Yes, a little rain must fall but what we have seen recently in May-June all over much of the country other than California is a bit excessive. Grass is growing faster, things sure are green but thick and soggy.
As I begin Part 2 of this post I need to mention that during the last several months my friend and first college roommate, Jim was in and out of the hospital battling the effects of liver disease since September. By May he had numerous treatments and his physical self was slowly deteriorating. Many visits and outings during this time were made with other friends Mikey D. and Seabiskit to keep his spirits up. I will get back to this later in this blog but this was part of the drone soundtrack playing in the background during May that I previously mentioned.
So Callie graduated and next on our May list of hallmarks was eldest daughter, Ashley's 30 birthday on Cinco de Mayo. Does having a 30 year old child make one feel old? It is a marker of some sort I suppose. Ashley had plans for a celebration that involved bringing some of her east coast pals along with friends she met at MSU to her home state for a Pure Michigan party. As many of you know per previous blog of her nuptials 2 years ago in Massachusetts where she resides was a wonderful affair.
Well, she rents a super place in South Haven right on North Beach that will sleep 10 comfortably and the plan is on for Memorial weekend. Before that Mary and I had our 32nd Wedding anniversary on May 14th. Since we had already done our dinner celebration with friends our marking of the event was a quiet affair, happy together.
note: On May 16th in a rain soaked downpour American Pharaoh won The Preakness on a sloppy track, the second leg of the Triple Crown at hand.
The week of Ashley's 30 Bday fest was upon us. We were anticipating their arrival on Thursday when on Wednesday the news that Jimmy The Jazz had passed that morning came from Mike Seabiskit Seaton. Barb, Jim's wife had called the night before saying he was failing so it was not a complete shock as each recent visit he was weaker and weaker. He had fought against the inevitable for the last 9 months, his coherency coming and going at times. My first college roomie from almost 45 years ago, band mate, part of an annual golf foursome, and close friend had faded away from this life.
Now as I was calling friend Martin J. to tell him about Jazz before I could tell him he was telling me he had just returned from our friends Jeff and Lucinda house across the street from him and Jeff was found dead in his basement where he had been painting the night before, paint roller still in hand. Jeff did have some medical issues but still a shocker. Another former band mate and friend for close to 25 years gone. 2 60 year old gents whose obituaries would both read May 20th as date of passing. They had played music together in the Hokey Barn and Clone Studios. Cue the soundtrack, louder it loomed.
To wrap up Ashley and Sherrys' Pure Michigan weekend visit without much detail I can say it was well planned as we have grown to expect from an event planner like Ash, starting from airline flights, pickups, places to go in and around Kalamazoo, Richland,and South Haven and back to the airport for their flights home. Mary and I provided a home base and our vehicles as needed. We got to hang out a couple nights and a day with some fun loving, interesting women who made us feel as young as is possible. We had a BnB gift certificate from Callie and Andrew that we used at The Inn at the Park just a few blocks from where the girls were staying. A delightful place with great beds and breakfast. Sister Callie came out and stayed a couple nights and as always made her presence felt.
On Memorial Day we assisted with the load out and drive back to Richland with more than a few bottles and cans to return. A really great Three-0 celebration was a success. Weather had been mostly sunny and minimal rain fell. Their last stop before airport was Old Dog Tavern. Choo Choo Chug-a-lug. After the ladies left and our normal life returned there now was memorials to think about and my brothers surprise 60th Birthday celebration in Detroit to attend. Stay tuned....for Pt.3 wrap up.
As I begin Part 2 of this post I need to mention that during the last several months my friend and first college roommate, Jim was in and out of the hospital battling the effects of liver disease since September. By May he had numerous treatments and his physical self was slowly deteriorating. Many visits and outings during this time were made with other friends Mikey D. and Seabiskit to keep his spirits up. I will get back to this later in this blog but this was part of the drone soundtrack playing in the background during May that I previously mentioned.
So Callie graduated and next on our May list of hallmarks was eldest daughter, Ashley's 30 birthday on Cinco de Mayo. Does having a 30 year old child make one feel old? It is a marker of some sort I suppose. Ashley had plans for a celebration that involved bringing some of her east coast pals along with friends she met at MSU to her home state for a Pure Michigan party. As many of you know per previous blog of her nuptials 2 years ago in Massachusetts where she resides was a wonderful affair.
Well, she rents a super place in South Haven right on North Beach that will sleep 10 comfortably and the plan is on for Memorial weekend. Before that Mary and I had our 32nd Wedding anniversary on May 14th. Since we had already done our dinner celebration with friends our marking of the event was a quiet affair, happy together.
note: On May 16th in a rain soaked downpour American Pharaoh won The Preakness on a sloppy track, the second leg of the Triple Crown at hand.
The week of Ashley's 30 Bday fest was upon us. We were anticipating their arrival on Thursday when on Wednesday the news that Jimmy The Jazz had passed that morning came from Mike Seabiskit Seaton. Barb, Jim's wife had called the night before saying he was failing so it was not a complete shock as each recent visit he was weaker and weaker. He had fought against the inevitable for the last 9 months, his coherency coming and going at times. My first college roomie from almost 45 years ago, band mate, part of an annual golf foursome, and close friend had faded away from this life.
To wrap up Ashley and Sherrys' Pure Michigan weekend visit without much detail I can say it was well planned as we have grown to expect from an event planner like Ash, starting from airline flights, pickups, places to go in and around Kalamazoo, Richland,and South Haven and back to the airport for their flights home. Mary and I provided a home base and our vehicles as needed. We got to hang out a couple nights and a day with some fun loving, interesting women who made us feel as young as is possible. We had a BnB gift certificate from Callie and Andrew that we used at The Inn at the Park just a few blocks from where the girls were staying. A delightful place with great beds and breakfast. Sister Callie came out and stayed a couple nights and as always made her presence felt.
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