We are home from Chicago. We got to the house at almost exactly 9:00PM just like they promised. It makes a long day but was well worth it. After picking up the extra passengers in Plymouth and Sheboygan Falls we headed directly to the Weber Grill Cafe in Chicago. All of their food is cooked on Webers. Dick and I had both ordered the Salmon which was brushed with a nice barbeque glaze. It came with salad, mashed REAL potatoes, steamed veggies and a great cheesecake.
Then on to the Ford Center for the Performing Arts (formerly and still recognized as the Oriental Theatre) for Wicked. It was one of the most energetic musicals that I have seen in years and we loved it. Again, none of the music is really memorable, by that I mean we did not come out of the theatre humming anything. However, we loved the performers, the performances and the message.
The premise is that one should always look at all sides of a situation. It is the Wizard of Oz from the viewpoint of the Wicked Witch of the West. Perspective can make the WHOLE story look completely different. One thing that impressed me was a statement by the Wizard that if one wants to rally people around you, one needs to find a common enemy.
Have pleasant Sunday. It is supposed to be beautiful with a chance of rain in the evening.
Love
Mary
Saturday, October 01, 2005
Friday, September 30, 2005
A nice day. The weather was perfect. It was clear and sunnt but only in the low 70s for a high.
I had my bone density test today. It was the easiest test in the world. I just lay on a table and they took two shots. I paid attention this time and my height is still 5'4". I have been 5'4" for as long as I remember. That, to me, means that I am not losing height. So - my bones are probably OK.
Then I cleaned the kitchen and made Lavender Bread.
Had lunch with the girls in Plymouth at the Dairy Queen. I got a Grilled Chicken Salad. It was delicious. Then I stopped at Mom's and dropped of a card for her to take to Patty's funeral for the cousins. I enclosed a poem that I hope they like.
Tonight Bobbie and I worked at Rhine. I kept score because we needed scorekeepers. I had to be reminded a bit but it came back. I scored for a couple of really great shooters.
When I got home a call from Mike Holehouse was on the answering machine, so I called him. We will try to get together for a bit on Sunday Morning, but they have to be in Milwaukee by Noon so it could get tricky. Otherwise, as he says, since Patty is buried here, they will come occasionally. Though, that does not necessarily follow. I do not go to Tony's grave in Huntington Beach, but then I found that I just couldn't do that. I do want to go once more sometime. I only visited the grave twice since we buried him. Once with Dad and once with Grandma and Grandpa Bowser.
It is just too hard.
Tomorrow we go to see Wicked. I have to gather the things I want to take along and it is already 10:00PM so I will sign off now.
The Cadfael Book of Days, Ellis Peters, compiled by Robin Whiteman said. "What is done matters, but what is yet to do matters more."
Enjoy your weekend and pray for Patty. However, I believe that her angel has led her to God.
Love
Mary
I had my bone density test today. It was the easiest test in the world. I just lay on a table and they took two shots. I paid attention this time and my height is still 5'4". I have been 5'4" for as long as I remember. That, to me, means that I am not losing height. So - my bones are probably OK.
Then I cleaned the kitchen and made Lavender Bread.
Had lunch with the girls in Plymouth at the Dairy Queen. I got a Grilled Chicken Salad. It was delicious. Then I stopped at Mom's and dropped of a card for her to take to Patty's funeral for the cousins. I enclosed a poem that I hope they like.
Tonight Bobbie and I worked at Rhine. I kept score because we needed scorekeepers. I had to be reminded a bit but it came back. I scored for a couple of really great shooters.
When I got home a call from Mike Holehouse was on the answering machine, so I called him. We will try to get together for a bit on Sunday Morning, but they have to be in Milwaukee by Noon so it could get tricky. Otherwise, as he says, since Patty is buried here, they will come occasionally. Though, that does not necessarily follow. I do not go to Tony's grave in Huntington Beach, but then I found that I just couldn't do that. I do want to go once more sometime. I only visited the grave twice since we buried him. Once with Dad and once with Grandma and Grandpa Bowser.
It is just too hard.
Tomorrow we go to see Wicked. I have to gather the things I want to take along and it is already 10:00PM so I will sign off now.
The Cadfael Book of Days, Ellis Peters, compiled by Robin Whiteman said. "What is done matters, but what is yet to do matters more."
Enjoy your weekend and pray for Patty. However, I believe that her angel has led her to God.
Love
Mary
Thursday, September 29, 2005
Just a quick note as it is 10:00PM and I am about to go to bed. It was an interesting day. Dick and I went to breakfast and then shopping this morning.
Then I got a call from my cousing Lynn. She and her husband Jeff were in town early because they were not sure when the funeral for her mother Patty, was going to be. They have to leave EARLY on Sunday so would not be able to make it to a brunch on Sunday. So - I invited them to supper tonight. We had a very pleasant meal and then I led them over to Mom's to visit and I went to choir. I was done in time to lead them back. They are staying at the Comfort Inn just down in back of the Hardee's on J.
They seem very happy. Jeff drives truck - mostly locally and Lynn has been teaching for 18 years. They have two beautiful little girls, Katie and Sydney. I am really glad they came over.
Jeff called while I was gone. He is going to order a big floral arrangement from the whole gang of us and have it delivered to Wenig's on Saturday. That seems like a great idea to me. The obituary for Patty was in the paper tonight. I am so delighted to find that she also wrote poetry. I shared some of ours, (Dad, George, Matt and Mine) with Lynn. I gave her a copy of the book of Dad's poems that I compiled.
Tomorrow, I am having a bone density test. It will be interesting, but I believe that my bones are very good, so it is just a technicality.
Dave Berry said. "You can say any foolish thing to a dog, and the dog sill give you a look that says, 'My God, you're right! I never would've thought of that!'"
Later
Mary
Then I got a call from my cousing Lynn. She and her husband Jeff were in town early because they were not sure when the funeral for her mother Patty, was going to be. They have to leave EARLY on Sunday so would not be able to make it to a brunch on Sunday. So - I invited them to supper tonight. We had a very pleasant meal and then I led them over to Mom's to visit and I went to choir. I was done in time to lead them back. They are staying at the Comfort Inn just down in back of the Hardee's on J.
They seem very happy. Jeff drives truck - mostly locally and Lynn has been teaching for 18 years. They have two beautiful little girls, Katie and Sydney. I am really glad they came over.
Jeff called while I was gone. He is going to order a big floral arrangement from the whole gang of us and have it delivered to Wenig's on Saturday. That seems like a great idea to me. The obituary for Patty was in the paper tonight. I am so delighted to find that she also wrote poetry. I shared some of ours, (Dad, George, Matt and Mine) with Lynn. I gave her a copy of the book of Dad's poems that I compiled.
Tomorrow, I am having a bone density test. It will be interesting, but I believe that my bones are very good, so it is just a technicality.
Dave Berry said. "You can say any foolish thing to a dog, and the dog sill give you a look that says, 'My God, you're right! I never would've thought of that!'"
Later
Mary
Wednesday, September 28, 2005
This was the quietest day this week. The only thing that I did that required any effort was ride to Manitowoc with Mary Yurk, my accross-the-street neighbor. She delivered blankets for the Linus Project to a baby care place and then we stopped at Quilts and Silks to browse. I did find a hanger to use in the hall so that I could hang my spiderweb for the holidays.
Aside from that it was quiet. I heard from my cousin, Laura, Patty's daughter. Patty's funeral will be Saturday and Dick and I will be in Chicago seeing Wicked. They will probably be in town on Sunday so I told Laura that I would love to have whomever over here on Sunday Morning for a brunch. I will bake lavendar bread tomorrow and make a fruit salad on Friday. Then, if they come, I can just cook bacon and sausage and scramble eggs for the brunch. I have some bagels too.
I feel bad missing the funeral but these plans can't be changed at this late date.
Tomorrow, Dick and I shop and I have choir in the evening. I also should go to the funeral of the mother of a friend. I must remember to get a lot of sympathy cards. I am totally out.
Did I ever give you the recipe to the easiest bread in the world.
Beer Bread
3 cups self rising flour
2 Tablespoons sugar
1 can beer
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a loaf pan. Mix the three ingredients right in the pan. Let sit for 15 minutes or so. Bake for 1 hour.
Enjoy
Mary
Aside from that it was quiet. I heard from my cousin, Laura, Patty's daughter. Patty's funeral will be Saturday and Dick and I will be in Chicago seeing Wicked. They will probably be in town on Sunday so I told Laura that I would love to have whomever over here on Sunday Morning for a brunch. I will bake lavendar bread tomorrow and make a fruit salad on Friday. Then, if they come, I can just cook bacon and sausage and scramble eggs for the brunch. I have some bagels too.
I feel bad missing the funeral but these plans can't be changed at this late date.
Tomorrow, Dick and I shop and I have choir in the evening. I also should go to the funeral of the mother of a friend. I must remember to get a lot of sympathy cards. I am totally out.
Did I ever give you the recipe to the easiest bread in the world.
Beer Bread
3 cups self rising flour
2 Tablespoons sugar
1 can beer
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a loaf pan. Mix the three ingredients right in the pan. Let sit for 15 minutes or so. Bake for 1 hour.
Enjoy
Mary
Tuesday, September 27, 2005
I had the most wonderful experience listening to Dr. George Archibald's lecture at Lakeland College. Before the lecture, he actually walked up and talked to me. He thought he recognized me. I told him he looked familiar too and then he said he was the speaker. I told him that was why he looked familiar to me, because I am a crane fan. He is going to keep me informed as to when he goes up to Neceedah to watch the ultralights fly with the cranes. Wouldn't that be an exciting adventure.
The talk was informative and very easy to listen too. I learned a lot about the current condition of the flocks in Asia and Africa too. Did you know that there are no cranes in South America? Nobody really knows why.
I also picked up Market Day. As I said, we need to start emptying out the freezer now. We have enough food to feed us for a long time.
I got a call today from church. Lynn, the business manager, asked me if Doug Deeley was my brother. I told her no, he is my cousin. Then she said that the funeral home had called and that Doug's sister had died. I am so glad that she called. The sister is our cousin Patty. I haven't heard from her directly since my brother Tim died but have kept in touch with how she is doing through her daughter Jennifer. Jenny is a great gal for sending Christmas cards and responding to e-mails. Anyway, Patty was awful about writing or calling, but when you were with her, you always had FUN. Patty was a ray of sunshine in any room that she was in. I will miss knowing she is around. I am not too surprised, because I knew that she had congestive heart failure. I e-mailed Jenny and told her that if there was anything that I could do to let me know. And I called Mother. Doug MAY call but I wouldn't count on it.
Say a special prayer for Patty and her kids tonight. We want her soul to speed right up to heaven.
story that came out of Baton
Rouge.
Yesterday the Rev. Jesse Jackson showed up in Baton Rouge, I wished he would
have showed up in Sheriff Harry Lee's office as we would have NEVER heard
from him again. He said, "Bush has NOT appointed a Single Black to head up
this Katrina Relief, the Black Caucus and Black Leaders all over America are
upset with him putting the Black Folks on the side and it is OUR people who
are sitting on their roof tops waiting for Rescue, OUR people who are
standing in line at the Superdome waiting on Food, Water and a Ride to a
safe place, OUR people who have been locked down in Poverty..." and so on.
George Sell the Anchorman for TV 9 news responded to Jesse, "Rev. Jackson,
the Mayors of New Orleans and Baton Rouge are Black, the Police Chief's of
New Orleans and Baton Rouge are Black, the Head of the LA State Police is
Black, the Head of the Army conducting the Army's operation on the Ground in
New Orleans is Black, the Congressman from New Orleans is Black and for the
last 40 years, the leaders of LA have been members of the Democratic Party,
YOUR Party, don't blame us like you are doing, look in the Mirror, you pull
the Race Card any time you don't get your way, we are in a Terrible Crisis
and right now we need to come together and here you come to Louisiana and
holler Racism, just like you do, it is NEVER EVER your fault, ALWAYS someone
else, but here you are sitting High and Dry, why don't you go out in to the
waters where they are shooting at the Rescue personnel and help in the
Rescue???'"
From a copy of an e-mail that I received from a friend. I do believe that race is not a factor in the damage and devastation or the response. The response was poor management and the POOR suffered most because there is such a large poor population there.
Kind of an interesting commentary anyway. It brings out a lot of facts.
Til tomorrow.
Mary
The talk was informative and very easy to listen too. I learned a lot about the current condition of the flocks in Asia and Africa too. Did you know that there are no cranes in South America? Nobody really knows why.
I also picked up Market Day. As I said, we need to start emptying out the freezer now. We have enough food to feed us for a long time.
I got a call today from church. Lynn, the business manager, asked me if Doug Deeley was my brother. I told her no, he is my cousin. Then she said that the funeral home had called and that Doug's sister had died. I am so glad that she called. The sister is our cousin Patty. I haven't heard from her directly since my brother Tim died but have kept in touch with how she is doing through her daughter Jennifer. Jenny is a great gal for sending Christmas cards and responding to e-mails. Anyway, Patty was awful about writing or calling, but when you were with her, you always had FUN. Patty was a ray of sunshine in any room that she was in. I will miss knowing she is around. I am not too surprised, because I knew that she had congestive heart failure. I e-mailed Jenny and told her that if there was anything that I could do to let me know. And I called Mother. Doug MAY call but I wouldn't count on it.
Say a special prayer for Patty and her kids tonight. We want her soul to speed right up to heaven.
story that came out of Baton
Rouge.
Yesterday the Rev. Jesse Jackson showed up in Baton Rouge, I wished he would
have showed up in Sheriff Harry Lee's office as we would have NEVER heard
from him again. He said, "Bush has NOT appointed a Single Black to head up
this Katrina Relief, the Black Caucus and Black Leaders all over America are
upset with him putting the Black Folks on the side and it is OUR people who
are sitting on their roof tops waiting for Rescue, OUR people who are
standing in line at the Superdome waiting on Food, Water and a Ride to a
safe place, OUR people who have been locked down in Poverty..." and so on.
George Sell the Anchorman for TV 9 news responded to Jesse, "Rev. Jackson,
the Mayors of New Orleans and Baton Rouge are Black, the Police Chief's of
New Orleans and Baton Rouge are Black, the Head of the LA State Police is
Black, the Head of the Army conducting the Army's operation on the Ground in
New Orleans is Black, the Congressman from New Orleans is Black and for the
last 40 years, the leaders of LA have been members of the Democratic Party,
YOUR Party, don't blame us like you are doing, look in the Mirror, you pull
the Race Card any time you don't get your way, we are in a Terrible Crisis
and right now we need to come together and here you come to Louisiana and
holler Racism, just like you do, it is NEVER EVER your fault, ALWAYS someone
else, but here you are sitting High and Dry, why don't you go out in to the
waters where they are shooting at the Rescue personnel and help in the
Rescue???'"
From a copy of an e-mail that I received from a friend. I do believe that race is not a factor in the damage and devastation or the response. The response was poor management and the POOR suffered most because there is such a large poor population there.
Kind of an interesting commentary anyway. It brings out a lot of facts.
Til tomorrow.
Mary
Monday, September 26, 2005
Today was a quiet day.
Bible study was my only event, though Dick and I did have to pick up a couple of things this afternoon.
It is now still dark at 6:00AM when Chelsea wakes me up. So. I am just letting her out the door then and taking her for her walk a bit later, after we have breakfast and perhaps even a shower as it stays dark later and later and later. Winter gets that way, you know.
Bible study was lively. We are still reading Paul 2 Corinthians. In the 10th chapter, Paul is defending himself from charges that though he writes a nice letter, he isn't all that hot in preaching. We decided that out message is that not all ministers are equal. Some are preachers, some are good with people and some are good builders or managers. We are going to try to be aware that when people criticize a minister we should point out that even Paul had his drawbacks so we should be more accepting.
Tomorrow, I will go to Lakeland College to listen to Dr. George Archibald, the co-founder of the International Crane Foundation. As you probably know, the crane is my favorite endangered species and Dick and I try to go the the International Crane Foundation in Baraboo every year if we can. I never tire of it. I believe I will wear my crane vest and pin tomorrow. I will add one of my pictures of a crane to this blog posting.
We had pizza soup tonight. Such a good soup. I got the recipe from Aunt Mary Ann when Dick and I went to Texas several years ago. The real name is Zucchini Soup but Nora and Sara named it Pizza Soup when they were kids and it has stuck for us. I froze enough for three meals. It is time for us to start eating out of the freezer for a while.
These are two "givens" from a list of funny things boys do sent to me by a friend.
Brake fluid mixed with Clorox makes smoke, and lots of it.
80% of Men who read this will try mixing Clorox and brake fluid.
Good night sleep tight.
Mary
Bible study was my only event, though Dick and I did have to pick up a couple of things this afternoon.
It is now still dark at 6:00AM when Chelsea wakes me up. So. I am just letting her out the door then and taking her for her walk a bit later, after we have breakfast and perhaps even a shower as it stays dark later and later and later. Winter gets that way, you know.
Bible study was lively. We are still reading Paul 2 Corinthians. In the 10th chapter, Paul is defending himself from charges that though he writes a nice letter, he isn't all that hot in preaching. We decided that out message is that not all ministers are equal. Some are preachers, some are good with people and some are good builders or managers. We are going to try to be aware that when people criticize a minister we should point out that even Paul had his drawbacks so we should be more accepting.
Tomorrow, I will go to Lakeland College to listen to Dr. George Archibald, the co-founder of the International Crane Foundation. As you probably know, the crane is my favorite endangered species and Dick and I try to go the the International Crane Foundation in Baraboo every year if we can. I never tire of it. I believe I will wear my crane vest and pin tomorrow. I will add one of my pictures of a crane to this blog posting.
We had pizza soup tonight. Such a good soup. I got the recipe from Aunt Mary Ann when Dick and I went to Texas several years ago. The real name is Zucchini Soup but Nora and Sara named it Pizza Soup when they were kids and it has stuck for us. I froze enough for three meals. It is time for us to start eating out of the freezer for a while.
These are two "givens" from a list of funny things boys do sent to me by a friend.
Brake fluid mixed with Clorox makes smoke, and lots of it.
80% of Men who read this will try mixing Clorox and brake fluid.
Good night sleep tight.
Mary
Sunday, September 25, 2005
I am exhausted. Sunday is supposed to be a day of rest but I was hopping most of it.
I mentioned that it was pheasant release day. Fourteen or so conservation clubs in Sheboygan County pool their money and time and raise 2500 to 3000 pheasant that are released in the county in the autumn of each year not too long before pheasant season. Granted this gives the pheasant hunter a bigger crop to harvest from, but it has been proved to be a way to increase the population of pheasant in general. The bird was almost extinct in the county. Now you often see the birds on the side of the road all year round. For sure, a big percentage of those released are harvested, but the smart and the lucky live to procreate and the population is growind.
Anyway, I got to the Maywood site at about 7:00AM and worked with the rest until about 10:30AM. We herded the birds into the holding pens, caught them individually, made sure their blinders were removed (Blinders are put on them as chicks so that they don't pick at each other and hurt each other in the rather confined quarters that they are raised in. Before release, the blinders come off so that they can see and hopefully protect themselves.) and put them in the crates for each club. Then the clubs drive them out around the county wherever they want them where there is good cover and food source and where the members want to hunt and release them. Many of the club members bring their children. This is really a good experience for them in conservation and in the knowledge of animals. I really like doing it. I think it reminds me of the chickens that Dad used to raise. We used to make pets out of them you know.
Then Jim, Bobbie and I went pistol shooting. By then it was POURING. I am not complaining because the rain held off while we were doing the pheasants. I shot miserably. There is no other description. The third target was not too bad but the first was bad and the second was AWFUL..
I think I need to see another rainbow for luck. These are the goofy things that happened today. 1. A Pheasant scratched my arm pretty bad. 2. The Packers lost. 3. An open coke fell out of the fridge and soaked my arm. 4. The trash fell over and I had to clean coffee grounds up off the floor. 5. I shot so badly.
There I have written them down - now they are over and good will happen from now on.
I don't think I told you about Bobbie's experience of a couple weeks ago. She was driving west on Highway J and at the corner of J and Rangeline Road, saw some large birds beside the road. Turkeys, she thought. When she got up to them she saw that she was right there were several turkeys and lo and behold along with them was a peacock. Can turkeys and peacocks mate? Wonder what that would look like and what would one call them - Perkeys? Teacocks?
Have a nice Monday
Mary
I mentioned that it was pheasant release day. Fourteen or so conservation clubs in Sheboygan County pool their money and time and raise 2500 to 3000 pheasant that are released in the county in the autumn of each year not too long before pheasant season. Granted this gives the pheasant hunter a bigger crop to harvest from, but it has been proved to be a way to increase the population of pheasant in general. The bird was almost extinct in the county. Now you often see the birds on the side of the road all year round. For sure, a big percentage of those released are harvested, but the smart and the lucky live to procreate and the population is growind.
Anyway, I got to the Maywood site at about 7:00AM and worked with the rest until about 10:30AM. We herded the birds into the holding pens, caught them individually, made sure their blinders were removed (Blinders are put on them as chicks so that they don't pick at each other and hurt each other in the rather confined quarters that they are raised in. Before release, the blinders come off so that they can see and hopefully protect themselves.) and put them in the crates for each club. Then the clubs drive them out around the county wherever they want them where there is good cover and food source and where the members want to hunt and release them. Many of the club members bring their children. This is really a good experience for them in conservation and in the knowledge of animals. I really like doing it. I think it reminds me of the chickens that Dad used to raise. We used to make pets out of them you know.
Then Jim, Bobbie and I went pistol shooting. By then it was POURING. I am not complaining because the rain held off while we were doing the pheasants. I shot miserably. There is no other description. The third target was not too bad but the first was bad and the second was AWFUL..
I think I need to see another rainbow for luck. These are the goofy things that happened today. 1. A Pheasant scratched my arm pretty bad. 2. The Packers lost. 3. An open coke fell out of the fridge and soaked my arm. 4. The trash fell over and I had to clean coffee grounds up off the floor. 5. I shot so badly.
There I have written them down - now they are over and good will happen from now on.
I don't think I told you about Bobbie's experience of a couple weeks ago. She was driving west on Highway J and at the corner of J and Rangeline Road, saw some large birds beside the road. Turkeys, she thought. When she got up to them she saw that she was right there were several turkeys and lo and behold along with them was a peacock. Can turkeys and peacocks mate? Wonder what that would look like and what would one call them - Perkeys? Teacocks?
Have a nice Monday
Mary
Saturday, September 24, 2005
The Concord Grape pie is scrumptious. Kenny said that the lady who has the grapes is glad to have a taker so next year we will do it again. As Jim says "It is a keeper."
We also had what may be our last meal of corn and tomatoes until next year. Mr. Capelle, the produce man in Plymouth, expects there to be one more week of sweet corn. I will check next Friday but I am not holding my breath. I do have enough in the freezer for the winter now. I went to the 5:00PM Mass because tomorrow is pheasant release day. (I'll report on that tomorrow.) I fully expected to have to shuck that corn when I got home from church but that wonderful man I sleep with had the whole two baker's dozen ready when I got home so all I had to do was cook them.
I cleaned the lower cupboards in the kitchen today. I finally got tired of having to dig for things that have shifted and of having stuff falling out because everything is mixed up. I always find a few things that are expired anyway because they get shoved to the back.
I also cleaned my guns so I am ready for shooting tomorrow. I decided that I am goint to fix beer can chicken tomorrow with the last can of beer left from when Fr. Mike was here.
It was a lovely day for walking this morning. Kind of crisp. On weekends, Chelsea and I don't run into many people. Roger and Pepper aren't out because it is Roger's big work day and I think some of the other regulars take the weekend off. But it was nice. It is supposed to rain tomorrow.
Mother got a call from George and Betsy in Houston. All is well, the rain was heavy but not dangerous and they were really ready. They were spending today putting their house back in order. They took things off the walls and really battened down. They were well stocked, had a full tank of gas and had even filled their bathtub in case there was a problem with clean water later on. But by the time it got to them it was reduced to a bad but not catastrophic storm. Thank God.
"If you can't believe in God the chances are your God is too small." J. B. Phillips
Have a great Sunday. Come over for beer can chicken, if you want to.
Mary
We also had what may be our last meal of corn and tomatoes until next year. Mr. Capelle, the produce man in Plymouth, expects there to be one more week of sweet corn. I will check next Friday but I am not holding my breath. I do have enough in the freezer for the winter now. I went to the 5:00PM Mass because tomorrow is pheasant release day. (I'll report on that tomorrow.) I fully expected to have to shuck that corn when I got home from church but that wonderful man I sleep with had the whole two baker's dozen ready when I got home so all I had to do was cook them.
I cleaned the lower cupboards in the kitchen today. I finally got tired of having to dig for things that have shifted and of having stuff falling out because everything is mixed up. I always find a few things that are expired anyway because they get shoved to the back.
I also cleaned my guns so I am ready for shooting tomorrow. I decided that I am goint to fix beer can chicken tomorrow with the last can of beer left from when Fr. Mike was here.
It was a lovely day for walking this morning. Kind of crisp. On weekends, Chelsea and I don't run into many people. Roger and Pepper aren't out because it is Roger's big work day and I think some of the other regulars take the weekend off. But it was nice. It is supposed to rain tomorrow.
Mother got a call from George and Betsy in Houston. All is well, the rain was heavy but not dangerous and they were really ready. They were spending today putting their house back in order. They took things off the walls and really battened down. They were well stocked, had a full tank of gas and had even filled their bathtub in case there was a problem with clean water later on. But by the time it got to them it was reduced to a bad but not catastrophic storm. Thank God.
"If you can't believe in God the chances are your God is too small." J. B. Phillips
Have a great Sunday. Come over for beer can chicken, if you want to.
Mary
Friday, September 23, 2005
I had an altogether wonderful evening at the Wonderful World Coffee on Michigan Avenue. Michael Perry, Wisconsin author from New Auburn WI, author of Population:485 and now Off Main Street was there to speak and sell and sign his books. I mentioned that I had heard him about a year ago. He is as interesting to listen to as to read. I recommend the books highly and if you get a chance to see him, he is a hoot to listen too.
Jane Kocmond, a fellow writer, joined me and we had a pleasant evening together too. The Wonderful World is a neat place to wile away some time too with tasty lattes and teas and nice bakery, soups and wraps. Dick said it was "OK" but I really like it. I orderd a chai tea and a cookie and bought a small bag of cookies to take home for Dick. He is sharing with Jim. What a guy.
I cleaned the kitchen this morning and also, (something I am VERY proud of) got a HUGE mess of ink stains out of my favorite pair of khaki pants. I thought they were lost but I kept pouring hair spray on the spots and brushing with a toothbrush until Wa La the spots were gone. I had already ordered a new pair of khakis (tsk tsk) so now I will have two. I really DID think that the other pair was shot.
Had lunch at the Plymouth Dairy Queen with the Plymouth people again. They said they missed me. We had the full crew today, Marlene, Betty, Barb, Ceil, Mary S., Jane and myself. It was a beautiful day, a bit cooler than it has been but sunny and pleasant.
I made pizza soup for dinner. A nice hearty meal, easy to eat. I picked up corn while I was in Plymouth so guess what we will have tomorrow. I am afraid that MIGHT be the last fresh corn of the season. Mr. Capelle seemed to think there MIGHT be one more week, so I will check next Friday. But I am not holding my breath.
Tomorrow should be a rather quiet day. I will be going to Mass at 5:00 because of releasing the pheasant on Sunday. Since we are having corn for supper, that makes and easy supper. We are also going to try a new pie, a concord grape pie, that I found a recipe for. I mixed the pie crust yesterday. That is half the battle I find. It says serve with vanilla ice cream, but I think that it will be fine with cool whip.
Have a nice weekend.
Mary
Jane Kocmond, a fellow writer, joined me and we had a pleasant evening together too. The Wonderful World is a neat place to wile away some time too with tasty lattes and teas and nice bakery, soups and wraps. Dick said it was "OK" but I really like it. I orderd a chai tea and a cookie and bought a small bag of cookies to take home for Dick. He is sharing with Jim. What a guy.
I cleaned the kitchen this morning and also, (something I am VERY proud of) got a HUGE mess of ink stains out of my favorite pair of khaki pants. I thought they were lost but I kept pouring hair spray on the spots and brushing with a toothbrush until Wa La the spots were gone. I had already ordered a new pair of khakis (tsk tsk) so now I will have two. I really DID think that the other pair was shot.
Had lunch at the Plymouth Dairy Queen with the Plymouth people again. They said they missed me. We had the full crew today, Marlene, Betty, Barb, Ceil, Mary S., Jane and myself. It was a beautiful day, a bit cooler than it has been but sunny and pleasant.
I made pizza soup for dinner. A nice hearty meal, easy to eat. I picked up corn while I was in Plymouth so guess what we will have tomorrow. I am afraid that MIGHT be the last fresh corn of the season. Mr. Capelle seemed to think there MIGHT be one more week, so I will check next Friday. But I am not holding my breath.
Tomorrow should be a rather quiet day. I will be going to Mass at 5:00 because of releasing the pheasant on Sunday. Since we are having corn for supper, that makes and easy supper. We are also going to try a new pie, a concord grape pie, that I found a recipe for. I mixed the pie crust yesterday. That is half the battle I find. It says serve with vanilla ice cream, but I think that it will be fine with cool whip.
Have a nice weekend.
Mary
Thursday, September 22, 2005
I sang to the Lord tonight at choir practice. We went over four songs. Three of them we sang several years ago, among them a Vivaldi - "Sing to the Lord". Very appropriate. It is, as all Vivaldi, very light but energetic.
Today, Dick and I went out for our,now only once a week, breakfast and grocery shopping. You sure could tell we had not been shopping for two weeks. We got a LOT, We ate breakfast at Zana's and ran into one of the couples, Ken and Phyllis, who were on the Washington trip with us.
I cleaned the bathrooms today and rested for a while this afternoon. I have been sneezing violently for two days and hope that is will not develop into a full blown cold. I should a bit nazel but no sore throat or fever, so I am hoping it will just disappear.
It rained and thundered today. We got quite a bit. Mother Nature is trying to make up for the summer, now that the growing season is over. She just wasn't using her head this year. But better late than never, we need to build up the water table.
Things, on the other hand, are dire down in the Gulf again. I emailed brother George, who lives near Houston. They are staying put, as they are high and well stocked and the solid highways at this point seem more dangerous than staying. Seems practical from what I see. He is more concerned with sustained winds than water at this point. Please keep him and Betsy and the whole endangered area in your prayers.
We had leftovers tonight. The noodles, beef and gravy that I told you I was planning for Dick and fresh cauliflower and a lovely mixed green salad.
Two very exciting speakers are coming to Sheboygan County in the next seven days. Tomorrow night, Michael Perry, a Wisconsin author, who wrote Population 486 about his experiences as a volunteer fireman in his hometown which has a population of 486. I heard him speak at last years Aestival Festival. He is an interesting speaker and will be at the Wonderful World Book Store over on Michigan tomorrow night from 6 to 8PM. Some of the othe writers from the club will be there so I won't be alone. I have a copy of the book, if you would like to borrow it. He has another one out, I understand. It will be interesting to hear about that.
On Tuesday evening, George Archibald, a co-founder of the International Crane Foundation, is speaking at Lakeland. I am utterly delighted and will definately go to that too. You do know that Cranes are my endangered species cause. I will wear my crane vest and crane pin.
I understand that Kathy, the bell choir director, is planning practices for Tuesdays. I am not sure I am up to committing another evening to something. I kind of liked all the music on one night. Especially, now that gas is up so high and we are trying to cut down on trips to everywhere.
A funny quote, emailed from a friend.
On a Swedish chainsaw -- "Do not attempt to stop chain with your hands or genitals."
(Oh my God..was there a lot of this happening somewhere?)
Have a good Friday.
Mary
Today, Dick and I went out for our,now only once a week, breakfast and grocery shopping. You sure could tell we had not been shopping for two weeks. We got a LOT, We ate breakfast at Zana's and ran into one of the couples, Ken and Phyllis, who were on the Washington trip with us.
I cleaned the bathrooms today and rested for a while this afternoon. I have been sneezing violently for two days and hope that is will not develop into a full blown cold. I should a bit nazel but no sore throat or fever, so I am hoping it will just disappear.
It rained and thundered today. We got quite a bit. Mother Nature is trying to make up for the summer, now that the growing season is over. She just wasn't using her head this year. But better late than never, we need to build up the water table.
Things, on the other hand, are dire down in the Gulf again. I emailed brother George, who lives near Houston. They are staying put, as they are high and well stocked and the solid highways at this point seem more dangerous than staying. Seems practical from what I see. He is more concerned with sustained winds than water at this point. Please keep him and Betsy and the whole endangered area in your prayers.
We had leftovers tonight. The noodles, beef and gravy that I told you I was planning for Dick and fresh cauliflower and a lovely mixed green salad.
Two very exciting speakers are coming to Sheboygan County in the next seven days. Tomorrow night, Michael Perry, a Wisconsin author, who wrote Population 486 about his experiences as a volunteer fireman in his hometown which has a population of 486. I heard him speak at last years Aestival Festival. He is an interesting speaker and will be at the Wonderful World Book Store over on Michigan tomorrow night from 6 to 8PM. Some of the othe writers from the club will be there so I won't be alone. I have a copy of the book, if you would like to borrow it. He has another one out, I understand. It will be interesting to hear about that.
On Tuesday evening, George Archibald, a co-founder of the International Crane Foundation, is speaking at Lakeland. I am utterly delighted and will definately go to that too. You do know that Cranes are my endangered species cause. I will wear my crane vest and crane pin.
I understand that Kathy, the bell choir director, is planning practices for Tuesdays. I am not sure I am up to committing another evening to something. I kind of liked all the music on one night. Especially, now that gas is up so high and we are trying to cut down on trips to everywhere.
A funny quote, emailed from a friend.
On a Swedish chainsaw -- "Do not attempt to stop chain with your hands or genitals."
(Oh my God..was there a lot of this happening somewhere?)
Have a good Friday.
Mary
Wednesday, September 21, 2005
What a day. Kenny and I picked about 15 pounds of Concord Grapes at his friend's house. I got home with them and realized that I did not have enough sugar so I drove over to Woodlake to get it. It seemed best to mix up the wine right away while the fruit was fresh off the vine. I have enough for 2.5 or 3 gallons. Now the only problem is where do I get enough gallon jugs. I am OK for JUST this, but will have wild grapes soon and I have frozen the marigold blossems already. So I will be busy making scratch wines this winter too. Dick and I also mixed up a batch of Gewertiminer today. So. There is a lot fermenting in our basement right now, but we are pretty low and Christmas is coming so we need to stock up because we like to give it away.
Sharing two pictures from the Washington trip. The first is a picture of the Rose Window in the National Cathedral with a nice shot of Dick to go with it. The second is a picture of one of the pools of cascading water at the WW2 War Memorial. I like the shot as there was a bouquet of roses lying on the edge of the pool on the IWO JIMA engraving, under the quote from MacArthur. I don't hink that you will be able to read it so it says. "Today the guns are silent. A great tragedy has ended. A great victory has been won, The skies no longer rain death - The seas bear only commerce - Men everywhere walk upright in the sunlight. The entire world is quietly at peace."
Too bad we couldn't keep it that way.
Til tomorrow
Mary
Sharing two pictures from the Washington trip. The first is a picture of the Rose Window in the National Cathedral with a nice shot of Dick to go with it. The second is a picture of one of the pools of cascading water at the WW2 War Memorial. I like the shot as there was a bouquet of roses lying on the edge of the pool on the IWO JIMA engraving, under the quote from MacArthur. I don't hink that you will be able to read it so it says. "Today the guns are silent. A great tragedy has ended. A great victory has been won, The skies no longer rain death - The seas bear only commerce - Men everywhere walk upright in the sunlight. The entire world is quietly at peace."
Too bad we couldn't keep it that way.
Til tomorrow
Mary
Tuesday, September 20, 2005
This was a quiet day. I cooked and wrote today. With just Dick and I eating during the week food goes a long way so I divided 1 1/4 lbs of chuck steak up into two dishes. I made a really good vegetable beef soup for lunch. There is enough for lunch tomorrow too. The rest I cooked in the slow cooker and there is enough of that for another meal too. Don't tell Dick, but we will have that with noodles on Thursday.
Tomorrow was to be another quiet day, but my brother in law Ken called and said that his friend's concord grapes are ripe, so I am going to meet him at his house at 1:00 and we will go to pick them. I found a nice recipe for Concord Grape wine. It has a recipe for a 2nd batch out of the same pulp which I will try too. Dick and I worked on the Riesling that we have fermenting in the basement. On Friday, we rack or filter the Beaujolais, depending on how much sediment is there.
When we were in Washington, we went to the National Cathedral. It is spectacular. There are so many beautiful stained glass windows and it is huge. There is a special chapel for the armed forces. Any one who has served can have his or her name registered there. We had a great guide who was knowledgable and easy to hear. We went there on Wednesday and knew ahead of time that President Bush was going to be there speaking at the National Day of Prayer on Friday.
Have a pleasant Wednesday.
My friend and fellow author Jane Kocmoud wrote the following which appears in the 2006 Wisconsin Poet's Calendar.
SUMMER FASHION
lanquid squirrel
sprawls across the birdhouse
roof of fur
Isn't she great
Mary
Tomorrow was to be another quiet day, but my brother in law Ken called and said that his friend's concord grapes are ripe, so I am going to meet him at his house at 1:00 and we will go to pick them. I found a nice recipe for Concord Grape wine. It has a recipe for a 2nd batch out of the same pulp which I will try too. Dick and I worked on the Riesling that we have fermenting in the basement. On Friday, we rack or filter the Beaujolais, depending on how much sediment is there.
When we were in Washington, we went to the National Cathedral. It is spectacular. There are so many beautiful stained glass windows and it is huge. There is a special chapel for the armed forces. Any one who has served can have his or her name registered there. We had a great guide who was knowledgable and easy to hear. We went there on Wednesday and knew ahead of time that President Bush was going to be there speaking at the National Day of Prayer on Friday.
Have a pleasant Wednesday.
My friend and fellow author Jane Kocmoud wrote the following which appears in the 2006 Wisconsin Poet's Calendar.
SUMMER FASHION
lanquid squirrel
sprawls across the birdhouse
roof of fur
Isn't she great
Mary
Monday, September 19, 2005
It rained today. I got up a bit after 6:00AM and kind of hurried out with Chelsea because Sally Severenson of Channel 12 News said that there was a severe thunderstorm alert. We started down the road with our usual eagerness and excitement. Before we got to the first turn, thunder rolled across the sky, the angels must have ALL been bowling. Chelsea did an about face on the spot.
When we were in Washington, we saw all three War monuments. We had seen the traveling Vietnam War Wall when it was in Sheboygan. Bart was still in high school, I remember and it was up at the UW Sheboygan campus. The Washington Wall is MUCH bigger, of course. We looked up Dick's sister's son, John D. Fitzpatrick's name and took a rubbing of it. If Teresa doesn't have it we will give it to her. Otherwise, we will keep it as part of our memories. I took pictures of the Women's Memorial that is also on that site.
We saw the Korean War Memorial twice. On Tuesday Night they took us on an "Illumination Tour" and the Korean War Memorial was best seen at night. It is touching to see that platoon in the half light posed as they are coming throught the rice paddies. Crickets are chirping as you walk through. The figures of the members of the platoon are bigger than life and very imposing. I got pictures the next day in the daylight.
That night we also went to the Lincoln Memorial, the Jefferson Memorial and the Iwo Jima Statue. Did you know that if you start by view it on the left front corner and walk slowly around it counter clockwise, the artist designed it so that as you round the back of the statue it appears that the flag has raised to the upright position. Spectacular!
Tomorrow, I don't have to go out at all.
Yippee!
Hope your day looks as good.
Mary
When we were in Washington, we saw all three War monuments. We had seen the traveling Vietnam War Wall when it was in Sheboygan. Bart was still in high school, I remember and it was up at the UW Sheboygan campus. The Washington Wall is MUCH bigger, of course. We looked up Dick's sister's son, John D. Fitzpatrick's name and took a rubbing of it. If Teresa doesn't have it we will give it to her. Otherwise, we will keep it as part of our memories. I took pictures of the Women's Memorial that is also on that site.
We saw the Korean War Memorial twice. On Tuesday Night they took us on an "Illumination Tour" and the Korean War Memorial was best seen at night. It is touching to see that platoon in the half light posed as they are coming throught the rice paddies. Crickets are chirping as you walk through. The figures of the members of the platoon are bigger than life and very imposing. I got pictures the next day in the daylight.
That night we also went to the Lincoln Memorial, the Jefferson Memorial and the Iwo Jima Statue. Did you know that if you start by view it on the left front corner and walk slowly around it counter clockwise, the artist designed it so that as you round the back of the statue it appears that the flag has raised to the upright position. Spectacular!
Tomorrow, I don't have to go out at all.
Yippee!
Hope your day looks as good.
Mary
Sunday, September 18, 2005
Today was a pleasant day. I slept like the dead last night but woke up at 6:00AM. My usual time. Chelsea was still sleeping when I got up so I missed an opportunity to be a slug-a-bed. Once I am up, she does not go back to sleep.
I went to the 10:30AM mass this morning. A friend of Beth, the choir director, who is a violinist joined us. So, we sang Pachebel's Canon of Praise which I pretty much had to sight read because I was in Washington on Thursday night when we practiced. A pretty sparse choir. About half our numbers were gone or working.
Jim and I went shooting at Rhine today. I shot a 16 in trap. Not the greatest but after only getting two on each of the first two stations, I got four on the last three, so at least I improved. The same thing with the pistol. I shot three targets and each one improved on the last.
Packers lost. Ick. Two in a row, not a good beginning.
I still haven't had a chance to look at the pictures that we took on our trip, but when I do, I will share a couple on this blog.
I hope the pictures of the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier turned out. We learned so much about the guards that serve there. They are a very elite group and make a committment far beyond the normal soldier.
If chosen, a soldier commits to an two year assignment, six months of training and eighteen months guarding the tomb. One soldier marches before the tombs 24/7 and they have done so since 1937. The changing of the guard happens every half hour during daylight hours in the summer months, every hour during the night and every hour in the winter daylight hours. Upon qualification, they receive a special wreath pin that they are entitled to wear for the rest of their lives.
Any soldier who requests this assignment cannot have a waistsize of more than 30 inches. During their six months training, the soldier cannot speak.
They take a vow never to drink alcoholic beverages and also vow never to swear. This is a lifetime vow and if they break their vow at any time, their pin will be taken away and they will have their name removed from the board below the tombs. (This is what the guide on the tram said, but the web site, says that this is a rumor.) Behavior that reflects badly on this elite corp, can result in removal and the taking back of the wreath pin.
The guard is strictly carried out and a thing of precision and reverence. All revolves around the number 21- the maximum gun salute given to any soldier or great person. They make 21 steps in front of the tomb. At each end they face the tomb and pause for 21 seconds. This is repeated during the entire shift.
We were priviledged to see the changing of the guard and I recommend it as part of any tour of the D. C. area.
We also saw the Kennedy tomb at Arlington. What a privilege.
That is all for today.
We may get some rain tomorrow. The storm that occured while we were gone, surely helped but the water table is WAY low. Everything actually looks pretty green.
Learn from the mistakes of others. You can't live long enough to make them all yourself. (from an e-mail I received.)
Joy all week
Mary
I went to the 10:30AM mass this morning. A friend of Beth, the choir director, who is a violinist joined us. So, we sang Pachebel's Canon of Praise which I pretty much had to sight read because I was in Washington on Thursday night when we practiced. A pretty sparse choir. About half our numbers were gone or working.
Jim and I went shooting at Rhine today. I shot a 16 in trap. Not the greatest but after only getting two on each of the first two stations, I got four on the last three, so at least I improved. The same thing with the pistol. I shot three targets and each one improved on the last.
Packers lost. Ick. Two in a row, not a good beginning.
I still haven't had a chance to look at the pictures that we took on our trip, but when I do, I will share a couple on this blog.
I hope the pictures of the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier turned out. We learned so much about the guards that serve there. They are a very elite group and make a committment far beyond the normal soldier.
If chosen, a soldier commits to an two year assignment, six months of training and eighteen months guarding the tomb. One soldier marches before the tombs 24/7 and they have done so since 1937. The changing of the guard happens every half hour during daylight hours in the summer months, every hour during the night and every hour in the winter daylight hours. Upon qualification, they receive a special wreath pin that they are entitled to wear for the rest of their lives.
Any soldier who requests this assignment cannot have a waistsize of more than 30 inches. During their six months training, the soldier cannot speak.
They take a vow never to drink alcoholic beverages and also vow never to swear. This is a lifetime vow and if they break their vow at any time, their pin will be taken away and they will have their name removed from the board below the tombs. (This is what the guide on the tram said, but the web site, says that this is a rumor.) Behavior that reflects badly on this elite corp, can result in removal and the taking back of the wreath pin.
The guard is strictly carried out and a thing of precision and reverence. All revolves around the number 21- the maximum gun salute given to any soldier or great person. They make 21 steps in front of the tomb. At each end they face the tomb and pause for 21 seconds. This is repeated during the entire shift.
We were priviledged to see the changing of the guard and I recommend it as part of any tour of the D. C. area.
We also saw the Kennedy tomb at Arlington. What a privilege.
That is all for today.
We may get some rain tomorrow. The storm that occured while we were gone, surely helped but the water table is WAY low. Everything actually looks pretty green.
Learn from the mistakes of others. You can't live long enough to make them all yourself. (from an e-mail I received.)
Joy all week
Mary
Saturday, September 17, 2005
We are home. It was a long long day, so I will keep this short and tell you more highlights as the next week progresses.
We saw SO much in our short time in D. C. All the memorials and many many monuments. Our nation's capital is inspiring in its beauty and richness of culture and history. It is also overwhelming with all the people and traffic that is constant.
We stayed at the Hampton in Alexandria VA and were very pleased with Lamer's choice of accomodations. We were within walking distance of two (we heard of another but never made it there)excellent restuarants. The Joe Theissman where we shared a quesidilla one night and ordered a whole dinner the next. I ordered crab cakes that night and they were delicious. Dick had a steak.
The last night in that area, we went to a Thai restuarant down the street that was also very good. Dick found out he likes rice noodles too. Somehow I am not surprised.
I think I have about 150 pictures. The digital is handy because one can take several shots of the same thing at different angles and try odd things if one wants. If they don't turn out - delete works just fine. I will have to wait until tomorrow to see them because after I reviewed 158 emails I am just too tired.
So - We are home safe and sound. We had a great time. I will tell you more tomorrow.
love
Mary
We saw SO much in our short time in D. C. All the memorials and many many monuments. Our nation's capital is inspiring in its beauty and richness of culture and history. It is also overwhelming with all the people and traffic that is constant.
We stayed at the Hampton in Alexandria VA and were very pleased with Lamer's choice of accomodations. We were within walking distance of two (we heard of another but never made it there)excellent restuarants. The Joe Theissman where we shared a quesidilla one night and ordered a whole dinner the next. I ordered crab cakes that night and they were delicious. Dick had a steak.
The last night in that area, we went to a Thai restuarant down the street that was also very good. Dick found out he likes rice noodles too. Somehow I am not surprised.
I think I have about 150 pictures. The digital is handy because one can take several shots of the same thing at different angles and try odd things if one wants. If they don't turn out - delete works just fine. I will have to wait until tomorrow to see them because after I reviewed 158 emails I am just too tired.
So - We are home safe and sound. We had a great time. I will tell you more tomorrow.
love
Mary
Sunday, September 11, 2005
It was hot today, but the Celtic Faire was quite successful, at least we believe so.
We know that the Mass was VERY well attended and people were pleased with it. The band, the Cashel Dennehy Dancers were both hits. Everybody wants to see them again so we have already asked them for next year. The storyteller was well received, but I know now that I will rearrange the schedule and have her come on SOONER while more children are there and have her entertain everybody and then take the children for some games etc. Our Children Games chair let us down this year, there were no organized games for the kids and by the time Patti O'Clover got on most of them had been taken home.
The food was wonderful and we sold out most of it. There was a Nesco of meat left, but I am sure that was sent home with someone. We did not run out of corned beef this year and had less than a Nesco full of that which we sent home at a reduced price.
The bar is always successful.
SO!!! once we determine the financial results, we will know th total success. So far it is up there on 3 of the 4 criteria.
Then, when I got home, I had to sew the binding on the Waterwheel Spin quilt that I have asked my neighbor to take to the Quilt Show next Saturday. Nothing like finishing up at the last minute. Mary has two beautiful items she is entering this year, an Underground Railroad quilt and a really cute wall hanging called Mittens. It has MITTENS in big quilted letters and then four "mittens" hanging from it.
This will be my last post until next Saturday evening. We leave at 8:00AM for Washington DC. I hope you will miss me. I will miss posting. However, Dick and I are so excited about the trip. First times to special places are always SO exciting.
Have a great week. I will store up stories for you.
Love
Mary
We will know for sure once we determine how financially successful it was.
We know that the Mass was VERY well attended and people were pleased with it. The band, the Cashel Dennehy Dancers were both hits. Everybody wants to see them again so we have already asked them for next year. The storyteller was well received, but I know now that I will rearrange the schedule and have her come on SOONER while more children are there and have her entertain everybody and then take the children for some games etc. Our Children Games chair let us down this year, there were no organized games for the kids and by the time Patti O'Clover got on most of them had been taken home.
The food was wonderful and we sold out most of it. There was a Nesco of meat left, but I am sure that was sent home with someone. We did not run out of corned beef this year and had less than a Nesco full of that which we sent home at a reduced price.
The bar is always successful.
SO!!! once we determine the financial results, we will know th total success. So far it is up there on 3 of the 4 criteria.
Then, when I got home, I had to sew the binding on the Waterwheel Spin quilt that I have asked my neighbor to take to the Quilt Show next Saturday. Nothing like finishing up at the last minute. Mary has two beautiful items she is entering this year, an Underground Railroad quilt and a really cute wall hanging called Mittens. It has MITTENS in big quilted letters and then four "mittens" hanging from it.
This will be my last post until next Saturday evening. We leave at 8:00AM for Washington DC. I hope you will miss me. I will miss posting. However, Dick and I are so excited about the trip. First times to special places are always SO exciting.
Have a great week. I will store up stories for you.
Love
Mary
We will know for sure once we determine how financially successful it was.
Saturday, September 10, 2005
Today was quite a day. It was hot. In the upper 80s.
It was a day of triumphs for the Deeley women. George and Betsy went to Hilbert, I guess actually Appleton and ran in the Cheesehead Run. I am SO impressed. Betsy won her class and Kathy won hers also. The announcers commented on the fact that two Deeleys in a row were the winners of the event. Betsy won a cheese tray.
I went to the Aestival Festival with Jane and Sylvia from Writer's Club.
The Aestival Festival is really a great day for Wisconsin Writers it lasts from about 8 to 3. They provide a really nice continental breakfast and a great lunch. They always have a well known Wisconsin Writer as the keynote speaker. This year the author of The Final Frontiersman, James Crawford. There are two workshops, one before and one after lunch. You get a choice on these. Three choices in each time slot. I chose Journalism and Poetry. Then there is a final speaker and away we go. All of this is in addition to the writing contests and the prize drawings.
Jane got an honorable mention in the poetry contest and I GOT FIRST PLACE. I was SO excited. It was for a poem I wrote several years ago called They Soar. I will add it here for you.
THEY SOAR
They Soar.
We send them – Emissaries to the edges of the grasp of the planet.
They stride
These heroes of our time,
With joy and pride and courage.
With reckless abandon, they enter the capsule
And we fling them into the void.
We name them astronaut – cosmonaut.
These names make our hearts and minds ache with pride
Because they are human – like us.
We thrill as they rise from the shackles of Earth,
Feeling as they rise, the thrill in the pit of our stomachs.
As they experience
The ultimate carnival ride-
A journey beyond the clouds –
A reach for God in his heaven.
They satisfy
Man’s eternal curiosity,
His need to see a little further down the road.
We see them leave the womb of the capsule and float in the nothingness
On a man-made umbilical cord.
So Brave – So foolhardy.
We watch them walk on other worlds – with Giant Steps.
They talk of God, and of Pride and of Beauty that leaves them breathless.
In view of the whole world and yet beyond our reach,
They perform their deeds in glory.
And sometimes our emissaries don’t come back.
And we cry for them.
Have a neat Sunday.
Monday we leave for D. C.
Love
Mary
It was a day of triumphs for the Deeley women. George and Betsy went to Hilbert, I guess actually Appleton and ran in the Cheesehead Run. I am SO impressed. Betsy won her class and Kathy won hers also. The announcers commented on the fact that two Deeleys in a row were the winners of the event. Betsy won a cheese tray.
I went to the Aestival Festival with Jane and Sylvia from Writer's Club.
The Aestival Festival is really a great day for Wisconsin Writers it lasts from about 8 to 3. They provide a really nice continental breakfast and a great lunch. They always have a well known Wisconsin Writer as the keynote speaker. This year the author of The Final Frontiersman, James Crawford. There are two workshops, one before and one after lunch. You get a choice on these. Three choices in each time slot. I chose Journalism and Poetry. Then there is a final speaker and away we go. All of this is in addition to the writing contests and the prize drawings.
Jane got an honorable mention in the poetry contest and I GOT FIRST PLACE. I was SO excited. It was for a poem I wrote several years ago called They Soar. I will add it here for you.
THEY SOAR
They Soar.
We send them – Emissaries to the edges of the grasp of the planet.
They stride
These heroes of our time,
With joy and pride and courage.
With reckless abandon, they enter the capsule
And we fling them into the void.
We name them astronaut – cosmonaut.
These names make our hearts and minds ache with pride
Because they are human – like us.
We thrill as they rise from the shackles of Earth,
Feeling as they rise, the thrill in the pit of our stomachs.
As they experience
The ultimate carnival ride-
A journey beyond the clouds –
A reach for God in his heaven.
They satisfy
Man’s eternal curiosity,
His need to see a little further down the road.
We see them leave the womb of the capsule and float in the nothingness
On a man-made umbilical cord.
So Brave – So foolhardy.
We watch them walk on other worlds – with Giant Steps.
They talk of God, and of Pride and of Beauty that leaves them breathless.
In view of the whole world and yet beyond our reach,
They perform their deeds in glory.
And sometimes our emissaries don’t come back.
And we cry for them.
Have a neat Sunday.
Monday we leave for D. C.
Love
Mary
Friday, September 09, 2005
Another BUSY day. The church is decorated. That was my last stop.
The morning started quietly enough. I did my usual Friday kitchen cleaning. Then ironed Dick's shirts. At noon, Dick and I joined George and Betsy and Betsy's mother Dorothy, Jeff and Kathy and Mother at The Other Place for a really great fish lunch. I had not been in the Other Place in years. When I was a kid, it was called Fitz's and had a bowling alley in the basement (we wonder if the alleys are still there.) Jeff used to make money setting pins. There were no automatic pinsetters at Fitz's. The Other Place has expanded some in the past several years and now has a larger dining area that takes up the ajacent building. Interestingly enough, that adjacent building was my Uncle Jack's, Deeley's Men's Wear store.
The fish lunch was fantastic. I ate every bite and just snacked a bit for supper.
I had to leave at about 5:00PM because pistol league started this week and since I won't be here Sunday OR next Friday, I decided that I had better get a start. The first target was a bit wild, but the other two were better. I still have a long way to go, but am improving each league.
After I finished there I went to church. The church looks beautiful. We have decorated in green, white and orange, the colors of the Irish flag. Stan and Linda brought lots of beautiful fresh asparagus ferns and we have them mixed with white and orange mums and green plants.
Tomorrow, I will be going to the Aestival Festival with Sylvia and Jane from Writer's Club. I am looking forward to the break and feel that I have done all I can for Celtic Faire anyway.
I even am all packed for the trip to D. C. So, I should be able to relax and enjoy the conference.
Hope you have a great weekend.
Love
Mary
The morning started quietly enough. I did my usual Friday kitchen cleaning. Then ironed Dick's shirts. At noon, Dick and I joined George and Betsy and Betsy's mother Dorothy, Jeff and Kathy and Mother at The Other Place for a really great fish lunch. I had not been in the Other Place in years. When I was a kid, it was called Fitz's and had a bowling alley in the basement (we wonder if the alleys are still there.) Jeff used to make money setting pins. There were no automatic pinsetters at Fitz's. The Other Place has expanded some in the past several years and now has a larger dining area that takes up the ajacent building. Interestingly enough, that adjacent building was my Uncle Jack's, Deeley's Men's Wear store.
The fish lunch was fantastic. I ate every bite and just snacked a bit for supper.
I had to leave at about 5:00PM because pistol league started this week and since I won't be here Sunday OR next Friday, I decided that I had better get a start. The first target was a bit wild, but the other two were better. I still have a long way to go, but am improving each league.
After I finished there I went to church. The church looks beautiful. We have decorated in green, white and orange, the colors of the Irish flag. Stan and Linda brought lots of beautiful fresh asparagus ferns and we have them mixed with white and orange mums and green plants.
Tomorrow, I will be going to the Aestival Festival with Sylvia and Jane from Writer's Club. I am looking forward to the break and feel that I have done all I can for Celtic Faire anyway.
I even am all packed for the trip to D. C. So, I should be able to relax and enjoy the conference.
Hope you have a great weekend.
Love
Mary
Thursday, September 08, 2005
Nice day today after the rain yesterday. Yes we did have rain and it was quite heavy for a while, with thunder and everything. It cooled a bit this evening but is warming up to the mid to high 80s on Sunday. Just in time for the Faire.
Dick and I went grocery shopping today and had several other errands to run also. We were gone for three hours which is really a long time for us. I dropped a quilt off for the quilt turning at the Quilt Show, we went to the bank and the drug store and stopped at Discovery to pay for the Mystery Tour which we will go on in October.
This evening we had choir practice. The words I wrote sound pretty good. I think it will go quite well. We are also singing several other traditional Irish songs. Be Thou My Vision and Christ Be Near at Either Hand. Jim Wilsing, the bagpiper, told me that he is taking a crash course at the Red Cross and then will be sent down to the Gulf Coast to help with the rescue effort. I told him that I was glad but that he must be so careful and to let me know when he is leaving so that I can get him on our prayer chain whild he is gone.
When Dick went in for his test on Monday, we were talking with one of the nurses about the situation in the Golf. She said that the news was not on much in her house because she has a very impressionable 5 year old daughter. When the tornado did all the damage in Stoughton Wisconsin, her daughter started getting obsessed with the "tomatoes".
I was amazed at her daughter calling them "tomatoes". When Bart was about 4 years old, I was living in Santa Ana California in one of my previous lives. We planned a visit to Wisconsin. That year a tornado had swept through Sheboygan County and actually caused the death of a baby in the Sheboygan Falls Area. Bart kept saying he didn't want to go to Wisconsin. I finally got out of him that he didn't want to go because they had "red tomatoes" in Wisconsin and he didn't think it was safe because it killed that baby in Sheboygan Falls. Two little people both misunderstood the word tornado but knew tomato. How funny is that.
Another quote from John O'Donohue. "I am always amazed that poems are willing to lie down and sleep insid the flat, closed pages of books."
Appropriate since I am going to a Writer's Conference on Saturday.
Have a good Friday.
Mary
Dick and I went grocery shopping today and had several other errands to run also. We were gone for three hours which is really a long time for us. I dropped a quilt off for the quilt turning at the Quilt Show, we went to the bank and the drug store and stopped at Discovery to pay for the Mystery Tour which we will go on in October.
This evening we had choir practice. The words I wrote sound pretty good. I think it will go quite well. We are also singing several other traditional Irish songs. Be Thou My Vision and Christ Be Near at Either Hand. Jim Wilsing, the bagpiper, told me that he is taking a crash course at the Red Cross and then will be sent down to the Gulf Coast to help with the rescue effort. I told him that I was glad but that he must be so careful and to let me know when he is leaving so that I can get him on our prayer chain whild he is gone.
When Dick went in for his test on Monday, we were talking with one of the nurses about the situation in the Golf. She said that the news was not on much in her house because she has a very impressionable 5 year old daughter. When the tornado did all the damage in Stoughton Wisconsin, her daughter started getting obsessed with the "tomatoes".
I was amazed at her daughter calling them "tomatoes". When Bart was about 4 years old, I was living in Santa Ana California in one of my previous lives. We planned a visit to Wisconsin. That year a tornado had swept through Sheboygan County and actually caused the death of a baby in the Sheboygan Falls Area. Bart kept saying he didn't want to go to Wisconsin. I finally got out of him that he didn't want to go because they had "red tomatoes" in Wisconsin and he didn't think it was safe because it killed that baby in Sheboygan Falls. Two little people both misunderstood the word tornado but knew tomato. How funny is that.
Another quote from John O'Donohue. "I am always amazed that poems are willing to lie down and sleep insid the flat, closed pages of books."
Appropriate since I am going to a Writer's Conference on Saturday.
Have a good Friday.
Mary
Wednesday, September 07, 2005
Another day closer to Celtic Faire and then the trip to D. C. I will be very happy when we are finally on the bus and I can relax for 6 whole days with NO phone calls or problems. Someone else will make all decisions and take us where we need to go. WOW. Such a deal.
Another day of uncertainty for the poor victims of Katrina. I pray each day that some of their problems be resolved. The government has stepped in with debit cards, a new concept, for clothing and necessities. This will at least get them out of rags and get the children outfitted for school. I heard some of the children being interviewed. They are brave little soldiers but are so lonely for their OWN homes and the friends and lives they are familiar with.
I heard a very disturbing interview with some people in one of the affected areas, not New Orleans. The victims had been put up in hotels in a larger town because their homes are destroyed. FEMA officials FINALLY arrived several days after they were first needed and made the REFUGEES living in the hotel leave so they could use the facilities. Talk about insensitive and defeatest. Let's throw a few more sheltered homeless people out into the street. What was that anyway? FEMA seems to be doing one insensitive thing after another stupid thing.
At least the American people themselves are jumping in to help in any way they can.
Enough of that for now.
Dick was fine today, though this afternoon he got very tired and slept for two hours. I know he needed it. After all, any time one is sedated, even mildly and "invaded" there is a shock to the system. He is really just fine.
I am doing a daily reading from a second book by John O'Donohue called Eternal Echoes. He is the author of Anam Cara which I have referred to quite often. I would like to share a quote that really impressed me for the end of my little entry today. I hope it impresses you as much as it did me. This is from the first chapter called Awakening in the World.
"Children come here without knowing where they are landing."
What a concept.
Love
Mary
Another day of uncertainty for the poor victims of Katrina. I pray each day that some of their problems be resolved. The government has stepped in with debit cards, a new concept, for clothing and necessities. This will at least get them out of rags and get the children outfitted for school. I heard some of the children being interviewed. They are brave little soldiers but are so lonely for their OWN homes and the friends and lives they are familiar with.
I heard a very disturbing interview with some people in one of the affected areas, not New Orleans. The victims had been put up in hotels in a larger town because their homes are destroyed. FEMA officials FINALLY arrived several days after they were first needed and made the REFUGEES living in the hotel leave so they could use the facilities. Talk about insensitive and defeatest. Let's throw a few more sheltered homeless people out into the street. What was that anyway? FEMA seems to be doing one insensitive thing after another stupid thing.
At least the American people themselves are jumping in to help in any way they can.
Enough of that for now.
Dick was fine today, though this afternoon he got very tired and slept for two hours. I know he needed it. After all, any time one is sedated, even mildly and "invaded" there is a shock to the system. He is really just fine.
I am doing a daily reading from a second book by John O'Donohue called Eternal Echoes. He is the author of Anam Cara which I have referred to quite often. I would like to share a quote that really impressed me for the end of my little entry today. I hope it impresses you as much as it did me. This is from the first chapter called Awakening in the World.
"Children come here without knowing where they are landing."
What a concept.
Love
Mary
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