Movies, and a new chicken joint

So we went on this wonderful trip to a place completely foreign to me with mountains, cows and lovely indigenous plants like the one shown aside. I have no idea what it is, but beautiful. I have nearly dropped all the weight picked up from Barbara's tasty meals. However, arriving home I started to feel under the weather and developed a cold that lasted almost the entire week after we got home.  Now, thankfully feeling better.  But my brain is still somewhat cloudy after a week of cold medications so none of this is really brilliant.

Back this week to child and dog care jobs, I availed myself to some old chestnut movies at Andrew's and Katey's. The first of which was The Green Mile, a Tom Hanks film featuring the talents of Michael Clark Duncan as the mammoth prisoner with the power to help out people thru illness.  The world lost Michael in 2012 due to heart related issues. Also featured was the ever creepy Doug Hutchinson as a less than pleasant guard.  If you remember X-Files, he played Eugene Victor Tombs, the villain that consumed victims livers.  I met Doug at the X-Files convention sometimes ago with son Jon.  He was just as creepy in person.  

Also saw The Town a Boston tough guy movie starring a then svelte Ben Affeck and Jeremy Renner.  I love this type of film dripping with testosterone much like The Departed and in a similar setting.  This takes place in the Charlestown section of Boston know for generations of bank robbers.  The real bad guy in this one is a florist played by Peter Postlethwaite.  He is outstanding.  If you are in the right mood, catch this one.

Kids are back with their mother for the remainder of the Spring Break.  Have very little planned for today. They are easier to deal with at 11 and 12.  They generally accept instructions.  They have a concept of time and its importance.  At this age moods can be all over the map, but of late doing ok.  

Have an unsavory project for the morning, the collection of a poop sample from Harry and dropping off at the vet.  Cleverly, I have devised a methodology employing two medicine cups and a zip lock bag.  Hopefully this will work.  You know how you have a plan in your head and can draw the picture but can only hope it works out? That's me this morning.

Also, the pizza joint on the corner of Catalpa and Coolidge is being replaced by Little Lou's Hot Chicken. They put the signs up yesterday.  We will have to test it out and let you know,  They still are setting up, no action yet.

God, it's good to feel better!

all for now

stay safe

 

A Musical Evening

Andrew took me to the Dirty Dog Jazz Cafe in Grosse Pte. yesterday night as my birthday gift. We had a splendid time listening to the Latin jazz on stage.  It is truly remarkable to hear real players performing on their instruments without adornments. The lead players in trombone, trumpet and sax showed well especially in the second half of the program.  With so much going on in front, the piano at the rear needed better mic ing. This venue is very classy with starched table cloths and sparkling glassware but not pretentious serving wonderful food.  It would be a perfect date night spot for any grownups. We saw dressed up couples sipping cocktails and munching on appetizers taking selfies to show their kids.  The music was great but started a bit slow, heating up near the end.  My one overriding opinion is that all bands, of all genres, of all styles need a Timbale player.  The tonal color this simple instrument brings enhances the top end of any tune.  Consisting of a set of snares, a single cymbal, a cow bell, and wood block the player improvises along the way and punctuates the music.  Sometimes, he plays the side of the drum for a sharp effect.  Led Zeppelin could have used a Timbale for effect.

I am looking forward to my next visit to this venue

all for now

stay safe

 

Hank

 

It's rare when I will write more than one of these in a day.  But this canine deserves his own page.  He is a Blue Healer mix in breed.  This is a dog with a job.  He minds the house, lives outside and sleeps in the garage and is quite happy to do so.  He rounds the 9 cows into the corral with barks and nips, carefully dodging the hooves of the 1200# creatures.  Steps thru cow shit and enjoys slurping and crunching the mice that dwell in the hay bales.  All this makes him more charming and sweet.  Hank loves everyone.  His nudges made the trip even better.  Katey and Judy loved him. Not a youngster but still nimble.  Hank walks along with the Kubota vehicle that hauls the hay to the cows careful to stay out of the range of the tires.  

Spending time him was one of the treats of this trip. Often Hank sits aside and waits for his next assignment.

That's it.

stay warm today.

Northern California Dreamin'

We returned last night from a wonderful trip and visit to the Golden State last week first attending the lovely wedding of Alvin and Katelyn in San Diego followed by a visit to Judy's cousins north of San Francisco in San Gregorio CA.  They live on a farm with cows up (really up) on a mountain.  We also went to the Monterrey Aquarium on the coast.  I have decided, if I had enough funds. I would live here.
The photos are 1. a sailboat off Monterrey, 2. Judy, Katey and I at the wedding, 3. Katey with Hank the farm dog, 4. cows, you know where, 5. birds taking a break on the rocks in Monterrey

After a two day eating adventure with all of Barbara's goodies, I was outside overlooking the hills in the misty morning enjoying the intense quiet. She is Judy's first cousin and they have not seen each other in about 50 years.  This is a loud place with loud people.  Katey fit right in with her boisterous personality.  Later in the week we ventured to Monterrey, this magical little town frequented by John Steinbeck.  I cannot even believe I am in someplace called Monterrey.  Being a kid in the gritty midwest dreaming of the "California Girls" The Beach Boys sang about, the waves crashing on the shores 

and the brilliant azure skies were quite foreign to me. 

 

Prior to the farm, was the wedding in San Diego.  We took long walks along the Boat Channel on manicured walkways seeing lots of folks with babies, dogs, little kids and many ground squirrels. Back on the farm, we went to see the cows in person.  Never been that close before, really big creatures.  The love the fresh grass and munch loudly.  Don't know why I am surprised. 

Barbara and I are both early birds up before the sun.  I relished the conversations we had each morning learning of each other's history with her fluttering around getting the foods and the settings ready for the upcoming day.  She may be the ultimate planner and never stops moving.  The pace is dizzying, intense but smiling. 

Also had the occasion to meet cousin Gail, Barbara's sister, a chipper gal with a perpetual smile on her face.  She and her gentleman friend Bill took us to the Aquarium in Monterrey.  There was a lot of loud conversation on this trip, between the cousins and Katey who joined right in. Nick and I sat in the front seats trying to speak over the din.

The road up to their dwelling is as twisty and turney as one can imagine over hill and dale with no guard rails.  Nick traversed the winding road handily without error in day or night.  I sat in the from seat thinking "Jerry, you could never do this".  Thursday night after a sumptuous meal, he said "I need you to do something with me".  It seems his pickup truck was in need of a new clutch and it was too big a job for him.  It would have to go to a company in San Carlos to have it fixed. I was assigned to follow him in the Chevy Traverse which meant I would have to navigate the mountain twists and turns.  After a restless night contemplating my demise down the side of the mountain thinking they could just leave my remains in the burnt out wreckage posting a happy photo at my memorial service.  Really why risk the lives of rescuers for a dead body?  To complete the story, the trip went off without a hitch and I took a trip on the legendary CA 101 to the destination. I felt quite accomplished.

Now, we are back awakening to snow flurries and 34 degrees.  Back to winter coats after sweatshirts.  I have to view the photos to remember the trip I just took.  Here we go again

all for now

stay safe. 

Austin Howlett

 Our young friend Austin was memorialized today in a Mass of Resurrection at Christ Our Light Catholic church in Troy.  We were there with all the members of the staff of Lange home and all of his classmates from Troy HS.  It was a wonderful sendoff with a church filled with family and friends of Austin.  He and his grandma were active members of the church.  He was Shannon's pal and when he was able retrieved anything she wanted,  Judy loved him and his little spirit.  That thumbs up was always his greeting.  He brought much sunshine to the dwelling. He was dealt a pretty crummy hand in life.  With all his disabilities, both physical and mental he still had a positive outlook. 

Whenever I attend a service like this,  I am perplexed by my own personal vulnerability in the situation and not at all comfortable with it.  All the ghosts of my past as a Catholic arise.  I know all the prayers, and the priestly rituals of the mass.  I struggle to hold back the tears. The  priest that officiated was genuinely a nice guy that came down and spoke relaxed about Austin, good points and not so good.  He got a lot of laughs. I recall the priest I grew up with, a rather stilted Fr. Donald Kuntz doing all the steps to complete the mass. He helped my parents through the loss of their daughter. At mass I remember he drank the wine in the chalice and vigorously wiped out the cup with a white cotton cloth.  This guy today did the same thing.  When I saw this, I was immediately transported to being 11 or 12 sitting in church.  These ghosts are still with me.  I did not hate church and really enjoyed the rituals of the mass and contemplated the priesthood at one point.  My falling away from the church occurred some time later.  Somehow in this setting today, with kind words and words not read but spoken from the heart,  I was comfortable and felt welcomed.  But I feel compelled to comment that the singer with his perfectly played piano sounded like a broadway singer with a flawless vibrato.  

Marie got bonked in the head with a soccer ball today and ended up at the ER, but is ok with only a slight concussion.  Judy was there with her until mom and dad showed up.

Thats it for today. 

stay safe and enjoy the warm weather tomorrow for it is a gift we need

all for now

 

Birthday Post Mortem

These are some photos from the birthday blowout yesterday.  Rarely have we had this many people in the apartment at once. All enjoyed the cake Judy made especially Everett as you can see.  The day was rather active with the youngest grand sons Paxton and Everett.  They have great fun with their Uncle Andrew and cousins Eli and Marie.  Everett is a challenge to feed....except for cake, no problems there. So I am 72 now sharing a birthday with James Taylor (73) and the great guitarist Gabor Szabo.  Truly, some times I feel like I am 52 and sometimes 82 depending on the day.

We got Katey an air fryer for her birthday a few days ago and it needed to take its maiden voyage.  This is a result, air fried cauliflower bites.  When cooked enough, the product is crispy, moist and not greasy.  I would tweak some of the spices a little for more impact, but not a bad purchase for about 99 bucks.  

I am feeling overwhelmed with sadness for the people of Ukraine.  This bastard Putin is killing innocent citizens that have committed no crime against him other than wanting to have a free democracy.  The fear and the terror in their faces is heart wrenching

We need to do more to help them, short of putting boots on the 

ground.

Do you love the chocolate face on Everett?  Took a long walk with Harry this morning in the pleasant weather.  It felt really good.  I saw may favorite lawn figure of a pig with wings.  

lovely Marie with "Cool Hand Elijah" above with stylin' hair. 
 

 

Andrew with Paxton

z

all the grand kids with Shannon

the old birthday guy with the little guys
 

 I know, really disjointed today.

all for now

stay safe, enjoy the weather and get outside.

No Pictures today

Coming up with the correct words to describe my thoughts is hard.  Not because of the obvious, but an inability to express the depth of horror at this man's actions.  This blameless sovereignty is being attacked and destroyed simply because of Putin's ambitions to recreate the Soviet Union. It is a "because I can" mentality.  Families are being split apart.  Women and children are being packed into train cars to escape to friendly Poland and other locales.  Their receptions have been gratifying to see.  But there is the question from them, what did we do?  The bravery of their president is remarkable and he does not expect to survive with 2 assassination attempts already.  The government has put contingency plans in place.  What a sad statement.

There have been numerous demonstrations of tyranny in recent memory, in Southeast Asia, in Africa and others.  These have become footnotes in the history books if they made it at all.  Did we not notice them because of the skin pigmentation of the oppressed?  Media then was far less pervasive, so if the story did not sell, we did not see it.  We now see minute by minute scenes of unfolding events.  Online content sources have far surpassed print sources because of their immediacy.  WWII was presented to the public on radio or news reels before the double feature at the Saturday matinee.

Is the outcome of this attack a foregone conclusion?  We can only back fill the Polish Air Force with plane and can seize the assets of his buddies the oligarchs,  the cash, the homes here and freeze their funds.  We have locked out all the sports teams from international competition.  I fear none of these reprisals will halt his onslaught.  Regular Russian citizens are not at fault here.  A few have stood up against him receiving his wrath.  Others are probably are hiding afraid to speak out against this tyrant.  He really thought this exercise was going to be a walk in the park with the people and army of Ukraine lying down and surrendering to his might. He was wrong and he is pissed about it.  These are truly brave and patriotic people.

For once, the partisans in our government are in agreement.  It's unfortunate that this turn of events is what brought them together to speak in one voice to support the people of Ukraine.

Another Find at TJ

 

I always harp on blood donation and will continue to do so.  My last experience with the American Red Cross at a blood drive in Pleasant ridge was not good.  After going thru all the prescreening process and being sent to the donation cot,  the phlebotomist took a quick cursory look at both arms and proclaimed my veins were too small and sent me on my way, no donation.  I know I am not an easy poke.  However, in the past, others have been successful with a better feel.  Sent a mediocre review on the survey I received online.  This organization is screaming for donations.  Because this is so important, I am willing to put up with a little discomfort to reach that goal.  Am not quitting, only bitching.

Spring seems to be in the offing today, with temps rising to the fifties.  Going to Eastern Market this morning to check out some of their wares.  Need to search the fridge and see what I need.  Want to explore the former RL Hirt store for cheeses and other savory items as well as the bulk spices at Rocky Peanut Company.  Found some spectacular oranges at Trader Joe's that are bumpy and have a large nob at the stem; not cheap 2.69 each but sweet like candy (pictured above).  If you get the opportunity to try, do so.  It's worth the cost. 

Found some interesting veg at the market today and some garlic cheddar cheese curds.  These are too good.  I am glad the package was small. Even off season they have a good variety of produce and a many vendors hawking their wares.  Signed a petition to add a ballot initiative for raising the minimum wage.  We are behind on that score.  In reality 15 bucks and hour yields a 450 a week before taxes.  That will not get close to covering rent and food for a person on their own.  Two incomes of this amount would be barely enough.

This is a sculpture with wheels and bumpers on the perimeter of the market, pretty appropriate for the Motor City.  Rocky Peanut company was closed (one of my favorites for bulk spices).  Turns out they are organizing and will reopen in about two weeks.

My vehicle has suffered from major neglect for the winter with salt and dirt coating the mats and carpets.  Jax carwash did a fine job on the outside but Judy and I spent 2 hours scrubbing the inside.  Its not perfect but no longer a source of shame. 

I can't let it get that bad.

Well that's it for now

stay safe

Dogs

 

Everyone loves dog pictures.  These are my new friend Kona and my old buddy Apollo.  Both seem to like me.  Both will lick you to death and try to get as close as possible not happy till they are inside your skin.  Mr. A is going on 13 and has not slowed down much.  He eats his meal before I get from the kitchen to the couch.  

Matthew my history teaching nephew and Judy's godson and his lovely wife Tammy took on the task of cleaning up and redoing a rental home they purchased  and after all their efforts, it looks lovely.  Matt is a self

taught do it yourself and is tackling jobs way beyond his skill level successfully.  Your Poppy would be proud.  You must have got some of his craftsman genes; 

The tragedy of the Russian invasion of the Ukraine is beyond devastating. Putin is taking on a Hitleresque stance with a mind to recreate the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.  There is nothing that prompted this invasion other than is land grabbing ambitions.  Yes we have imposed sanctions on his buddies and on their monetary system,  Russian teams have been removed from all International sporting events.  Russian Vodka is being pulled off shelfs.  America and the rest of the world is condemning the actions of Putin.  I fear however, the worldwide consternation will not have the desired effect.  This leader will march forward and thru this sovereign nation leaving destruction and death in his path.  It will be claimed as Russian territory. 

In our midst, there is significant evidence that our former president was at the root of the insurrection of January 6, 2021.  Democrats go Rah Rah and it is all over the news and yet he will suffer no consequences and is still the Republican frontrunner for the next election.  On a brighter note,  the pandemic seems to be more under control but not absent and masks are becoming optional.

Hope all is well with you

all for now

stay safe

Re-Gout and Moot-za-rell

 If you hail from the Garden State,  this is how you pronounce Ricotta and Mozzarella cheeses.  If you don't, they will know that you are completely wrong and from somewhere else.  We went this weekend to our annual trip to Cape May for a family visit and to stay at the Peter Shields Inn.  It was four days of overeating and alcohol consumption that I am not accustomed to.  But the food is right in front of you begging to be consumed.  

Even with some walking in the last two days, I gained about 4 pounds (a pound a day).  My favorite part is the walk on the beach facing the Atlantic.  As a Midwesterner, I never take the ocean for granted.  The sounds of the waves crashing against the shore is always hypnotizing;  Picked up shells like usual, still in the bag waiting to be cleaned.

The visit with Mike and Laura was pleasant as always.  They are extremely welcoming hosts.  Met with brothers Tim and Brian as well as pizza with niece Mary.  All good times.  The best meal I had was Laura's lasagne which tasted so good, I can still remember it;  The feast at PS was another matter.

This restaurant there is very well regarded. The napkins are starched and white.  The wait staff is always attentive and engaging.  You get served 3 courses in the package deal we chose.  They focus on fish (no surprise) with some beef and venison.  My salad was good but difficult to eat without dumping it on your self.  The beef entree I chose was good but I am bugged by the presentation of staking all the components in the center of the dish on top of each other,  They always manage to place some little green leaves amidst everything. I am told these are micro greens. I wanted to taste the polenta on the bottom but had a hard time finding it.  At least it wasn't the extra dry chicken I usually get. 

Got some sad news today.  The little guy I wrote about recently, Austin, passed away this afternoon.  His time had arrived.  Anthony his caregiver called us and is devastated.  But he will forge on taking care of Shannon and the others.  I feel that I could have done more to make him comfortable.  Eli and Marie are with us today, Eli all day because he felt under the weather.  Parental unit is on the way from work.  

They lifted the mask mandate from the penitentiary today.  We will see for how long. Trader Joe's took down their sign as well.

all for now

stay safe (whew a little warmer)