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.