2025

October 28, 2025

It's hard to believe that October 31, aka Halloween, is this Friday. And on Saturday, a new month, November, begins. Thanksgiving, then Christmas, and the year is over. Is the theory of relativity in play? Does time seem to move faster as we age?  E=MC2

Michael and I travel to Denver next week. Other than time spent at the Denver airport waiting for a connection, I have never visited Denver and am looking forward to exploring the museums and the downtown area. This will also be my first time flying Southwest, so a lot of firsts. Michael is in charge of transportation to and from the airport.

I am unsure if it is kosher to mention this (HIPPA), but April is in the hospital for the second time this week. I don't believe she and Butch have a definitive answer yet on a diagnosis.  I am hoping she recovers soon, however, as she has been ill for more than a week now. Kathy is also struggling with a respiratory issue that started while we were in Anchorage.

I have had a lot of time to reflect on our time in Anchorage. I came home conflicted about how effective we were. I shared my feelings with an unbiased acquaintance, and her feedback helped me gain some perspective. And I feel better. 

October 26, 2025

I still have an intermittent cough. Which is nothing compared to Butch's, April's, and Kathy's recent health experiences. I am hoping they all recover soon.  

I took a short walk to Kathy's house today. She was busy "sterilizing" - which made me feel like a slacker.While I can be a neat freak at times, I've never deep cleaned to the extent she does.

it's a beautiful fall day. Michael and I walked through Sylvan Woods today. I shook my head at the trash left by some homeless folks. They were having a barbeque at one of the tables in Sylvan Park.  Humming Forever Autumn...

October 23, 2025

I did not leave the house today and am feeling a bit stir crazy.  I worked on my photo book and caught up on a few tv shows. I am also very hungry and find myself periodically checking the kitchen for something to eat. This is why I need to keep busy.  I may need to take up sewing or beadwork. There is a joke here somewhere.

Michael's coaching season ends tonight. Despite his protestations about continuing, I believe he feels an obligation to assist with winter training. He's formed some attachments and I suspect gets a sense of accomplishment from his work with the rowers. He's made a few comments in the past about feeling old and useless - so coaching is a great remedy.  Often when you think you are at the end of something, you are at the beginning of something else.

October 22, 2025

Throat was scratchy yesterday and I have a cough today. So all three of the Alaskan travelers have fallen like dominoes to something. And I am going to assume that something is related even if our symptoms may differ. 

I am doing laundry and slowly getting reorganized. And it is good to be home with Michael. One impact of this latest trip is that I have an urge to scale down more. I get that we hold onto stuff because we genuinely need or have an emotional connection to it, but we also hold onto stuff because we have a perception we may need it some day. I read somewhere that clutter is nothing more than postponed decisions. I've decided to start with the kitchen.

And life in Ann Arbor takes another step forward.

October 20, 2025

Yesterday (Sunday), after we finished at Bern's apartment, we went to Tidal Wave Bookstore, and then chilled awhile before heading to Diane and Gene's home for dinner. Bern has been friends with them for a long time. It was nice chatting with them about their recent travels to Croatia. And I also befriended their cat Emma, who seemed to have taken a liking to me.

This morning, we ate breakfast at a neighborhood diner called Heidi's and then headed to the Alaska Native Heritage Center, which promotes active observance of Alaska Native culture and traditions. They have a mix of Native artwork and artifacts on display. Additionally, the Center has six authentic life-sized Native dwellings situated in a wooded area around their beautiful Lake Tiulana behind the center. It was interesting to enter the dwellings and I liked that you were able to touch some of the Native clothing and tools. 

We made a brief stop at REI before heading to Walmart, only to find the store closed due to a shooting. Bern ended up grocery shopping at Carrs instead. Carrs, by the way, had both inari and charsui pork in their deli area. Finally, we ate dinner at Bombay South Indian Restaurant.. Apparently, I am a wimp when it comes to spicy food as the chicken dish I ordered was s bit too spicy for me and my face turned bright red. And then it was final goodbyes to Bern. We leave at 6am tomorrow for Seattle, then fly to Detroit. 

And just a few thoughts about this trip.  I know I care and worry too much about my brother and it hurt that he was somewhat aloof with me and made some comments that brought me to tears on this trip. And as I often do, I reacted by just shutting down a bit. He will say I am being too sensitive. And perhaps I am. 

October 18, 2025

Butch, Kathy, and I headed to Bern's apartment this morning and put some time in. He is in a difficult situation and I wish I was in a better position to alleviate some of the stress he is under. He also did some grocery shopping. And decided to stay at his own place this evening to get some work done. I teased him that his decision to stay home is because he heard that we are eating leftovers tonight.

Meanwhile, we drove to Girdwood and took in the views along Turnagain Arm. As an added treat the sun was shining and the sky was blue, which was nice after the string of gray rainy days  that we have been experiencing.

Kathy revealed that she had never seen the Graduate so the two of us watched that this evening. A great classic movie.

We head home in a few days. Unfortunately, Butch hasn't been feeling well and is congested. Being sick while traveling is never comfortable. Perhaps by Tuesday, he will be on the mend.

October 17, 2025

I was up early again this morning. We didn't head to Bern's until 10am this morning and discovered he only had about 15 minutes of work for us. I worry we are not doing enough to make a difference. But to borrow a quote from Dangerous Liaisons, It's beyond my control.

We spent a few hours in downtown Anchorage playing tourist. Butch bought Tshirts and postcards for his family. And I picked up a few postcards for Porter. We ate lunch at Snow City, and I took a quick look at Cook Inlet from the Resolution Park overlook, which was conveniently located across the street from the restaurant. There is a statue of Captain Cook at the overlook. The boardwalk was closed and I was mildly disappointed that I unable to walk down the steps to the mud flats. But Susitna mountain, known to locals as the Sleeping Lady, is visible straight across the water and the view was quite spectacular.

We stopped at a few more shops on the way back to the airbnb, including a Target.  I made spaghetti, bread, and salad for dinner. It was my goal to economize by limiting eating out on this trip. And it looks like we have enough leftovers from the last few dinners we've made for tomorrow night's dinner, so I am counting my meal planning as a success.

It doesn't sound like Bern has much for us to move tomorrow morning, so I am not sure what the day may bring. But after not walking much today, I would like to get a decent walk in at some point.

October 16, 2025

4am...  I forced myself to stay up until 9pm last night, read for awhile, and slept on and off between potty breaks. It is now 4am and I am wide awake. I am surprised Butch is not up walking around. The airbnb is frickin' cold as the thermostat battery needs to be replaced and we can't adjust the setting. 

7:45am...  Butch, Kathy, and I headed to Bern's apartment to help him with some heavy lifting. We ended up leaving earlier than expected and  hung out at the airbnb for a few hour before deciding to go to for a short walk at Potter Marsh Bird Sanctuary, which is south of Anchorage. There is a nice boardwalk with viewing areas along the marsh, and we even spotted a few birds. On the way back to the airbnb, we stopped at Glen Alps Trailhead Park, which is part of Chugach State Park. It offers views of not only the mountains, but also a panoramic view of Anchorage and Cook Inlet. I took several photographs at both locations. Then it was back to the airbnb. I made tacos and rice for dinner. Kathy then chaffeured Bern back to his apartment. I am hopeful we will be more productive tomorrow morning.

By the way, the thermostat situation is resolved. I replaced the battery and all is well.

October 15, 2025

Butch, Kathy, and I left for Alaska Tuesday evening and due to an overnight flight delay in Minneapolis, arrived in Anchorage this afternoon. The plane that we were connecting to at MSP was coming from Boston and had a series of delays due to mechanical issues. And by the time the flight eventually made its way to Minneapolis, the flight crew had timed out. Thus we left MSP at 10:20am this morning. We went to Walmart late this afternoon and picked up groceries and a hand cart to move Bern's boxes. We should be able to head to Bern's apartment tomorrow morning and get to work. But admittedly, the combination of missed sleep, irregular and unhealthy eating, and the four-hour time difference has taken its toll.  

October 12, 2025

Butch, Kathy, and I leave for Anchorage on Tuesday. I tend to overpack and am reminding myself that there are stores in the event I find myself in need of something.

I am watching a show about Margaret Thatcher. It's interesting to me that she was not only the first female prime minister in Great Britain, but also in Europe. I wonder how long it will be before the USA elects a woman president. We really aren't a very progressive nation, and with the current administration and Congress are even less so. It's a shame.

Small excerpt from the song Going to Alaska by the Mountain Goats

And the heat is a great paintbrush, lending color to our lives

And to the air, and to out faces; but I'm going to Alaska

Where there's snow to suck the sound out from the air

October 9, 2025

I woke up this morning thinking about death. When we come into this world, we are not alone but when we die, some of us will die alone. I felt honored to be by Mom's side when she passed away. It's an experience both Kathy and Donna have also experienced with loved ones. Then I found myself thinking about Dad and wondering if he died alone.  I will ask Butch the next time I see him to find out if he knows the sequence of events regarding Dad's last moments.

Shiv (the neighbor's cat) was just looking for Kali through the sliding glass doors off our back patio. And she is not the only neighbor cat that has visited. Ollie and Kitty have also come by.

October 7, 2025

Michael had the plumbers return today and not surprisingly, they found another disposable towelette in the pipes. So providing guests a less germy way to dry their hands has turned out to be an expensive lesson for us.  It was also suggested it would be a good idea to get our pipes scoped. 

I am starting to get items together for next week's Alaska trip. And also thinking about home projects I still need to tackle before leaving. Kathy and I are getting our hair cut tomorrow.

It's a coolish rainy day. I think summer weather is finally over.

And I wish I could understand why Ryan has repeatedly said he is the new Charlie Kirk. I can't wait for him to start holding rallys.

October 6, 2025

Sometimes life throws us little gifts. I have been corresponding on and off with an artist named Linda Lewis. I've purchased two small figurative pieces from her Swimmers collection. I mentioned to her that a family member commented that she thought that the two pieces I have resemble my son and daughter-in-law. I mentioned this  to Linda and asked that if she ever made any 4-5 year old swimmers, to let me know. Much to my surprise, she just contacted me and asked about Porter's sex and hair color. It looks like I may be purchasing another swimmer in the future to complete my little family. This is the second time I've overcome my inhibitions about contacting artists, and I am glad I did. 

Kathy returned home yesterday. Tricia, Butch, and I joined her for dinner at the Sidetrack last night. And she is with Butch tonight harvest moon gazing. We are planning a trip to Anchorage next week. Kathy and I spoke to Bern this morning to strategize about how we can best make use of our time while there.

The last of the tropical plants came in this morning in preparation for a possible frost later this week. They have grown a lot since last year and are taking up a lot more space. As my mom used to comment while visiting, it's like a jungle in here. But I guess it's our jungle.

October 4, 2025

The basement toilet is still gurgling when you flush upstairs and when the washer is draining. Fortunately the drain has not backed up into the basement.  I have not reached out to the plumber yet as I am deferring to Michael's direction in this matter. There is a 30 day guarantee. 

I decided to try to make a dent in the growing pile of brush and other yard debris that is amassing in the back corner of our yard. I filled the yard waste container and called it quits. But found my clothing covered in burrs and other poky plant plants. And of course, I feel itchy. By the way, did I mention it was also hot working in the sun?

In other news, I noticed that Ryan is using AI to rewrite his posts on Facebook.  Regarding a planned trip to Tawas, he posted: I am hopeful that this excursion will prove to be a successful respite from my current residence and surroundings. Indeed Ryan, I too hope this for you. Admittedly, I probably recognized the AI use, because I have run a few short stories through AI rewrite myself and recognize the phrasing.

Kathy returns from her latest excursion tomorrow and I believe it is with some relief. Written by me, not AI.

October 3, 2025

The plumber left an hour ago. Apparently a guest or guests at my birthday party (and I think I know who it is), threw the disposble towels that we left in the bathrooms for guests to dry their hands in the toilet not the trash can. Drain pipes eventually clogged and water backed up into the basement. Not fun and not cheap. Guests will be drying their hands on a shared towel or their clothing at future events.  

Daytime warm weather continues. Temperatures have been a bit brisk early morning on my walks to the fitness center. I've been layering. Which has me thinking about clothing strategies for my upcoming trip to Anchorage. I really would prefer to not pack a winter coat.  Looking at the extended forecast, temps will be in the 30s to 40s, so I should be okay.

Michael has been struggling with his role as an assistant rowing coach. I think after being in control for so many years and building a winning team, it is hard to take direction from someone less experienced and knowlegable and not feel condescended to.  Three more weeks...

Kathy returns from her cruise on Sunday, It will be nice to have her back.  I watered her potted plants yesterday when I checked on her house.  I also polished off the open bag of M&Ms she had in her pantry.

And today's quote: This day will never come again and anyone who fails to eat and drink and taste and smell it will never have it offered to him again in all eternity. The sun will never shine as it does today... But you must play your part and sing a song, one of your best.   - Herman Hesse

September 29, 2025

Kali's departure from our lives has me thinking about other cats that have joined our family over the years. 

Sandy joined us during our college years.  As I recall, he was gray and white and called Sandy because he was part of a litter that a woman was giving away at Kuhio Beach. At that time, we lived in the Kawaikui house, and I don't remember what happened to Sandy.  

We got our next cat when we were living in the house on Kalanianaole Highway in the mid 1970s. Late one night, someone pitched a paper bag from their car into our bushes. I heard a kitten crying and found the tabby cat we named Fred in the bag. Fred was with us for a long time and was very much an outdoor cat. He would eat almost anything including spicy rice dishes.He moved with us when we relocated to the little cottage in Kaimuki. And one day he came home with two young male cats - a tabby and a black cat, that we named Jeremy and Sam. They were feral but eventually started to trust us. Unfortunately, Jeremy disappeared one day.  We made a decision to move to Portland, OR after Sean was born and moved back to the Kawaikui house temporarily prior to moving. Michael sister, Mary, moved into the Kaimuki cottage and kept Fred. We took Sam with us to the house on Kawaikui. After, we left for Portland, Nanu let us know she accidentally ran over Sam when reversing out of her driveway. I do not know what eventually happened to Fred.

Several years passed before another cat joined our household. By this time, we were living in the Chesterfield house in Ann Arbor, MI. A small female black cat Sean named Poki Dog showed up on our side porch. She was a sweet gentle kitty, but we soon discovered she was feverish. The vet prescribed antibiotics but as soon as she went through a round of treatment, she became ill again. And we made the difficult and sad decision to let her go. I still remember her crawling on my lap while I was driving to the vet that one last time. It broke my heart.

The next cat was a stray that was hanging around a bank by Briarwood Mall. Someone I knew worked there, and we ended up bringing an orange and white male cat that Sean named Zipper home. Zipper used to love pouncing on you when you came around the corner at the end of our hallway.  Sean seemed to be one of his favorite targets. Unfortunately, he simply disappeared one day.

And then along came Willie. When Sean was about ten, we took him to the Humane Society to adopt a cat of his choosing. Willie, whose given name was Tiger, tried his best to get Sean's attention from his cage. Sean stated that Willie selected him, and he quickly became a valued member of our family.  He was friendly to everyone that came to our house and well known in the neighborhood. He was a big boy and spent a lot of time outside prowling our yard, often catching mice and voles, of which he would leave portions of on our porch for me to discover in the morning. He lived a long, good life. His health started failing when he was 17, and due to bone cancer was having mobility issues, resulting in another heartbreaking moment of goodbyes at the vet.

During the time we had Willie, another cat entered our lives. My brother's girlfriend Darcy's cat had a litter, and we ended up adopting the runt, a tabby kitty, I named Dexter. Dexter was rather intimidating.  He had huge paws, was a bit skittish, and wary of strangers. It wasn't unusual for him to swipe at visitors with his huge claws, so I found myself issuing warnings. I later learned that his eyesight was failing, which made his behavior more understandable. I loved Dexter and Dexter loved and trusted me. I spent many evenings on the couch with Willie on one side of me and Dexter on the other - both scrunched up against me. Willie never liked Dexter.  Dexter's behavior (he was peeing on Michael's possessions, stopped cleaning himself, and more) in his later years finally led to me having him euthanized, I believe it was in 2013. It was a difficult decision and to this day I still feel guilty about my decision.

Michael moved back to Honolulu in October 2014. I followed in January 2015.  And in November of 2015, we adopted a sweet tiny eight and half year-old cat, we named Kali. She moved to Ann Arbor, MI with us in March 2020. She had ongoing issues keeping food down and lost more than a third of her body weight as she aged. Prednisolone seemed to help but eventually her tiny body gave up the fight. We said goodbye to Kali on September 17, 2025, nearly ten years after she came into our lives. I believe Kali is our last cat and we are still dealing with the grief of losing her.

September 25, 2025

I picked up Kali's ashes today. And it was the plaque with her tiny pawprint that got me right in the heart. 

A lot of people tell Butch he looks like Ed Asner. As far as I know, I am not a doppelganger for anyone. But my Mom told me once when I was college age that my face reminded her of a young Audrey Hepburn. Coming from her, that is high praise, as many of her comments as I aged were not flattering. Her comments about my crepey chest skin are one of my favorites.

Kathy flies to Florida tomorrow for a cruise with a friend's family. I hope she gets a chance to relax. She went far beyond the call of duty to help with my birthday celebrations and deserves a break.

i have a nice view from our family room of our patio and backyard. No matter what the season, it's calming to sit and watch the birds, chipmunks, and squirrels. Currently, I am taking in the colors of the crotons, mums, and geraniums. And as the seasons shift, so does the sun's placement. A month ago at this time of day, the sun shone directly into the family room. Now it is lower and more to the left (southwest). 

September 24, 2025

There are a few  things I have been putting off doing because they make me uncomfortable. One is contacting a law office to get our wills and trusts redone. The other is making calls to get estimates on a long awaited home project. Neither is terribly onerous, but both require cold calling, which I have always disliked.

I got an interesting mix of items for my birthday. Plants, cut flowers from people's yards, gin, home-made honey, jam, home sewn napkins, and gift cards (which are always appreciated). And I feel a little silly admitting this, but I missed having family singing Happy Birthday to me as they dug into the desserts. 

I am picking up Kali's ashes tomorrow, which I am sure will cause another round of grief at her loss. I have still not given her cat bed and other items away. I need a little more distance first to deal with photographing and posting them. Just typing this makes me sad. And everytime I look at her now empty place on the couch, my heart breaks again.

September 23, 2025

Just a few quips from this weekend's get-togethers.

One of the guests at Saturday's party, told me she didn't realize it was for my birthday. I laughed.  And a surprising amount of people told me they liked burnt brats after I forgot to keep an eye on them. I wondered later if they were just being kind. Although, I personally like burnt brats.

On Sunday, I found myself listening to my brother Jerry and sister Tricia as they reminisced about their experiences at Redford Union High School (RU High?). Apparently, they were brilliant in high school and got good grades without studying. Tricia mentioned she also slept in classes and smoked pot in the entrance way to Redford Union. I am surprised they didn't get full-ride scholarship offers from multiple universities. Hopefully I am not being too snarky but I recall working pretty hard to earn my good grades. I guess I'm not a natural intellectual. 

I miss Kali. I always expect to see her in the family room when I enter the house. Her absence makes me feel a little sad.

September 22, 2025

I survived two birthday parties this week.  The first was on Saturday evening at my house. The weather was perfect and most people congregated outside. There were 36 people in attendance, which included two siblings, my son, his wife, and my granddaughter. It was nice to see old acquaintances, many I hadn't seen in years. There was lots of catching up, reminiscing, and hugs. And it warmed my heart to read the personal messages written on my birthday cards. It reminds me that we go through life not only collecting things, but also special people. A big thanks to everyone. And a special thanks to Michael for getting the yard, patio and garage in shape and prepping a few dishes; my sister Kathy for not only making a few dishes, but also playing hostess at my party, and helping with clean up; and finally my brother Joe for taking photographs. I also need to thank my brother John and his wife April for loaning me chairs, tables, and crock pots. It takes a village.

My second party was on Sunday. An already exhausted Kathy hosted a family get-together at her house. Unfortunately. the weather gods did not rule in our favor. It was cloudy and rainy. Nevertheless, it was nice seeing family. Kathy, thank you once again. Your efforts on my behalf are much appreciated.

As always, I enjoyed having my little Chicago family here. Sean surprised me with a digital copy of a short children's book I wrote called Pink. He finished illustrating it and I was very touched. Porter continues to make me smile. For a little person, she takes up a lot of space in my heart. I am a lucky grammy.

September 19. 2025

Yesterday, I spent time with family. I had breakfast at Archilles with Michael, followed by a walk at Lower Huron Metro Park.  When I returned home, Kathy and I went to Meijer to return the three boxes of kitty litter I recently bought on sale. We also both picked up items we needed for this weekend's parties.  Lastly, I joined Michael, Butch, April, Kathy, and Joe at Knights for dinner. So a pretty good birthday day.  But bittersweet as well, as I haven't been able to shake the sadness I am feeling at the loss of Kali. It's hard to accept she is gone.

September 18, 2025

I an 75 years old today. I thought I would reflect on my life but instead I find myself wanting to talk about Kali. Michael and I adopted her at the Hawaiian Humane Society in November, 2015.  Her paperwork said she was 8.5 years old. It took her a few months to adjust to her new home in Nui Valley. And slowly she came to trust us and we came to love her. We moved to Ann Arbor in March, 2020. She made the trip by herself as cargo on United Airlines and once again found herself having to adjust to a new home. And in the process her circle of humans grew. Butch often cared for her on our trips to Chicago to visit the Sean, Rose, and Porter. And this past year, she grew to love Kathy, and would go to her to be brushed when she'd drop by to visit. And when Sean and Rose's visited Ann Arbor,  Kali even started to accept Porter, whose diminutive size and big energy made her wary initially.  

Kali's health issues became apparent within a few years of her becoming a part of our family. She had difficulty keeping food down and maintaining her weight was difficult. Despite being put on a prescription diet, her issues continued. Three years ago, her weight loss became an issue and the vet prescribed prednisolone. It seemed to help. Her appetite increased and she vomited less. And then about a year ago, her schedule was disrupted by our travel and she stopped her medication. She lost weight and only weighed five pounds. She resumed taking medication this past August and we thought she was doing well. Until this past Sunday, when she suddenly stopped eating and began withdrawing from us. Her condition deteriorated rapidly and we made the decision to let her go today. Her little paws were cold and she was jaundiced. The vet said her organs had already started shutting down. 

I woke up at 2:30 this morning. There was a tight knot of grief locked in my core. My head was full of unshed tears. And I could hear Porter's voice belting out Let It Go, as performed on her couch in a video Rose and Sean sent us. And there was a part of me that wanted to wail. I felt like I could hear Kali's claws clicking across our wooden floor, the soft thud as she jumped on our bed, and then the feel of her body walking across mine before curling up around my head, the sound of her purring lulling me back to sleep, like some soft little white noise machine.

Kali was a sweet kitty and we loved her very much. We spent a lot of time together - she often sat on my lap while I worked on my computer or watched TV. She loved sleeping between Michael's legs and was a good companion to him as well. We miss our little Kali girl.

It's now 4am and I am wondering if it's worth going back to bed. I am weary and sad and I doubt the oblivion of sleep is possible.

September 16, 2025

Kali's health seems to be failing. She stopped eating a few days ago. Is mostly sleeping and is very weak - staggering when she ventures out to her water bowl. She is also spending her days sleeping in the bedrooms, which is unusual as she normally  spends her days in our family room. I cannot find her current hiding place. I plan to take her to the vet tomorrow. Kathy mentioned maybe she is dehydrated and getting fluids may help. I'll have a hard time saying goodbye my sweet little Kali if she doesn't make it.

September 14, 2025

And now it's also fucking supposed to rain. Fingers crossed that more favorable weather forecasts evolve in the next couple of days.

September 13, 2025

One of my gold crowns came off while I was flossing Thursday night. Fortunately, I was able to get an appointment at the dentist's office yesterday to get it glued back on. As expected, I was charged for the appointment, but did find myself wondering if it should have been done pro bono since it was a crown that had originated from a dentist at the same dental office. 

Much to my disappointment, the forecasted weather for Saturday has changed from being in the 70s to the 60s.  Jacket weather, sigh... 

September 11, 2025

Despite the time that has passed, 9/11 was and will always be an unforgettable day. I remember the eerie quiet the following day as well. And the sight and sound of fighter jets flying over Ann Arbor.

And completely unrelated - one of the many chipmunks that have made our back porch their home was sitting on the bench on the porch chirping loudly for about ten minutes - only to be answered a few minutes later by another chipmunk somewhere in the yard. I am impressed that such small creatures can generate that much volume. 

Also unrelated is how often I smell marijauana while walking around our neighborhood And from cars that drive by.  And yes, I know it's legal - well maybe not for the smoking drivers.

September 10, 2025

We are enjoying what the news is referring to as second summer. I am hoping the 10 day forecast is correct, as they are predicting temps in the 70's the day of my party. This possibility makes me smile as it would be nice to use our outdoor space for this event.  Prep continues and I am looking forward to seeing people I have not seen in a while. And of course, Sean, Rose, Porter, and the few siblings that are helping me with my party. I am very appreciative.

And I am even more appreciative as Kathy is hosting a family birthday the following day at her lovely home. I always love hanging out with my siblings, nieces, nephews, and their partners and little ones. 

I had an interesting experience recently with a young man who was soliciting contributions on our street for PBS. I did something I never do and invited him into our home while I went to get my charge card. Michael was home, by the way. He was looking at Sean's prints and mentioned how much he liked Sean's style. And then he added that his work reminded him of the McDonald's Rick and Morty sauce poster. When I told him that Sean did the illustration for the poster, he actually seemed excited. It was a nice moment for me and I appreciate that this PBS worker was as observant as he was about Sean's artwork.  Well done, my son. 

Deer, turkeys, squirrels, groundhogs, chipmunks, rabbits, raccoons, and opossums are just a sampling of the fauna that call our neighborhood home.  And we have lived here long enough to know people's pets' names.  This morning, I was amused to have Ollie (cat) walk with me as I returned home from the rec building. Ollie is also a frequent visitor to our yard (along with Shiv and Kitty).  

September 4, 2025

I cracked today and switched the thermostat from cool to heat. 

September 3, 2025

Butch, Kathy, and I honored Dad's birthday yesterday by going to the Evergreen for dinner. And today, we visited his grave at Great Lakes National Cemetery - which I have to say is a beautiful and well-maintained final resting place for our men and women in uniform. It's always interesting to read tombstones to see what if any wars they fought in. Dad, Happy Birthday. You were an interesting and complicated man. 

Dad wasn't always a nice guy and could be mean, but one thing I learned about him as I got older is that he didn't handle push back well. I find it amusing, for example, that Dad asked me if I was wearing a slip as I walked by his desk in a short dress on my way out when we lived in Hawaii. I responded that they don't make slips this short. And I kept walking. He didn't say another word.

Early this morning, as I was walking to meet up with Kathy, I probably sounded a little crazy. I was singing along to Leonard Cohen's song Anthem. There is a crack, a crack in everything...

Dr Figarro from the Ann Arbor Cat Clinic called today to check on Kali. And I have to say,  I can't say I recall one of my doctors ever calling me at home to check on me. Kali, by the way, seems to be responding to the prednisolone. She rarely throws up these days and is gaining weight. Her doctor recommended reducing her meds by half to see how she does.

September 1, 2025

Up to you. I don't know if I should be amused or annoyed when I hear those three words. And I hear them often.  Perhaps I am an oracle of decision making. 

Yesterday's sunshine had me joining Michael at the pool. When I got there he had the entire pool to himself and was happily swimming laps. Today, our community pool closes with a Labor Day BBQ this evening.  Kathy gave a ringing endorsement of meat food safety when she said after helping man the grill at the last pool event, she would not be buying a hot dog or hamburger. I think if Michael and I go, I may bring something easy like brownies.

Another day of sunshine.

August 31, 2025

It was warm enough yesterday afternoon to sit in the driveway in direct sunlight for a few hours. Apologies to my dermatologist but I just had to do it.  A few more warm days are in the forecast and I plan to enjoy the sun as much as I can before colder weather returns.

I have been waiting to watch the final season of a series I like and it turns out it's been streaming since July.  Apparently I am not keeping up on my TV viewing.

I did a first look through my not only may have some value jewelry, but also inexpensive pieces I bought 30-50 years ago just because. I pulled out quite a few earrings and necklaces that I plan to donate to the Scrap Box, which is a non-profit, whose mission is to promote creativity by providing inexpensive craft and other materials. I don't have a lot of gold or silver jewelry, but did find a few pieces I'd like to sell if they have any value - realizing in this day and age all any vendors are interested in is the weight and purity of the gold or silver.

And I keep noticing things that need cleaning around the house - sliding glass doors, cupboard faces, refrigerator exterior, kitchen floors, a nearly endless list. Most a result of people touching surfaces instead of using the handles.

August 29, 2025

My dermatology appointment went well - I have no lesions of concern. And was told there was no need to continue coming in for annual appointments. The doctor did prescribe cream for a friction rash under my boobs. And told me I shouldn't aspire to tan lines. 

I finished assembling my miniature greenhouse and even managed to get the light to work after a few unsuccessful attempts. I think it's going to be a while before I assemble another one.

I am slowly gathering supplies for my birthday party. Three weeks...

I've been watching a Netflix series called Hightown, which is about a gay female cop in Provincetown, MA. And at the same time, I have been reading a book series called Mahu Surfer, which is about a gay male cop in Honolulu. Both contain explicit sex and I've had a few moments of feeling a little uncomfortable. Which amuses me.

Michael's return to coaching crew seems to be a mixed bag of good and bad days. Hopefully in the end, the highs out weigh the lows. I am proud of him for giving this a go. It can't be easy. 

August 25, 2025

It turns out Kathy is interested in Ann Arbor's Visit Every Park Challenge.  There are 162 city parks, of which after a cursory look, I've been to only about 25. Kathy, challenge accepted.

Michael and I changed our Denver trip dates to November.  There is a Pissarro exhibit opening in late October at the Denver Museum of Art that Michael has an interest in seeing. Makes packing a little easier, since I will only be packing for one season - winter. 

I bought a DIY Miniature House - Cathy's Flower House, which is a little greenhouse. I enjoyed putting the furniture together but found putting all the flower and plant arrangements together tedious. And apparently I am not very good at it. It's a little embarrassing looking at my efforts but I am determined to finish it.

After a two week hiatus, I am returning to my Strength and Balance class tomorrow. March, balance on one leg, stretch...

August 24, 2025

Today is the last day of the Ann Arbor Library's Summer Games. They had an event at the library to celebrate, that included an auction. Kathy and I had a combined point total of about 186,000 points which turned out to be inadequate for bidding on items. Most items went for 250,000 to 300,000 points and a few went for 2-3 million points. Yowser!

Now with both the Metropark Trail Challenge and the Library Summer Games over, I am not sure what Kathy is going to find to do next. Busy, busy, busy...

August 23, 2025

Thursday, Butch, Kathy, and I went to Belle Isle. Kathy had mentioned she had never been.  We visted the Dossin Great Lakes Museum, the Aquarium, and the Conservatory.  Butch pointed out a cormorant he spotted on the shoreline.  We also got some dramatic looking photos of the Nancy Brown Peace Carillion Tower. As always, I enjoyed the beautiful gardens. There is a lot of history at Belle Isle, and it's been nice to see the improvements the state has made to the island's infrastructure since making it a state park in 2014. 

Michael and I drove through Ann Arbor yesterday and I smiled to see that in the area adjacent to campus where the frat and sorority houses are, the girls were sporting bikini tops with short shorts or skirts. Last term, it was short skirts with boots. It does make we wonder who and how these fashion trends get started. And no comment on some of my fashion choices when I was a college student. But in my defense, I was living in Hawaii.

August 20, 2025

As Michael said in one of his social media posts, we are back to reality. Certainly no deep dive into cleaning, but I am caught up on most house chores. And yesterday I tackled getting Bern's canvases off the stretcher bars (with a lot of help from Kathy and Butch) for shipment to Cat.  I've also sent out non-family birthday invites for my 75th and started lists for supplies needed like food ingredients, plasticware, and paper products. With so many things in motion, I decided to start stockpiling items now.

It was coolish today. Michael was nice enough to go to Matheia Botanical Gardens with me so I could photograph plants. I took mostly close ups and am happy with my efforts. A little almost art action.

Michael was contacted by the rowing coach at Skyline High School and is considering coaching again part-time. I get that it's a tough decision as it means giving up some freedom. Coaching is a commitment.

I've been adding the photos from our Douglas adventure to my 2025 photo book. It's always difficult for me to narrow down which photos to include. And to think of something clever to say.

And I spoke to both Leslie and Cat today. Leslie has Covid and was home today. Otherwise, she likely wouldn't have been available to talk. Her grandchildren are doing well. Levi is in third grade, Lily is in ninth grade, and Celina is working as a medical assistant in a hospital. Sadly, Chelsea is still out on the street. Leslie is cleaning homes and still painting ceramics. It was nice talking to her.  Cat called to discuss reimbursement arrangements for shipping her dad's artwork. She enjoyed Lady Gaga's concert. And we talked about working for Nintendo. It pleases me that she is doing so well. I feel lucky to have these wonderful women in my life.

August 16, 2025

Home today. We need to launder our bedding and do some cleaning before taking off. It's only 6am right now and Michael is still snoozing and I plan to get in one last walk as soon as it gets light. 

Yesterday, we soaked in the sun at Oval Beach for about three hours. Lake Michigan may not be the Pacific Ocean but certainly has its own vibe. And for me there is something soothing about the combination of sand, water, and that line on the horizon where the lake meets the sky. 

I will miss John's lovely, comfortable home. I hope we have been respectful guests. 

August 15, 2025

I am losing track of what day it is.  Is this a sign of a good vacation?

On Wednesday, Michael, Sean, Rose, Porter and I headed  to Oval Beach. We had so much gear with us that we ended up taking two cars. We found a good spot close to the shore and set up our little beach tent and chairs. The weather was perfect. Porter had a slow start about going in the water. Her four-year-old reasoning after her bathing suit got wet shortly after we arrived was that she couldn't wear her wet suit to go in the water. So she waited until her suit dryed to go in. We ended up staying at the beach about five hours. And yes, sun protection was reapplied every few hours. Following the beach and showers, we ate dinner at Pumpernickel's in Saugatuck. 

Yesterday morning, our Chicago family packed up and returned home.  And the house seemed suddenly quiet.  They headed home early primarily because Porter starts school next week and they have an opportunity for Porter to visit her classroom and to meet her teacher today.

Also yesterday, Michael and I decided to head to Holland for the day. We visited Windmill Island Gardens and toured the De Schwann, the only authentic Dutch windmill operating in the United States. The grounds are beautifully landscaped and I imagine visiting in the Spring when the tulips are in bloom is spectacular. We also took a short walk through Holland's downtown area and I was surprised to see that both street and lot parking was free.

We ate dinner at Phil's last night and our plan is to try to eat up the leftovers from this past week tonight. We return to Ann Arbor tomorrow morning.

August 14, 2025

Yesterday turned out to be a beautifil day to be at Oval Beach.

August 13, 2025

I continue to feel gratitude that my family is able to enjoy our friend John's spatious and comfortable home in Douglas. 

I ended up making spaghetti for dinner Sunday might. And yes, we did head to Oval Beach after dinner to watch the sunset. Unfortunately, the sun was obscured by clouds. But Porter had a great time running in and out of the waves along the shoreline.

Rose had to work on Monday so we decided to postpone going to the beach. Instead Sean, Porter and I headed up Blue Star Highway to Saugatuck Minigolf, where Porter quickly caught on that the goal was to get the ball in each hole. She facilitated this by picking up both hers and our balls after we teed off at each hole, placing it on the edge of the hole, and putting it in. The plus to her technique was that my fears that we would hold up other players were dissipated as we moved swiftly from hole to hole. Porter's first trip to Burger King followed golf, where we cooled off, and rehydrated. 

Kathy arrived at the Douglas house while we were golfing. Monday evening, we all, with the exception of Michael, went to the Southern, a restaurant in Saugatuck for dinner.  Food was decent, but we were disappointed by their grits, making me question the authenticity of their southern cooking. Not that I am an expert. Regardless, I noted their parking lot was full when we left so it's a popular dining destination.

Following dinner, Michael, Kathy, and I returned to Oval Beach to photograph the sunset, which turned out to be spectacular.

At about midnight, several storms passed through bringing rain, thunder, and lightning. The rain continued on and off through Tuesday (yesterday). Kathy headed back to Ann Arbor. For the rest of us, going to the beach was postponed again. Instead we browsed Saugatuck's downtown shops, which included a stop at the Saugatuck Drug Store Soda Fountain. We all enjoyed sitting on their red stools eating ice cream, fries, and chicken strips at the counter. And Sean and Michael introduced Porter to the deliciousness of dipping hot salty fries in chocolate ice cream. 

Saugatuck has a nice playground area that Porter seemed to enjoy. And then it was back to the house to chill. The Douglas house has a small barn behind it with a shop and storage area on the lower level, and a playroom on the second level.  The 2nd level space is set up with a TV, couch, cozy chairs, a few small beds, a loft area, and a bathroom. It's evident from the toys and games in the room, John's grandson spends time there when his daughter visits.  And Porter loves it. She repeatedly has requested in her few days here, to go upstairs to watch cartoons and hang out on its comfy red chairs.

Last night I made tacos and rice for dinner. And today, we hope to head to the beach later this morning. It looks like it's going to be a beautiful day.

August 10, 2025

We arrived in Douglas yesterday afternoon and got settled into John's Campbell house, which is pretty great. John has a style I really apprecate. His homes reflect a midmodern and craftsman mix.  Lots of natural light, natural materials, and clean lines. 

And of course, we went to Phil's for an early dinner. Where I was surprised Michael didn't order their popular fried chicken. Saugatuck was extremely busy. Finding a parking space felt like winning the lottery.  Following dinner, we made a quick stop at the grocery store to pick up a few essentials - like milk and stuff for dinner tonight.  I am thinking maybe tacos?

We then took a walk to Douglas Beach. The stairs from the road down to the beach left me breathless - and not from the view of the lake, which was beautiful, by the way. There are simply a lot of stairs. Michael went in the water and reported it was gravelly and rocky - maybe not so great for Porter. Oval Beach it is.

Sean, Rose, and Porter arrive today and like us I suspect will want to take time to get settled.  I am not certain what Michael and I will do until they get here. I think my one goal is maybe going to Lake Michigan this evening to catch the sunset or full moon. High hopes?

August 7, 2025

In a nod to Robert Duvall's quote in Appocalypse Now,  I love the smell of cat poop in the morning. Especially at 4 am.

August 6, 2025

I was thinking about food insecurity last night. I and I believe most of my family are doing okay and even enjoy occasional meals in restaurants. Which makes it difficult for me to hear one of my brothers describing going without proper nutrition due to a lack of funds or an inability to do a major shop because he can only buy what he can carry in his backpack. And it reminds me of some of the lean times Mom experienced feeding us when we lived in North Platte. I am not sure where I am going with this other than to say it concerns me. 

And speaking of food, I headed to our community pool this evening for dinner. Wednesday is our neighborhood's food truck day. Tonight's venue was Touch of Honey: All Soul and I admittedly enjoyed my spicy fried chicken sandwich. A few thousand calories later...

Air quality is slowly improving as winds shift.  But we are not out of the woods yet.

August 5, 2025

Our new family room furniture was delivered today. We went with leather upholstery this time, which is a first for us. And now I feel the need to accessorize, which resulted in an Amazon purchase of a Navajo print rug and similarly designed throw pillow covers. It was time for a room refresh and I am liking the new look. 

We have been dealing with smoke from the Canadian wild fires for the past few weeks. I haven't noticed any breathing issues, but my eyes have been even dryer and more scratchy than usual. I've been keeping my eye drops close by.

Kathy, Butch, and I have continued attending the Strength and Balance class at the rec building (unless we have a conflict). I really love Colleen, the instructor. And I feel like the class has been beneficial to me. I've seen improvements to both my cardio fitness and balance.  I have also grown fond of many of the class's participants, especially Joe and Jack, who are both in their 80s. It gives me hope.

While I haven't packed any clothing yet, I have amassed a  growing pile of groceries, towels, and other items in preparation for our trip to Lake Michigan.  We plan to head to Douglas on Saturday and the Chicago Doves said they will arrive on Sunday. Should be a relaxing week of sun, sand, and family time.

August 3, 2025

If Sean had been a girl, there is a chance I would have named her Summer Marie. I thought of this because a former co-worker has a granddaughter named Autumn Rose. Another beautiful seasonal name the old hippy in me responds to.

I made meatloaf for dinner tonight and just realized I forgot to put the milk in it. I am trying to decide if I should take the loaf out of the fridge and mix the milk in before cooking it later. Or accept it's going to be dry...

Our current couch has a new home in the basement in preparation for the new couch getting delivered on Tuesday. I predict Michael may be spending more time downstairs watching TV. 

August 1, 2025

It's August already - sadly summer is fading. Fortunately, we have a planned week in the Saugatuck/Douglas area a week from now, which should give us some much needed beach time. And a big thanks to the very generous friend that is letting us use his vacation home. Sean, Rose, and Porter plan to join us. Kathy has also mentioned she may visit 1-2 days while we are there. I am hoping the weather cooperates.

Cooler weather today made for nice walking temperatures. Michael and I headed to Huron Dexter Metropark, and depending on whose watch you look at, we walked somewhere between 2-3.5 miles. We stopped at Casey's on the way home. One Long Island Iced Tea later...

I believe our new family room couch and chair are scheduled for delivery on Tuesday. I also made arrangements for the Habitat Restore to pick my armchair about three weeks from now. Michael reconfigured our couch into a loveseat and plans to put it and our ottoman in the open space in our basement. We still need to dispose of two sofa cushions and the center section of the couch.

After a few unsuccessful attempts giving Kali her medication, Michael found that breaking her pill in half, putting the halves in pill pockets, and covering the pockets with butter seems to be working. At least for now, she thinks she is getting treats. I bought transdermal medication as a back-up, as I suspect there will be days she rejects  what Michael calls her butter balls. And speaking of Kali, I suspect it will take time for her to adjust to the new couch. She currently has her own space on one end of the couch.

July 29, 2025

Just had that moment of making egg salad to make a sandwich only to recall I threw the bread away yesterday due to mold. Hello, hamburger bun, my old friend.

July 28, 2025

Butch, Kathy, and I completed the last six trail kiosks for the Huron-Clinton Metropark Trail Challenge yesterday. We visited three parks, each with two trail challenges. We started at Lake St Clair. The first challenge kiosk was on a trail just off the parking lot in the Daysail area, so an easy walk. The second was a bit of a walk to the end of Huron Point. We were rescued by a friendly shuttle driver who drove us fairly close to the kiosk, waited for us, and then drove us back to our parking lot.  I felt like I was cheating a little, but not enough to decline the ride. 

From Lake St Clair, we headed northwest to Wolcott Mill. And discovered there were several entrances. Thanks to directions from a kind woman at the Farm Center, we finally found the trails at the third parking lot we tried, which was also the location of Wolcott Mill and Historic Center. The mill was an old grist and feed mill, which closed in 1967,  and opened as part of the park in 1989. The first trail kiosk was in the area of the mill. The second kiosk was on the 2.75 mile Settler's trail loop, which winded uphill to the Clinton River. Midway, we turned right instead of left where the trail forked, and ended up on the wrong trail. We backtracked and after a bit of a climb and lots of mosquitoes, found the kiosk. In the process, we added an extra mile to our journey.

Or final destination was Stony Creek.  Again, finding the correct parking lots proved challenging. The first kiosk was at Eastwood Beach, conveniently located adjacent to the access road. I believe this is the same area as one of the regattas the Pioneer Crew participated in. The second marker was located on a mountain biking trail on the other side of the lake. We never did find parking lot F - we just knew that the kiosk was at Sheldon Trails, along the Rollercoaster Trail where it meets with Snake Trail at intersection 8. Say what?!!  A helpful mountain biker gave us directions to what he called the "bench."  It turned out to be long walk on windy, rutted uphill mountain biking paths in very hot, humid, and buggy conditions. We survived and high-fived each other at successfully completing all  eighteen trails at the thirteen Metroparks we visited. We also discovered only sixteen other people have also accomplished this. Not bad for three seniors just wanting to have a little fun this summer.  Total mileage today was 6.5 miles.

We ended up stopping for a late lunch on the way home at the Brown Iron Brewhouse in Washington, MI. A big thanks to April, who gamely hiked with us at Wolcott Mill, and then patiently waited in the car while we did our last trail in Stony Creek. It was a long hot day!

Today's activities took Kathy and I to the Rec Center, followed by a trip to Target,  where my biggest challenge was just saying no to all the cute stuff I saw.  Although I did come home with a tropical print skirt that I am now in the process of shortening. I'll report on my experience sewing again after several months.

July 26, 2025

I found this NYT crossword puzzle clue amusing: when squirrels may thermoregulate by splooting. And I remember the first time I saw a squirrel splooting and thought what the hell... By the way, the answer is overheating.

I've started packing for our Douglas vacay - beach towels, paper towels, and some non-perishable food items so far. I am looking forward to some beach time with family.  Also, I have to admit I've always enjoyed the vibe in the Sagatuck/Douglas area - the shops, the galleries and Phil's, of course. 

I am also slowly catching up on house chores - laundry, bathroom clean-ups, cat litter stuff, etc. I also ordered a Prednisolone Transdermal solution for Kali in hopes that it will be easy to apply and is a good substitute for the tablets we have only had partial success getting her to take.

Tomorrow morning, Butch, Kathy, and I are heading to the Lake St Clair Metropark to continue the Metropark trail challenge. It's been several weeks since we have participated so I am looking forward to getting back in the game. Fun, fun, fun.

July 23, 2025

As I locked up the house prior to going to bed, these words came to me as I watched fireflies flitting on the sliding glass doors facing our backyard.

My eyelids are heavy, it’s time to sleep.

And then I glance up to see

Fireflies dancing on the window pane.

Like little signal lights,

Welcoming me home. 

And my heart knows it is in the right place.

I headed to the rec building this morning with Kathy - it's time to get back to my morning routine. It was good to start working out again.

I was in contact with John H. today about his home in Douglas, which he sharing with us for a week in August. As I thanked him for his incredible generosity, he responded, Enjoy the place. I built it for people to make memories. And I thought how wonderful it is to have people like him in our lives.

July 22, 2025

There and back again... I feel like I lost an entire day of my life. In part because of the hours lost crossing time zones. Seatac was incredibly busy when I got dropped off by the Uber driver this morning. Fortunately the flight went smoothly.  And it was nice to see Michael again. And Kali. I am home. 

“I would rather share one lifetime with you than face all the ages of this world alone.”  J.R.R. Tolkien

July 21, 2025

I stole a sweatshirt from Ellen's closet to add an extra layer of warmth and braved the chilly temps this morning. I returned to North Rose Hill Woodlands Park and was treated to the sight of a hummingbird flitting about. I was on the phone with Michael at the time and he mocked me a little for expressing my delight at seeing this tiny bird, like it's an everyday sight.  Regardless, I am looking forward to coming home to my sometimes contrary husband tomorrow. 

With Cat at work, I tried to stay close in case Ellen needed anything. That said, I am still on track to return home tomorrow. I wish her and Cat the best.

July 20, 2025

No walk this morning, it was only 52 degrees. I waited till early afternoon. I took a few photos of flowers and then spotted a pear tree a few blocks from Ellen and Cat's place with cute little green pears on it.

This morning Cat and I went to Target to pick up a few items. There is something comfortable about Target stores, no matter where. I also stopped at McDonalds for a Big Mac meal, which was a nice change. Ellen's neighbor dropped off a chicken and rice casserole a few days ago, which I have been eating, and was getting tired of. So far my driving gig hasn't been too bad.

Cat just headed out to Seattle for the evening with a group of her friends. I think it's a gaming related thing.

One more day. 

July 19, 2025

This morning's walk took me to the North Rose Hill Woodlands Park, a small park in a pleasant residential area that has a few wooded paths crossing through it. When I looked at the map later, I realized I was fairly close to Costco. It was relatively chilly this morning - temps were only in the fifties, making me wish I had put another layer of clothing on. The sleeveless tee, long sleeve tee, and windbreaker I was wearing wasn't quite enough.

I returned to Costco this morning with Cat to pick up a few items for Ellen and ended up purchasing more Portuguese sausage. Kathy may need to make space for me in her freezer. Interestingly, a conversation with Cat revealed that she is not comfortable driving Ellen's car because of how it handles. The word bulky was used. Rather ironic, in my opinion. It turns out I'm okay driving it. My only reservation is a visibility issue due to my short stature. Parking is a bit of a challenge, for example. You have to be short, I believe, to know what I am talking about. I'm certain Kathy knows what I am trying to say.

Cat has gone out with friends today so poor Ellen has only me to rely on. So far the day has gone well.  The most difficult challenge so far has been putting on her compression socks.

Two more days.

July 18, 2025

I walked to the Kirkland Costco this afternoon. It is a little more than a mile from Ellen and Cat's condo. It was not a pleasant walk - lots of noisy traffic, both road and sidewalk construction, and not many businesses of interest along the way. Animal hospitals, dentist offices, and auto supply stores are in abundance. There is also a Safeway and a Walgreens. Resturants include Subway, Little Ceasars, Pub 85, Tres Hermanos, McDonalds, and Taco Time. And Gospel Spa - the name baffles me.They offer Asian style massages. My reason for  going to Costco was I wanted to see if they sold Portuguese Sausage. The answer is yes and it was priced at $10 for a 4 pack of Purity brand. It made me regret purchasing Redondo sausage at Uwajimaya for $9.49 each. I may borrow Ellen's car to return to Costco to pick-up more sausage. The thought of lining the bottom of my suitcase with frozen sausages amuses me.

Ellen seems to be managing well and is able to use her walker to get around the house. She reports, she is experiencing more pain today than yesterday. Her daughter Cat is taking wonderful care of her, which is nice to see. I leave on Tuesday. 

July 17, 2025

Ellen's surgery this morning was successful and she was released this afternoon. I am hoping Ellen's recovery goes smoothly. I suspect she will be in a a great deal of pain for the next few days and will need assistance getting up.

I am, however, feeling a little defensive about my driving because despite safely making two trips to the hospital today without incident, there was a fair amount of over-direction from both her and Cat. And yes, I realize they were just trying to be helpful.

It was a bit cooler here today and I was glad that I was able to get a short walk in after the first drive to the hospital early this morning. I am still roughly on EST, so have been waking at about 4am and plan to try to get a walk in at first light tomorrow. I am missing my gym routine.

July 16, 2025

I arrived in Redmond yesterday to help my ex-sister-in-law with driving and other chores post a medical procedure she is having tomorrow. I was able to walk early this morning and must admit I've enjoyed being able to see the mountains off in the distance. She and her daughter (my niece) live in a nice area.

I have some regrets about missing the Ann Arbor art fair, which starts tomorrow, as I was interested in visiting an artist's booth that I have purchased from before. Also Joe is still in town and I enjoyed his company at the fair a few years ago and was looking for a repeat.

There is not much else going on in my life right now other than feeling a little off about not being home.

July 12, 2025

I spent most of the day catching up on house chores. This included a date with Kali's disgusting litter pan and catching up on laundry. I also had an early lunch with Kathy at Achilles and later dinner with Butch, Joe, Michael, and Kathy at Seva.

Michael and I have encountered difficulties getting Kali's prednisolone pills into her. I spoke to her vet today about alternatives to pills. She mentioned the possibility of giving her injections instead. There is also a topical cream available but it's not available at our vet's office.  I've decided to put making a decision on this kitty conundrum on hold until I return from Seattle. Kali is fading away...

July 11, 2025

Overheard in the weight room at the rec center this morning. Two men were talking and one admitted that he moved the peg on the weight machines when he was done using them so that the next person using the machines would believe he was lifting more weight than he actually did. Alrighty...

Joe arrived from Pittsboro yesterday. He is staying at Butch's house. Today, Butch, Michael, Joe, and I headed into downtown Ann Arbor. We visited UMMA first. And I really enjoyed my brothers' and my husband's commentaries about various art pieces. Our next stop was Panera for lunch. We spent some time there waiting out a rain storm that was passing through. Our final stop was the Natural History Museum, where we checked out the exhibit Visions of the Postnatural.  Which required the use of 3D glasses and led to comments about pink eye, as the glasses were not sanitized between visitors.      

On the way home, we dropped by Kathy's house and ended up staying for pizza and salad.  A nice day with family. Tomorrow, Joe and Butch are participating in One Helluva Ride. I am hopeful that we can all get together later for dinner.

July 8, 2025

The house is quiet. I miss our tiny person and how much she makes me smile.

I am feeling a little bad.  I took the geranium that's in a hanging planter on the front porch down to clip off all the dead blossoms and there was a lot of dead looking material in the center of the plant. As I pulled it all out, I realized it was probably nesting material. My apologies to any birds whose home is now destroyed. 

In other plant news, my gardenia is blooming. It smells like Hawaii.

Kathy and I completed two additional library Summer Games badges today - County Farm Park and UMMA. We still have two more destination badges to do from last week's badge drop - both challenges are at the downtown library. Maybe we will get to them within the next few days.  This has been a fun activity to do and I've realized it's not something I would have done without a partner. So a big thanks to Kathy for participating with me.

Speaking of games, we are also participating in a Metro Park Trail Challenge with Butch. It's been on hold for the past month and I'm eager to get back to it.  It is more of a commitment because unlike the library game, which is local, the last three  Metro Parks we need to visit are a distance away. 

As far as I know, Joe is still on tract to arrive later this week. He and Butch are participating in One Helluva Ride on Saturday. And I am still on tract to go to Redmond on Tuesday to help Ellen out after her hip surgery on the 17th. 

Kali had her annual vet visit today. The vet drained her cyst, trimmed her nails, and represcribed prednisolone to reduce inflammation in her gut. Unfortunately, she's lost more weight. It's hard not to feel sorry for her.

July 7, 2025

Today is Sean's 46th birthday. And it gives me a lot of happiness that he, Rose, and Sean were here this past weekend. It gave me an opportunity to make him a special meal and a birthday cake. But most importantly to spend a few days with him and his family. Porter as always gives me a look at what pure love looks like. 

The Chicago Doves arrived Friday evening (July 4th) just wanting to chill after the drive from Chicago. I made a simple meal of tacos and rice. Later Porter, Rose, and I headed down the street to watch one of my neighbors shoot off fireworks - mostly fountains and bottle rockets. Several neighbors with younger kids had gathered and it was cute to see Porter making herself at home on the walkway by their front porch. When we returned to our house, it was starting to get dark and Porter and I sat in the backyard watching the fireflies putting on their own July 4th show. We also checked out the moon and the stars that had just started to become visible. With all the noise from fireworks, the excitement of being somewhere else, and rediscovering all the toys and craft supplies in her bedroom here, it was impossible to put Porter to bed. She stayed up long past her bedtime hanging out and watching the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse with Mom, Dad, Poppop, and Grampy. 

Despite her late night, Porter woke up surprisingly early Saturday morning. And announced that she and I would be coloring rainbow flowers for the next hour. Porter hung our artwork, by the way, on the refrigerator. She also dicovered the crunchy deliciousness of Frosted Krispies and I soon found the family room rug covered with little Krispies. Snap, crackle, pop...  Fortunately my little cordless Dyson was up for the job.  When Sean and Rose finally made an appearance, we headed to Target as Sean wanted to buy a new bathing suit. Purchases were made and we headed home to eat dinner leftovers  before heading to the Buhr Park pool. There is a tot splash pool at Buhr that is a shallow basin with several water features, including fountains and falling water. Porter was a bit tentative at first but once she got acclimated, enjoyed splashing in the fountains and falling water.

I had made a big dinner for Sean's upcoming birthday of many of Nanu's family favorites - beachcomber ribs, noodles with veggies, rice, gau gee, and mac salad (which I forgot to take out of the fridge). I don't often make these dishes because of the amount of prep, but it's always worth it to enjoy this little taste of Hawaii.

Sunday morning, we went to the Northside for an early lunch before heading to downtown Ann Arbor. Porter expressed her disappointment about the lack of chicken nuggets/strips - apparently their children's menu was, well, no longer on the menu. We decided to head home after lunch instead of downtown because of the heat. Michael set up the sprinkler for Porter to play in and she enjoyed splashing around with her Poppop. She also played with bubbles and was soon covered in suds and needed to be hosed down. We ate leftovers for dinner followed by birthday cake and ice cream.

Sean and Rose took advantage of having live-in grandparents to go out for the evening. Porter was surprisingly amenable about bedtime - put her PJs on, used the potty, brushed her teeth, and selected some books to read.  Five books later, we said our goodnights and I left her to sleep.  Five to ten minutes later, I heard her tiny voice calling to Poppy that she couldn't sleep. Poppy and Porter soon showed up in the family room. She announced that she had slept and it was now morning because it was light out and that she needed some breakfast as she was hungry. It was 8:30pm and due to daylight savings, it was still light out, so she wasn't wrong about that. I made her a waffle, which to her credit, she did eat. She then snuggled beside me in my chair with my iPad to color, while I worked on a crossword puzzle. After about an hour, she said she was ready to go to bed.

It is now Monday. We spent the morning playing with Porter and eating pancakes. And then they were gone and the clean-up began. Toys were returned to Porter's room. And I vacuumed the family room, marveling at the amount of Rice Krispies that littered the floor.  It was nice having Sean, Rose, and Porter here for the past few days. And I am already looking forward to meeting them in Douglas in August.

July 2, 2025

I decided to weed our front walkway today only to abandon this endeavor after five minutes of weediing. With no shade, it was too hot to weed.

On Sunday, I joined Kathy, Butch, and April for a visit to Chelsea for a matinee performance of Bert and Trixie Go to the Vet at the Purple Rose Theater. I suspect any dog owners in the audience could relate to Bert and Trixie's antics. Following the play, we ate dinner at the Common Grill.  It was nice to get out with family.

On Monday, Kathy and I earned three additional Summer Game badges from the Ann Arbor Library. It involved us walking around downtown Ann Arbor for two of the badges looking for clues - some more cryptic than others. We also drove out to the Fox Mission Nature Preserve, which was not only a badge location, but also a former gravel pit. So very little shade and lots of rocks.  And also a place I didn't know existed. We walked approximately five miles total. Kathy says the Summer Games have been a great way for her to learn about places in Ann Arbor.  So let the games continue.

Kathy left for North Carolina this morning to visit her former work ladies. Sounds like a  good time. She is expected home on Monday, July 7.

In other travel news, the Chicago Doves arrive Friday, July 4 and  I believe Joe arrives next Thursday, July 10. And I depart for Seattle on Tuesday, July 15. 

June 28, 2025

Yesterday, Michael and I joined Butch and April for a trip to Toledo to visit the Toledo Museum of Art. Michael was interested in the Rachel Ruysch exhibit. The museum also has a nice collection of contemporary art, with an impressive Larry Poons painting (Tantrum II - 66X162 inches). A very enjoyable day of looking at art in air conditioned comfort.

I woke up this morning to a much more temperate day. Temps only hit the 80's so it was a nice reprieve after several sweltering days. Kathy and I took advantage of the comfortable temps and went for a walk in the Arb this morning. Admittedly, we were motivated because the Arb is the subject of one of the Ann Arbor Library's Summer Game badges. I have not been to the Arb in several years and it's a great place to walk and enjoy the beauty of nature. Following the Arb, we visited Buhr Park, also a location that is part of the Summer games. It's located in our old neighborhood and we were frequent park users back in the day. I took a look at the pool's splash pool and thought it might be something Porter might enjoy. Sean spent many summer days at the Buhr Park Pool.

I finally did some much needed weeding in the back yard and realize I barely made a dent.  The weeds are winning.

I also spoke to Bern today - there was a lot of reminiscing about his years in Ann Arbor and how much the city has changed. Something old folks do?

June 26, 2025

This has been an interesting weather week - heat, rainstorms, and more heat to come. 

Yesterday, Kathy and I spent the day working on the library's Summer Games. We started by visiting the Kelsey Museum of Archeology, and from there we went to the University of Michigan's Museum of Art. Then it was a stroll down Main Street to visit a few participating businesses. We shared a sandwich and had drinks at Old Town, followed by a dessert of samples at Cherry Republic.  We then cruised a few neighborhoods on our way home looking for yard signs.  Kathy had an interest in an  event at the downtown library, so we ventured out a second time around 5:30pm. We earned a few additional badges and points by finding Eli, the library's director, and looking for point signs in the venue for the event. We ended the day, by stopping at Monty's on the way home for drinks and an appetizer.  A long satisfying day...

Today, we had another rainstorm. Kathy had reporting flooding on her patio and her garage from yesterday's storms, so Michael and I headed over to check the water flow from the rain. Michael documented where the water was pooling so Kathy could forward the info to Reid - the guy who put in her patio, patio drain, and landscaping. I have no idea, however,  if he will take any responsibility for the grading issues.

June 22, 2025

I picked up my laptop from the Briarwood Apple store today. It's nice to have it back! There is value to having all your sites bookmarked and for user names and passwords to automatically populate. 

And now that I have my laptop back, I worked on collecting a few of the library's Summer Game badges today. And found myself stumped on a few of the puzzles I tried. Not sure where I am going wrong, but may have to stick to the ones for the kids for now. 

The heat continues and even I who can normally sit outside for hours, sought the cooler temps in the house after about an hour. And to avoid heating up the house, dinner was simple tonight. Leftover corn, a few brats (air fried), and salad. I have a feeling I may be grocery shopping tomorrow for more salad greens and a few other items that don't need a lot of prep.

Sean facetimed us today and Porter seems to have developed an interest in math. Particularly addition. So if you have two apples, and add ten more, and then add twenty-six more, and then a hundred more...  I asked what she would do with all those apples and she said she'd put them on a tray.  Sean says she relentlessly quizzes him in the car with little math related story problems.  They have also been spending more time at the beach, which Porter seems to enjoy. While I still wished she was more comfortable with pools, I am glad she enjoys going to the lake.

June 21, 2025

Kathy and I have been busy with the library's Summer Game. We visited the Traverwood Library yesterday - the last of the five Ann Arbor libraries. Today we collected a few badges by visiting Gallop Park and the Scrap Box. It's been fun looking for clues and signs.

Last night Michael and I went to Knights Downtown for dinner, then headed to the Ann Arbor Summer Fest to watch the group Squonk:Brouhaha. We ended the evening with a visit to Dairy Queen for ice cream cones. A nice evening with the Doveman.  Kind of like a real date. ;)

We are also experiencing extreme heat. Temps will be in the 90's for several days. We have closed up our house, turned the AC to 75 degrees, and turned on our ceiling fan to keep air circulating - and its comfortable. Plans to hit up any metro parks tomorrow with Butch, Kathy, and April, however, have been put on hold beacsue of the heat.

Hot town, summer in the city 

Back of my neck gettin' dirty and gritty 

Been down, isn't it a pity? 

Doesn't seem to be a shadow in the city…

June 19, 2025

I dropped my laptop off at the Apple Store this morning for a battery replacement. I didn't realize it takes 3-5 business days, so I am now without my laptop until next week. I am going through withdrawals.

Following my Apple Store experience, I visited Macy's. Much to my surprise, I ordered a living room couch and a chair. As much as I love our Burrow's ordered-during-the-pandemic furniture, it is starting to look a little worn. It doesn't help that it has a few barf stains from our sweet little Kali. I am not sure what we will do with our current furniture when the new items are delivered.

June 18, 2025

Michael and I decided to skip going out for our anniversary this year, so I will not be rebooking a table at the Earle. His words were, "that ship has sailed."  So be it.

Kathy and I have joined another challenge - the Ann Arbor District Library's Summer Games 2025. This involves collecting codes from the five Ann Arbor libraries, yard signs, and business signs throughout the city. Kathy and I have already visited four of the five libraries and collected codes from several yards in our neighborhood. The codes, once entered, earn points toward prizes. Another fun summer activity for us old retirees. It's amusing, however, to be looking for codes at the libraries with 6-10 year-olds, who are always excited to share sign locations with us. And vice versa.

Our Metro Park Trail Challenge has been put on hold until April finishes work this week, so she can participate with us. We still have three parks to visit, which I am looking forward to. 

I just received a call from Ellen asking me if I'd travel to Seattle to help her with driving and other needs as she is having hip surgery in mid-July. I need to determine when the Chicago Doves plan to visit before saying yes. Unfortunately, the target dates will mean missing the Ann Arbor Art Fair, which I always enjoy going to. Certainly not the end of the world!

Summer storms are bringing heavy rains and wind this evening. It was a dark and stormy night...

June 15, 2025

I cancelled our dinner reservation at the Earle. Instead Michael ordered Five Guys and we watched The Gentlemen. Just a chill night for two oldsters and a box of kleenex. A reminder that it's not always how we celebrate milestones like anniversaries and birthdays, it's who we are with. And after 53 years of marriage, it was a nice evening home.

Michael seems to be on the rebound today. I made breakfast this morning and then headed to Kathy's. Michael showed up and we ended up assembling and setting up both her patio umbrella and her bird bath. Her backyard and patio look nice and has a tranquil feel. Michael spent a few hours at the pool this afternoon. And I made dinner tonight - all and all a nice Father's Day. 

June 13, 2025

Friday the 13th...   I am getting a bit concerned Michael and I will not be celebrating our 53rd Anniversary at the Earle tomorrow evening. While I am feeling fairly decent, Michael is not.  And I believe we'd both appreciate dinner out more if we both feel well. And I'm okay postponing to another evening.

I am used to neighborhood cats visiting our back porch and peering through our sliding glass doors into the family room. Tonight, we had another visitor. A baby bunny was spying on us, and it was one of the cutest things I've seen since moving here. And a reminder of one of my favorite children's books.

“But very soon he grew to like it, for the Boy used to talk to him, and made nice tunnels for him under the bedclothes that he said were like the burrows the real rabbits lived in. And they had splendid games together, in whispers, when Nana had gone away to her supper and left the night-light burning on the mantelpiece. And when the Boy dropped off to sleep, the Rabbit would snuggle down close under his little warm chin and dream, with the Boy’s hands clasped close round him all night long.”    (The Velveteen Rabbit by Marjorie Williams)

June 12, 2025

Ugh, woke up at 4am this morning in the scary part of a version of my recurring dream. Interestingly, one element in the dream mirrored the Metro Park Trail challenge Butch, Kathy, and I are participating in. Except I am alone, it's dark, and I have no phone.  I believe I also lost my shoes. And when I tried to fall back asleep, dream me entered the same dark space that woke me me. I read for awhile and then listened to music until 6am. Distraction helps.

In good news, most of my cold symptoms are gone except for an occasional cough. Michael is still shunning me but I get it as he seems to be fighting something himself. And his version of sick is often worse than mine.

Nice weather prevails. I did a little yard work today only to decide I wasn't really into it. I finished all the NYT crosswords and games instead. I still haven't mastered NYT's Connections game. My success rate is 55%. If truth be told, I am also guilty of looking up clues all the time when doing the crossword puzzle. My rationalization is that it is still a learning experience.

It always makes me a little sad to lose plants - today it was the second of two large lavender plants that didn't survive this past winter.  Michael feels they got too woody from improper pruning, so maybe their deaths are on me. I am also a bit disappointed in the last pot of succulents I have.  It is super leggy and straggly looking. It probably needs to be cut back, but I am afraid of killing it. At one time I had eight pots of succulents so this is the sole survivor and I will be disheartened to see it go. One solution is to cut the tops off and try to root them and start over. It will take courage on my part but maybe it's time. 

June 10, 2025

My nasal drip has developed into what I am guessing is a cold. The drip stopped yesterday and I now have a cough. I've tried to continue my normal activities and both walked and worked out yesterday and this morning. But at about 2 pm this afternoon, I hit a "wall" of sorts and laid down for about 30 minutes. Due to a lack of energy, most projects are now on hold. Fortunately, no fever so far.

I've been looking for a quilting class. Unfortunately, the only place I've found classes so far is a sewing store on Jackson Road, which is longer commute than I'd like. I'll keep looking for now. I've been feeling unfocused for some time now and believe getting involved in something like quilting might be good for me. Many other projects I've pursued has left me with a lot of items I've made and no place for them to go. I have several beaded bracelets, for example, that I have made over the years, that have been in a box in my room for the same number of years. Ditto on a few sewing projects. I may be wrong, but I believe that quilts may actually be something family members might appreciate receiving as gifts. 

June 8, 2025

This morning, Sean, Porter, Michael, and I ate breakfast at the Breakfast House. Rose had an engagement.  I was amused by the restaurant's salt & pepper shakers. There was a different pair on each table - our set was red peppers, but there were also various farm animals, and my favorite, two eggs. No worries, I am not planning on starting a salt & pepper shaker collection. 

We are now back in Ann Arbor chilling with Kali. It's good to be back, but I loved spending time with the Chicago Doves, especially little Porter. I try hard not to laugh when she misbehaves but she does come up with some good reasons. Last night, her parents asked her to pick up and put away her toys. She had been pretending the floor was lava (often a pretend game on Bluey) and explained that her toys were on fire and she didin't want to burn her hands. Hard to reason with that.

Yesterday, Rose, Porter, and I spent a few hours at Chopin Park. They have a splash pad and I was amused to see Porter strip down in an effort to not get her clothes wet. I suspect a few of the other parents were not as amused. 

Rose made chicken enchiladas for dinner with chips and guacamole that she had purchased at a Mexican store. I don't know what brand they were but they some of the best tortilla chips I have ever had. Her enchiladas were delicious as well, so a big thanks to Rose for a great dinner.

Unfortunately, I noticed on the drive home some nasal drip. I am hoping it doesn't develop into anything that curtails my activities for the coming week.

June 7, 2025

Chicago! Well actually, Michael and I are in Portage Park. We arrived to an empty house around 2pm. Michael did yardwork, while I tried to assemble the small trampoline I bought Porter for her birthday in March. It turned out to be a two-person job for a few of the steps but it's together and in the garage currently. When Porter arrived home from daycare, she gave it a try. It looks like good exercise and fairly safe. It's low to the ground and there is a safety bar. No guarantees, of course, that the safety bar will be used.

Last night, we ate dinner at Old Irving Brewing Company. I would describe their menu as eclectic bar food. A laid back spot for a casual meal.

I am currently binging Bluey with Porter. She selected two rub-on tattoos for me and two for her. We are both styling. And just think, we still have the whole day ahead of us.

June 4, 2025

Butch, Kathy, and I made it to three Metro Parks this morning - Indian Springs, Kensington, and Huron Meadows. Each park very different. I continue to enjoy this activity. It's a great way to spend time outside with my siblings doing something interesting. Although today, I did pick up a little hitchhiker. I discovered a tick wandering around on the back of my neck by my hairline. I don't have a lot of experience with ticks, but Butch assured me that if it was still crawling, it is unlikely I was bitten. I will admit examining my legs and arms, however, in search of additional trespassers. 

When we dropped Kathy off, there were several boxes on her front porch, that led to Butch and I helping her assemble a few pieces of her new patio set. She still has an additional four chairs to put together, but we did make a good start.

Michael and I head to Chicago on Friday.  I am looking forward to seeing our little family. 

June 3, 2025

Yesterday's doctor appointment was non-eventful. I am staying the course. Some concerns I had about eating potassium rich foods were dispelled. My higher than normal levels last year were a result of a medication I was taking and not diet related. Hello, bananas and sweet potatos. You are still my friends. 

On Saturday, I attended Elizabeth's (aka Lucky) fifth birthday party with Kathy. Despite windy and cool weather, the kids seemed to have a great time on the playground equipment at Heritage Park. Lucky's Barbie cake made me smile. The doll's cake dress had shifted off it's base so it had a nice tilt to it. And my favorite moments came from watching how much excitement her pre-school mates got watching Lucky open their gifts.  

Today, we celebrated Jerry's birthday (which is actually tomorrow). All six Michigan sibs enjoyed lunch at Bad Brad's BBQ in Livonia. I smiled when the conversation turned to social security - an apt conversation topic for all us oldies. Except for Donna, of course, who is still a sweet young thing.

Tomorrow, Butch, Kathy, and I head to two more Metro Parks (Kensington and Huron Meadows) as part of the trail challenge we are participating in. After these two, the remaining four parks are the ones that are a distance from us - Indian Springs, Lake St. Clair, Stony Creek, and Woolcot Mill.  It's been fun.

May 30, 2025

I woke up this morning at 5 am with abdominal cramps. Cause unknown. 

Temps were comfortable enough today to sit outside for a few hours this afternoon. It was a good psychological boost for me. And it looks like warmer days are in the forecast. Lucky me.

Michael and I went to Zingerman's Roadhouse for dinner tonight and I found myself without much of an appetite despite feeling hungry. They are in the process of renovating their patio area into a much more solid structure with more seating capacity. I've always liked Zingerman's. Their little empire is certainly an Ann Arbor tradition. 

Shannon is hosting a birthday party tomorrow for Lucky. And Kathy organized a birthday luncheon for Jerry on Tuesday. In a time when family seems disjointed, I appreciate these efforts to bring us together. I am looking forward to seeing everone.

May 29, 2025

I just planted some sedum sod around a rock I rescued (okay, I stole it) from Kathy's yard, after it was unearthed during her landscaping project. Sedum is supposed to be hardy to zone 4 so my fingers are crossed that it survives our next winter. I have a pot of a similar looking plant that I leave out all year that seems to be doing okay. I've observed it also provides the chipmunks food when times get tough. I am happy with this year's plant choices in this little planting area. I've tried roses in the past and was always fighting bug infestations. 

I've been enjoying a balance and strength exercise class I take on Tuesday and Thursday mornings  with Butch and Kathy. I'm an uncoordinated mess at times but I like that it includes 15 minutes of cardio and I typically work hard enough to work up a sweat. I continue to walk most mornings as well and try to get in at least two miles a day. Far less than I used to walk, but it seems to be a good maintenance distance and the walking is in addition to the classes or weight training I do three times a week.

I think about my mortality every once in a while and realize what will be will be. One of the 80 year-old plus men in my exercise class mentioned this morning that he'd like to die at home when his time comes. Unless I go quickly, which I'd prefer, I think I'd elect to die at the hospital. The last thing I want is Michael or Sean having to care for me.

May 28, 2025

Butch, Kathy, and I are participating in the Huron-Clinton Metropark Trail Challenge. This challenge requires you to visit all thirteen parks in their network, walk designated trails, confirm your participation by taking selfies in front of trail related signage, and submit the selfies and your locations on-line. Last week, we visited three parks (Hudson Mills, Delhi, and Dexter Huron). Today, we managed to visit an additional four parks (Lower Huron, Oakwoods, Willow, and Lake Erie). I had not been to the four we drove to today.  I am impressed that someone had the foresight to preserve these spaces for future use as park land. I am also happy to have this opportunity to spend time doing something fun with Butch and Kathy. And am looking forward to visiting the remaining six Metro parks. 

Temperatures have continued to be on the cool side. Uisng Michael's theory about the law of averages, we should have warmer than normal temps this summer. Only time will tell. Or the Old Farmer's Almanac?

In preparation for a doctor's appointment next week, I had my A1C checked. I am holding steady at 6.2 since beginning Mounjaro in January 2024. I'll count this as a success.

May 25, 2025

It's Memorial Day weekend. Forestbrook pool opened yesterday and I was hoping for warmer temps, but in the scheme of things, I have nothing to complain about. Today is also the 23rd anniversary of Nanu's death. I decided in memory of her to make a dinner using some of her recipes. Kathy joined us for a feast of beachcomber ribs, mac salad, rice, and noodles with char sui & veggies. And we have plenty of leftovers.

I worked on one of my planting areas today. I added more rosemary, a sweet potato vine, thyme, and coleus. I enjoy putting plants together and hope this latest grouping does well. I also divided a palm that suffered frost damage into two pots and trimmed off all the browning fronds. The palms are looking a little scraggly now but I have high hopes that over the summer they will fill out.

May 21, 2025

I enjoyed a girl's day with Kathy today. We worked out this morning at the rec building, went to Lumin Salon in Saline for haircuts, and finally enjoyed a nice lunch at Salt Springs Brewery, also in Saline. It's nice to have her as a neighbor.  And sister...

I am not certain what is going on with the US Post Office, but I have had two incidences of missing mail in the past few months. In March, I mailed $200 in gift cards to Sean and Rose for their anniversary. I filed a claim when they didin't arrive. Then miraculously they showed up in their mailbox after more than three weeks of being MIA. And then Express Scripts mailed my medication to me on April 30 with an anticipated delivery of May 2. Quite honestly, I forgot about the prescription but when filling my pill keeper realized I only had a week's supply left. I filed a claim with the post office, But then made the decision to physically go to post offive to see if my meds were there. After a 45 minute wait, my meds were located and I was on my way. The good news is that in both of these cases the missing mail was found. The bad news is that it took three weeks. And I find myself wondering if there is a big bin in the back of post office buildings of undelivered mail, that will only get delivered with some prodding from mail recipients. 

I was feeling a bit queasy and cold  and turned the thermostat to 72  for 30 minutes. It helped.

May 20, 2025

It's been cool and rainy this past week. The pool opens on Saturday. The expected high is only 62 degrees. Not exactly pool weather.

Butch, April, Kathy and I went to see Shannon skate at the Masonic Temple Saturday evening. Energy was high and we had a great time. Plus I think Shannon appreciates the support. We girls all bought pricey Detroit Roller Derby Girls T shirts. All and all a good night.

Kathy's backyard landscaping and new patio installation are nearly complete. Her backyard and new patio look great and she is shopping for patio furniture. It's been fun watching her make her house her home. Her lawn took a beating from all the  excavating equipment but hopefully over the next few months, the reseeding will take hold.  One step closer to hosting the next family event.

I've been feeling troubled lately. Over time, I've lost something that is important to me. And my apologies for being cryptic, but it's not something I can talk about other than to say I am sad and struggling.  Hello darkness, my old friend...

May 16, 2025

Just some thoughts on life. I've referenced the summer I turned  pretty in a prior post - it was an epiphany I had some sixty years ago at Warren Dunes State Park and a tiny turning point in my life. I had one long term relationship when I was in the 11th grade. And a short-term infatuation when I was in the 12th grade. Both men are now deceased and took their memories of young me with them.  I think about how we go through life, however, often oblivious of other's feelings, and I wonder at opportunities lost.  But here we are today, living our lives. And I find myself asking if anyone is truly happy.

May 14, 2025

Yesterday,  I bought a Kula Cloth, which is described as the original Antimicrobial Pee Cloth for all the places you go. I am aware that kleenex also works well for these moments but I think that the idea is that this is multi-use and can be washed. And I am someone, who pees regularly in wooded areas while out on hikes. I'll report back after I give it a try. 

Kathy mentioned last week that she sees me as the family matriarch. Is this an oldest sister family thing?

Work began this morning in Kathy's yard. The landscape workers showed up with mini excavators, shovels, and other equipment, and started digging up roots and loading tree branches and other debris into their truck. I do not know how long this job will take, but Michael mentioned it would takes days to do by hand what they did in a hours.  Kathy is also making improvements to her underground drainage system, which should help prevent future flooding. She is also having a larger patio put in. Michael is looking forward to her hosting the next family get-together.  That's a bit of a joke, by the way.

May 12, 2025

I was called stupid today and it reminded me of growing up in a home with a father that made me feel stupid - something that I thought I'd put in the past. I occasionally make iffy decisions, like today, but I'd like to think that doesn't make me stupid. 

Temps hit 80 degrees today and I spent as much time as possible this afternoon on our back patio. I am looking forward to many more days like this one. Summer, I love you...

May 11, 2025

Mother's Day meant more to me when my mother was alive. Nevertheless, I enjoyed breakfast at Mcdonald's with Michael. Then he was off to a regatta at Kensington, while Kathy and I hosted a Mother's Day luncheon at my house. Fortunately it was nice enough to enjoy being outdoors. We ended up with far more food than I originally anticipated. This included spinach lasagna, lemon cookies, and sangria (Elizabeth), mac & cheese (Jerry), deviled eggs and ice cream cake (Donna & Spence), quiches and mimosas (Tricia). To which, Kathy and I added a meat lasagna, garlic bread, salad, chopped veggies, chips/dip, beer, bottled water, and a tropical cocktail. In retrospect, I would not have made the second lasagna. We also played corn hole and bingo. I believe a nice time was had by all.

And much to my surprise, I received flowers and a plant from Kathy, Tricia, and Elizabeth, which I appreciated very much.  Anyway, happy mother's day to all...

May 9, 2025

We are having a Mother's Day luncheon at my house on Sunday. Kathy and I have things under control on our end, and hopefully it's the same for Elizabeth, as she is making one of the entrees, a beverage, and dessert.  And thanks to Kathy, we will be offering entertainment for any cornhole or bingo fans. My only disappointment is Sean, Rose, and Porter will not be here. 

Michael is feeling better and thankfully I've made it through the week so far unscathed. Of course, I have occasional bouts of hypochondria where I think I am getting sick. 

Michael and I have started purchasing outdoor plants for this year planting season. For me, so far it has been geraniums, citronella, chrysanthemums, and rosemary. And for the first time since moving in, I put a hanging basket on our front porch. Michael has invested in herbs and vegetables. And I have been whispering into all their little leaves, live, live, live, my little ones...  Also, all the tropicals that enjoyed a warm winter inside are now all out braving the elements. Michael's hibiscus, which he babied all winter, is looking a little stressed and I am wondering if it's been too cold at night with temps dropping into the 30's. I brought most of "my" tropicals in last night because the news reported an overnight  frost warning. But I will admit, I can be pretty ruthless with plants whose survival I deem iffy. I just pitched a lavender plant and small rosebush that looked like they didn't survive winter.  I may not be the person to ask to make decisions for you if you have a living will. 

May 5, 2015

I have been in close contact with two family members this weekend that have respiratory issues and am hoping my immune system is working overtime to keep me well. There's a Mother's Day shindig at our house on Sunday so I do not have time to be sick. It occurred to be when I was looking at who all has said they will be attending, that more than half are all the result of one brother's lack of birth control several years ago. Just saying.

I caught up with Ellen yesterday.  Despite feeling awkward about disclosing any peronal details, a health issue she has been dealing with seems to be under control. We spoke at length about some genealogy research she has been involved with. She has a paper on Mayflower descendants she collaborated on that is being published, which I believe is a bit of a coup for her. It sounds like Cat has taken an interest in gardening and has been working on plantings in their back patio area. And knowing Cat, I suspect she's been doing a lot of research on plant heights and bloom times.  I'm that person who happily takes orphan plants that people give me, and look at my planting areas, and whisper this is your new home. Please live.

I also spoke to Bern. With temps on the rise, he seems to be getting out more.  Spring has sprung.

I was browsing to see what TV series I may want to watch in the future and noticed there is a new season of You. Yes, please!!  

I have been listening to Mazzie Starr lately on my walks to the rec building and the lyrics to Into Dust really resonate with me.  A few lines: I could possibly be fading. Or have something more to gain. I could feel myself growing older. I could feel myself under your fate. Under your fate.

Yes, I can feel myself growing older...

May 4, 2025 

A rainy cool day. Kathy and I had breakfast at Archilles. We also did a walk about in At Home, which is in a former Kmart store on Washtenaw. I purchased cushions for a few of my outdoor chairs. 

We have had a semi busy weekend. Friday evening, we went to Red Hawk for the last time. They closed for good last night after 33 years - a victim of the effects of the pandemic, rising food costs, and other financial difficulties.  The Red Hawk was our default restaurant when we happened to be in that part of downtown Ann Arbor and will be missed.  Last night Michael, Kathy, and I attended our neighbor's Kentucky Derby party. They had several guests including neighbors (like us) and their co-workers at the University of Michigan. It was fun to see how many of their guests dressed up and/or wore hats. Michael said we were the token old people as most guests were in their thirties and forties.

And I suppose it must be said, may the fourth be with you...

April 29, 2025

There and back again. I am home. Unless you believe that home is one's birthplace?  My nomadic childhood has me often questioning  where my roots are or if I even have roots. I wonder if a journey to each place I have lived would be a nostalgic road of rediscovery. The sight and scent of the tall pines in Fayetteville, Bremerhaven's thick foggy mornings, Saginaw's snowy streets, North Platte's bluffs and plains, Detroit's music and vibe, Honolulu's beaches and mountains - all are a part of of my growing up experience.    

Kali just left my lap after more than three hours. I finally tackled cleaning up her barf and her kitty litter box. She also has fresh food and water.  I'll propably try to unpack next. I sometimes wish I was one of those people that could put off such tasks but I seem to have a need to feel organized. 

Michael and I planned to move our indoor plants outside but it's quite windy and there is a possibility of frost tonight. 

Happy Anniversary wishes to Sean and Rose. In the past seven years they have dealt with Sean's cancer, had a child, and purchased a home. I revisited the photo album I created of their wedding. And it was a beautiful evening of joy, family, and friendship, with a heavy dose of love mixed in. Love, love, love...

April 28, 2025

Today, we stayed close to Joe's home in Pittsboro. This morning, we walked into town and ate breakfast at Virlie's Grill. We also visited a few shops and the Chatham County Courthouse. Late this afternoon, we browsed the racks at the PTA's Thrift Shop. I found a few $3 shirts I liked. And then it was to China Inn for takeout for dinner. I just finished packing in preparation for an early departure to the airport tomorrow morning.  While it has been a great trip, it will be nice to get home.

And a little story.  On Thursday's visit to the North Carolina Botanical Gardens, there was a sculpture piece in the herb garden area that piqued my interest.  I neglected to take a photo of the placard identifying the title and artist's name. I contacted the botanical gardens and they kindly provided the artist's name. I then found the artist's FaceBook site and messaged her to inquire about her sculpture. This is her response. "Thanks for reaching out.  The sculpture is a memorial of Violet, the teenage daughter of the gardener responsible for that part of the Botanical Garden. She has a home there until her mother retires. We incorporated some of Violet’s favorite things, like the little snake and lizard.  The outfit is similar to one she wore (I only had a few pictures to go from), and her tattoo is lightly represented.  We also layered in some symbolism, such as pomegranate seeds to signify she was taken from her mother too soon. I’m glad you got to spend some time with Violet and appreciated her.  I’m sure she enjoyed the attention :). Thank you, Stacey Wright"   This is the second time I have contacted an artist and received a warm response.

April 27, 2025

Yesterday's adventures took us to the Lake Wheeler Invitational. And yes, Michael successfully met up with Grace, so smiles all around. I was both relieved and elated that it worked out for him. He has been waiting a long time to see her in action as a coach, so it was serendipitous that both she and he happened to be in North Carolina at the same time. And who knows, perhaps Michael will head to Boston next and get to ride in the launch with her.

Following our little regatta visit and lunch, we went to a a few museums in the Raleigh area. The first was NC State's Gregg Museum of Art and Design. We browsed through a couple of exhibitions and checked out their beautiful outdoor space. From there, we went to the North Carolina Museum of Art. They have a wonderful permanent collection and we got our art fix; including paintings by Andrew Wyeth, Georgia O'Keefe, Claude Monet, and more. After returning to Pittsboro, we ate dinner at the Compadres Tequila Lounge. Delicioso...

Today Kathy, Joe, and I headed to Camp Ground Methodist Church Cemetery in Fayetteville to visit Mom's gravesite.. As always a bittersweet moment that brought up a lot of memories. And also reconfirmation that we did the right thing transporting her to North Carolina to be buried next to her family. Seeing her parent's and sibling's names on the gravestones near hers was reassuring. From Camp Ground, we drove to Lafayette Memorial Park and visited Aimee's gravesite.  Despite Joe having a rough idea of where she was buried, we still ended up searching several rows looking for her name. We also tracked down Jame's and Bennie's headstones as well. Mission accomplished...

Dinner tonight was a pizza and salads at the MOD in Pittsboro. Tomorrow is our last day in North Carolina. Then it's home to Ann Arbor.

April 25, 2025

It's day two in North Carolina. Yesterday, on the way to Joe's house in Pittsboro from the airport (RDU), we stopped at the North Carolina Botanical Garden in Chapel Hill.. The Botanical Garden has evolved over the years. There are more buildings, a gift shop, and other structures. It was nice, however, to see Paul Green's cabin and the large chess board of old are still there. Both of which I have photographed each time I have visited the gardens.  Dinner last night was at Elizabeth's Pizza and Italian Restaurant. 

Today we headed to Seagrove for the Seagrove Potters Annual Celebration of Spring. Stops included Jugtown Pottery, Ben Owen Pottery, Triangle Pottery, the North Carolina Pottery Center, and Star Works. And purchase were made at each stop except Triangle Pottery. I would love to be in a financial situation that allowed me to have huge pottery pieces in my yard. We ate lunch at the Seagrove Family Restaurant for old times sake. We  took Mom there several years ago and as I recall they had containers of peppers on each table. Despite Mom saying she couldn't eat spicy food, she ate several of the peppers. A typical Mom moment.

Tomorrow, we are headed to the Lake Wheeler Rowing Invitational. Michael is hoping to say hello to Boston College's head coach, Grace, who used to row for him when he was coaching at Pioneer HS.

So far it has been a wonderful trip and I appreciate all the driving Joe has done for us. 

April 21, 2025

The drain guys were here this morning and James, who has a strong resemblance to my nephew Christopher, was pretty informative and gave Michael some tips for keeping our drains clog free. This included how to deal with the sometimes sluggish basement bathtub. Equilibrium has been restored to our home's waterways. And I can also once more shower, do laundry, and wash dishes without the fear of flooding.

I went to Walgreens and used my OTC card to purchase a box of large bandaids for my knee abrasions, only to get home and find someone had previously opened the box and removed all but two of the bandaids. At $10.60 a box, that means my two remaining bandaids cost over $5 each. It was the last box on the shelf, so I decided it wasn't worth the effort of returning to the store to return the box. I also don't know if refunds are possible on an OTC card. 

It's a blustery day.

• Winnie the Pooh: Happy "Winds-day", Piglet.

• Piglet: [being blown away] Well... it isn't... very happy... f-for me.

• Winnie the Pooh: Where are you going, Piglet?

• Piglet: That's what I'm asking myself, where?

• [he is lifted into the air by a gust of wind]

• Piglet: W-Whoops! P-P-P-Pooh!

• Winnie the Pooh: [grabbing Piglet's scarf] And what do you think you will answer yourself?

April 20, 2025

Temps have dropped somewhat as we celebrate Easter. I FaceTimed with our Chicago family this morning. Porter was in high spirits and repeatedly told us she wanted a turn talking, so apparently had much to share about her week's activities. She met someone named Nate on the playground, who is really into trucks and she announced she is now a truck girl. She calls Michael Poppa now and he loves it. I am still Grandpa. That girl makes me smile.

Yesterday, I gave Michael's ebike a spin around the block but very clumsily fell while dismounting. I did a number on my left leg - scrapes, a bloody knee, and a sore hip from the impact. Michael is still shaking his head at my ineptness.  It's bad enough that Michael has been giving me a hard time about not riding my bicycle, and now this happened. I am feeling embarrassed and discouraged.

Then to add insult to injury, I did a load of laundry this morning that resulted in the drain backing up, so a portion of the basement utility room flooded. I realize that this incident is not necessarily my fault but it feels like it is. My sense of self is deflated even more. Michael fortunately had success getting the water to drain but I am hesitant to shower or do dishes, etc. I called the plumbing company we normally use and they should be out tomorrow morning. As an aside, I find it interesting that these house disasters seem to occur when we have travel plans. The Hawaii house flooded a few days before travel to Chicago for Sean and Rose's wedding.  Our dryer died a few days before travel to San Francisco. And now this - we travel to N Carolina later this week. Murphy's law?

Hoping for a better tomorrow.

April 19, 2025

Yesterday, we enjoyed a heavenly 70 degree plus day. As I eased myself into the Ikea Poang chair I rescued from the curb on Monday, with a book (Mexican Gothic, if curious), and a cold drink, I thought  this is the life. Hello sunshine, my old friend, I've come to talk to you again. Instead of our usual Friday date night dinner out, Michael and I picked up a 12 pack of crunchy tacos from Taco Bell, made margaritas, and sat out at the table on the patio. Kathy joined us for what I hope are many more meals outside.

Kathy finally purchased a new car this week. She sold her Genesis for a good price to Carvana and is now the owner of a white Civic Sedan Hybrid, which she named Snow Bunny, Bunny for short. And for the first time since moving here, she is comfortable  parking in her garage. Size does matter.

I've had another week of weird dreams. Early this morning, I was slowly pedaling down the street in a crudely made soap box derby like vehicle and was late to work. At least it was daytime in this dream and I wasn't lost, so not especially scary but strange, nevertheless.

We leave for Pittsboro on Thursday to visit Joe. So far pottery, art, and grave visits are on the agenda. It's always a little bittersweet visiting Mom and I smile at the memory of family gathering at Campground United Methodist Church Cemetery for the do-it-yourself burial of her pink urn. It's the kind of story, she would have liked to tell people about, while sitting on her front porch at the Lennane house.

April 14, 2025

Bless me father for I have sinned. It has been seven days since my last confession. A Saturday at the confessional - there's a memory.

It's been an interesting week. On Tuesday, I got a Covid booster in which the pharmacist's technique was to do an underhanded jab into my arm. I also went to a worthless iPhone photography class. I thought it was going to be a hands on learn-how-to-take-better-photos experience. It was lecture style with slides,  showing the various features of the camera on the phone. Alrighty...   And on Friday, I took Kathy to get an endoscopy.  Afterwards we put together a piece of furniture. And I yelled at her repeatedly for trying to lift and move furniture and clean stuff after being told by the nurse to not exercise or do housework.  Lastly, we went to dinner at Knights on Saturday night with Butch and April to celebrate Kathy's retirement.

Today was actually a little balmy. Hopefully a harbinger of things to come.

April 7, 2025

It is snowing.  WTF.  I guess it is just that kind of day.  I went to the bank this morning and was advised I needed an appointment to see anyone other than the tellers (who I expect are called something else now). No more walk-ins. The culture has changed and I am not sure how I feel about it.  I can't help but wonder how people like my parents would cope - especially my mom who had no experience with computers. And then I had an appointment at the Target pharmacy for a Covid booster, only to be advised when I checked in, that they had not unboxed the shipment of Covid boosters yet. Can you come back later?  Sigh...  Hopefully, I will have better luck with these same errands tomorrow.  And yes, I made an appointment at the bank like a compliant customer.

Butch got a measles vaccination today and it has me wondering if I should request one tomorrow when I go in for the Covid booster. I believe I had the measles when I was in North Platte.  I remember getting sent home from school when I broke out with a rash. I don't know if that makes a difference in getting a vaccination as an aging adult sixty-five years later.. 

April 5, 2025

I didn't go out today. My personal protest to rain and the chill in the air. I want to be warm again. I want to step outside in my bare feet, a tank top, and shorts and open my arms with my head lifted to the sun and breathe it all in.  I have grown weary.

April 3, 2025

I have a recurring dream. The scenarios differ each time but the conclusions are always the same. I am somewhere and in the beginning am often with family members. At some point we get separated and I find myself isolated, lost, and phoneless, as night approaches. I wake up feeling panicky and have a difficult time falling asleep again. At about 1am this morning, I woke up feeling unsettled after a frightening dream and ended up reading for about 15 minutes before attempting to sleep again. I am not sure what triggers these dreams or what they mean.

I just spoke to Sean about Porter's night terrors. Again without going into details, he filled in some of the gaps and there was a lot going on I was unaware of. And again, I applaud  both Sean and Rose for their gentleness with Porter in dealing with this situation. Even more so because I know exactly what my father would have done and it would not have been pretty. He was a I'll give you something to cry about kind of Dad and I suspect would have dished out some type of corporal punishment. Not taking into account, she is only four. In the end, with all the stress in our lives, I believe we all just need a big hug.

What the world needs now is love, love, love...

April 2, 2025

I drove our new car today for the first time. It was pouring rain and it took me a minute to figure out how to operate the windshield wipers. I parked between the lines, and I didn't hit anything, and nothing hit me. I'll count that as a win.

I find myself worrying, something I do well, about Sean. He was tested recently for ADHD. The results indicate persistent depression and a generalized anxiety disorder. And while I know it is not about me, I can't stop my mind from wondering if  there was something in his childhood that led to his current mental stress.  I also recognize that having cancer did a number on him. It doesn't matter how old our children are, they are still our children. And when they hurt, we hurt.

It rained today. A lot...

March 31, 2025

Michael and I returned to Ann Arbor  today after a quick trip to Chicago to celebrate Porter's 4th birthday. Rose's mother, Jackie, had also traveled to Chicago for her birthday.  Porter was sick with Covid a few weeks ago and while she no longer has Covid, she has a virus of some kind and was somewhat feverish on Saturday. Her party was scheduled at the Portage Park playground from 10am-noon on Sunday. Her daycare mates and family friends with kids were invited. After a quick health assessment Sunday morning, Rose and Sean decided Porter was well enough to proceed with her party. When we arrived at the park, Porter was initially a bit out of sorts and clingy, but seemed to perk up after about an hour at the park. She enjoyed opening her gifts when we returned home after her party. She received a lot of activity type gifts (coloring, painting, puzzles, stickers, etc.)  and we spent the rest of the afternoon playing with her new stuff.

Night came and she went to bed as usual. About three hours later she woke up screaming. Initially she was yelling she couldn't see. After about an hour she eventually fell back asleep, only to wake up screaming again. I won't get into the details but the length and intensity of her distress was frightening to me. As a mother, my inclination was to get up to "help" but I realized that the best way for me to help was to stay put and allow Sean and Rose to parent as they saw fit. Sean mentioned today that Porter suffers from night terrors and at least initially was not fully awake. What I read online is consistent with her behavior. And I suspect in her case being sick, the break in rountine with the grandparents being in the house, party stress, and loss of sleep were all contributing factors to her night terrors and subsequent meltdown. I give Sean and Rose a lot of credit for their patience and kindness towards Porter during what was a very stressful situation. I'd like to learn more about this condition so have some reading to do. But I wish my little Chicago family the best. 

March 27, 2025

And home again...  We left Brevard, NC at approximately 7am this morning and I was dropped off at home nearly twelve hours later. Butch is a true road warrior. I am amazed and baffled that he can drive that far and long in one day. And I am also very grateful to both him and April for allowing me to crash in their backseat. 

On the return trip, we drove north through North Carolina and Tennessee on I40, including the portions that were closed due to damage  by Hurricane Helene. The interstate reopened on March 1 and is one lane in each direction. You can see evidence of the highway being washed out in portions and covered in debris in others. It's estimated it will be another 2-3 years before all lanes will be restored. We also saw evidence of wildfires - either plumes of smoke or hazy smoky skies in both North Carolina and Tennessee. 

I haven't said much about this, but I had some sinus issues on this trip. After returning from Chicago, I developed a sinus headache that progressed to a stuffy nose. I initially thought I had spring allergies because it is common for me to have these symptoms every March/April. By Saturday morning, our departure date, I started to panic that it might be a cold and contacted Butch and April about concerns of me traveling with them. They too were suffering from sinus issues, however, and said they were okay with me going. I probably felt my worst on Monday - head was congested and I felt fatigued. Concerned it might be Covid, I home tested. Fortunately, the test was negative. And then the following day, the fog lifted. I still am not 100% certain whether I was suffering from a cold or allergies, but feel fine now.

March 26, 2025

Another great day.  We headed southwest and visited three waterfalls today. The first is Whitewater Falls, which plunges 411 feet and per the US Forest Service site, is the tallest waterfall east of the Rockies. While the walk to the falls from the parking lot is only .5 miles, you do have to deal with 154 steps, which was a great cardio workout.  We headed to Bridal Veil Falls next.  At one time, you could drive behind the falls. The road is now closed  for safety reasons. The falls drop about 60 feet.  From there, it was a short drive to Dry Falls. This 75-ft. tall waterfall in the Nantahala National Forest flows over a cliff, allowing you to walk behind the falls and stay dry (hence the name). 

Our day out also included stops at a few galleries. The Bascom: A Center for Visual Arts in Highlands was particularly impressive. I even made a purchase of a wooden bowl to add to my collection at home. 

After returning to Brevard, I walked up the hill to the downtown area. I visited several shops and found myself wondering if I'd become an eccentric old lady wearing funky clothes if I lived here. Patchouli anyone?  I also spotted a few white squirrels, which I've been keeping an eye out for.  They are actually a variant of gray squirrels. The white squirrels became so prized that the Brevard City Council voted in 1986 to approve an ordinance declaring and establishing a sanctuary for squirrels, especially the white ones, stating that it “shall be unlawful for any person to hunt, kill, trap, or otherwise take any protected squirrels within the city by this section.” I noticed several stores carried white squirrel stuffed toys and other squirrel related items.

Dinner tonight was at a nearby Thai restaurant.  I am pretty much packed and ready for departure tomorrow morning.

March 25, 2025

On Sunday, we started the day with a drive through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. I experienced a bit of deja vu. Time may dim our memories, but it's hard not to be awed anew by the sweeping views of the mountains at the turnouts along the road that spans the Park. There was still snow and ice at higher elevations. When we descended into Cherokee on the east side of the Park, we started to see debris along Hurricane Helene's path along river beds. 

We met Joe in Brevard mid-day. After walking around the downtown area and visiting a few stores, we ate lunch at Rocky's Grill and Soda Shop. Of note is that pimento cheese sandwiches seem to be a popular menu item.  At 3pm, we checked into our airbnb. It is only a few blocks from downtown Brevard and conveniently located to a few supermarkets. After getting settled, we headed to the Pisgah National Forest. Our first stop was Looking Glass Waterfall, which seemed to be a popular destination, as there were several other people there. Which I believe was a challenge for Joe as he had to look for angles to avoid humans showing up in his photographs. We also stopped at Sliding Rock, where the rules state if you cannot swim, you cannot slide. On the way back to our rental, we stopped at the Brevard Diner for dinner. Butch did not give it high ratings. But as it was my turn to pay, I got a little excited when I learned I could use Apple Pay.

Yesterday, we went on a 3.2 mile hike on the Pink Beds Loop Trail in the Pisgah Forest. It was a pleasant walk through a wooded area, and I appreciated the bridges and walkways that traversed the boggy areas and creeks. I must admit being surprised, however, by how little wildlife I saw other than a few birds. From there we went on a drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway. More beautiful vistas to gawk at. We ate dinner last night at El Ranchero, a Mexican restaurant that is a short distance from our rental. It's in an older building with a lot of character and I enjoyed my meal.

This morning,  we visited a few waterfalls before heading to Asheville. The first was a drive-by called Key Falls. The second was Hooker Falls in Dupont State Park. The short pleasant walk to the falls was well worth it. And I felt like it was the kind of place I'd like to be on a hot summer day - the sound of the falls and the river, cool water,  and lots of big flat rocks to lay on and sunbathe.

We arrived in Asheville around noon. We visited Lexington Glassworks first and were treated to a glass blowing demonstration, which I found very interesting. The glasswork on display was stunning and it was one of those times I wished I was filthy rich and could say, yes, please wrap up this $2,000 piece for me and ship it to my residence. It will look fabulous on my mantel.  We visited a few more galleries and shops, incuding the famous Mast General Store, where I bought some moon pies for Rose.. At 4:30pm, we met our cousin Jim Barnette and his wife Jane at the Mellow Mushroom in Asheville, famous for their stone baked pizzas. It was nice chatting with them. Both are now retired. Jane was a realtor. Jim was a nurse, but also worked and still works for a hot air balloon company. Something I'd like to do some day. I was surprised to discover that he knows very little about the Stephen's side of the family. After salads, pizzas, and drinks, we said our goodbyes. It hit me later that it's probable I may never see them again.

Tomorrow is our last day here before returning to Michigan. It's been nice hanging out with Butch, April, and Joe. I appreciate their kindness and consideration. And as an added bonus, I get to see Joe again at the end of April 

March 22, 2025

Butch, April, and I headed south this morning. We stopped for the night in Clinton, Tennessee which is just north of Knoxville. I believe Butch mentioned we had traveled about 485 miles.  Depending on which route Butch decides on, it is approiximately 155 miles to Brevard from here. On the trip down, the terrain changed significantly as we entered Kentucky and Tennessee. I am looking forward to being in mountain territory tomorrow. There is a feeling of coming home when I travel to North Carolina despite not growing up there. North Carolina is part of mom's legacy to us, her children. 

March 20, 2025

Today is the official first day of Spring and I woke up to a few inches of snow.  In like a lamb, out like a lion?

Michael and I went to Chicago on Tuesday and returned to Ann Arbor today. On Tuesday, the temperature in Chicago was close to 70 degrees. It made waking up to frigid temperatures this morning a bit unsettling. Regardless, we had a nice visit with Sean, Rose, and Porter. Yesterday, we met Lambert and Jodie Davis, their son Conner, and his girlfriend Delaney at the Art Institute of Chicago. We separated and walked around for a little over an hour before meeting at the Institute's Cafe for lunch. We made plans to meet for dinner. Rose made arrangements at a restaurant called Middle Brow in Logan Square. The restaurant is described as a winery, brewery, sourdough pizzary, and bakery. We ordered pizzas and salad to share. It was a great evening. Michael and Lambert reminisced about the people and places they had in common. I believe Rose enjoyed meeting them and the prospect of knowing someone in Australia made me wonder if a visit there may be in their future.

And now we are home and Michael is watching Severance. And I have to admit it feels good to be home.  Which is a bit ironic considering I am leaving on Saturday for Brevard, NC.  I am semi-packed. I plan to do laundry and finish up tomorrow.

Tomorrow night Michael and I are meeting our old friend John for dinner at Casey's. It will be nice to see him. His son Ried took over his landscaping business and just sent Kathy an estimate for building a patio, putting in pathways, landscaping, regrading, and more. She has some decisions to make.

March 14, 2025. Happy Pi Day!

Shocker! My March 8, changed to March 18-19 delivery date Amazon item showed up yesterday. One down, three to go...

Little did I know that when I woke up this morning that Michael and I would be car shopping today. Concerned over the price of cars rising because of tariff threats, we purchased a Honda Civic Hatchback at Germaine Honda. We've talked about buying a new car since trading cars with Sean last year - our 2020 Fit for Seans's car, which was our old 2010 Fit. And now here we are.

We are heading to Chicago on Tuesday. Michael's calabash cousin, Lambert, will be there with his wife Jodie, son Connor, and Connor's girlfriend for a few nights. We are hoping to visit with them on Wedesday. Lambert and Jodie live in Australia. If curious about their connection and the use of the word calabash to describe their relationship, in Hawaii calabash refers to close friends and extended family members who share a bond even if they aren't blood relatives. Michael's parents and aunt were close friends with Lambert's parents. I love this concept of extended family.

March 12, 2025

There are a number of 80 plus seniors that work out mornings at the rec building. Yesterday, an 83 year-old woman was next to me at a strength and balance exercise class I have been going to. I chatted with her shortly after class and she told me the secret to good health was interval training. She said," you have to go hard."  And I found myself hoping that in six years, I too will be a member of the 80 plus and still working out club. 

I had my annual optical exam this afternoon. No changes from my last exam, which is good news. And my cataracts are not bad enough to warrant surgery. But this happened. The resident that examined my eyes still has to have a doctor sign off on his work. He handed me a label sheet with my name and other info on it as I left the room. It was supposed to go to the doctor (not me) to signal to her he was done with the exam. I sat in the waiting room for over an hour before I heard the doctor asking the resident what happened to me. She saw my name on her schedule. The resident apologized several times as I was leaving. I tried to be gracious but may have said I'd consider forgiving him. With a smile. I did check the dissatisfied box regarding wait time on the anonymous survey card the front desk asked me to fill out as I was leaving.

March 11, 2025

What the heck is going on with Amazon? Their two day delivery times are becoming, days, weeks, and even months. I have one item I ordered in mid-January that has been delayed to March 30. Another item I ordered last week's delivery date was changed from March 8 to March 18-19. And two other items' delivery dates changed from March 18 to April 8.  Unacceptable! Bezos, you are breaking my heart. You are shaking my confidence daily. Oh, Bezos, I'm down on my knees, I'm begging you please to deliver my stuff...

Another sunny but cool day has left me wishing that Ann Arbor's curbside compost pick-up started. It doesn't start again until April. Meanwhile, my efforts to clear planting areas are on hold.

March 10, 2025

There is a man at the gym, that I've mentioned before, that wears colorful bell bottom leggings. Some solids, some with prints. This morning it was dog paw prints. Last week, I saw chili pepper, lips, and paisley prints. He often coordinates his top with his pants. I'd love to ask him how many pairs of leggings he has. 

Another spring teaser kind of day. And I am loving it. And it looks like Michael's winter innie, is becoming a spring outie.

March 8, 2025

On guess six on Wordle, I debated between hazel and navel and selected hazel. It was navel. This is my first fail after a long run. Sigh.

Today's adventures with Kathy started with a stop at the Saline Craft Fair. It was a nice mix of ceramics, wood pieces, clothing, jewelry, and food items. We bought no clothing or jewelry but between the two of us did purchase the other three categories. And I am happy with my ceramic piece purchase, as it reminds me a little of one of Wayne Thiebaud's cake paintings. 

Following the fair, we visited Cobblestone Rose in downtown Saline. This shop has a lot of unique house items and clothing. I've thought on past visits that I wish I could afford their clothing. I like the styles, fabrics, and colors.

We then went to Salon Lumin and treated ourselves to much needed haircuts. Paul as always, did a nice job.  

We finished our outing with a stop at Dan's Tavern and shared nachos. All and all a nice day. It's helpful that Kathy and I mostly like the same things.

And the snow melted.

March 7, 2025

Snow flurries. March is a fickle month.  “By March, the worst of the winter would be over. The snow would thaw, the rivers begin to run and the world would wake into itself again. Not that year. Winter hung in there, like an invalid refusing to die. Day after grey day the ice stayed hard; the world remained unfriendly and cold.” ― Neil Gaiman, Odd and the Frost Giants

Rose's job still hangs in the balance but she is hopeful that she may survive until September. The uncertainty is stressful for both her and Sean.  It's becoming more and more difficult to remain positive in these trying times. I just want to say at the end of each day, that we all did our best.

I have been trying to give each of my days purpose but often feel like I am failing. I try to provide support to the people I love but can't help but wonder how much value I have lost as I've aged.  I know only that I love Michael and my Chicago family very much. And I think about Porter every single day and wish I could feel her little person snuggled into me. These are my truths.

February 27, 2025

Sean recently posted this. As someone with a wife whose job is looking to be terminated in the next month by the current administration. I would really enjoy for Doge and its crew of idiots to fuck off and stop shitting on our life.  And I hate that this is happening to Rose and I hate the impact that it is having on Sean and potentially Porter. But while both Michael and I are also feeling anxious, I am grateful that we at least have the resources to help them in the short term. And I keep reminding myself that Rose is a smart capable woman. 

I had concerns when Trump became president, but I have to admit that he and Musk have managed to exceed my expectations, as grim as they were. I would also like to believe that at least some of Trump's supporters are feeling the negative impact of his actions and are questioning their blind loyalty to this man. I personally do not feel more financially secure, worry about future health crises, the environment, and more. 

February 26, 2025

I slipped on black ice this morning on my way to the rec building and was grateful for the padding my winter coat provided on impact with the pavement. It wasn't quite light yet and I didn't see the slick spot. And with no humans out and about, it was oddly reassuring to have my Apple watch ask me if I was okay. It was also a reminder of how much abuse my body has taken in its 75 years. I am just grateful that I am still upright and mobile.

Spring is still a month off but definitely in the air. Snow is in dirty patches now. And I am seeing and hearing more birds. That said, I just looked up to see snow falling.

February 24, 2025

Temps hit a high of 50 degrees today. If not for a brisk wind, it would have felt balmy. I joined Michael for a walk, in which I quickly found myself several steps behind him. I eventually gave up and turned around wondering how long it would take him to realize I was no longer tailing him. I guess he noticed as he eventually caught up with me at Sylvan Park, where I stopped to take a few photos. While I respect him for walking at his own quicker pace, it negated any warm fuzzies about joining him for a walk. 

You know how you sometimes get a song on repeat in your head. Today's was Knockin on Heaven's Door. And it led to me thinking about Mom's last year. I wish I could have done more for her.

Both Butch and I retuned to the rec building this morning. He was caring for his grandchildren last week.  It was nice to not only get a ride but also to get back to my usual routine. I enjoy talking  to my brother while we are walking on the indoor track. He's a smart guy.

It's 10:35pm and I can hear the mournful sounds of the train horns in the distance.

I hear a train horn, so faint it could be wind whistling through an alleyway. But I know it when I hear it. It sounds like the Dauntless, calling me to to them.  -Veronica Roth

February 20, 2025

Snow flurries, bird song,  potato chips, another cold day...

Some okay news for a change. Rose belongs to a union and for now is able to continue working from home. I do not know anything else.

February 19. 2025

Apparently Porter associates me with snakes, dragons, and monsters. Not that it is relevant,  but two out of three are part of the Chinese Zodiac. I am not sure if I should be flattered or horrified.

Another cold day in Ann Arbor. I am grateful for our indoor bike. It at least satisfies my need to feel like I've worked out. I even did a plank today. And am happy to report I am able to hold the position for a minute now. 

I have been watching a series called Reign while riding the bike. It's just okay. It is a fictionalized version of Mary Queen of Scot's life. I am still watching season one which covers her life in France and marriage to Francis II. They are depicted as young adults in this series, despite the reality that they were only 14 and 15 at the time of their marriage.  I am also pretty sure this series is going to end with the main character's death.

February 17, 2025

My cousin Holly had this post on Facebook this morning. "Manipulation is when they blame you for your reaction to their toxic behavior but never discuss the disrespect that triggered you."  It struck a chord with me  because I have experienced moments in my life when I have thought I don't like the person I become when I am around certain people. Sometimes these people are strangers, which results in minor irritation.  It's when they are family members or friends, my need to stand up for myself results in me acting in ways that surprise me. 

I am watching a squirrel in my backyard balancing itself on a upper branch of a tree and am wondering how often they fatally fall. I expects it's rare. Although on one of the many walks in my 74 years of life, a squirrel did fall from a tree branch above me, narrowly missing me on its descent. I initially thought it might be dead but when I returned on the same path later, it was gone. This is this morning's nature Ted talk.

I am about to head to the basement to ride our indoor bike. No gym today. Butch normally gives me a ride to the rec center but he and April are caring for Paul and Fiona today. I usually walk to the rec building when he doesn't go but the sidewalks are icy and temps are in the teens. Not great walking conditions for an oldster like me.

February 16, 2025

More snow today. Not sure about accumulation levels but all I saw was a lot of white this morning when I looked out the window.

Bern called me yesterday to let me know he recalls landing in Newfoundland twice. The first time was for the planned refueling.  The plane then took off, and when it experienced the engine issues, made a u-turn and returned to Newfoundland for repairs. I remember the u-turn so this scenario does make sense.  Children's collective memories at work.

Michael decided not to go out for dinner on his birthday in response to a few invites for lunch and an early dinner this weekend. Saturday's birthday lunch (initiated by Celina) for Butch at Yotsuba was cancelled because of road conditions. And today's early dinner at Karl's Cabin (initiated by Kathy)  to celebrate Tricia's, Michael's, and Butch's birthdays was cancelled because of the forecast for snow today. Instead, Kathy, Michael, Butch, April, and I ventured out yesterday afternoon for an early dinner at Paesano's. We had a pleasant dinner. And it was nice to get out of the house and have someone else handle the cooking and clean-up. Butch, April, and I then stopped at Kathy's on the way home to check out her latest furniture purchases. Michael and I spent about three hours at Kathy's today. Michael hung her coat rack and a decorative birdhouse she used to have in her Florida home. Meanwhile, Kathy and I spent hours assembling a very complicated shelving unit she purchased from Target.  We also rearranged furniture in both the front living/dining room and the back sunroom.  Looking good Kathy!!

February 14, 2025

Michael and I stopped at Meijer to pick up a few items and it was nice to see all the Valentine's Day flowers and plants on display. They are a refreshing break from the grays, whites, and browns of winter. Happy Valentine's Day!

When I was eleven years old I was on a plane that made an emergency landing in Newfoundland. After living in Bremerhaven, Germany for four years, our family was headed stateside in January 1962 on a MATS (Military Air Transportation Service) aircraft. One of MATS services was to allow dependents to fly on military flights to accompany their service member stationed overseas to travel between locations due to military reassignments. I would describe these flights as no frills economy. Bern recounts how cold and uncomfortable he was. It wasn't unusual for the flights enroute from Germany to land at the Ernest Harmon Air Force Base in Newfoundland for refueling before proceding to McGuire Airforce Base at Fort Dix in New Jersey, where our flight was headed. Our flight made two stops, however. The first was I believe was at the Glasgow Prestwick Airport in Scotland. We were herded off the plane to a large tent and were inoculated. For what, I do not know. And then later somewhere over the Atlantic, one of the plane's engines malfunctioned. Oil was dripping and a propeller stopped. Every child's eyes onboard the flight were glued to the windows. Bern says he recalls praying harder than he had ever prayed before. Which amuses me now as he is no longer a believer. Fortunately, the plane landed safely. But I recall stepping off the plane onto a frigidly cold tarmack. We were instructed to not touch anything, especially metal, with our bare skin. As we walked to our overnight accommodations, the snow that was cleared off the passageways was well over my head. We ate our meals in what I believe was the base's mess hall. It was cafeteria style and  it was the first time I had eaten turkey ala king with rice. I liked it and still do. Repairs were made to the plane and we eventually made our way to New Jersey.  I'll save the drive to North Platte for another time.  It is worth mentioning that I was only eleven years old at the time of this event so my recounting is based on a child's memory and may not be accurate. I used Google to get the names of the air bases.  Just another story of my life as the daughter of a master sergeant - although at the time of this event I've been told my dad was an army spook. Another story for another time.

February 13, 2025

I woke up to a mantle of snow covering just about everything. And skies are blue. If I had to guess at snow totals, I'd guess about 4 inches. Enough for Michael to say he was grateful we own a snow blower.  “I wonder if the snow loves the trees and fields, that it kisses them so gently? And then it covers them up snug, you know, with a white quilt; and perhaps it says, 'go to sleep, darlings, till the summer comes again'." - Lewis Carroll

Yesterday's was Michael's 77th birthday. We went to the Northside Grill for breakfast and it was heartwarming for me to see how warmly he was greeted by his old work family. The seat next to him was occupied most of the time we were there. We did not go out for dinner. We ate the minestrone soup Michael made on Tuesday with garlic bread for dinner. And it was delicious and hit the spot on what was a cold wintery night. We also ate the chocolate birthday cake I'd baked earlier for dessert. And yes, I sang him Happy Birthday. And yes, he did blow out a candle. I am not sure if he made a wish. And yes, he got a few small gifts from me.  A quiet birthday that somehow felt right.

I checked our bank account this morning and was surprised to see our federal tax return was deposited yesterday. Given all the BS going on in Washington DC, I am glad we filed early.

February 11, 2025

I am not sure what is going on with my Amazon order but this is the second time I've ordered this vacuum cleaner and got this message about delayed delivery. "Hello, We're encountering a delay in shipping your order. The new delivery date is indicated below. We'll send a confirmation when your items ship. We apologize for the inconvenience. Now arriving March 31. Previously expected February 11."  It was supposed to be delivered today and I can see a delay of a few days but another six weeks. What the hell! I can't help but wonder if someone at the Canton warehouse is stealing my orders. Or the vacuum is on a slow boat from China, in which case I am going to blame Mr. Trump. I believe I may wait this one out and see if the vacuum ever makes it to my door. I have my doubts.

At Michael's request, I am cancelling his birthday dinner plans for tomorrow night. As it turns out we are expecting a big winter storm, so it may be for the best. In the 2002 movie The Hours, Laura Brown says, "We're baking the cake to show him that we love him". Richie Brown responds, "Otherwise he won't know we love him?" and Laura replies, "That's right".  So I am baking a cake for Michael to show him that I love him. But I am pretty sure he already knows how I feel about him.

Despite my AT&T account showing as cancelled, my watch continues to get calls. I feel distrustful of AT&T and keep waiting for a bill. Kathy, if you are reading this, I realize I am singing to the choir.

Today is Butch's birthday and I forgot to wish him a Happy Birthday when we went to the rec building this morning. In retrospect, I wish I had offered to treat him to breakfast. I'm a shitty sister.  Happy birthday, little bro. I owe you breakfast.

February 10, 2025

I had a dream.  I woke up shortly before 6 am this morning with my heart pounding from a dream in which once again my legs refused to work. And it was with relief that I slid off the bed and was able to walk. But I felt alone, cold, and scared. And instead of getting up and facing the day, I wrapped myself up in the blanket on Porter's bed and laid down. I found some comfort there listening to the hum of the furnace and the occasional car driving by. In this dream, I am in an unfamiliar city visiting someone I don't recognize. The residence is on a street of brick buildings with doors that open to the front sidewalk. Across the street is a river. It is a cool grey day. The person I am with is a slender woman with auburn hair, stylishly dressed in a lavendar turtleneck sweater, slim jeans, heeled boots, and a leather jacket. I have on jeans, my Brook's shoes, and a grey hooded sweatshirt. I start walking toward what looks like a business area at the end of the street. I feel the moisture in the air. As I gaze in store front windows, I see my reflection. I look tired. I step into a building that has a large lobby. For what, I do not remember. And then I head back to the residence I am visiting. I pass in front of what looks like a hotel. There is a small street fair in front of the building with booths displaying paintings, small sculptures, and designer purses. I walk through the booths. There are no people in sight. I am alone. I continue to walk and am back on the street facing the river. The area is a mixture of small businesses and residences. Looking down the street, I can see the woman with the auburn hair, standing on the sidewalk leaning on the brick front of her residence smoking a cigarette. With no warning, I fall to my knees. I struggle to get up. I am scared. A man steps out of a door. He is tall with dark hair.  He does not have a kind face, but I reach my hands up anyway, and ask for help standing. Instead of helping me, he starts talking about how there is no shame in falling. And I suddenly see this scene from above and it is my mother on the sidewalk asking for help. I wake up, my mind is racing, my heart is beating rapidly, 

As I lay on Porter's bed, I find myself trying to find meaning in this dream and I wonder as I did years ago of how aware my mother was of the outside world after her brain aneurism. When she fell in the hallway, was there a moment of her hoping someone would help her stand and everything would be okay? And in that week before her death, how aware was she of the outside world? Of her family talking to her? And I can't help but wonder if my dreams are her trying to reach out. And I know that there are dozens of more plausible explanations. But I don't like to think of her in the dark lonely places I visit in my dreams. Tears would be a relief right now.

February 9, 2025

Mom and Dad are imprinted on for me forever. Every time I look at my face in the mirror I see little parts of them in the shape of my eyes and other features. A few days ago, Kathy said I reminded her of Mom for a moment as I walked down my driveway. I smiled, as for just a second, I wasn't sure if it was a compliment. But I see characterisitics of my parents in my siblings as well. Their mannerisms, temperments, and physical features are reminders of the two people responsible for our existence. 

I wish someone would tell Kali that despite me being her primary caregiver, she is actually Michael's cat.  Oh wait, I wish someone would tell Michael that despite my help with her care, she is his cat.  

I want a picture of me standing in front of pyramids. Does that mean I need to go to Egypt? Or is this an AI request?

February 8, 2025

I started reading (and in some cases rereading) Michael's blog last night. All 17 years. It took me about three hours. It was full of photographs, sketches, and posts about food, family, cats, coaching, homes, and love. Dove on everything with a lot of angst mixed in. 

Some observations.  He shares a lot of photos of creative meals he has prepared for himself when I am not home. My choices when I am alone are peanut butter sandwiches and cereal. His meals are sometimes elaborate noodle, rice, and stir fry dishes. He talks about how he lost his Hawaii family, but gained the Pedit family, who for the most part have accepted him. And it's true, that's what we Pedits do. Even my dad seemed to enjoy having Michael around.. His love of coaching is evident in his posts. And I found his December 2019 post about selling his Hawaii home and moving back to Ann Arbor especially poignant.  His blog chronicles our lives through our time in Ann Arbor, selling the house on Chesterfield, his return to his home in Nui Valley, his love for the ocean and Hawaii, Sean and Rose's marriage, the pain of Sean dealing with cancer, selling our forever home in Hawaii, returning to Ann Arbor during a global pandemic, the birth of Porter, Chicago, our travel since returning, and many Porter moments. I felt his loneliness, depression, and occasional despair. But I also felt his love and joy.  I am a lover of good stories. Well done, Michael.

And an excerpt from his lengthy December 2019 post on moving back to Ann Arbor. The odd thing is, I am not local enough for the locals and I am too local for the so-called new locals. While living with Sugar in Ann Arbor for years, I came to a realization. I’m a Ann Arborite, I had almost forgotten. During my time back in Michigan I fell in love with the people and her family. In the process, I fell in love with Michigan. When stacking up the pros and cons of the two states in the country, Michigan is

usually found wanting. Personally, I have a conflicted relationship with the place. There are a lot of things to hate in that weird-ass land, but there are a lot of things to love as well. I could never purge those white sand beaches, blue water lakes, fall colors from my soul. My roots run deep in Michigan. When I came back, I learned to appreciate the good with the bad.

Do I personally miss Hawaii? Hell, yes!  But I agree with Michael. There are a lot of things to love about this weird-ass land called Michigan. 

Thanks for sharing, Doveman.

February 6, 2025

Michael and I went to see A Complete Unknown yesterday. I doubt anyone in the theater was under 55. I enjoyed Timothee Chalamet's performance as Bob Dylan. And the music brought back a lot of memories of that time period. In August 1965, I was invited to visit my aunt Venza in Bay City. I am not sure how this happened but my cousin Byrne was recruited to drive me. Before we left, he wanted me to hear one of his favorite singers, Bob Dylan. And I was hooked. I was nearly 15 years old and Byrne had just turned 19. He is the first older person I knew that didn't treat me like I was a little kid. We stopped in East Lansing before heading to Bay City and he took me to my first record store. He also introduced me to his college friends. He was gracious and kind, and I was completely smitten. I believe what for me was a memorable day, is possibly the last time I ever saw my cousin.  But to this day, I am grateful to him for taking the time to take his younger cousin on this adventure. And yes, I am sure I have told this story before. How does it feel? To be on your own, with no direction home. A complete unknown, like a rolling stone.

A trip to Brevard, NC at the end of March is in the works. It is April's spring break week so she, Butch, and I (and possibly Michael?) plan to join Joe in Brevard for this little adventure.  I am always excited about visiting new places and am envisioning waterfalls, art, and short hikes.  And with a sisters' trip to Pittsboro to visit Joe planned at the end of April, I apparently am blessed with a busy spring. Or as Michael would say, letting my outie (a Severence reference)  out.  

February 4, 2025

My Amazon package was delivered today. So only a one day delay. I ordered clothes for Stacy, the youngest of Barbie's sisters. A big apology to Sean in advance, as I am certain he will be assisting with outfit changes. By the way, he mentioned that Porter, when asked what Barbie's last name is, said her last name is Playhouse, as in Barbie Playhouse.  

I've been working on an unwritten to-do list. Cancel AT&T, reschedule dental appointment, grocery shop, and file tax returns have been checked off. Contact State Farm, vacuum, clean bathrooms, and water plants are still pending. I have some less immediate to-dos as well. All in a day's work, I guess.

Rose continues to express concerns over her job security going forward. Employees continue to get communications that make it clear that Trump's stand-in Musk is intent on encouraging employees to quit.  This is creating a lot of stress. There is a certain irony in what is going on because when Rose was first hired for her position, I recall her mentioning how secure most government jobs are.  I find her situation distressing because there doesn't seem to be any recourse. And the repurcussions of a job loss are not something I want to consider.

February 3, 2025

I am beginning to believe that Amazon is playing mind games on me. I just received notification that an item that was scheduled to be delivered today has been delayed. This is what happened with the vacuum I ordered and never received. Harumph...

I realized belatedly that when I switched my cell service from AT&T to Xfinity, I forgot to include my Apple watch. I made a trip to the AT&T store today to address this, and was told that because the main account holder on the account is MichaeI, he needed to initiate the cancellation.  I will admit feeling irritated when I left the store. Ironically, I was able to cancel the cell phone number attached to my watch on the AT&T app on my phone. So I am expecting what I hope is a final bill from them. By the way, I do not believe AT&T prorates service charges when you cancel a service in the middle of a billing cycle.

Michael and I grocery shopped this morning at Meijer. Eggs are in short supply. The cheapest eggs on the shelves are close to $5 and customers are being restricted to a maximum of two cartons. And per the news, several stores in southeast Michigan are out of eggs completely. Shades of things to come?

February 1, 2025

Not surprisingly, sidewalks were icy today. I ended up walking on crunchy snowy grass today when I went out after nearly slipping on the pavement.

I joined Kathy, Tricia, and Donna for lunch at Buddy's today. All four Pedit girls together, go figure. We talked about trying to get together on a regular basis going forward.  I think I'd like that. One of the things that we talked about are how Trump's initiatives are personally impacting family members. The organization Donna works for relies on federal grant money and Rose works for the federal government. I believe Bern also relies on federal assitance to survive. We are all feeling anxious as a result.

Kathy received notification that her carpet is going to be installed on Tuesday. This will allow her to finally set up her bedroom and put her clothes away, and will also clear her living room of bedroom furniture. The remainder of the furniture she has on order arrives on the 15th.  This will give her three functional living spaces in addition to her bathrooms and kitchen. I suspect she is like me in that she needs a certain amount of order in her life for peace of mind. I am looking forward to seeing what her home looks like six months from now. 

I spoke to Bern today. He shared more of his volcanic field experiences on the Big Island. He has led an interesting life. It's a shame that health and financial issues have curtailed the activities he loves so much.  He's mentioned a desire to return to the Big Island to live out his remaining years. I hope that happens for him.

January 31, 2025

Today is the last day of January. Finally...

We had a brief respite from the bitter cold yesterday. Michael and I walked the loop around Gallup Park. The Huron River is frozen and the ice along the shoreline is covered in footprints, so still very much a wintery landscape. One section of the ice was cleared of snow, I believe for ice hockey. And it reminded me of old time photos of people ice skating on ponds.

And today it is raining. I walked over to Kathy's and found myself wading through 2-3 inches of water in the low areas of the sidewalks. With temps dropping, and rain turning into snow, I suspect ice may become a problem tonight.

Kathy joined Michael and me for dinner at the Red Hawk. I had not been there in awhile and enjoyed the casual atmosphere and food.

As an aside, can DEI be blamed for everything that is wrong in the USA?

January 28, 2025

I spoke to Ellen about some health concerns she's currently dealing with and am reminded that all of us are vulnerable, especially us older folks. 

Michael saw a news article about bridges getting repaired at local parks, and I was happy to see that one of them is the bridge at nearby Sylvan Park.  I contacted the city in November of 2023 to ask when repairs might happen (the bridge had been closed for several months already) and they advised they would send me notification when repairs are scheduled.  It is more than a year later and finally it's on their docket. By the way, I am not holding my breath waiting to be contacted by them. But perhaps by year-end this bridge may reopen. The problem with it being closed is that you can currently only access half of the park. The half you end up on depends on what route you take. 

In other news, my lovely cat Kali barfed on some tax related paperwork this morning. 

January 27, 2025

I was joking with Michael this morning that I identify as a Master Sergeant's daughter, and that I served my country for nearly 20 years. 

Rose is a government worker and has expressed concerns about how the new administration may impact her employment going forward. She's already experienced a couple of uncomfortable moments. I enquired about the mandate that government workers return to their offices to work, and it sounds like her boss is trying to protect their team from having this happen.Her team is scattered across the country and not all of them live close to a federal building. I believe challenging times  are ahead.

If not for the wind today, it would have felt balmy. Temps were in the 30's. It's all relative.

I just noticed my pikake plant is covered with buds. The plants wintering over in the house seem to be doing okay so far despite low sunlight and humidity levels. It looks like they may be in the house another four months. Sigh.

And happiest of birthday wishes to Donna. You are the baby of the family so have the potential of outliving us all. You go girl!

January 26, 2025

Amazon customer service indicated there is nothing they can do to expedite the delivery of the vacuum I ordered. I requested they cancel the order. I wish I knew what happened at the Canton carrier center.  Just another MIA?

Butch, April, Kathy, and I joined Donna and Spence for lunch at On the Border. Donna's birthday is tomorrow. It was very nice to see her and Spence and I am glad  they were available for lunch. The greatest gift our parents ever gave us was each other. We are the Pedit kids.

January 24, 2025

Kathy got a new battery today. A relief for sure.

Much to my amusement, our grocery list for several days has had only two items on it - vodka and gin. 

I ordered a vacuum cleaner from Amazon on January 17, with an estimated delivery date on January 19. It was out for delivery on January 20, was not delivered, and has been at the carrier facility in Canton, MI all week. I am not sure what the hold-up is or if there is something I should be doing. 

I received a second clay swimmer figure today. I purchased my first one from the Button Art Gallery in Douglas when Michael and I were there in October. In my communication with the artist, Linda Lewis, she disclosed she was brought up on the west coast of Michigan, so it makes sense that she sells her work in Douglas. She then went to a small college in Iowa and got a degree in Education, with a minor in art. And the rest is history. She has a studio in Des Moines and seems to have had some success marketing and selling her artwork. 

Temps are finally on their way up, for a few days at least. And a last quote about winter for now. “In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer.” — Albert Camus

January 23, 2025

Oops on yesterday's furnace filter comment. The message the thermostat screen is displaying was about the humidity pad not the furnace filter. Michael did buy and replace the furnace filter months ago.

Kathy and I had quite an adventure yesterday. We went to the carpet store to finalize her order, returned a mattress pad at Bob's, picked up burnt peanuts at Busch's, and made an Amazon return at Whole Foods. And then her car wouldn't start and we ended up waiting in Panera for AAA. After two hours of waiting, due to the high number of calls for assistance, Michael showed up with his battery starter thingy. But when Kathy tried to start her car, it started. AAA was canceled and we followed her to make sure she got home safely. She plans to deal with her battery issue tomorrow as she has a full day of work calls today. 

When Kathy and I walked into Panera last night to wait for AAA, I was surprised to hear someone say my name. A young lady that works at the rec building was there and recognized me. It always throws me off a little when you see a familiar face in a different setting. Something that used to happen often when I worked at the bank.

So a squirrel the size of a small dog visited me in last night's dreams. All I can say is that my dream world seems to be populated with over-sized animals. And without getting into details, I did look at an on-line article about the meaning of large owls and large squirrels in dreams, and from what I gleaned I am wisely and playfully considering saving (or hoarding) for the future.

"Winter hung in there, like an invalid refusing to die. Day after grey day the ice stayed hard; the world remained unfriendly and cold.” ― Neil Gaiman

January 22, 2025

It was minus 5 degrees, feels like minus 15 degrees, this morning at 7am. "What freezings I have felt, what dark days seen." William Shakespeare, "Sonnet 97"

And our thermostat has an alert on it to change or clean our furnace filter. Something I thought Michael had done, but it may be we just thought about it when we were in the filter aisle at Meijer three months ago. Tsk, tsk...

Early this morning, I dreamt that a large owl was sitting on a fence in front of our house. When I walked by it flew to the ground and wanted me to scratch it's neck. I am not sure how dream me knew what this owl wanted, but in my dream it seemed to enjoy getting its neck scratched. Curious, I googled to see if owls like being scratched or stroked and the answer was a resounding no. And by the way, we don't have a fence in front of our house. So my entire dream was a fallacy.

And after my owl dream, I woke up at about 3:45am when the alarm clock in Porter's room started beeping. And I was very hungry. And I thought about Porter and her late night/early morning requests for food.  I waited another four hours to eat, by the way.

January 21, 2025

I finally ordered the second of the two photo books I created for 2024. I was waiting for Shutterfly to offer unlimited free photo pages. I got an email yesterday and saved over $100 on my order, so the wait was well worth it. What is it that the proverbial they say about patience?

Despite the bitter cold, I ventured outside today. I walked to Kathy's house to help her with a few projects, which including assembling her new dining table. Fortunately, Michael dropped by and took over. She continues to face obstacles in her efforts to install carpeting in her bedrooms. I think she has finally reached the disppointing realization that it may be another month before she will be able to get an installer to her home. Patience?

It's 1 degree, and feels like minus 10 degrees currently. “When winter winds are piercing chill, and through the hawthorn blows the gale, with solemn feet I tread the hill, that overbrows the lonely vale.” — Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, “Woods in Winter”

January 20, 2025

It's Inauguration Day. I decided to watch NBC's news coverage and may have rolled my eyes quite a few times. My take-aways are that some of his Executive Orders are laughable. The Gulf of America, for one. Baron is tall. I think Melania should have taken her hat off at the luncheon following Trump's swearing in. Vance's wife is nice looking. Jill Biden's outfit was attractive. Elon Musk gives me the creeps.  And oligarchy is alive and well in the USA.

I am starting to question my sanity. I am the only person who hears the birds chirping. I only hear them in our front room. And I have never seen the birds. Is my mind  playing tricks on me or is something else at play here?

I had a long conversation with Bern today and sense he is spring cleaning in a metaphorical sense.

I also spoke to Sean briefly today and I laughed when he mentioned he is sick of changing Barbie's clothes.

And lastly I had a chat with Cat. Recovery from her surgery is going well and she is feeling energetic. A vast improvement from her pre-surgery fatigue.It is good to hear her optimism about her health going forward.

And with temperatures falling, we have all snuggled in for a long winter's night.   “And finally Winter, with its bitin, whinin’ wind, and all the land will be mantled with snow.” — Roy Bean

January 19, 2025

The first words out of my mouth this morning were, "It's cold."  It was 63 degrees in the house and I was talking to Kali, our cat. It is 14 degrees outside. I turned up the thermostat and Kali headed for her spot under the shelf in front of a heating vent.  Smart cat. We are under an extreme cold watch. Dangerously cold wind chills are expected tonight through Wednesday night. During this time period, wind chills are expected to be as low as 30 degrees below zero. And I'll close this talk about falling temps with this Oscar Wilde quote. "Conversation about the weather is the last refuge of the unimaginative."  

Kathy's front room has become a staging area containing a few pieces of assembled furniture and many more boxes of unassembled furniture. Anything bedroom related is on hold. It looks like new carpet installation in her bedrooms is about three weeks away as she waits for an installer to become available. And as cliche as these words are, it is what it is.  Yesterday, we visited Ikea and saw a few items that had future potential for her front room once the bedrooms are squared away. We also picked up a few items in the Market Place area of the store.  I found a mini ironing board that should be useful, especially if I decide to finally start sewing again.  I don't know what is holding me back. My inner voice has been whispering, just do it, just do it, for months now. I believe like many things, it's just difficult to take that first step on a new project.

More weather related complaints and quotes are expected this coming week.  “In the bleak mid-winter, Frosty wind made moan, Earth stood hard as iron, Water like a stone.” — Christina Rossetti, “In the Bleak Midwinter”

January 16, 2025

I just couldn't muster the grit to get dressed and go to the rec building this morning. Despite getting picked up in a warm car, these cold dark mornings are wearing me out. I'll be back to it tomorrow, no excuses. Suck it up, Sugar.

The tile in all three of Kathy's bedrooms tested positive for asbestos. Fortunately, Kathy was able to find a carpet installer that is willing to lay carpet on top of the tile, no asbestos abatement required. The store is sending someone to measure her rooms this afternoon. They plan to use the existing carpet tack strips, which appear to be in good condition, so the tile will not be disturbed. Hopefully, she will be able to get her new carpeting put in as early as next week and finally have a functional bedroom. Her sunroom (family room) is coming along and has enough comfortable seating for at least five guests. And the kitchen is functional.  Her house is gradually becoming her home.

I've noticed that my laptop battery is no longer holding a charge. I'm lucky to get a few hours of unplugged use. I believe I purchased this laptop in 2020, shortly after moving to Ann Arbor.  Its predecessor (also a Mac laptop) had a number of issues toward the end.  I am not ready to purchase a new computer and am hoping to get another few years of use. I'll keep the charging cord nearby.

I looked up a few minutes ago to see snow falling heavily. 

 “While the earth has slumbered, all the air has been alive with feathery flakes descending.” — Henry David Thoreau, “A Winter Walk”

 January 14, 2025

Just binge ate BBQ potato chips and pork rinds. I am not feeling so great about myself right now. In my defense, it's fricking cold outside and I am sleep deprived, so my resistance levels are low. I'll aim for a healthier dinner.

I have been looking at sewing patterns for small plush toys and am thinking about giving a simple small frog a try. This project calls for stretchy fabric and stuffing so I may need to go to Joanns tin the near future. If froggie goes well, I'd like to give the more difficult gecko pattern I found a try. 

I'm a bit conflicted. One of my siblings has been ghosting me and my insecurities are coming to the surface. Mostly because I am unsure if I should continue making an effort or if I should just accept that this person would prefer I leave them alone. And I get it. Families are complicated.

I am feeling a bit tired and down today...

January 13, 2025

At the end of episode seven of the Handmaid's Tale, there is a scene that would make me cry if I could produce tears. June finds out that her husband Luke is alive and is able to get a note to him that simply says, "I love you. So much. Save Hannah."  And he says, "so she's alive," with the camera focused on his eyes as the tears begin to fall. The background music is Nothing's Going to Hurt You Baby by Cigarettes for Sex.  I love this series. So much. Save my sanity.

I decided to skip the rec building this morning. I plan to go tomorrow. I did ride our stationery bike for an hour and do a single plank this morning. I wish I could report that I have done a plank a day since January 1, but I believe I may be closer to a 75% success rate.

I Facetimed the Chicago Doves yesterday. They all have a respiratory illness that seems to be lingering. Rose has been ill since mid-December. Porter fake coughed a few times for illustrative purposes. I showed Porter a few cheap Barbie outfits I found at the Dollar store. We talked about a TV show she has been watching. She makes me smile. I love this family. So Much. Saving my sanity.

My innie husband may briefly become an outie husband. I heard Michael say he is thinking about going to the Detroit Auto Show. Yes!!

I am watching the snow dance in the wind on its way down. And there are small birds flitting between the bare branches on the trees along our fence line. And it is comforting. I love our backyard view. So much. Sanity saved.

January 12, 2025

Michael mentioned a few days ago that he used to be an outie, and now he is an innie. At first, I thought he was talking about belly buttons, but that didn't make sense because he has always been an innie. Apparently he is talking about how he doesn't go outside much these days because of the cold, so thus he is an innie. I guess he picked up these terms from the show Severence, in which the meaning is different. In the show an outie is a term for the home life self; and an innie refers to one's work life.

The cold continues. And I still hear the night birds sing. All the young are getting old and the summer is cold. And all the birds have been singing at night.  - Ben Schneider

January 11, 2025

Officially, I believe Ann Arbor's snow total was only one inch but when I shoveled the front walk this morning it appeared to be closer to two to three inches.

The asbestos testing company came by Kathy's house today to get samples of the tile in her bedrooms. She should have the test results in a few days. The man that came by mentioned that he would report that the tile, if positive for asbestos, was stable. He also said that rather than removing the tile, it was safer to encapsulate it, which is a way to seal the tile with a sealant or epoxy to keep asbestos fibers from being released into the air. I am wondering if that is good enough for Home Depot. Kathy may end up shopping for another carpet layer that is more amenable to dealing with asbestos abatement.

January 10, 2025

Snow...   I'll report tomorrow how many inches. Which I believe, however, will only be a few.

I am rewatching the Handmaid's Tale. No special reason other than there is something about this show that attracted me when it first aired. And it continues to engage me. Plus I love Elizabeth Moss.

Kathy and I went to Bob's Furniture last night. Much to my surprise a few purchases were made including a bed frame and mattress for her guestroom. She ran into an obstacle, however, while making arrangements for new bedroom carpeting at Home Depot. They require  her tile flooring be tested first for asbestos. What surprised me is that if this is one of their requirements, why doesn't Home Depot assist with a list of acceptable testing facilities.  Just another brick in the wall.

January 9, 2024

Today's fitness class at the rec was a mix of kickboxing moves, bandwork, Pilates, and stretching. I positioned myself upfront and felt I did better following Colleen's routine.

I am slowly cleaning and rearranging kitchen cupboards. I am finding that the canned and boxed goods in the  back are not being eaten

And in a nod to the weather, despite frigid temps, the sun felt good.

January 8, 2025

I find myself doubting things I want to be true. There is a crack in everything.

January 7, 2025

Michael pointed out to me today that yesterday's post had the wrong year (corrected). I need to be more mindful.

I went to a strength and balance class at the rec building this morning with Butch. And confirmed that I am uncoordinated. I had a hard time doing upper body weight work while moving my legs back and forth at the same time. According to my tracker my heart rate was 126. The next class is on Thursday.

I am watching Carter's funeral procession on ABC.  It doesn't have the same degree of pomp and circumstance as royal processions in Great Britain, but has a somber dignity to it that I appreciate. I admired Carter, not just as a president but also for his charitable work following his presidency. Especially his work for Habitat for Humanity.

I finished the second of two photo books for 2024 today. I am now waiting for Shutterfly to have a sale on photo books before ordering.

January 6, 2025

As I walked this morning on the rec's track, I started reflecting on what hurt. The newest pain emanated from the front right sole of my right food. I noted some sciatica in my left upper hip while on one of the weight machines. And my shoulders are still tight.  I am grateful nothing actually hurts unless I am applying pressure or engaged in a repetitive motion activity. 

Temps continue to fall and I noticed the wind has picked up as well. I've heard that January is the Monday of months, which seems like an appropriate description. Does that make June and July the weekend? Admittedly, watching the swirling snow flurries in the backyard is mesmerizing, but I prefer heat.

I went to the Ace on West Stadium today. I love browsing that store; they have the best household stuff.  Michael begrudgingly accompanied me and ended up spending nearly $200. My purchase of two melamine plates/cups for Porter and three discounted Christmas ornaments paled in comparison.

And the night birds continue to sing.

January 4, 2025

I find myself falling back into my old routines. This is not necessarily a good or bad thing. It's just my reality. 

Kathy decided to order furniture on-line from a few businesses we used when we moved here because furniture stores were closed due to the pandemic. Sometime, within the next 4-6 weeks, she is expecting a dining table, chairs, a bed, and nightstands to arrive. It's a good start.

I heard from Arlene today. She is one of the women I used to walk with mornings in Nui Valley. I always felt like we had a connection, if that makes sense. I miss my lady friends. They always made me feel like I belonged, a feeling I don't often have.

My annual photo book for 2024 is nearly done.  

January 2, 2025

I have to admit it took me a few minutes of searching menu options to remember how to add a 2025 page to this blog.

First off, I'd like to wish my mother a Happy Birthday!  I miss you. I love you.  I'll be saying this every year for the rest of my life, unless I get alzheimer's (which I probably misspelled).  

Yesterday, Kathy and I visited four furniture stores and Kathy ended up buying a couch at the first place we looked.  It is being delivered today. Sometimes, I think when you see something, you just know it's the right one. I do have to say that for the most part, most of the furniture we saw was oversized and clunky looking. I can see the appeal of Ikea. Which by the way, we visited on Sunday and may have found a dining table that might work for her. Fortunately, I don't think she is feeling an urgency yet to furnish her home. She has a few lamps and chairs we provided, a portable table Butch brought over, and a fold out foam bed she moved from Florida. And it is enough to get by with for now.  Michael and I had a similar experience when we moved to Ann Arbor from Honolulu. At least, Kathy's kitchen and other household and personal items arrived from Florida before she got here.

I am slowly cleaning my refrigerator out of the overabundance of food in it over the holidays. And do feel some shame at the amount of food I threw away. But there is only so much room in my freezer, and I had to ask myself if realistically is this something I am going to eat in the near future.

And finally, I did a plank yesterday.  At 11 pm before crawling in bed.  Happy New Year!