We suspect Mollie is trolling us. She sent us an article from a peer-reviewed journal about diffused essential oils while you are sleeping making startling memory gains for seniors. Next she will tell us shaving your legs makes your tooth enamel last longer. In any case, we ran out and bought a diffuser and oils. Later, as we were laying in bed, we realized we forgot the bag of aroma supplies in the car. I guess we really do need it!
Read MoreKeith is so fun. He invited me out to Anniversary Pre-dinner rather than a Pre-anniversary dinner. The Pre-dinners taste much better, I think. Tenderloin steak sandwich with carmelized onions, chimichurri, and brie on a sheboygan hard roll with a side of sweet potato tots and ranch dip. It was romantic and magical. Best boyfriend ever!
Read MoreWhen we got home last night, a welcome shipping box had arrived with Keith’s transparent distributor cap and a gallon of 600W oil. This morning, he used the latter to give fresh oil to the engine, transmission and the rear-end. The steering box is next. He also got fresh fluid in the radiator. Then, to my surprise and delight, Keith said it was ready for our first ride — and what a ride it was. It is terrifying and fabulous like the ferris wheels of our youth. So amazing. I am thrilled all over again just thinking about it.
Read MoreThis message popped up from my friends at Google when I attempted to login to my website. Between the Jackson Data Breach, the relentless attempts by forces unknown who are repeatedly trying to change my Facebook password, and whatever else is being plotted and hacked - this is just too much. It took me lots of research and three hours to reclaim my sight and make the message disappear. And I was so excited at first glance. All red and Christmas-y. I hope hackers don’t get Christmas gifts, but I bet Santa succumbs to the pressure. He surely doesn’t want to give up his online database linked to the sleighs GPS - and go back to a compass and hand-writing those lists. There is no digital justice!
Read MoreTJ'sw/CF4HD&D. This is how my mind works now after changing my countless passwords to thwart the breachers of my data and the thieves of my identity. TJ’s=TJ’s Harbor Inn. w/=with. CF=Carey Florian. 4=for. HD&D=hors d’oeuvres and drinks. And that’s what Carey and I did to break up the monotony of old age on a Saturday afternoon. I toured her through AI and we played with activity and theme ideas for a potential Family Reunion in October. We told stories, compared foot sizes, read bad poems, rejected a long list of inadequate activities for our wedding anniversaries on Monday, and we laughed a lot. Carey even tried to talk me into letting her give me a makeover (can tan, straighten my hair, etc.). Sister stuff. We even tried to call Sam at one point but — you know — no answer — ever. Darn! The shareable today was taco chips with artichoke dip. It was a blessing for both of us and we missed Samantha a lot. P.S. Yellow Jacket Alert: The caterpillars are dead and these winged yellow demons drove us off the patio into the bar to eat. (sniffle) No lake breeze or sunshine for us.
Read MorePotato Girl aka Tater is the Spud Super Hero. We celebrate her every year on National Potato Day (August 19th). Keith and I are one of the few people on earth who know her true identity: it is our own little Ada. She mashes evil, bakes injustice, and fries hatred. Her many eyes allow her to keep loving watch over our planet and all its people - and fill our lives with starchy goodness. We are so proud!
Read MoreWINNER WINNER WINNER of the Bad Poetry Day contest! The poems were all so bad, the panel of judges had a very difficult time. Congrats to our family’s worst poem and the poet’s $25 prize. I hope the losers take some comfort in knowing their poems were just too good to win! Maggie took the prize and Mollie and Kathleen earned dishonorable mentions.
Read MoreI have a lot of pilot friends. It seems if you are an engineer living in close proximity to the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) in Oshkosh, it is inevitable that you will be seduced by the sky. Phil, Gary, and Carl are all aficionadi of RC airplanes and drones. They build their own, fly them with gravity defying insanity, and are licensed pilots as well. Their narration makes a fly-in even more fun. This year’s highlights included a 6-engine beauty hand-crafted by Carl. It is an exact replica of something, as well as his other beautiful plane (see the shot of me standing in front of them). Bonnie and I shared the joy of seeing our men appreciate toys that go vroom. Great day. Delicious brats. Awesome aircraft. Wonderful people. And I would like to fly a plane.
Read MoreI admired Mollie’s periwinkle blue sandals. The photo fails to capture the purity and beauty of this perfect color. I must have gushed enough to inspire her to buy me my own pair. She said it was “so we can be matchers.” The unexpected gifts are always the best. I feel very loved.
Read MoreWhat a superb Junto we had today. The topic was so interesting. Keith donned the golden bells and was a great leader. We had a couple of tangential topics that were wonderful (my favorite was freedom of speech). Honestly, these get better with every conversations. This photo is the Junto Boys after Junto Lunch at Rolling Meadows restaurant. One quarter of my face is obscured by the title block triangle I added because it looked so strange. We’ll catch a photo of me next time. Cheers to a wonderful day!
Read MoreWe always have a treat at our Junto meeting. This month, Gary did the honors by bringing delectable toffee bars he and his lovely wife Linda made for us using an heirloom family recipe from her ancestors in France. It was so perfect it is forever deemed “The Official Dessert of the Junto.” I am so happy and have already started my begging campaign to get the recipe.
Read MoreMollie and I spent 3-1/2 hours finishing up the cleaning of the apartment to get it ready for Laurie the Cleaning Goddess to do the detailing in anticipation of Dan’s sister Stacie taking occupancy in a few weeks. In the process, we got the last of Kallie’s treasures packed and stored for sorting when she visits in October. All my life, I have loved cleaning and organizing a mess. Today was a happy one for sure!
Read MoreYes, it’s quite dorky To write those bad rhymes I’d guess that I’ve done it One thousand times
Even the good poems
Are the butt of their joke
It’s why all great poets
Drink gin and do coke
So if you win big on
Bad Poetry Day
Just tell all your friends
You have nothing to say
Take the $25 bucks
Button your lip
Don’t mention your poem
From the gin take a sip
Each month when I put together our calendar, I mark one day as The Day of Sloth. It is the day I plan nothing and with any luck, I do nothing. Such was the case today. Me = Sloth. Soooooo Sloooooow!
Read MoreWhen you are still foggy from an early morning, and after you’re drunk on donuts and the kids have scattered to parts unknown, there’s an unguarded sweet talk that just flows effortlessly. What a great morning with my youngest daughter. Grateful.
Read MoreWhen I make our monthly calendar, I always save a day for The Tidy Enduro when I spend the whole day doing a deep clean on the house and at least one house project. This month was special because I seduced Keith into joining me. That’s because the project was Step One in a much larger initiative: Family Photos. We have so many boxes of photos from our ancestors in different places, some even mixed in with other junk. Our goal was to gather up all of them in one place and make sure they are safe from light, humidity, etc. The project is dragging into two days and we will have six big tote boxes of photos. This does not include all the photos we have inherited in frames. STEP TWO will be the creation of a searchable category and tagging system. STEP THREE will be to buy equipment to digitize these treasures, which I am hoping we can tackle when snow falls. Lots to look forward to in our role as Archivists. So fun!
Read MoreThere are always a few stand-out memories from every car show and today’s gathering in Berlin offered this beauty. Traditionally, I go into a long rant whenever the Berlin Car Show is mentioned, but I am trying to be a nicer person. (Excuse me while I breathe into this paper bag). Okay. I’m back. It sounds like Keith and Tom had a lovely twelve hour day cavorting through the metal. Much like I had always dreamed. . . wait . . . I’m okay. Let’s move on.
Read MoreOne of the necessary traits of a capable Granny is resilience. One must be able to muster a speedy recovery from disappointments when you are dealing with young adults. They have not mastered their self-discipline and can self-sabotage even their most sincere desires. It is unwise to take any of this personally. The goal is to forgive, move on, and nurture these life lessons. A Mineshaft is high on Roland’s wish list. But sleep patterns undermined his intentions. My regret is that I got all dressed up fancy because I know he likes a little classy fanfare. I looked the nicest I have in months and had no place to go. Speaking of life lessons, there’s one in there for me too. Right? We all keep learning. We will still make this brunch happen!
Read MoreI have this very messy document on which I attempt to keep track of all my learning projects —present and future. It is completely unworkable. I decided a few weeks ago I needed searchable categories and tags which means database which means doing this online. I got as far as making a web page, selecting a hero banner, and a meaningful quotation. I also scribbled the first draft of a site map. It felt like homework. Then, my granddaughter Ada sent me this whimsical photo she edited together with the magic of our times: code! Code is the magic Incantation of our time, embodied in everything these days. She so inspired me with this image and the Hogwarts feel it has, that I created a new incarnation for my Learning Projects and I am chomping at the bit to get to it after I button up the Jackson Data Breach response. I love her so much. It is the best gift ever! Meet Professor Starwhisper!
Read MoreI made this cute little invitation and sent it to the family to encourage a poet or two. This was the note that went with it: “Finally a chance to hold yourself to low standards and write some stinky rhymes. Put forth minimal effort to capture the essence of the worst poem you can puke onto paper (or screen which is clearly less poetic and better for a bad poem). Go ahead and write one. You know you want to. Show the world how bad you can suck!”
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