Lighter Longer

Highlights of the last week ( and some low points)

• did my first stint at an actual food pantry where Loaves and Fishes hands out food. It was somewhat uncomfortable I think for both parties, as you walk through assisting the folks with the # of choices they receive in each food group, then like a good checkout boy taking the cart of groceries with them to the car, trying to keep a sense of dignity in the process.


• Melvi subbed in golf league in Peter's absence and we did our thing in style.


• Callie moved out as she is taking over for someone in a sublease deal with her good friend Ashley. Only one load of significance this time. Empty Nester's again are we.


• Found out we have some termites around house and had to do some wood moving this past weekend and call pest control$


• Got vegetable garden planted along with some flowers, etc.


• Enjoyed weekend working round house, burning some infested wood and going out to Bro n Law Joe's lakeside crib Sat. eve. with Jimmy C. for some frivolity round the fire and Mary went out to great fishfry meal and bocce ball Monday where Bro n Law Mike showed (see photo) up along with LL regulars.


• Had Skype webcall with whole family talking to Ashley K. out east on Sunday. Neat treat to be able to do that.


• Looking forward to the long days of daylight ahead which are short lived but need to be savored while we have them.

"Where's my Limo"?

"Where's My Limo"?, that was the refrain that could be heard from Margie as we exited the restaurant or beer garden. You get used to the good life pretty fast albeit short lived. The anniversary evening started out with a little rain coming down not the weather we had hoped for but armed with umbrellas, wine, beer, water, snacks and other little treats we ready for the cruise to our lakefront destination of Saugatuck to celebrate our little anniversary gangs Spring and Summer nuptials of near 100 years total. Keith and Cathy, who were traveling the longest distance to get to our house, were the first team to arrive. Pete and Margie, who live closest, were the last to arrive, they were not eliminated from the race;) Mike and Susan were second but hey who was really counting.
The Limo was there and our driver was showing us where to store all out stuff. It was time to pack in and hit the road. The ride there was festive and the stereo was of an earlier vintage as was the Limo. Didn't matter because the women's conversation drowned out anything else. Keith opened and the wine and before we knew it we were at our halfway stop outside Allegan for a quick stop for some smokes. Next thing we knew we were pulling onto Butler Ave. in Saugatuck and lo and behold on the marquee in front of Phil's Bar and Grill it says, " Happy Anniversary Steve And Mary". It was a nice surprise that Pat G's brother Johnny who made the reservation for us had worked out with his friend, Sous Chef Scott. The group seemed to understand why it didn't address us all.
So we had a little wait til our table was ready, and had an enjoyable tasty meal. I was happy with the food and service. Things had taken a bit longer for dinner, etc. and Pat G. and Davie G., Fenville residents, were trying to hold a table over at the Saugatuck Brew Pub where The Ragbirds were playing on opening night for the Beer Garden out back. We were hoping to be there round 9 but didn't get out of Phil's til 9:30. I called DG but they were back home as the crowd got large there at the Brewpub. The Limo driver found the Beer Pub Garden down the HWY. with my help and we breezed in to the packed house as the Ragbirds were playing. It really looked like a German Beer Hall. We got drinks and headed up near the stage as there were no seats. We just started dancing , shakin it up to just a few songs before it was break time for the band. We figured it was a good time to hit the road back to Richland so we would make it by Midnight to fore go any additional fees. "Where's my Limo" was heard as we came outside. The driver was was there ready for us. We piled in full of food , wine beer and frivolity. The ride back was punctuated with singing oldies on the radio ( never got CD player to work), drinking champagne, and eating chocolate for some and just kicking back for others.
We pulled into our driveway just before 12 and had to get all our stuff out. Only a couple spills, some wine, one of the food boxes got trampled on and that had to be cleaned up off the carpet. Margie and Mary took care of that. All in all, it was a different experience-over too fast. Wish the live music part could of been longer and my hangover less on Saturday but hey we only get around this life so many times, eh?
I paid the driver-we all said our goodbye's and another anniversary celebration was in the books. This started in it's original form some 22-23 years ago? Great friends, great times, and most importantly great memories.

Springthings

In the last week:

Had to put this in for Mickley as he felt he "let me have one" at golf league. I won the closest to the hole weekly event prize as I was the only one who wrote my name down on the stick even though I was on the fringe, not on the green. No one made it on in two apparently. Technicality, but the closest on the card. I used my winnings for a good cause. I will leave it at that.

Last week with the big shooters at Yarrow, I won 3 skins, only five were won. Plus a birdie , so golf is paying off so far this year. Have to believe it's partly due to the golf in the kingdom philosophy from the book I read, which I have tried to incorporate into my game. Keeping it fun and in the moment. Toddly and I had fun riding together and hanging out.

Saturday was the mail carriers food drive, and I volunteered with many others in sorting the food when the driver/carriers brought the food into the different sites. I also was asked to take photos of the event. Tiring, inspiring and fun to be a part of. It was good to see families volunteering together. Great to see the community giving so much in the tough times.

Sunday of course was Mothers Day, and cards were sent out , handed out, calls made. Ashley gave Mary and I a gift certificate for Mom's, Dad's days and our anniversary at Food Dance restaurant so Callie, Mary and I shared in it. We called Ashley and thanked her for the fine meal. We all lamented that she could not be there.

Last night Mary and I did our first webcam call with Ashley in Boston. It was cool almost like being there in person. Look forward to more of those calls. Free too!

Gorgeous day today, cut grass-made some calls. Looks like things are set for the Anniversary Limo ride, dinner trip to Saugatuck on Friday night. Will report on that in next blog.

Off the Grid- Spring Catch 09

Somewhere into the Great North Backwoods we plunged, leaving the city life and M-72 behind.
It was dark, bumpy and anticipation was high for some deep woods river solitude. I must stop and go back a bit and talk about the ride up from SW Michigan. After arriving at MC's house and unloading my stuff for the second time (I had driven over to MD's and he drove to MC's) we surveyed the packing up situation in MC's ride. We knew some stuff had to go already as Brad was still to come with all his stuff. We all had our stuff; coolers, clothes, waders, guns, sleeping bags, on and on. We literally were packed to the gills and were off before 4:00PM. Tunes and conversation kept things lively and the next thing we knew were stopping in Ashton, near Reed City, to get supplies and Brad could get his beloved Blatz that was sold there. They even had Oberon at this little party store. So with munchies, Mega Millions tickets, and beer in tow we were off. Our next couple of stops were of the interesting northern bar variety. It was somewhere along this stretch that Brad became B-Rad for the remainder of the weekend. A story only a few can tell. A bar in Manton called The Shamrock was a quick pitcher stop and then the famous Dingman's off of M-72 where stories were told of previous visits with the legendary Bailey and MC's father, the patriarchs and stewards of the property we were headed to. Burgers, Karoake and more beer had us primed for the jaunt into the woods. (I should mention that I recognized much of this area as my sister S and husband J live not too far away. I recognized pie place. Other sis Su lives up the road in Mancelona).
It was a long, jousting drive back to the river and the cabin, luckily there was not much water in the deep ruts we drove through or limbs blocking the road in.
Once there we had much to unload and do to get the Off the Grid cabin ready for us. Wood fire in the stove going, water pumped, canoe removed from living room and sleeping assignments made. This night would be early to bed as we were tired from the long and eventful Friday it had been. To keep this a bit short I am going to bullet the rest of the trip:

1. Beautiful Saturday Morning-MC made huge B-fast. It was windy and a bit cool but mostly sunny.
2. MC took us on hike of newly surveyed property and surroundings.
3. Came back and for some it was B-Latz thirty, fishing was a bit cold-no bites.
4. I got out my portable I-Pod player and we listened to River songs watching the river flow.
5. The others fished but no bites-more beer, whiskey and brandy flowed. More hiking.
   
6. B-Rad shot his rifle MD and I shot some Blatz cans with his pistol.
7. MD made this great dinner of Bloody Mary's,Ribs, taters, salad and some venison that B-Rad brought.
8. Collected wood for fire by the river and the BS flowed like the Manistee. B-Rad even did some wild air guitar to the sounds of MC's off the grid lantern-music-player function player without falling into the fire. The old weathered dock became the centerpiece for the fire and kept us warm in the crisp spring air off the Manistee.
9. We retreated to the cabin where B-Rad made a B-line for the couch and crashed early.
   
10. Good Mike and Bad Mike ganged up on little old flatlander me and I was the Biggest Loser of the poker game. The bloody mary shots helped ease the pain.
    
11. Off to dreamland we went like the Walton's riffing off the wall, off the record, off center and finally off to sleep.

Sunday, we did a Trout Town breakfast in Kalkaska, toured some more of the area, threw a couple more lines out along the river (couple nibbles but no catch), basked in sunshine as it was warming up, cleaned up the area and packed up. On the way out we saw an Osprey looking for some prey off the trail. Always a positive- a hawk sighting.
Trip back went fairly fast-tired we were from a great north woods river weekend-a thank you to MC and his family n friends for making it possible. It was one for the memory banks with fodder for tales to come. I look forward to a return someday.

Rain Droppin Name Dropper Day

Hey Ho last Day of April and Spring is bringing down the rains on the plains around us. Grass is growing crazy green and the blooms and buds are a happenin. My Dad says he reads with interest all the places Mary and I seem to go and people we see so I write this with him in mind.
He just turned 78 in April and looking pretty darn good.
I talked about the computer crashing and getting a new laptop, well now I have worked some of the new features in our tech arsenal. Sister Jeanne and daughter Ashley kept saying you have to get "wireless", "can't believe you don't have it". Well after spending over 2 hours on telephone with a service tech from the Linksys router guys we are hooked up 'wireless'. It only cost $10.00 compared to $100+ if Comcast did it. It is nice to stay upstairs and check out email, etc. Callie really appreciates it as it makes her Facebook "work" much easier and warmer. I also got the 'old" PC fixed so we have options for photo storage, etc. The new PC has many applications I am just learning about; like laser writing on CD's, webcam, and video making.
I also got a new cell phone as my contract was up and we needed Bluetooth to get the hands free working in our sync equipped vehicle. So that is kind of cool having a call come in and just pressing a button on the steering wheel and you're talking with someone, 'Hands free", so yes, the marvels of technology continue to complicate our lives and add more stuff to do.
Got a new cool SureThing label maker from Melvis too that we are doing the Surf Song labels with.
We have had 2 weeks of golf league already now. First week was pretty nippy, last night a tad warmer. First week I won the skin pot all by self-$38 with a birdie. Improved on strokes last night by five shots over first week.
Last weekend I did my first community volunteering event for Loaves and Fishes down at the Rave theater. It was during the movie The Soloist and it was both a fundraiser and canned food collection spot. We gave away totes with KSO CD's along with information on the program and hunger, etc. Their was a cellist from the Kalamazoo Symphony playing music from the movie the whole time with a hat out for donations. We did quite well and I enjoyed the time I spent with Maya, my co-volunteer at the time. Thanks to all those that donated. Looking forward to the postal workers fund drive next weekend sorting food after it is collected.
Last Friday, Mary and I met up with Mike and Susan at MiRanchito for dinner before we went to see Dave Alvin perform at KVCC. It was old pal's Dave Posther's ( organizes) last show of the season there. Lots of good guitar playing and good song writing of the Bakersfield, California Americana folk sound.
Then Saturday night we went Ms. Munger's PHD party down at the Kalamazoo Radission. Greta and Sarah were gracious hosts providing music, wine, beer and chow for their family and friends. I even had fun as I took the musical bag of tricks and my djembe to jam along with the guys playing tunes. Congrats again Greta on your accomplishment! I also got to see several of my 'ole" work colleagues whom I miss seeing.
So, that takes me up to last day of April and tomorrow May Day and Derby Day on Saturday.
May has historically been one of the busiest times of the year for us and most others. We have Ashley's birthday, Mothers Day, our Wedding Anniversary, gardening, etc. going on. Just no end of year school related activities for me this year but Mary will have some I am sure.
Enjoy your Spring and I will return soon with What's Happening up in here 'round Reno's World.

Since Easter=Name Drop, Egg Droop Sloop

Since last we spoke: Corby came over from Detroit for his annual Kalamazoo Blues Fix with Tab Benoit this year. Hot cajun rockin with a pre-show dinner at the Greek estab. Blue Dolphin.
We caught up on all the past months happenings with our families and friends. He was gone by noon on Sat. morn. My housesitting ended at the same time as the Wiegands returned from their Far Out West vacation.
Mary and I chilled out a couple Saturday's in a row being frugal and filling our Netflix obligations by watching "Rachel Getting Married" and "Milk". Two of the best acting jobs last year albeit kind of depressing but thought provoking movies. The will of the human spirit portrayed brilliantly.
Let's see last week, mid-week, celebrated Petey's birthday golfing out at Angel's Crossing on a cool but sunny day, increasingly warming as it went on. Jeff Caron from down the Schoolcraft way joined us as did Pete's nephew DW. Should I mention I was medalist in our group? Too late already did-90. The others were not far behind. Pete and I had to rush to our golf league meeting at Wayside where a there was a record turnout making some tough decisions, such as how many points should we play for;) J. Mickley did a fine job keeping things in some order.The guys were all in rare, sarcastic form with each other and Pete and I had couple of drinks and headed up stairs to hang with Jerry C. and his bros., literally. Finally, met the 4th Cox brother. Pete left and I watched them play pool til TC showed and the golfing wind and sun of the day told me to head home. First night of scheduled play this Wed. Everyone having fingers crossed for playable weather.
Friday I golfed again with the Lights Out Fryday crew out at GL Stonehedge S. Only five of us there but a more gorgeous day would of been hard to come by. Melvi, Timmy, Toddly, PB, and myself went head to head for the big $. Tim was medalist with an 83, I had 88. All won skins so the pot was depleted but great golfing day. Mary came up to Bayview Gardens after for an after work cocktail and Jimmy C. showd up. We ended up having dinner at Blackhawk and caught a set of the Kal. Avenue Blues Band at he Stagecoach out back. Again I was TIRED from the winds of the course and true gravity had me up and down all day. This comes from a book I am reading written thirty some years ago, Golf in the Kingdom by Michael Murphy. An instructional philosophical walk through golfs many facets. I have been enjoying it, who knows maybe it will help my game in some fashion.
So I did Twitter the news of my computer crash but I now sit here with a new laptop on my lap typing the first blog in this format. Feels kind of good. No wireless yet but I intend to get that hooked up next. Ashley says I will love it.
I mentioned a while back I would say something about my volunteering activities and they are now starting to present me with some opportunities. The local food bank Loaves and Fishes has asked me to assist with some curriculum and community education things so we have had a few meetings regarding that with L n F staff. I also be at the premiere of The Soloist this weekend at The Rave handing out materials on hunger, etc. There will be several events coming up this spring which I will be participating in, so come on out and take part. Oh Yes- wanted to say that Melvis has finished production work on Surf Song II and has it is in the can! Copies will soon be available. I think EARTH DAY is a fitting day for it to debut as one of the themes is our relations with Mother Nature. It was a fun project over the fall and winter, thanks all for your time and effort. Especially, ML. It was a blast , blast , blast....
OK, no pictures with this post as I do not have any on this computer yet. So til next time, keep your inner swing smooth and steady.

Name Droppin Odds and Ends of Recency

Went to Mancelona and left my cell phona (it twas niece Lilly's #7 Birthday) Mom, Dorothy, Sisters Sue and Sheryl, wife Mary, Cardman and some other Lilly friends were there too.

1. Drove homa from Mancelona and almost slip slided away as it snowed overnight big time. (thanks again Suze for the quick mailing of my phone home;)
2. Met ol chums, the Harmons, for dinner at Charlie Fosters and gave them a quick downtown walking tour of changes. They now reside outside of Chicago. Son Austin looking at WMU after graduation.
3. Went to Wine Loft and then saw Susan H. playing last Friday at Websters checking off places from Jimmy C.'s Kalamazoo list. Saw Judy C., Jamie, Jazzman, Tom Duffield, of course Mikey D.
4. Saturday I went to Jimmy C.'s for the First Final Four games; made Hurricanes and got Doster store pizza. Sparty did the job that night. Made some celebratory phone calls and texts.
   Over the last week been house sitting some pets for some peeps. Uh oh power outage
5. Mary's been preppin and painting couple rooms in the house-she's so good at it I get in the way (really).
6. Jazz came over to the house sitting pad for the BIGGAME and we all know how that turned out. Nice soak under the sunset and moonlight.

Stay tuned for the Eastah holiday weekend news and more name-a-droppin tidbits.