Well it is almost Mother's Day when this time last year, our Mother began her last journey. None of us knew it was her last of course. That would have spoiled her surprise. We continued to visit and laugh and push and pull and ask her advice. She gave it. Oh she crabbed a little more, ok a lot more, but the laughter would ring out when we would visit so much the nurses would poke their heads in to see what was going on. Because you see, laughter is not a commodity one finds very often in a hospital or a nursing home.
She came through crisis after crisis. She pushed to be a part of the events of the summer - wedding, birthdays..... She tried but she got tired. We asked her to stay one more month, one more day but she had other plans. She left at the height of Fall's beauty and was buried on a day that rivaled summer's warmth. Each event since she passed has been marked by her presence-one way or another. For me it's butterflies. We daughters keep the torch lit and the procession intact.
But it's Mothers Day again and we remember.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
MAYDAY
It has been pointed out to me that I have not posted in a while. Not really lack of adventures. Lack of ambition? Too many gimlets? Lack of the muse? Pick one-we will tabulate the answers and post the results. Anyway.
Spring has sprung-say that cautiously as we never know where Mother Nature could be lurking or the Tooth Fairy or the neighborhood perv I suppose. Let's see-spent some time in Florida in March. Nice thing about fair skin-only takes an hour or two on the beach to produce color- owww! But it's starting to fade-bring me some sun! Did you know they have wineries in Florida? Well neither did we. Yes, flea markets, air boats,horrible drivers, gridlock and palm trees, but wineries? Actually they seem to focus on the fruity side, well duhhhh. Problem was, we had to literally drink a bottle a night as we did not want to take chances on packing fruity, cloying liquids amongst our dirty underwear. Made the evenings much more entertaining though.
Decided to beat the early bird rush/lineup one night by going to dinner at 8:30. Works-no waiting, however they are "out of everything". Did sit there one night amidst a tremendous clatter and table shaking as the latest landing of the Challenger made it's way back to the Cape. Very cool. Though actually I just thought it was the ancient air conditioning kicking in.
Hit the last Tigers exhibition game in Lakeland which they sailed through 14-5 and then they went on to lose 7 in a row. Things have improved since then. At the moment, Pistons are up 3-2, RedWings 3-0 and Tigers are ahead 4-3-COOLLLLL.
Spring has sprung-say that cautiously as we never know where Mother Nature could be lurking or the Tooth Fairy or the neighborhood perv I suppose. Let's see-spent some time in Florida in March. Nice thing about fair skin-only takes an hour or two on the beach to produce color- owww! But it's starting to fade-bring me some sun! Did you know they have wineries in Florida? Well neither did we. Yes, flea markets, air boats,horrible drivers, gridlock and palm trees, but wineries? Actually they seem to focus on the fruity side, well duhhhh. Problem was, we had to literally drink a bottle a night as we did not want to take chances on packing fruity, cloying liquids amongst our dirty underwear. Made the evenings much more entertaining though.
Decided to beat the early bird rush/lineup one night by going to dinner at 8:30. Works-no waiting, however they are "out of everything". Did sit there one night amidst a tremendous clatter and table shaking as the latest landing of the Challenger made it's way back to the Cape. Very cool. Though actually I just thought it was the ancient air conditioning kicking in.
Hit the last Tigers exhibition game in Lakeland which they sailed through 14-5 and then they went on to lose 7 in a row. Things have improved since then. At the moment, Pistons are up 3-2, RedWings 3-0 and Tigers are ahead 4-3-COOLLLLL.
Saturday, February 16, 2008
IN THE HEART OF WINTER
Was nicely presented with wine and appetizers Thursday night when I got home from work. Very nice, very relaxing and very necessary as we couldn't get a reservation for dinner until 8:00! Ah well, allows time to enjoy one or two or several glasses of wine which, oddly enough, makes any dinner even better. No doubt as taste buds have now been numbed. Then, of course, one must follow up with a pre-dinner pinot gris before ordering dinner.
So tell me. We were in East Lansing, MSU territory and there were, understandably, many young people and their cute little dates there. So tell me - why do they seat the high rollers in the middle of the room and the "kids" in the romantic booths? Who is paying for an expensive dinner plus a generous tip and who is scrabbling for quarters in the seat cushions to pay their bill?
So tell me. We were in East Lansing, MSU territory and there were, understandably, many young people and their cute little dates there. So tell me - why do they seat the high rollers in the middle of the room and the "kids" in the romantic booths? Who is paying for an expensive dinner plus a generous tip and who is scrabbling for quarters in the seat cushions to pay their bill?
Sunday, February 10, 2008
BRRRRRR SCENES
Looking out the patio doors I see the happy dance of baby snow tornadoes racing across the buried backyard. I watch the latest flock of cardinals, chickadees and one lone woodpecker clinging frantically to the bird feeder snatching up icy seed. They will stay there all day, interchangeable with other family members, as they tuck away food like a famished driver hitting a truck stop. No doubt they bitch about the food and tell about their near misses on the roads and/or skies.
Which reminds me. Burt noticed a small hawk perched on the grill the other day. Small meaning it was only 2 times the size of our resident doves. He then floated up to the bird feeder to wait. No doubt he appreciates our convenient restaurant accomodations for the movable feast he calls dinner. Well carnivores have to eat too!
We do not discriminate against any who choose to dine at "Cher Ide". Come as you are. The birds and squirrels look permanently pregnant as they fluff up feathers and fur, respectively, to ward off the cold. Normally conversation is diminished as they save their breath for chewing. Although occasionally a small skirmish breaks out as bigger birds try to oust the smaller ones. The squirrels conjure up enough energy to chase each other and attempt to hide corn put out for the deer in one of the burlap-covered bushes.
The deer always wait a day after service has been provided and remain ever vigilant as they chew with one eye always moving, checking the area. Very difficult to do, unless you are a deer of course. I love to turn the backyard floodlight on and we stare at each other through the glass, darkly, of course for you literary fans.
Which reminds me. Burt noticed a small hawk perched on the grill the other day. Small meaning it was only 2 times the size of our resident doves. He then floated up to the bird feeder to wait. No doubt he appreciates our convenient restaurant accomodations for the movable feast he calls dinner. Well carnivores have to eat too!
We do not discriminate against any who choose to dine at "Cher Ide". Come as you are. The birds and squirrels look permanently pregnant as they fluff up feathers and fur, respectively, to ward off the cold. Normally conversation is diminished as they save their breath for chewing. Although occasionally a small skirmish breaks out as bigger birds try to oust the smaller ones. The squirrels conjure up enough energy to chase each other and attempt to hide corn put out for the deer in one of the burlap-covered bushes.
The deer always wait a day after service has been provided and remain ever vigilant as they chew with one eye always moving, checking the area. Very difficult to do, unless you are a deer of course. I love to turn the backyard floodlight on and we stare at each other through the glass, darkly, of course for you literary fans.
Saturday, February 2, 2008
WINTER SCENES
Made a trip to Grand Rapids in a blizzard the other day and I am so glad I used the facilities before and during. WHEWWWWW!!! I believe I drove the entire route with fingers clenched so hard it would have taken a tire iron delicately utilized to peel them off the artificial leather or applied to my noggin until I lost consciousness. I also believe my butt did not sit firmly in the seat but instead was suspended about 3 inches above the seat-apparently that helps keep the car on the road. I am not questioning logic that worked!
You know that teeth baring grin that people display on roller coasters as they are spun sideways and upside down. Rather an attitude: I am really having fun; I am not scared; look I am smiling grimacing, screaming internally very very very loudly. Well that is probably the look on my face as I slid majestically past wrecked semi-tractors and tiny little cars that weigh, oh I don't know, maybe 200 lbs. Great on gas mileage but absolutely worthless in a bad weather driving situation. And those fancy 4-wheel drive and SUV monsters that roar past only to wave sadly to the less adventuresome from the ditches into which they have decided to take a scenic detour. Do not make eye contact or you will have to stop. Which, by the way, may not have been possible with the wind and generally icy pavement passing beneath my wheels.
Particularly exciting were the trucks perched on the side of a steep and curved piece of highway much like metallic traffic cones daring unwary drivers to attempt the newly created obstacle course. No doubt they sat in their cabs with stopwatches and clipboards rating both skill and timing as cars negotiated the "truck moguls" that appeared on our highway ski hill. Zero points of course awarded to the wipe-outs, spectacular as they may be.
I love Michigan! By the next afternoon I was cruising 75 miles per hour on the way back on dry pavement.
You know that teeth baring grin that people display on roller coasters as they are spun sideways and upside down. Rather an attitude: I am really having fun; I am not scared; look I am smiling grimacing, screaming internally very very very loudly. Well that is probably the look on my face as I slid majestically past wrecked semi-tractors and tiny little cars that weigh, oh I don't know, maybe 200 lbs. Great on gas mileage but absolutely worthless in a bad weather driving situation. And those fancy 4-wheel drive and SUV monsters that roar past only to wave sadly to the less adventuresome from the ditches into which they have decided to take a scenic detour. Do not make eye contact or you will have to stop. Which, by the way, may not have been possible with the wind and generally icy pavement passing beneath my wheels.
Particularly exciting were the trucks perched on the side of a steep and curved piece of highway much like metallic traffic cones daring unwary drivers to attempt the newly created obstacle course. No doubt they sat in their cabs with stopwatches and clipboards rating both skill and timing as cars negotiated the "truck moguls" that appeared on our highway ski hill. Zero points of course awarded to the wipe-outs, spectacular as they may be.
I love Michigan! By the next afternoon I was cruising 75 miles per hour on the way back on dry pavement.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
LATEST RANT
I finally provided a 500 word piece to the local paper last Thursday, January 17. It turned out to be something different than what I thought it would be which was a tirade on the over-medication of society. Instead it ended up being a piece that talked about drugs, yes, but also about grief. When I figure out how to download it, I will put it on the blog.
I also wrote something for the "Committee" both Senior and Junior, that I will send to them tomorrow. I am a little apprehensive of their reaction. You see, tomorrow would have been our Mother's 80t birthday.....
I also wrote something for the "Committee" both Senior and Junior, that I will send to them tomorrow. I am a little apprehensive of their reaction. You see, tomorrow would have been our Mother's 80t birthday.....
Sunday, January 13, 2008
SOCIAL SCENES - HAPPY 2008
Back to the office after an extended period. January is all about performance evaluations for my staff which have absolutely no bearing on anything of importance except taking up time. If you only to talk to your staff once a year, you have a major problem anyway. Not that anyone listens. You get little nagging e-mails with a reminder, which become progressively more aggressive if you ignore the system.
But it may be how the electronic monster is fed - sending cryptic notes about DOOM & DESPAIR-Jiminey Cricket and Bona Bonita have to be written about in great detail, lest I forget apparently. Fill in 2007 and the monster reacts again! It is still not satisfied. More notes, more reminders. You must now tell Jiminey and Bona how much fun they will have in 2008- DO IT-DO NOT THINK-DO NOT PASS GO - AND DEFINITELY DO NOT PICK UP ANY EXTRA GOLD!!!!
However, such mind-numbing tasks were forgotten in the socializing that we did manage over the last couple of weeks. Met the "Committee" and associates (husbands/father/youngster) for dinner around 6:30-we were still quaffing wine, finishing each other's dinners and discussing life, love and the pursuit of happiness at 9:45. Typical when we get together.
The first game was trying to determine the identity of the tuxedo-clad gentlemen in the next private room from our (apparently they have entertained us before, so we get a private room-I believe that to be a compliment). They were wearing red fedoras and a variety of ornate medallions on chains. Guesses ranged from the "old men's red hat society"; "court jesters"; "officials of the court"; "doormen". The last guess was based upon their eagerness to hold doors for the ladies of our party.
And the winner is "JESTERS". Yes, I know. I had no idea they had their own society-probably helps for bookings and not repeating each other's materials.
As I had requested dinner and dancing we adjourned to the bar area where "The Middle-Aged White Band" (just a guess) were holding court. Ahem, we were the proverbial spring chickens in the room. You just haven't lived until you see 70-somethings trying to jive to CC Ryder. I noted they played a slow tune every other selection which Burt, the comedian, noted "they probably don't want to see heart attacks on the dance floor". Good point.
The following week Dad came over for dinner at his now favorite Italian restaurant in Lansing where he decided he wanted to discuss the state of the world and the candidates running for Prom King or Queen. His views have become aggressively negative lately, so I was forced to defend liberalism at the top of my voice as he is a "tad" hard of hearing. No doubt the entire restaurant now knows my views. Oh well. At least no rabid Republicans picketed the table.
But it may be how the electronic monster is fed - sending cryptic notes about DOOM & DESPAIR-Jiminey Cricket and Bona Bonita have to be written about in great detail, lest I forget apparently. Fill in 2007 and the monster reacts again! It is still not satisfied. More notes, more reminders. You must now tell Jiminey and Bona how much fun they will have in 2008- DO IT-DO NOT THINK-DO NOT PASS GO - AND DEFINITELY DO NOT PICK UP ANY EXTRA GOLD!!!!
However, such mind-numbing tasks were forgotten in the socializing that we did manage over the last couple of weeks. Met the "Committee" and associates (husbands/father/youngster) for dinner around 6:30-we were still quaffing wine, finishing each other's dinners and discussing life, love and the pursuit of happiness at 9:45. Typical when we get together.
The first game was trying to determine the identity of the tuxedo-clad gentlemen in the next private room from our (apparently they have entertained us before, so we get a private room-I believe that to be a compliment). They were wearing red fedoras and a variety of ornate medallions on chains. Guesses ranged from the "old men's red hat society"; "court jesters"; "officials of the court"; "doormen". The last guess was based upon their eagerness to hold doors for the ladies of our party.
And the winner is "JESTERS". Yes, I know. I had no idea they had their own society-probably helps for bookings and not repeating each other's materials.
As I had requested dinner and dancing we adjourned to the bar area where "The Middle-Aged White Band" (just a guess) were holding court. Ahem, we were the proverbial spring chickens in the room. You just haven't lived until you see 70-somethings trying to jive to CC Ryder. I noted they played a slow tune every other selection which Burt, the comedian, noted "they probably don't want to see heart attacks on the dance floor". Good point.
The following week Dad came over for dinner at his now favorite Italian restaurant in Lansing where he decided he wanted to discuss the state of the world and the candidates running for Prom King or Queen. His views have become aggressively negative lately, so I was forced to defend liberalism at the top of my voice as he is a "tad" hard of hearing. No doubt the entire restaurant now knows my views. Oh well. At least no rabid Republicans picketed the table.
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