Judith

This is my wonderful wife Judy enjoying her piece of lemon meringue pie from Katey at her gathering yesterday at the apartment.  The usual, pizza breadsticks and beer were enjoyed and the grand kids enjoyed the cupcakes.  Kudos to Julian Bros Bakery in Clawson.  All the leftovers were gone including the remaining 6 cupcakes that were split between the two families.  Can you dig the crown?  Very fitting.  Thank goodness for vinyl covered chairs because Everett devoured his but the aftermath of stickiness was immense.  Katey's masterful effort in creating a video was a complete surprise to the birthday girl and all enjoyed the presentation with historical pictures and personalized birthday greetings from family and friends near and far.  

I am struggling to pass the final exam on my senior driving course.  It has more statistical questions than I expected.  My score keeps improving but still not making the grade.  

Well, the tax returns of 45 have partially been revealed and it comes a no surprise that he hasn't paid much tax in the last 15 or so years and only $750 in 2016 and 2017.   Friend Considine now announced that he is wealthier than the president because he pays more taxes.  However those of us that have been paying for most of our lives feel completely distraught at this fact.  Of course he will say its fake news.  Tonight is the first debate.  Make yourself a scorecard and count how many times he proclaims fake news.   It brings to light the larger fact that most business rarely claim to make much profit limiting their tax liability.  The middle class workers bear the brunt of the tax burden.  Duh, like me.  Now, however with the middle class shrinking, there are not enough of us to shoulder these expenses.  These latest revelations may be the final dagger in his campaign after all the other past indiscretions have been ignored. 

The U.S. senator from Texas, Ted Cruz was on the View yesterday and he perfectly dodged all the questions he was asked and instead made a speech about his proposals for a flat tax.  The normally pit bullish females on the panel were far too polite with this guy never holding his feet to the fire. I was disappointed and had to pull the plug.

Had Eli over the after noon after his virtual 5th grade for pleasant visit.   We made fake chocolate chip cookies (from the refrig section) and tried to find out things he would enjoy eating.  He loved the drawing program on her Ipad.  By the way the cookies weren't bad and would be passable in a pinch.   

Went back to Andrew's and he and Judy embarked on a spirited discussion on politics and the inherent racism that exists in our society.   I rarely get many words in because they are both going toe to toe in their debates and I am too polite to butt in and interrupt the exchanges. 

going to have coffee with my cronies in 45 minutes

all for now

stay safe

where a jacket, its a little cool
 

Recently with the brothers

Had the pleasure of spending time with these two fellows earlier in the week.  Getting better at relearning about toddlers.  Expectations are not too high.  The little guy actually likes me. He gives me an excuse to be silly. We need more of those.  Paxton his older brother amazes me with his articulate speech and his inherent kindness.  I've found that I cannot get up too quick from the floor and am always two or three steps behind.  

So the latest is that 45 has not yet decided if he will step down if the election doesn't go his way.  We all need to stop and think about what this means.  Even if you completely agree with all he has done or not done in the past nearly four years,  results of elections cannot be denied.  Mail in ballots are needed because of voter's fears of standing in line at poling stations with crowds present.  Truly, I fear for our democracy.  Mostly, I fear for these little guys and my other grand children, Elijah and Marie.   

all for now

stay safe

Don't know where to start

A giant of American jurisprudence left us yesterday.  Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg was a champion of just causes and a role model for all girls and women who aspire to greatness.  Her departure may have profound effects on the future of our country in that her replacement may well be another conservative placeholder to dismantle social justice rulings, among them, a women's right to choose and same sex unions.  She stated her wishes that her replacement not be appointed until after a new president was elected.  That wish will probably not be honored.

I realize that this blog at times sounds like Aunt Mary's Christmas Newsletter commenting on things going on in my life with lots of kid pictures and comments about foods consumed.  All that blather may be an effort to escape the reality of the pandemic, this screwy election and educating our children.  Yeah, that's probably it.   Many of us had been sending positive thoughts to RBG in the hopes that this consequence before us would not happen.  Selfish, true, her family just wanted mom and grandma to keep on pressing forward so they could continue to hold her close.  Truly, a sad day for the nation and a family.

As we enter into the cooler temperatures, I reluctantly stash away my short pants and drag out my jeans.  My ventilated sneakers will be set aside for sturdier, boring, black walking shoes.  But still the sun is beaming for the next few days and the smoke from the western fires has dissipated to reveal blue skies.   Will take Harry out for a walk today checking out the neighborhood.

This week we had an outdoor movie presentation put on by our apartment management company.  They set up chairs and had popcorn and movie snacks for us along with a large blowup screen so all could see.  The movie was "A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood" with Tom Hanks and Matthew Rhys. Truly a splendid movie based on an article written in The Atlantic about heroes.  There are many touching scenes in the film but none more than a subway car load of people serenading the character with "Won't you be my neighbor?"

Mister Rogers would be shocked at the world we occupy, but he would offer calm wisdom that might make us stop........and think.

all for now

stay safe

enjoy the lovely day

 

Think of today nineteen years ago

This is the fall 2020 version of Harry and a new spider from our crafty neighbors.  A lady I met recently described the dog as sinewy.  He is a very muscular 12 pound canine doing well and always, always ready for food or treats or a walk.  The woman that described him, Susan owns and operates the Vitrine Gallery near our home.  Harry and I encountered her on our morning walk.  She was re-webbing the bench in front of the store.  She invited us in to describe the meteor sized opening between this store and the next door neighbor that will be a snack/grab and go shop opening soon.  I would call her an artsy person with a relaxed 

attitude and a most pleasant conversationalist.  If you're in the neighborhood, stop in.  Next is a lawn spider from my favorite home on Mortenson.  This guy keeps coming up with new, unique ideas, always a pleasure to be surprised by his work.

This date is permanently branded in most of our memory's.  I was at work sitting at my desk at Choctaw-Kaul working on emails and making plans to see customers.  The day was normal kind of mundane really.  They have a really large TV  in the conference room.  Walking by I could see the now iconic image of the World Trade Center with a gaping hole in it's side with smoke billowing out.  We were all trying to get to news sites on our computers but the traffic was too great and most sites were interrupted.  When it was revealed that a plane had flown into the side of the building,  I thought it must be a terrible accident, how tragic.  

Later it was explained that this had been a purposeful attack on our country with more attacks on the Pentagon and a downed plane in Shanksville PA that was destined for the White House,  I was completely shocked.  The United States attacked on our shores?  This couldn't be true.  But it was.

In the nineteen years since, we have seen wars in Afghanistan and Iraq that are still going on.  Our world and our concept of our place it has permanently been altered.  Three presidents later, we are still engaged in armed conflicts in the region.   There are few good answers.

I remember a November day in 1963.  I was 13 years old in Mr. Kekovich's math class.  He had shortened finger on his writing hand so he used a metal chalk holder so he could grip.   Sitting there typically confused by the math lesson, we received an school intercom announcement that the president  had been shot and we were all going home. 

There was a week of black and white programing on the his murder in the open convertible Lincoln with Jackie holding his head in her lap.  There was the scene of Lyndon Johnson being sworn in on Air Force One, Mrs. Kennedy at his side.  Later was the 

the funeral and the iconic image of young John Kennedy Jr. saluting as the caissons carried his father past him.  Many of us remember where we were and what we were doing at those tragic times. 

There are many lawn signs thanking Essential Workers in our midst.  They work in hospitals and protect us on the streets and save us from fires.  They teach our young people.  My daughter Shannon attends a day program for severely disabled adults called New Gateways Inc.  The educators and workers at this program are indeed heroes taking care of and providing education and enlightenment to a population that is the most vulnerable in our state.  The participants are from 26 to folks in their 60's.  Most are too disabled to be employed in even a sheltered workshop.  Ms. Lynn Maginity, a classmate to my son Jon at Kimball HS leads the program.  She has been working for months preparing this facility for the new reality, all the while struggling to find funding to keep the place going.   She has no sword or cape, but still is a warrior and hero  without equal.

Judy and I had a wonderful day at the Nature Center in Troy and a little day drinking at Renshaw's.  It was beautiful and sunny, a true treasure of a day.

stay safe

all for now

after walking about 5 miles,

 we walked to Clarks Ice Cream for an evening treat.  I my twisted mind, walking rather than driving to get the treat justifies the consumption thereof.  However, it probably does not really make a difference.  Prior, we  enjoyed a nice visit to Innovation Hills with friends followed by lunch at Tavern on the Main with dear friend Janine.  It was a lovely cool day looking at flora and fauna with turtles perched on the submerged tree limbs. We are making more effort to get and stay connected with people.  Most times, it brightens the day.  This is Judy and Janine before Covid at a group gathering.  Really long for these times again.

Saturday I dog sat with Apollo finishing my second viewing of the entire 3 seasons of A Handmaid's tale.  Nothing new on this till next year.  The ending with the young girls rescued and coming off the plane in Canada is quite moving.  A little girl asks "can I wear what I want here?"  Rita (a Martha) hugs Luke and tells him June did all this.  I am choked up.  This will make no sense if you haven't seen the show.

After finishing up all the episodes of Rake, we have been fishing around for another set of programs to become absorbed in.  Ted Lasso on Apple+ grows on you.  The initial premise is a little far fetched but most of the characters are enduring and engaging.  New episodes come out on Fridays.   Yesterday we started viewing Away on Netflix.  Hillary Swank and Josh Charles star.  Hillary's character leads a manned mission to Mars.  Don't judge this on by the first show.  Was completely taken by the romance between two women on the team of Asian decent.  Extremely touching and non sexual, with Claude Debussy piano in the background.  

Many of us have threatened to get off the couch and out of the restaurants and away from the telly to consider moving toward some level of fitness.  Please note the verb consider.  At lunch yesterday, we discussed healthy recipes for possible preparation.  We discussed maybe returning to Planet Fitness when it reopens,  as I'm consuming my grilled ham and cheese sandwich.  Opening is supposed to occur around September 9th and we are going to wait for a couple of weeks to see how it goes. 

Are you sick of all the talking heads blathering on about their views on the outcome of this coming election? I AM! Feeling distraught and agitated enough already with this election.  I don't need pundits telling me how gay left handed blue eyed democrats from red leaning states will vote.  And, I am tired of all the graphics, the theme music and the bar graphs.  Truly, ready for it to be over.  Even the PBS news has it share of these commentators.   Well, enough bitching.

I hope you all having pleasant days.

stay safe

all for now

 

Sorry lots of pictures

So we had an exciting Sunday this week with the entire crew in the little apartment.  Again, I bailed out on attempting to produce a dinner that all would eat and ordering Chicken Shack with lots of beer.  It worked.  The grand kids ate what was provided with the exception of picky Everett who completed a container of dried cranberries and some Cheerios.  But it was fun and loud and opinionated.  Some departed  with leftovers.  Aside from four beers, we were emptied out.  I thought it would be a struggle with this small space but when you remove the rules and anyone can eat anywhere, it works.  At this point, that may be the best practice, no rules only fun. (Andrew above)

On every Tuesday at 8:15 we assemble this group of cronies for lively, crude and brash discussions that go sometimes 2 hours.  This is fun and we get to bitch about aches, pains and politics.  Jordy (red cap) has been sailing on the Grand Traverse Bay recently and John (back corner) has returned from a month on the Outer Banks of NC.  Bill, Dick and I have been holding down the fort for the month of August.  All of these guys are alone at this point of their lives ad welcome the conversation.  As we approach the colder weather we will have to find another location to keep the group going.

The rest of the photos are shots of our Sunday gathering.  If not for funny faces, none are posed.  

I went to donate blood at a Red Cross blood drive that I found online.  My doctor says it is good for my body to donate.  Went thru the check in process with questions and qualifying blood work.  She lays me down on the donating  

table (wait don't get any ideas) and proceeds to tell me that my donation will go in a special bag because of the type and that it will be used to save a baby's life.  I am thrilled, always wanting to be some kind of hero.  Long story short, she couldn't hit a vein and the donation was off.  Was bummed the entire day.  Gotta wait 2 weeks before it can be tried again.  

Then, yesterday, I broke a tooth that will need a new (cha-ching) crown installed.  Other than that, things are perfect,  Went to Kensington for the last time of the summer with Marie to feed the birds which was successful.  

Jon and Katey

Jon and Katey again with Harry

Kelly and Everett

Marie above and Shannon

The bunch 
The city of Berkley in joint venture is building a plaza for the community  about a block from our apartment.  This will include tables and umbrellas and plantings.  I have really enjoyed our time in this town, with great walking neighborhoods and places to eat.  We strode  to Bagger Dave's down the street for a beer yesterday afternoon and with the happy hour, it was only 9.54.  Also had a lovely dinner outside at Grand Tavern (Coolidge near Maple) this week with great friends.  Many entrées are half off on Mondays.   Sorry, a senior now and need to seek out those deals.

No politics today, but remember get your youtube viewing kids to vote by mail or in person.  It's time to start bugging them.  

all for now

stay safe

I know......too many pictures