Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Welllll...I'm trying to figure out this blogspot. Hey, it's no fun being a 75 year old with your savvy grandchildren away or busy. But at least I found where to post again! It's been a weird year for me...strange surgery last December and a long recuperation. I'm getting back in the swing of things now. I started volunteering at a small school library (Courtesy of the Christ Child Society!) and I just love it. Books, Books, and more Books! and then you add in the kids and it's a great experience. I haven't gone back to the Pabst Mansion yet. My back is still a problem. But I hope to this month. I miss the other docents and I definitely miss the Pabst. It's regaled in Christmas finery right now. I can hardly wait to see it. Patrick, my oldest grandson, is working at First Stage here in Milwaukee. He is very involved in Three Holy Women Parish and I get to go with him to a Taize' service on Tuesday. I've never been, but it sounds meditative. I think I'll like it. DanS, my son-in-law, just bought the right to be on stage in the Music Man production at the Skylight, here in Milwaukee. He had fun...and I am going with a group of friends and relatives to see it this week. AND...I'm having my second Cataract surgery. Wish me luck.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
White out!
Omigosh! I don't know what the exact definition of a blizzard is,but it looks like we're in one, right after a day where the grass was showing tufts of green and the temperature was near 50! Door County is always a treat! We're sort of snowed in, because the wind has blocked out even the lake, a short 300 yards from our patio window.
How did the Indians ever do it? I'm sitting at my computer in a safe, warm and dry house...and thinking about not only their teepees,...but of the brown and grey chinked log cabins built by hand and hard labor and that abound in Door County. You can't help but be reminded that settling here must have been a real trial. Why would they do it? Freedom from servitude and freedom for their Moravian religion is the obvious answer. But I think of the mothers, trying to keep the kids warm, making a home of a small cabin. I'm an only child. I cherish the times when I can be by myself. I have always wondered how the families dealt with the lack of privacy. There was nowhere in the cabin to be by oneself. And think of the noise. The wind wails around the corner of our condominium! What would it be like in a little cabin? I guess you accommodate to whatever life gives you. Hopefully these pioneers were able to take a breath and recognize the beauty of the place that they had chosen to make their home.
And after I think about these negative parts of a snow storm, I look out and see the absolutely stunningly beautiful white landscape, punctuated with exclamation points of birch trees along the shore of Kangaroo Lake. The cedars are bending their dark green branches with heavy white snow, waving in the winds. And the wind! It send snow perpendicular to the large meadow that leads to the lake.
And here we are. Jerry makes a fire. We read. We sit. We make some soup and enjoy the warmth as we watch winter invade our Door County. And we count our blessings.
How did the Indians ever do it? I'm sitting at my computer in a safe, warm and dry house...and thinking about not only their teepees,...but of the brown and grey chinked log cabins built by hand and hard labor and that abound in Door County. You can't help but be reminded that settling here must have been a real trial. Why would they do it? Freedom from servitude and freedom for their Moravian religion is the obvious answer. But I think of the mothers, trying to keep the kids warm, making a home of a small cabin. I'm an only child. I cherish the times when I can be by myself. I have always wondered how the families dealt with the lack of privacy. There was nowhere in the cabin to be by oneself. And think of the noise. The wind wails around the corner of our condominium! What would it be like in a little cabin? I guess you accommodate to whatever life gives you. Hopefully these pioneers were able to take a breath and recognize the beauty of the place that they had chosen to make their home.
And after I think about these negative parts of a snow storm, I look out and see the absolutely stunningly beautiful white landscape, punctuated with exclamation points of birch trees along the shore of Kangaroo Lake. The cedars are bending their dark green branches with heavy white snow, waving in the winds. And the wind! It send snow perpendicular to the large meadow that leads to the lake.
And here we are. Jerry makes a fire. We read. We sit. We make some soup and enjoy the warmth as we watch winter invade our Door County. And we count our blessings.
Monday, March 21, 2011
In like a lamb...
Well, we're in Door County and March has come in like a lamb. It's close to
60 degrees, the snow is melting and we've just come away from our silly
wine and cheese party at the Rushes. It's a lot of fun to see where
everyone is from...and how long they've been owners at the Rushes. This has
to be one of the most loyal group of time share owners. Many of the
folks tonight have been here more than 10 years, some of us more than 20!
We munch on veggies, dip and meatballs, enjoy a glass of wine and love Brenda, the activities director who has been with us for almost 20 years. She is celebrating her 50th birthday this year (in September) and reminds us every week. She is collecting a bunch of cards and gifts as the year progresses. What a prolonged celebration.
The dark pencil marks of the silhoetted trees punctuate the winter sky. This season, like all, has a special beauty.
60 degrees, the snow is melting and we've just come away from our silly
wine and cheese party at the Rushes. It's a lot of fun to see where
everyone is from...and how long they've been owners at the Rushes. This has
to be one of the most loyal group of time share owners. Many of the
folks tonight have been here more than 10 years, some of us more than 20!
We munch on veggies, dip and meatballs, enjoy a glass of wine and love Brenda, the activities director who has been with us for almost 20 years. She is celebrating her 50th birthday this year (in September) and reminds us every week. She is collecting a bunch of cards and gifts as the year progresses. What a prolonged celebration.
The dark pencil marks of the silhoetted trees punctuate the winter sky. This season, like all, has a special beauty.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Somehow I've lost track of this blog...and my LIFE since my December 16th gastric reorganization!
Anyhow, I'm thinking I'm back to normal...and lo and behold, I do one day of normal housework...a couple loads of laundry, general cleanup and a cleaning of the oven...and today I thought I'd just take small nap after Laurie and I did a few errands...and I CRASHED! For 4 hours! But on to the real news. Barb was 'late' for our St Sebastian Meeting tonight. She was given a President's Awaard from Johnson Controls for her work on the Energy Forum that has been part of her life for the past several years the second week in June and in Washington DC. She quickly changed gears and was right up to speed with our 100th celebration. What a kid! I'm so proud of all that she has accomplished.
Anyhow, I'm thinking I'm back to normal...and lo and behold, I do one day of normal housework...a couple loads of laundry, general cleanup and a cleaning of the oven...and today I thought I'd just take small nap after Laurie and I did a few errands...and I CRASHED! For 4 hours! But on to the real news. Barb was 'late' for our St Sebastian Meeting tonight. She was given a President's Awaard from Johnson Controls for her work on the Energy Forum that has been part of her life for the past several years the second week in June and in Washington DC. She quickly changed gears and was right up to speed with our 100th celebration. What a kid! I'm so proud of all that she has accomplished.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
January 19, 2011
So...It's just five weeks since my gastric volvulus surgery, and recuperation is certainly going as predicted...SLOWLY! I, as predicted by Dr. Wallace, hate the gastric tube. It's just obnoxious. I wonder how long I'll have to have this thing? Oh well, my resolve is to think of at least one forward going or uplifting thing that happens each day. That will make the recuperative time go better, I hope...so here goes.
I spend part of each afternoon at the Rec Center at the Rushes...just watching life go by. Today, the Hartmans from Appleton - folks we've know for 28 years, were there, playing bingo! I had a nice visit with Marilyn and Pete, catching up on the year's activities. Marilyn has had both knees replaced and broke her pelvis. She's doing great and hoping that the next doctor's appointment will give her permission to go back to the x-country skiing that they love so much. It's always nice to meet them every year.
So...It's just five weeks since my gastric volvulus surgery, and recuperation is certainly going as predicted...SLOWLY! I, as predicted by Dr. Wallace, hate the gastric tube. It's just obnoxious. I wonder how long I'll have to have this thing? Oh well, my resolve is to think of at least one forward going or uplifting thing that happens each day. That will make the recuperative time go better, I hope...so here goes.
I spend part of each afternoon at the Rec Center at the Rushes...just watching life go by. Today, the Hartmans from Appleton - folks we've know for 28 years, were there, playing bingo! I had a nice visit with Marilyn and Pete, catching up on the year's activities. Marilyn has had both knees replaced and broke her pelvis. She's doing great and hoping that the next doctor's appointment will give her permission to go back to the x-country skiing that they love so much. It's always nice to meet them every year.
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Just thinking...
Words..
Like stinging nettles
Pierce your heart.
They take a lifetime
To be removed.
One by one.
They leave a
Lasting hole…
A small but unrelentless memory
Of a burning hurt that
Must be quenched if you are to.
Seize the moment
And move forward.
Like stinging nettles
Pierce your heart.
They take a lifetime
To be removed.
One by one.
They leave a
Lasting hole…
A small but unrelentless memory
Of a burning hurt that
Must be quenched if you are to.
Seize the moment
And move forward.
Friday, October 9, 2009
What a week!
I have neglected this blog lately. But this week takes the cake!
We've had a bunch of minor disasters and I hope they are done with. This is no way to enter a beautiful Fall season. First of all, my computer screen went blank, then the sewing machine bobbin holder jammed, Jerry's electric razor wore out, Laurie and Mark had a minor, could have been major, upset at their house, Barb's briefcase was stolen from her car while she attended the Christ Child Society luncheon, Jerry found out that his beloved bike was damaged beyond repair,Tom "ran" the Portland Marathon and got a flat tire making him at least 20 minutes over his expected time and after all that, on his way to Wisconsin, a deer walked into Tom's van as he barrelled down the highway at 75 miles an hour.
Was there a full moon? The good news is that all is in the process of being remedied. New computer screen (and the guy cleaned up my computer!); new razor (and Jerry likes it!); new bike (?? I think he should get a better one...we're talking); Bigsby's is going to fix my sewing machine (and CLEAN it! YAY!); L&M still don't know what caused the weirdness in their house, but the fire department with its bells and whistles and nice firemen checked the house and it's fine; Barb replaced the window in the car and thanked God that her 'brain wasn't taken; and TOM- Tom arrived home three hours ago safe and sound with a banged up car. He's sleeping now, having only 3 hours of sleep last night.
At one point in my life, I told someone that "The Perils of Pauline" had nothing on MY life! It certainly is exciting...if that's the catchall word for exasperation, anger, frustration, worry and sympathy all in one week!
In times like these, I just sit back and grin. I think about the victories and defeats that we've witnessed with our extended family. We've managed to survive the major ones and laugh about the minor ones.
My good friend (and Barb's mother-in-law) celebrated her 78th birthday last night. She's an 'only' child, just like I am. When we get together, we chuckle about the differences in our lives since we have acquired the husband/families that we have. We know just how lucky we are. We've known each other since 1970 or so...meeting when Andy and Dan swam together at Nicolet and sharing lots of our children's lives. Now...we feel like we are all an extended family. I worry about her kids and grandkids and she share at least ONE family of mine. So when a week goes like this last one has, it's time to take stock and count your blessings.
Happy Fall.
We've had a bunch of minor disasters and I hope they are done with. This is no way to enter a beautiful Fall season. First of all, my computer screen went blank, then the sewing machine bobbin holder jammed, Jerry's electric razor wore out, Laurie and Mark had a minor, could have been major, upset at their house, Barb's briefcase was stolen from her car while she attended the Christ Child Society luncheon, Jerry found out that his beloved bike was damaged beyond repair,Tom "ran" the Portland Marathon and got a flat tire making him at least 20 minutes over his expected time and after all that, on his way to Wisconsin, a deer walked into Tom's van as he barrelled down the highway at 75 miles an hour.
Was there a full moon? The good news is that all is in the process of being remedied. New computer screen (and the guy cleaned up my computer!); new razor (and Jerry likes it!); new bike (?? I think he should get a better one...we're talking); Bigsby's is going to fix my sewing machine (and CLEAN it! YAY!); L&M still don't know what caused the weirdness in their house, but the fire department with its bells and whistles and nice firemen checked the house and it's fine; Barb replaced the window in the car and thanked God that her 'brain wasn't taken; and TOM- Tom arrived home three hours ago safe and sound with a banged up car. He's sleeping now, having only 3 hours of sleep last night.
At one point in my life, I told someone that "The Perils of Pauline" had nothing on MY life! It certainly is exciting...if that's the catchall word for exasperation, anger, frustration, worry and sympathy all in one week!
In times like these, I just sit back and grin. I think about the victories and defeats that we've witnessed with our extended family. We've managed to survive the major ones and laugh about the minor ones.
My good friend (and Barb's mother-in-law) celebrated her 78th birthday last night. She's an 'only' child, just like I am. When we get together, we chuckle about the differences in our lives since we have acquired the husband/families that we have. We know just how lucky we are. We've known each other since 1970 or so...meeting when Andy and Dan swam together at Nicolet and sharing lots of our children's lives. Now...we feel like we are all an extended family. I worry about her kids and grandkids and she share at least ONE family of mine. So when a week goes like this last one has, it's time to take stock and count your blessings.
Happy Fall.
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