Tigers, Family and other summer fun

I will start out with most recent happenings-this past Saturday, Callie, Mary and I traveled to Detroit to see the first place Tigers play the Chicago White Sox. We met up with 10 other Symon's family members and witnessed an exciting walk off 10th inning win by the Tiges. Even though our seats were higher up in the Upper Deck than I had hoped or anticipated it was a good view of the field and city and made for good exercise although I felt bad for my Dad that he had to truck up to the 17th row but he did not complain about it. It was a special family outing for the Syms' at the Comerica park in downtown.

Always tough to see much of the city outside the stadium areas so depressed but you wouldn't have known it around the ballpark. We made our first trip to Cheli's before the game as many of the 41,000 plus came early to hang out and soak up the nice day around Comerica park.

Mary's sister Karen and hubby Charlie from the UP were back at our house for the weekend as they had come in on Friday night. We always have nice visits catching up on stuff and topics of the day. Friday evening we all went out to brother Joe's place on Little Long Lake for a fire and a brew. Mary's sister Peggy and hubby John stopped by as did niece Katie.

Thursday night began the "Taste of Kalamazoo" so Mary and I decided we could afford to check out one of our old favorite bands opening on Thursday, 4 Wheel Drive. Frankie Ballard, the latest "star" to come out of Kalamazoo was making his return appearance from writing school in Nashville. For those keeping track of how much Mary and I go out we ate before we went so only our beverages did we have to pay;) Bsides we both got paid on Friday;;)) We hung out out with our festival going pals Mike and Susan. Cheers!

Going back a little further I played in another "comped" golf outing with regular golf partner Peter at the Hastings Country Club a couple Fridays ago. Another first class outing with freebies, food and door prizes. We came in at respectable 7 under par. The Trick and Nephew DW rounded out the jolly foursome. Peter's son Andre works now for the Art Council in Hastings and we represented for him in some fashion. That weekend ended with Mary and I watching movies in the evenings; finally saw Benjamin Button, a curious case indeed on aging and living young and Two Lovers with Joaquin Phoenix and Gwenneth Paltrow, also thought provoking on inner realationships and love?

That's the update-all I can I safely report here without fully incriminating myself or any others. Today was a full day of folks coming into the food pantry as the end of the month usually is, it gives me pause to remember how fortunate I am and to give thanks.

The Guys Golf Getaway is fast approaching as this year we head back to the Grayling area to hang with our "Fifth" Dr. Birdy. Look for reports of that romp in future blogs. Hey! Stop and smell the summer roses and Go Tigers!

Savor the Summertime Blues and Greens

On the road to Fenville with Corby
and Bocce with the boys of summer.

Fresh off last evening's outdoor performance by the Motortone's at Bayview I am Mo-tivated to post something on the blog. It is Monday MOanin for sure, summer is slowly slinking it's way through as we grasp at it's light and warmth. I think the gig went well, gracias to all friends and fam who showed, as usual band had fun in a great summer outdoor environment on Gull Lake. Thanks MO-tones for the chance to jam at rehearsal and last night. Always fun to get silly with the "Revanator".

I have not blogged in a couple weeks, my last entry after MJ's death might of been a bit dark but meaningful to me at least. It sure did not elicit any response but most of my entries go without responses. So far it has been a fairly musical summer-the jam at Clone studios with Ms. Harrison, Shooter and Jazz was fun and broke some new ground with Susan finally making it to the jamsite. The other ML was a gracious host as usual. The 4th of July was close behind, where we spent the weekend in Fennville at the G'nas (also always gracious hosts) hosting friends and family hanging out playing horseshoes, bocce, the annual golf shot competition-Buckley winning again, women that go Saugie shopping, eating great food, celebrating Pat's Biday, masterful ribbing, fireworks and jamming round the campfire. It was good to have Dr. W. Pett join us again for the festivities. Bill "Corby" Corbin rode over on his MO-torcycle from Detroit to Kalamazoo to Fennville (see photo), the first leg of his cross-country journey that will take him up through Canada and to California and back again. Quite the solo trip for a a 58 year old. I admire his adventuresome spirit to go it alone. He called last week from Mt. Rushmore before he headed into Canada -hope rest of trip goes well, continued good weather, meet interesting folks and get some good RnR time.

So the Fourth ended with a bang and a thud for us and many as we headed back home to our routines. I went fishing with bro-in-law Joe C. last Monday evening out to Little Long Lake. Lovely night and caught a keeper sized Pumpkinseed bluegill and few other small bass. Mary and I did get to see the Caron-Duffield Project open the Kazoo Blues Fest Thursday night, which had great weather all weekend so attendance should of been up this year.

On the golf report front, I broke out of my summer slump last week in league and had my best round in weeks. Martin J. asked me to be his partner again in an outing at the Medalist over near Marshall last week. We had fun and hit some decent shots, golfed, ate for free and won a set of screwdrivers to go with my wrenches from last year. What a deal , thanks Martay.

Sum Sum Summertime slips away- the grass growing slows-the gardens demand water, the 'maters are popping out and the long nights slowly retreat their way towards fall. I have my food pantry to go monitor today, cut some grass and finish off my networking letter to see what is out there for me to do, if anything. It is getting on almost a year now since my so called retirement and I am wanting of something more to fill my time. What shall it be?