Dragon Mood? -- pumped up!
S and I are preparing to leave the pied-a-terre, take a week off, head back to mid-Michigan, celebrate the Fourth of July and enjoy one another's company.
I'm excited about S having a week off. She certainly sounds ready for some time off. As for me, it feels rather funny, in the absence of a constraining, restrictive work schedule. While some might think that for an unemployed person, every day must feel like a vacation, I can tell them, "It certainly doesn't!" I'm working on looking at job postings, tailoring my resume to this job or that, rewriting cover letters to fit a particular application. You would be amazed at how much time that takes ... as well as energy.
I have also been working on teaching myself Adobe Illustrator and Microsoft FrontPage. I'm doing much better on the first one than I am on the second. Again, it comes down to lack of time. I know, I know ... that sounds crazy when you know I have the whole day, every damn day ... but I run out of time ... and could actually use more. Either I simply get physically tired sitting here on a folding chair, trying to hold good posture ... or I get cotton-headed from mental fatigue ... or it gets too darn warm upstairs in the afternoon heat ... or, well, you get the picture.
Truth be told, I am loving the freedom of this unemployed time. If there just wasn't that money piece missing in this quality-of-life puzzle, you know?? What a headache money is ... and such a necessity ... especially when you are trying to pay the mortgages on two houses, COBRA payments, gas for cars, cell phones, blahbiddy-blah-blah-blah.
Anyway, I digress.
What I'm feeling quite sad about actually is not having access to a computer for a week! WAAAAAHHHHH! I think I'm going to go through withdrawal! -- hell, I know I am! Anyway, I'm talking to myself, comforting myself that it's gonna be okay and the week will be over with before I know it, and it will be good for me to have a break from the computer .... again, blahbiddy-blah-blah-blah.
Whew!
Oh, yeah ... one more thing. I got the surprising and exciting news that my sister, Ruth, and her husband, Paul, and two of their three kids, Jess and Luke, are going to be passing through our neck of the woods this weekend. They will be driving in late, late this evening from their respective points eastward and southward to spend the night with S and me. I'm SO looking forward to visiting with them, having some time to talk and laugh and reconnect. Jess has tales to tell from Italy, Luke has a whole school year of stories from France, and Ruth and Paul can tell us about all their new job/new city adventures!
Oh, it's gonna be fun!
Friday, June 30, 2006
Friday, June 23, 2006
Thinking about ...
Dragon Mood? -- downloading and decompressing for the weekend
"Life is difficult. This is a great truth, and one of the greatest truths." -- M. Scott Peck, The Road Less Traveled
Things I'm thinking about today:
And, as for Mom and Dad Cardinal, they're simply enjoying the beautiful, sunny June day here in Michigan.
"Life is difficult. This is a great truth, and one of the greatest truths." -- M. Scott Peck, The Road Less Traveled
Things I'm thinking about today:
- I spoke to Jeanne, a good friend of S's and mine. She has just retired from twenty-six (-seven, -eight ?) years of teaching high school history. She's a crackerjack teacher (meaning she wins the prize!) and strikes terror into any smart-ass, play-dumb slacker who ever tried to slide through her class. She's smart, she's funny and she will teach the socks off of you, given even half the opportunity. These past couple of years have been tough for her, enduring the politicized climate of an urban high school environment. She loves the kids and hates the politics of education these days. We hope to meet up with her tonight for a burger and a beer.
- The "other" J, Joanne. A little birdie told me that she is in upstate New York with her mom (Hi, Barbara!) cleaning feverishly, talking to real estate agents, exploring senior citizen housing and struggling to do "right" by her mom. What a tough job, Joanne. I am holding you in my thoughts and sending "hang-in-there" energy your way.
- Another good friend, Kevin, called me yesterday morning with a lightness and a lilt to his voice that I've rarely heard: he had just finished signing his preliminary papers to retire from his job as an electrician for a large corporation. He may be done as early as July 1st or as late as January 1st, 2007. He's elated and scared! We talked about getting together to drink martoonis and C-E-L-E-B-R-A-T-E!!. Congratulations, Kevin!
- As I'm sitting here in the pied-a-terre, upstairs at the computer, there are (at least) two cardinals, Mom and Dad, barely red and flashy red, landing on a telephone line outside my window. They are flitting to and fro, singing and chirping up a STORM! Wow, are they pretty!
- It's official: my sister and brother-in-law are leaving Virginia and moving to the Chicago area. Paul has accepted a job working for a higher education-related organization. He and Ruth are cautiously excited. The rest of the family is VERY excited that they're moving back to the Midwest and closer to extended family. Oh, the partying and drinking and the woop-de-doing that will be going on!
- And a blast from the past: Thirty-three years ago, I was getting ready to be married today. Yup, June 23rd, 1973. A hot, sunny Saturday in June. I felt like a princess marrying my knight in shining armor. Sadly, the fairy tale did come to an end and it wasn't "happily ever after." And, as I've said many, many times before, the really wonderful "fruits" of that marriage are my beautiful kids, Lina and Josh. They are the best and coolest people and I count myself lucky to have them in my life.
And, as for Mom and Dad Cardinal, they're simply enjoying the beautiful, sunny June day here in Michigan.
Finishing up another week
Dragon Mood? -- lurking about
...amongst the unemployed! *sigh*
... I will confess ... right up front ... I'm feeling a bit low and discouraged today. I don't know why ... I just am.
I sent off three applications for employment this morning: one for a tech writer for a nationally known pizza empire (think black tiles and white dots), an instructional designer position and a CAD designer position here in the metro Motown area.
Honestly, all these jobs I'm applying for are all starting to sound the same to me.
...amongst the unemployed! *sigh*
... I will confess ... right up front ... I'm feeling a bit low and discouraged today. I don't know why ... I just am.
I sent off three applications for employment this morning: one for a tech writer for a nationally known pizza empire (think black tiles and white dots), an instructional designer position and a CAD designer position here in the metro Motown area.
Honestly, all these jobs I'm applying for are all starting to sound the same to me.
"Highly motivated professional ... blobbedy-blah-blah-blah ...experienced computer analyst...systems for process improvements ...single point of contact ... multiple functional areas ... a high level of competence ... design and development of products ... Yada-yada-yada ... applying standards and principles...opportunities ... blobbedy-blah-blah-blah ... self-starter, highly motivated professional"Do you see what I mean? Holy sh*t!
Thursday, June 22, 2006
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
Training, training and MORE training
Dragon Mood? -- industrious
What I'm working on:
What I'm working on:
- an online course offered by Hewlett-Packard for Adobe's Illustrator.
- another online course for Microsoft's FrontPage, what I think of as a website / webpages development application.
- continuing to work through W3Schools Online Web Tutorials for XHTML.
Labwork Update
Dragon Mood? -- nonplussed
Remember my posting about my slightly high glucose results?
Well, I talked to my dad on Father's Day this past weekend and learned something surprising about Mr. Vitamin Man: he has historically and chronically had high glucose readings. When I told him about my one "bad" number, he replied that his glucose is usually around 115 and has always been high. "It runs in the family," he stated.
Hmmmph!
Remember my posting about my slightly high glucose results?
Well, I talked to my dad on Father's Day this past weekend and learned something surprising about Mr. Vitamin Man: he has historically and chronically had high glucose readings. When I told him about my one "bad" number, he replied that his glucose is usually around 115 and has always been high. "It runs in the family," he stated.
Hmmmph!
Monday, June 19, 2006
Juneteenth
Dragon Mood? -- curious
I've heard a number of references to Juneteenth in the last several weeks. I had no idea what it is. Here's a brief description from the Detroit Free Press:
I've heard a number of references to Juneteenth in the last several weeks. I had no idea what it is. Here's a brief description from the Detroit Free Press:
Juneteenth, or June 19, 1865, is considered the date when the last slaves in America were freed. Although the rumors of freedom were widespread prior to this, actual emancipation in Texas did not come until Gen. Gordon Granger rode into Galveston and issued General Order No. 3 on June 19, almost 2 1/2 years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation. Several states, including Texas, now recognize Juneteenth as a state holiday.The Free Press article went on to say that "Although Juneteenth originated in the South, it has migrated around the country and to many churches in Michigan." Evidently, there are several churches in the metro Detroit area holding Juneteenth celebrations this year.
Friday, June 16, 2006
Mandalas, labyrinths and spider webs
Dragon Mood? -- grieving and clutching the mouse
(sigh) It's Friday again and I'm already experiencing computer withdrawal. Not having a computer to blog with on the weekends is much harder for me than I ever would have imagined!
I revisited my del.icio.us account this week. Such a cool thing, del.icio.us. Do people pronounce it "delicious?" Or do they pronounce it "del-iss-ee-oh-us" like I do in my head? I think, perhaps I was Italian or French or some other Romantic language-speaking person in another life. I always want to add syllables to a word.
I found an exceedingly cool site with mandalas. It's here. I am going ga-ga over the gorgeous, "hand-crafted" mandalas there. They look like they're all done in pen-and-ink. I WANT them! (chuckling) So much for my "letting-go," Buddhist leanings!
That site led me to another site about labyrinths. I have the toughest time spelling l-a-b-y-r-i-n-t-h. My fingers type very slowly as I sound out the word. I read a little about the author of the site. Here's something she had in a side column:
Here's another little blurb Vicki writes about -- she opens with a reference to spiders as weavers. I have long been fascinated with the idea of webs as a metaphor for the connections we all "weave" as we create -- many times, completely unaware -- the "tapestries" of our lives. It's a rich, deep imagery that holds a lot of meaning for me. Here's part of Vicki's thoughts:
Get right on that, will you, Mary??
(sigh) It's Friday again and I'm already experiencing computer withdrawal. Not having a computer to blog with on the weekends is much harder for me than I ever would have imagined!
I revisited my del.icio.us account this week. Such a cool thing, del.icio.us. Do people pronounce it "delicious?" Or do they pronounce it "del-iss-ee-oh-us" like I do in my head? I think, perhaps I was Italian or French or some other Romantic language-speaking person in another life. I always want to add syllables to a word.
I found an exceedingly cool site with mandalas. It's here. I am going ga-ga over the gorgeous, "hand-crafted" mandalas there. They look like they're all done in pen-and-ink. I WANT them! (chuckling) So much for my "letting-go," Buddhist leanings!
That site led me to another site about labyrinths. I have the toughest time spelling l-a-b-y-r-i-n-t-h. My fingers type very slowly as I sound out the word. I read a little about the author of the site. Here's something she had in a side column:
There are many people I have come to know and love on this spiritual journey... you all know who you are and I thank each and every one of you for the guidance and shared experiences.I like the references to spiritual journey, acknowledging important people in her life/journey and expressing gratitude. Yup, that all works for me.
And my deep gratitude
to the Spiritual realm...
guiding me along this most interesting journey.
-- Vicki Kaiser
Here's another little blurb Vicki writes about -- she opens with a reference to spiders as weavers. I have long been fascinated with the idea of webs as a metaphor for the connections we all "weave" as we create -- many times, completely unaware -- the "tapestries" of our lives. It's a rich, deep imagery that holds a lot of meaning for me. Here's part of Vicki's thoughts:
Spiders are weavers... their webs can become quite large and intricate. And so very beautiful, especially when they capture the morning dew...All of which I tend to agree with ... and reinforces the notion that I need to redouble my efforts and commitment to regular meditation.
The human part of us sometimes has difficulty quieting the chatter in our mind long enough to hear what our soul is trying to tell us. Meditation is the art of paying attention, of listening to your heart and learning to be present in the moment. Sometimes without being fully conscious of it, we withdraw from the present and live in the past or the future.
We stay in the past by holding on to learned negative behaviors and patterns that no longer serve us. Perhaps we are angry or unhappy about our current circumstances, not realizing that we can untangle ourselves from this web of our own making. Our soul continually creates circumstances so we can learn life lessons, whatever they may be. Until we learn these lessons, we stay caught in the web with only the circumstances changing... more than likely looming larger as the need to learn the lessons grows. Meditation brings us into the present and teaches us to accept the past and let go of these old behaviors.
Some of us are fearful of the future. The human part of us doubts whether we are capable of making correct decisions on our life path. By releasing this tangled web we learn to be in the “now,” transforming these fears and learning to trust our intuition or soul voice. Faith is born of this trust and our lives become more simplified. Meditation can help us live more fully, more effectively, and more peacefully.
Get right on that, will you, Mary??
Thursday, June 15, 2006
Labwork & the resultant whining
Dragon Mood? -- challenged
In anticipation of seeing my family physician, I went to the lab and had blood drawn last Friday. Well, as you can imagine, I was elated about all the numbers except the last one: damn glucose. ArrghhhHH!
I thought about it. I think I am eating healthy and healthi-ER than I ever have. My other numbers substantiate that. The fact that my glucose puts me in the pre-diabetic category means:
Exercise, exercise, exercise!!! Can you hear my whining from THERE???
In anticipation of seeing my family physician, I went to the lab and had blood drawn last Friday. Well, as you can imagine, I was elated about all the numbers except the last one: damn glucose. ArrghhhHH!
| Description | Result | Normal Range |
| HDL | 54 | 35-75 |
| Cholesterol | 147 | 125-200 |
| Triglycerides | 116 | 10-190 |
| Chol/HDL Ratio | 2.7 | Half the average risk factor: 3.3 for women Average risk factor: 4.4 for women Two times average risk factor: 7.0 for women |
| LDL | 70 | 60-130 |
| Insulin (Fasting) | 15.6 | 6.0-29.0 |
| Glucose | 105 | 65-99 |
I thought about it. I think I am eating healthy and healthi-ER than I ever have. My other numbers substantiate that. The fact that my glucose puts me in the pre-diabetic category means:
- I need to exercise more.
- I need to eat the same or less.
- With #1 and #2, I will lose weight.
Exercise, exercise, exercise!!! Can you hear my whining from THERE???
Second Time Around
Dragon Mood? -- touchy but working on my working attitude
This week, Newsweek has a cover article on "How to Change Careers," targeted at us baby boomers. It's a pretty good article on "Career 2.0" as it's called, though I couldn't help but detect a slight note of "youth-centric" smugness from the author (probably some whipper-snapper under the age of 42?). Then again, peerhaps I'm just feeling overly old, overly over-the-hill and overly sensitive???
The really good part of this timely article FOR ME was a slight perceptual shift in my thinking. Yes, I was laid off from my job. Yes, I didn't like or care for my employer nor how they treated their employees. But, nevertheless, I persisted in seeing myself as something of a victim, treated badly by this former employer. BAH, Humbug!
Reading the article, a lightbulb went ON for me that I am in the midst of a transition, launching a new era, exploring this uncharted sea of worklife a SECOND TIME AROUND! I may not have chosen the time for this transition to begin, but truth be told, I am damn happy to be 'outta there' and moving on in my life. I am in the midst of my very own Career 2.0!
Like I said, it's a slight shift, but a significant shift nevertheless for me. And it's a GOOD shift, wouldn't you agree? It's always better to see oneself as making choices rather than just reacting, yes? A strong, persistent advocate for one's own progress and advancement rather than a victim, a poor schmuck waiting to be beat down by the vagaries of life? Yes, absolutely YES!
So ... where to go from here?
Well, I have redoubled my efforts in applying for jobs. If there's a job out there meant for me, I will certainly do my part by applying for it. But beyond that, I am starting to think about other possibilities: going back to school, volunteering to get my foot "in the door," considering several part-time jobs and the flexibilities that may offer. There are endless possibilities.
I'm feeling excited and energized.
This week, Newsweek has a cover article on "How to Change Careers," targeted at us baby boomers. It's a pretty good article on "Career 2.0" as it's called, though I couldn't help but detect a slight note of "youth-centric" smugness from the author (probably some whipper-snapper under the age of 42?). Then again, peerhaps I'm just feeling overly old, overly over-the-hill and overly sensitive???
The really good part of this timely article FOR ME was a slight perceptual shift in my thinking. Yes, I was laid off from my job. Yes, I didn't like or care for my employer nor how they treated their employees. But, nevertheless, I persisted in seeing myself as something of a victim, treated badly by this former employer. BAH, Humbug!
Reading the article, a lightbulb went ON for me that I am in the midst of a transition, launching a new era, exploring this uncharted sea of worklife a SECOND TIME AROUND! I may not have chosen the time for this transition to begin, but truth be told, I am damn happy to be 'outta there' and moving on in my life. I am in the midst of my very own Career 2.0!
Like I said, it's a slight shift, but a significant shift nevertheless for me. And it's a GOOD shift, wouldn't you agree? It's always better to see oneself as making choices rather than just reacting, yes? A strong, persistent advocate for one's own progress and advancement rather than a victim, a poor schmuck waiting to be beat down by the vagaries of life? Yes, absolutely YES!
So ... where to go from here?
Well, I have redoubled my efforts in applying for jobs. If there's a job out there meant for me, I will certainly do my part by applying for it. But beyond that, I am starting to think about other possibilities: going back to school, volunteering to get my foot "in the door," considering several part-time jobs and the flexibilities that may offer. There are endless possibilities.
I'm feeling excited and energized.
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
Not exactly GOOD news
Dragon Mood? -- heavy sigh of resign-ed-ness?
While scanning the Detroit News online this morning, I found this article. Not exactly what I would call 'good' news! Here's an excerpt:
While scanning the Detroit News online this morning, I found this article. Not exactly what I would call 'good' news! Here's an excerpt:
Few local firms plan new hires
... finds 10 percent of southeast Michigan companies expect to add to their payrolls in the coming months, while 5 percent say they plan to cut jobs.
That compares with 11 percent of firms saying they would be hiring at this time last year, while 12 percent said they'd cut jobs.
...Overall, the region still lags the country in new job creation.
...Michigan's unemployment rate jumped to 7.2 percent in April, widening the stubborn gap between the state and the national unemployment rate of 4.7 percent. That chasm of job creation was on view last month in Southfield when 2,000 prospective employees showed up for 400 openings at a Comcast job fair.
Approaching Midsummer's Eve
Dragon Mood? -- sleepy
I woke up before 5 this morning -- the dog and I both had nature calls. It was still quiet outside -- and rather cool for mid-June -- but there was already light in the sky. Surprise! Sunrise probably wasn't until around 5:30 or 5:45, but the sun's rays had already chased the dark-blue of night away.
And then ... the birds began to sing. Ahh, sweet sounds of birds!
Summer is such a delight! Why can't it be like this more of the year??
I woke up before 5 this morning -- the dog and I both had nature calls. It was still quiet outside -- and rather cool for mid-June -- but there was already light in the sky. Surprise! Sunrise probably wasn't until around 5:30 or 5:45, but the sun's rays had already chased the dark-blue of night away.
And then ... the birds began to sing. Ahh, sweet sounds of birds!
Summer is such a delight! Why can't it be like this more of the year??
Wednesday, June 07, 2006
Today is June 7th!
Dragon Mood? -- a little peevish this morning
Today is June 7th. It's a Wendishday!
Here are some things I'm thinking about, remembering, looking forward to:
Today is June 7th. It's a Wendishday!
Here are some things I'm thinking about, remembering, looking forward to:
- Today is/was my mom's birthday. She would have been 77 today. Hard to believe! In my mind, she will always be 63. Actually, I remember her best in her fifties -- where I am now!
- Today is a big day for my brother-in-law and sister. Paul is interviewing for a job in the Chicago area. Ruth is waiting at home in Virginia, trying to act like things are "normal" -- sort of? I hope Paul's interview goes well for him. I'm trusting that things will work out as they are supposed to work out.
- I'm meeting with my long-time friend, Carol, this evening. She is visiting from the Twin Cities. It's an unexpected get-together; I'm looking forward to meeting with her and catching up on news in her life.
- Last and least important, we all survived the "Devil's Day" or June 6, 2006 ... 6-6-06. The news was full of "light-hearted" accounts of peoples' thoughts on the day. Personally, I think those articles were an insult to the true and real presence of evil in this world. Let's not make light of it, shall we, folks?
Friday, June 02, 2006
Friday noon-ish
Dragon Mood? -- gearing up, adrenaline pumping
So ... now with our computer "down" here at the pied-a-terre, Friday noontime is becoming like my Saturday mornings used to be ... a time to relax and post my thoughts. Except today, I don't really have time to relax as I need to work out on the treadmill, gather my things together, maybe catch a quick bite to eat and hit the road before traffic becomes hellacious here in the Motor City.
Weekends at the country home in the pines feel a bit funny these days without access to a computer. I didn't realize how much I associated 'relaxing' with time spent on the computer, surfing, blogging, downloading photos, uploading photos to Flickr, et cetera. I do miss it. I do have more time, however, to play the piano, sit outside on the deck, listen to the fountain, read books or -ugh- clean house.
Tomorrow afternoon, S and I are going to the wedding of Kathy and Jesse. Kathy is the daughter of our good friends and neighbors, Jan & Tom. They were kind and gracious enough to invite us to this significant event in their lives. We're looking forward to meeting some of their crazy, wonderful family including Tom's five (macho) brothers and Jan's crazy Ffffrench family, the LaBelles! I'm looking forward to it!
I'll be back later Monday. Monday morning is TEETH-cleaning time! Wish me well -- "look, Mom, no cavities!"
So ... now with our computer "down" here at the pied-a-terre, Friday noontime is becoming like my Saturday mornings used to be ... a time to relax and post my thoughts. Except today, I don't really have time to relax as I need to work out on the treadmill, gather my things together, maybe catch a quick bite to eat and hit the road before traffic becomes hellacious here in the Motor City.
Weekends at the country home in the pines feel a bit funny these days without access to a computer. I didn't realize how much I associated 'relaxing' with time spent on the computer, surfing, blogging, downloading photos, uploading photos to Flickr, et cetera. I do miss it. I do have more time, however, to play the piano, sit outside on the deck, listen to the fountain, read books or -ugh- clean house.
Tomorrow afternoon, S and I are going to the wedding of Kathy and Jesse. Kathy is the daughter of our good friends and neighbors, Jan & Tom. They were kind and gracious enough to invite us to this significant event in their lives. We're looking forward to meeting some of their crazy, wonderful family including Tom's five (macho) brothers and Jan's crazy Ffffrench family, the LaBelles! I'm looking forward to it!
I'll be back later Monday. Monday morning is TEETH-cleaning time! Wish me well -- "look, Mom, no cavities!"
Thursday, June 01, 2006
Our wonderful adventure in WISconsin II
Dragon Mood? -- more dragon downloading or catching up, as it were
...so here's the "more"...
After leaving the Farmer's Market, we headed to the famous Madison Brat Fest to eat brats and drink beer.
Let's be clear about this: the Brat Fest was ALLLL about how many brats Aaron could/should/would consume. The night before at the bier garten, Aaron, Yosh and the penultimate pot-stirrer, S, had pondered, argued and laughed over numerous wager schemas. I listened and when asked, always responded, "I don't want Aaron to get sick!"
I wish I had $10 for every wager I heard considered. I could take a whole 'nother ferry ride. Anyway, at the last moment, S removed herself from the negotiations (thank you!) and Josh and Aaron agreed on an 8/2 wager. If Aaron ate less than 8 brats, Aaron owed Josh $50. If he ate at least 8, it was a "push" where no money exchanged hands. If he ate 8+2 for 10 brats, then Yosh owed Aaron $50.
We all watched curiously, carefully as Aaron ate the first four brats in the first 10 minutes. Oh yeah, that was the other part of the bet; it all had to happen within the course of two hours.
Suffice to say, that Aaron ate just (he would roll his eyes at the word, "just") 8 brats, although he said the last one was pretty hard to get down. The brats had ceased to have any taste for him and he said the texture was rather repulsive. Yosh bought him bottles of water and I rubbed his back lightly, which according to massage therapist Lina, stimulated his parasympathetic nervous system and may have helped his poor, unsuspecting GI tract deal with the five pounds of brats it suddenly received(!)
We lay on the grass, listened to so-so local bands, watched people, talked and snoozed. There was a nice breeze and it was fun to be outdoors, even though it was getting more and more humid.
We hit the infamous Woodman's on the way home to stock up on --what else?-- beer and popsicles (don't forget the popsicles!). It rained and got even steamier. I took a nap, S took a nap, and the young'uns watched a movie, I believe.
A fitting finish to such a fine day was our giving the old German card game, Sheep's Head or Schafskopf a try. Here's the website (Milwaukee Sheepshead) we used as our reference. It's an unusual game but we kept at it and finally started getting the hang of it. I had fun and I think everyone (except perhaps S) did too -- we played until after 2 a.m.!
Sunday was slow and hot and languorous as all family gathering Sundays should be! We made numerous pots of crack cocaine Alterra coffee, drank even more glasses of iced coffee and got ready for the Indy 500. Aaron and Lina did a high technology installation of Yosh's old-but-new TV, which involved allowing the flux capacitor to warm up (according to Aaron!). Lina made a whiz-bang frittata filled with tomatoes, green onions, black olives, ramps, green pepper and more lovely vegetables that I can't remember. I fried a whole pound of lovely saturated-fat bacon and another half-pound of heart-healthy turkey bacon. We ate like proverbial kings and queens ... and every bit of it got eaten!
And then, we all sat in Lina's cozy living room, in our jammies and tank tops and shorts, unshowered and unshaved, drank more beer and watched the Indy 500. I'm proud to say it was the first time I ever watched that race from start to finish. And, given the excellent company, I enjoyed it all!
At the end of the race, which Sam Hornish won in a squeaker over newbie Marco Andretti (see -- I really DID watch the game!), we all dispersed and headed our separate ways. Bye kids, I love you!
...so here's the "more"...
After leaving the Farmer's Market, we headed to the famous Madison Brat Fest to eat brats and drink beer.
Let's be clear about this: the Brat Fest was ALLLL about how many brats Aaron could/should/would consume. The night before at the bier garten, Aaron, Yosh and the penultimate pot-stirrer, S, had pondered, argued and laughed over numerous wager schemas. I listened and when asked, always responded, "I don't want Aaron to get sick!"
I wish I had $10 for every wager I heard considered. I could take a whole 'nother ferry ride. Anyway, at the last moment, S removed herself from the negotiations (thank you!) and Josh and Aaron agreed on an 8/2 wager. If Aaron ate less than 8 brats, Aaron owed Josh $50. If he ate at least 8, it was a "push" where no money exchanged hands. If he ate 8+2 for 10 brats, then Yosh owed Aaron $50.
We all watched curiously, carefully as Aaron ate the first four brats in the first 10 minutes. Oh yeah, that was the other part of the bet; it all had to happen within the course of two hours.
Suffice to say, that Aaron ate just (he would roll his eyes at the word, "just") 8 brats, although he said the last one was pretty hard to get down. The brats had ceased to have any taste for him and he said the texture was rather repulsive. Yosh bought him bottles of water and I rubbed his back lightly, which according to massage therapist Lina, stimulated his parasympathetic nervous system and may have helped his poor, unsuspecting GI tract deal with the five pounds of brats it suddenly received(!)
We lay on the grass, listened to so-so local bands, watched people, talked and snoozed. There was a nice breeze and it was fun to be outdoors, even though it was getting more and more humid.
We hit the infamous Woodman's on the way home to stock up on --what else?-- beer and popsicles (don't forget the popsicles!). It rained and got even steamier. I took a nap, S took a nap, and the young'uns watched a movie, I believe.
A fitting finish to such a fine day was our giving the old German card game, Sheep's Head or Schafskopf a try. Here's the website (Milwaukee Sheepshead) we used as our reference. It's an unusual game but we kept at it and finally started getting the hang of it. I had fun and I think everyone (except perhaps S) did too -- we played until after 2 a.m.!
Sunday was slow and hot and languorous as all family gathering Sundays should be! We made numerous pots of crack cocaine Alterra coffee, drank even more glasses of iced coffee and got ready for the Indy 500. Aaron and Lina did a high technology installation of Yosh's old-but-new TV, which involved allowing the flux capacitor to warm up (according to Aaron!). Lina made a whiz-bang frittata filled with tomatoes, green onions, black olives, ramps, green pepper and more lovely vegetables that I can't remember. I fried a whole pound of lovely saturated-fat bacon and another half-pound of heart-healthy turkey bacon. We ate like proverbial kings and queens ... and every bit of it got eaten!
And then, we all sat in Lina's cozy living room, in our jammies and tank tops and shorts, unshowered and unshaved, drank more beer and watched the Indy 500. I'm proud to say it was the first time I ever watched that race from start to finish. And, given the excellent company, I enjoyed it all!
At the end of the race, which Sam Hornish won in a squeaker over newbie Marco Andretti (see -- I really DID watch the game!), we all dispersed and headed our separate ways. Bye kids, I love you!
Our wonderful adventure in WISconsin
Dragon Mood? -- catching up
It's been eight days since I last posted -- yikes!@@#!@#
S and I traveled to Milwaukee last Thursday via the Lake Express ferry. It's the first time I ever took this high-speed ferry across Lake Michigan and I highly recommend it. The ferry is nicely appointed, the ride was smooth, and most of all, it felt like an overdue adventure S and I needed to jazz up our boring, over-employed and unemployed existence.
We arrived after midnight in Milwaukee and promptly crashed at Yosh's apartment. He worked Friday morning while we caught up on our beauty sleep and moseyed through the morning. S and I walked the few blocks to Alterra, where we enjoyed their fragrant yet powerful coffee. S bought four bags of this infamous Milwaukee "crack cocaine" and a sweatshirt to boot.
Yosh picked us up once again, we grabbed up our things at his place and headed to a nearby Mexican restaurant called Cempazuchi. We sat outside in the sun and enjoyed margaritas, Mexican beers and appetizers. I would love to go back and have dinner there sometime.
We hit the road and headed west to Madison. It was lovely to ride as a passenger and have time to catch up with Yosh. S snoozed in the backseat until a quasi-political/economic conversation caught her ear; then, she couldn't be silenced! Oh well ... so much for the nice conversation with my son -- sigh!
We barged into Lina's place, all cool and tidy with her white-tornado efforts. She has such a knack -- or better yet, a gift -- for creating a welcoming environment. I love her for that! Aaron arrived from Chicago about a half an hour after us. We gathered our sunglasses and cameras and cell phones and bottles of water and hiked over to Capital Brewery for some traditional "bier garten" drinking. Lina had prepared a veritable smorgasbord (to mix our northern European eating/drinking vocabulary) of snacking foods, which we dove into with relish (enthusiasm, not pickles!).
S and I, being the old codgers that we are, cashed it in around 11, went back to Lina's and crashed. It was more hot and humid than one could imagine, so we stripped down as much as we dared, pulled back Lina's lovely chintz drapes and set the box fan in the window. Ahh, lovely late night cool air! I slept so hard I never heard the "kids" come in. About 1:30 though, up for a beer pee, I found all three of them crashed in various poses around the living room, lights on, Comedy Central blaring and half-eaten pizza looking abandoned and forlorn. Curiously, it's a sweet memory, these three young adults, asleep, looking so vulnerable and worn out, as only hard-playing children can.
Saturday morning was rather relaxed. Usually, we're up-and-at-'em right away, but I think the heat and the previous night's beer took its toll. We eventually pulled ourselves together and headed downtown to the Farmer's Market. I love the "ritual" of circling the capital, moving slowly with the crowds, peering over people's shoulders at the inviting produce and baked goods, sampling this, noshing on that. With five of us, we moved slowly, three steps forward, two steps back. We bought yummy cranberry-oatmeal bars and hot cheese bread and ate and exclaimed and tried to exercise discipline and failed and ... altogether, it was a lovely, family time. I can close my eyes and be there, smell the smells, feel the love and enjoy it all over again!
But wait!...there's more!
It's been eight days since I last posted -- yikes!@@#!@#
S and I traveled to Milwaukee last Thursday via the Lake Express ferry. It's the first time I ever took this high-speed ferry across Lake Michigan and I highly recommend it. The ferry is nicely appointed, the ride was smooth, and most of all, it felt like an overdue adventure S and I needed to jazz up our boring, over-employed and unemployed existence.
We arrived after midnight in Milwaukee and promptly crashed at Yosh's apartment. He worked Friday morning while we caught up on our beauty sleep and moseyed through the morning. S and I walked the few blocks to Alterra, where we enjoyed their fragrant yet powerful coffee. S bought four bags of this infamous Milwaukee "crack cocaine" and a sweatshirt to boot.
Yosh picked us up once again, we grabbed up our things at his place and headed to a nearby Mexican restaurant called Cempazuchi. We sat outside in the sun and enjoyed margaritas, Mexican beers and appetizers. I would love to go back and have dinner there sometime.
We hit the road and headed west to Madison. It was lovely to ride as a passenger and have time to catch up with Yosh. S snoozed in the backseat until a quasi-political/economic conversation caught her ear; then, she couldn't be silenced! Oh well ... so much for the nice conversation with my son -- sigh!
We barged into Lina's place, all cool and tidy with her white-tornado efforts. She has such a knack -- or better yet, a gift -- for creating a welcoming environment. I love her for that! Aaron arrived from Chicago about a half an hour after us. We gathered our sunglasses and cameras and cell phones and bottles of water and hiked over to Capital Brewery for some traditional "bier garten" drinking. Lina had prepared a veritable smorgasbord (to mix our northern European eating/drinking vocabulary) of snacking foods, which we dove into with relish (enthusiasm, not pickles!).
S and I, being the old codgers that we are, cashed it in around 11, went back to Lina's and crashed. It was more hot and humid than one could imagine, so we stripped down as much as we dared, pulled back Lina's lovely chintz drapes and set the box fan in the window. Ahh, lovely late night cool air! I slept so hard I never heard the "kids" come in. About 1:30 though, up for a beer pee, I found all three of them crashed in various poses around the living room, lights on, Comedy Central blaring and half-eaten pizza looking abandoned and forlorn. Curiously, it's a sweet memory, these three young adults, asleep, looking so vulnerable and worn out, as only hard-playing children can.
Saturday morning was rather relaxed. Usually, we're up-and-at-'em right away, but I think the heat and the previous night's beer took its toll. We eventually pulled ourselves together and headed downtown to the Farmer's Market. I love the "ritual" of circling the capital, moving slowly with the crowds, peering over people's shoulders at the inviting produce and baked goods, sampling this, noshing on that. With five of us, we moved slowly, three steps forward, two steps back. We bought yummy cranberry-oatmeal bars and hot cheese bread and ate and exclaimed and tried to exercise discipline and failed and ... altogether, it was a lovely, family time. I can close my eyes and be there, smell the smells, feel the love and enjoy it all over again!
But wait!...there's more!
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