looking around the neighborhood. Upon closer inspection, I noticed the large dog was really a small deer.

On the road, we are constantly on the lookout for the deer who jump in front of us. Fortunately we have not hit any (this year). But, what a shame. The plans to thin out the heard were blocked. Now they are starving, or hit by cars. And the meat that could have been donated to the people who are hungry just goes to waste. Something seems out of balance here.

Our new roles

What a great dinner I had tonight. Roast chicken, mashed potatoes and corn. Best of all, it was on the table when I got home. I must say, that's one of the great things about my new job.

Having been laid off for the last six months, I had been handling all the domestic duties. But, now that I am back at the office, the Hubs gets to be the "wife" again. He's a great cook, and takes all the stress of managing the meals off my hands. The hardest part is for me to give up control!

The job is going well, but the long commute makes for a very long day. I leave for work at 6AM, and return home (if I'm lucky) just in time for a 6PM dinner. Considering I have to spend 8 hours sleeping, that doesn't leave much free time.

But, I'm eating well!

Let me give this a try

I remember as a child we used to get snail mail from relatives. The letters would either be read out loud around the dinner table, or left opened in "the cat" so anyone could read them in passing. The "cat" was a ceramic siamese cat with a spring inserted in the back, into which papers could be sorted. Mom would put our incoming mail there. The standard answer to "hey mom, was there any mail for me?" would be "I don't know, look in the cat".

Now we have progressed many years forward. (More than I would like to count, actually) But some traditions never die. Now letters are on line, in the form of blogs. And the family around the dinner table is quite large, and spread across the country.

I decided to try blogging, so any of my friends or family could "look in the cat", when they wonder what is going on in my life. Let's see how this goes.