small topics

I have become hopelessly committed to the characters on this show "Shrinking" on AppleTV.  They are complex with lots of shortcomings and yet admirable features.  Jimmy was launching a relationship with an age appropriate woman that had depth and humor and seemed well suited to his quirky demeanor.  I wanted him to heal from the death of his wife and find some modicum of happiness.  Then, without ceremony, he dumps her.  His father is a shit show off that decides to go deep see fishing instead of attending the daughter's HS graduation that he made the trip for,  The Harrison Ford character is struggling to walk away from his therapy practice while battling Parkinson's becoming more human and compassionate with each episode.  Michael J. Fox becomes his foil in the disease battle, both proclaiming "Fuck Parkinson's" as a cry of freedom.  Even have empathy for the minority players and their struggles.  I need to get a life.

I had one of those eureka! moments yesterday.  I really enjoy hard boiled eggs.  They can be made in advance and stored in the fridge.  They last and don't really make a mess.  One of my dilemmas has been peeling the shells without destroying the egg because the shell won't remove.  I have read all the tips on methodology still have massacred hard boiled eggs.  Finally have some success, as follows

Bring the water to boil.  Place 6-8 eggs in the boiling water for 13 minutes.  In the interim, place 6-8 ice cubes in a container.  After the cooking period, place the eggs on the ice cubes and fill with water for a few minutes.  The cold water causes the membrane beneath the shell to shrink.  After it cools and you are ready to consume, the shells come off quite handily.  The ice bath is the key to success.  So pleased when something works.

Had to include a pic of my buddy Frank.  He gets me.

 

A Reference to Harry J. Robare

 My maternal grandfather Harry Robare died in a rather  unique location in 1949 while my mother Dorothy was pregnant with me.  As it was a rather notable event, the Detroit Free Press on their Oct 3rd 1949 edition posted the following article:                           Stroke is Fatal to Baseball Fan

Harry J. Robare, 52, of 441 W. Hollywood, collapsed at Briggs Stadium Sunday before the start of the Detroit Tigers-Cleveland Indians game. He was taken to the stadium's first-aid room, then rushed to Receiving Hospital. He was dead on admittance. His wife, Mary, 46, told police he had been suffering from a kidney ailment.

I have searched for years for a reference to this event and found it yesterday on Ancestry.com

My middle name is Harry in deference to him.  From tellings from my mother's cousins, he was a good man that helped a lot of people.  

Ted Lasso and others

 Been watching the latest season of Ted Lasso.  This time he and Coach Beard are motivating a team of women.  Gone are the male players we became co familiar with over the last three seasons.  Roy Kent is still around with Higgins and a smattering of Jamie Tartt.  While the characters are still brilliant, it's the transition to writing a story for and based upon women in the same framework that is remarkable.  Keely got a bigger part and there is a new emotionally damaged assistant coach.  Admittedly it was a challenge to adjust to the new personnel but it still is a great show.  If you have Apple TV, give it a look.

Judy's birthday was a couple of days ago.  We celebrated with most of the gang and had Andrews wonderful citrus olive oil cake   It was a fine day for my lovely life partner.  

Just got my A1C numbers back and they were not the best.  The impact of this has got me reeling.  I will again have to reinvent myself to maintain relative health.  

Do more cardio

 

Went to my cardiologist yesterday afternoon.  He told me I was near perfect and that all my parts were working well.  The plumbing repairs they did in February of 2024 are still holding and functioning properly.  As long as I can stay upright, should be annoying people for a few more years.  Most of my outings seem to be concerning medical reasons for either Judy or me.   I suppose it's the age.  Gonna to see my primary care on Monday so she can pass judgement.

Our younger grandsons are supposed to show up for a visit later today.  I don't get to see them very often due to the distance.  Now in second and fourth grades,  they will have adventures to tell about.

Our president is entertaining the Chinese leader who is playing him like a violin.  This guy doesn't give up much and does a lot of listening and watching with his staff close at hand monitoring and recording events.   Trump sees himself as the smartest guy in the room.  He is not.

 

Pants?

 I have these pants.  They are flat front creaseless khakis, tan in color heavy fabric, the twill being quite obvious.  I got them at the Goodwill resale shop sometime ago.  These are my favorites.  The fit is loose on my thinning body and they provide great comfort in the wearing.  I think we all have favorite garments that we make our frequent choices.  At this point comfort is the key in that will pass without notice for most people.

Harry is sitting in my chair, looking out.  He will allow me to join him briefly before he moves away.  We are now back to normal after our Clarkston visit and returning to our regular routines.  

Pants are not an earth shattering topic but this is my blog and I can be as boring and mundane as I want. Going with Mike for breakfast this morning at the Avenue on Woodward.  In the mornings it is filled with walkers and oxygen devices from the diners there.  Food is good and the wait staff is pleasant and patient. All the discussion heard is concerning medications and doctor appointments.  No one is going to a ball game, concert or bistro.

Had to have another shot of Dotty.  Kind of miss her enormity and friendly demeanor. 

Day 4

The sun is shinning, finally.  Judy is out walking the dog and it is 9:15am. this is from yesterdays walk in the neighborhood.  Katey came over today.  They are out side with the dog having a discussion.  We took a walk without the dog in the afternoon and saw some sand hill cranes in a front yard.

I have some heavy topics to cover today.  As an old man on the doorstep of 77, I have a lot of time to contemplate the future, personally, politically and spiritually.  

As mentioned before, I live in an upper middle class African American community.  Folks are nice and polite but not really engaging.  We say hello and exchange smiles but go on our ways.  Little real conversation is exchanged.  There are walls between us erected by history and not to be dismantled.  It's very frustrating for me.  

I always thought of myself as one of the Kum-by-yah kind of guys where all will work out if we just talk it out

I am wrong.  Historically, there has been too much water under the bridge.  There is too much distrust in the black community for good reason.  Centuries of lies and deceit cannot be denied. 

The evening is coming and the sky is fading.  It's still clear and quiet.  Joan and John are returning tomorrow afternoon. She and I were never at odds, no fights or disagreements. Our lives took different paths. She lost her first husband to cancer and met John. They clicked and were married.  We had three kids and adopted Shannon.  Our lives did not intersect

only by circumstances. But now as senior citizens we have reunited.   

  

I am thrilled to be reunited with my sibling and most happy to have John in the fold. 

 

Its Sunday

Another gloomy day but the rain has stopped for a while.  My constant observer, Dotty is always at the ready.  She is out on the deck presently looking around.  Judy is about to take her for a walk in the neighborhood.  While I am eating my food, her head is in my lap waiting for anything to fall off.  I am not used to a dog of this height.  

We finished binging "The Beast in Me" on Netflix.  The performances are brilliant.  Matthew Rhys deserved all the accolades that were bestowed on him.  Claire Danes was equally good in her part.  While grim and tense, it's definitely worth watching.

This is my friend Chris at the Cares food pantry in Farmington Hills. She is one of my most favorite people in the world period.  She was Shannons first teacher early in her life and Judy's pal and confidant.  Chris has given tremendous support and guidance to challenged  kids in their beginnings.  Enough thanks cannot be summoned for her. She and her husband Bob are great friends and supporters.  This is one of the only pictures of her and me.

El Presidente has banned major news networks from the White House in his latest efforts to cancel out freedom of the press.  Canada is about to become associate members of the EU.  America has been relegated to the sidelines.  What was once the shining light of freedom has been diminished.