Redemption

 

Finished watching Father Stu last night on Netflix.  I went to bed and woke up feeling inspired by this story of a Catholic priest that came from rough beginnings and found redemption through the crushing disability that befell him when he became ordained.  Redemption is something that many of long for. Whether it's through religion or relationships, It's a goal to aspire to.  We all make mistakes in our lives whether in the workplace, in relationships or in parenting.  Redemption is achieved it seems when the redresses are acknowledged, addressed, forgiven or given consequence.  When that is all complete, redemption is possible without character 

assassination and all parties can move forward.

If you have the time, watch this film.  It is not about Catholicism; it is a story about a man's reaction to adversity.

My adopted town of Berkley puts our life size skeletons in various poses up and down the main roads.  Many of the businesses create portrayals of their wares on these guys.  This one is officially a Berkley Bear around the corner from the high school.

Routines

I do well with routines in my activities.  I find comfort in knowing what to do at what time.  I often wish I could be more flexible and open to change.  My new job is largely based on a set of routines.   The online system, the place to pin the tags, the way you bundle shirts and where the empty bags go after they are emptied.  I am learning these systems and what they are for.  My old mind needs to be challenged to learn, also to anticipate things you have to do.  That anticipation provides some kind of purpose.  Sitting like a lump in front of the TV consuming food that has been prepared for you turns your brain into a pickle.

As we approach the mid term election cycle, the ads on television have become rampant and annoying almost as much as the on line gaming ads.  Going to PF this morning then on to watch Apollo.  He is always thrilled to see me.

all for now

stay safe

Breakfast and Phil

I never post photos like this.  But this morning's breakfast came out really good, scrambled eggs, with Italian cheese blend and pizza sauce inside topped with a Michigan tomato slice from trip to Eastern Market.  It made me happy.  With a hot cup of coffee, the perfect beginning to the day.

Speaking of food, I have become enamored of a program called Somebody Feed Phil shown on Netflix and into its sixth season.  The documentary is a food and travel odyssey featuring Phil Rosenthal who was the main writer of the Everybody Loves Raymond series.  He and Ray Romano are pals from way back.  

This is a guy elated with new food, places and people he meets from here and around the world.  His travels take him into neighborhoods of these cities accompanied by a local guide.  The  sheer and honest wonder of his reactions to the food experienced and people is genuinely uplifting.  He was recently seen on evening talk shows and this is the real him, not fake or staged.  Anyway, if you need to be in a good mood with all the gloom that abounds, catch an episode.

Had another interesting cross cultural experience on Friday.  Andrew needed Kaiser Rolls for a food project his is working on and I was assigned to purchase them from Zemans Bakery.  The high holy days are coming soon for members of the Jewish faith.  There are many bakery items to be bought for the occasion.  This bakery is the home of many delicious baked items.  I go in a 8:05 and the place is packed with male shoppers filling up carts, bags and baskets.  The staff was helpful and cheery.  Along with my rolls,I got a bear claw for a post vaccination treat.  Much to my amazement, the inside was chocolate and ridiculously good.  I really need to live clean for the next couple of days.  Rye bread will be my next purchase. 

Marie's team won their game in grand fashion last night.  All the players played well answering every opportunity to move the ball and they had fun doing it.  These girls have been teammates for a few seasons and are working together well.

Picking up our Shannon this morning for a rainy day with us.  Still getting a batch of free periodicals,  Travel and Leisure for places I'll never see and Food and Wine showing dishes with wild ingredients I'll never make. Kids and Katey coming over for bagels after church.

all for now

stay safe

 

Day 2 as Dry Cleaning Magnate and Maries first meet

Yesterday was Marie's first cross country meet.  It was held at a park near her school.  This event is a 2 mile run over hill and dale and there was a sizable group of ladies competing.  They were all supportive of each other, from the first place finisher to the last.  This was wonderful to see these 11/12 year olds cheering on their friends.  I was so proud of her.  She finished the run despite having a cold.  This is one determined young lady.

I finished day 2 at my counter job at Camelot Cleaners.  I went pretty well aside from my inability to affix the safety pins thru the tags and on the right spot.  Dexterity is not what it was.  The people there are nice and friendly Karen has let me do a few things reluctantly.  Really think I will enjoy the time once I learn the process better.

Two days ago we got the our flu shots and the latest Covid booster.  Took a day to recover from the flu shot like normal, but now feel really good with little soreness in my shoulders. Its worth it because the ill effects are short term.

Sadly, the little boy I wrote of earlier in the week succumbed to the effects of the aneurism in his brain.  The doctors kept his body alive for a week to prepare for organs to be harvested.  His sad death benefited many children that needed life sustaining organs.  A walk of honor was held at Children's Hospital of Michigan yesterday.  There was a lot of support for the family on this occasion.

Something completely different.....

I saw "Yesterday" the movie this week out doors with a pile of seniors that probably didn't get the point.  Many were pre Beatles.  And many are hard of hearing.  It was a far fetched premise but I loved it.  The main character did all the songs I grew up loving justice.  It was a good experience for me.

We are going to Sec. of State to get "enhanced" licenses today.  Maybe mine  will make me better looking.

all for now

stay safe

 
 

the park

 Starting my new position at the cleaners this afternoon.  Feeling a little nervous and tentative about it.  My last job ended in 2018 at the Staples store in Clawson. I feel like the 16 year old kid starting his job sweeping floors at Three Sisters and putting dresses on the rack.  Admittedly my confidence is not that high at 72.  But still have my wits about me and can usually win over the customers with my smile and pleasant manner.  Have always tried to make people feel welcome and that goes a long way. 

Went to Innovation Hills yesterday for a walk Judy, Janine and our dogs Harry and Pippa.  The dogs had a good time collecting smells and peeing at will when ever the fancy struck them.  All the passers by were friendly and engaging to the pups.  It was a lovely day in the sun as the weather begins to wane and we move towards fall.  

I have become a floral photographer with my phone and these are examples of the wildflowers found in the park.   

Trying to get Pippa to be still for a photo is quite a challenge.  Her coloring is quite monochromatic.  But I did manage this one with her tongue hanging out.    

The frogs normally hanging out on the ponds must now be in hibernation for the winter months ahead.  There were none to be found.

Well that's it for today.  Should be sunny and not too hot.

Stay safe

all for now

Garbagpolloosa at the Towers

 I usually write about happy times, interesting outings and a multiple reviews of TV shows I have viewed.  But this blog is intensely personal for me.  So sometimes feel compelled to share news that is less than pleasant.  We learned yesterday evening of a five year old boy that out of the blue suffered a brain aneurysm and now is on life support.  He is the only child of a single young dad.  I am not acquainted with this young father and cannot imagine what he is going thru.

Look at your kids or grand kids and wrap your head around this one.  I have a five year old grandson.  

Thinking about this topic, my mind is a swirl of contradictions.  People of faith, no matter what faith, might say this occurrence is part of God's plan and that we are not supposed to understand it but have faith in the outcome.  Those feelings may provide comfort in troubling times.  However, those like me that find little solace in this posture just have to grasp the entirety of the horror and move on trying to cope along the way.  

We have all lost people that have been important to us.  Whether it was a parent or spouse or even a child.  Most of us put the sad feelings in a box and store it away continuing with life's journey only summoning them up on rare occasions.  Been thinking about this child and his father.

On another note, garbage of all manner is overflowing at the Penitentiary.  It is a massive mess and the shute is jammed.  The large totes are over filled and it is dumping on the parking lot.  This will get fixed at some point. 

all for now

stay safe

Coleusopy in the fog

Why shouldn't Ariel have African features?  Why should anyone be pissed about it? Why shouldn't little brown girls have a Disney character that looks like them and they can identify with?  For me, I THINK ITS WONDERFUL!.  There, that's it from an old white guy, really white (look at my hair).  For too long, heroes,  cartoon characters, romantic leads, news casters,
 

weather forecasters, and others have been people that look like me.  Even Jesus who was a dark skinned Semitic man was portrayed as lilly white from the Renaissance painters which became our historic figure has been cast in our image.  

Off to Eastern Market this morning to collect the bounty of our state's produce.  Peaches are busting with juice and flavor as well as the beautiful beefsteak tomatoes.  Its foggy as you can see from the photos above, but that will not deter us.

Then toting our collapsing chairs, we are foo the Marie's soccer game.  The grass will be soggy.

that's it

all for now

stay safe

Gainful Employment and more

The school year is in full swing after a week.  Marie and Eli seem to be enjoying their experiences at middle school both happy to go and happy when they come out.  My dilemma in providing the dinner has been solved by me laying out the components and them actually putting them all together.  The two can assemble when they are hungry and the stress is much lower.  I needed to learn to relax, sometimes not so easy.

Saw an interesting visitor outside their apartment building yesterday morning in the dark, a grey possum. I looked out the window of the lobby and he was ambling by minding his own business paying me no mind.  It was just a surprise.  These guys are useful creatures eating insects and other pests really bothering no one. in other creature news, we have had a dove sitting on a branch outside our building hardly moving from his spot for about 5 days.  Doesn't seem to be ill and has consumed bird seed that has been left.  Don't really know what's going on with this bird.

I got a job.  Amazing to me that I can make that statement.  Last week I prepared a brief resume and marched down Coolidge Hwy  documents in hand and offered my services to some of the nearby retailers that are in walkable distance.  Lo and behold,  the owner of Camelot Cleaners called, and  went in for an interview.  We hit is off, was well received and I start my counter clerk position next Tuesday.

Sadly, we lost a friend and resident here this week, Andrew Grimes.  He was a wonderful man that was a long time volunteer at Wing Lake Development Center and knew Shannon well.  He lit up when she was here for a visit and she remembered him as well.  I took him to the dentist a couple of times.  He really had no family and only a close neighbor friend  that looked out for him.  He will be missed around here.

Programing Reviews

5 Days at Memorial  It's difficult to find the correct words to sum up this drama based on the floods of New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina based on the occurrences at Baptist Memorial Hospital in the first five days after the storm and the breaking of the levees.  It shows in dramatic  portrayal the abject failures of all governmental and corporate systems to assist the victims of this tragedy.  This is another time we have to squarely look at recent history and no matter how ugly it is, face it.  Available on Apple+.

Chefs Table: Pizza I love this show.  I love pizza period.  It has made me happy, fat, fulfilled, given me comfort,  heartburn, overwhelming guilt for over eating and joy with every bite. This is a series on Netflix showing passionate pizza makers from a variety of places, making the pies in their own style.  All have unique personalities.  Some you could identify with and some not.  Makes me want to get get a ball of dough and create.

Good day at Planet Fitness and a successful visit at the doctor yesterday. 

all for now

stay safe

 

Good Directions

Well, the grandmas came back from Grand Rapids and the first day send off of Paxton.  Eli and Marie had grand days for their first days at the middle school.  Paxton told his mom that he was having too much fun to miss them and he will be buying his own lunch at school  in that they have peanut butter and jelly and mom will not need to worry about lunch ever again.  His new school issued credit card will facilitate.  

My job yesterday was to pick up Judy from Jon's in laws in White Lake when she had returned.  Now, please know that I am a straight road, grid accustomed driver.  Traversing on winding roads around a variety of lakes is way out of my comfort zone.  So I hook up to the GPS on the Ford Sync system, plug in the address and I am off,  quite pleased with myself that I have mastered the use of this device.  I am not the best at technology.  

Having been at their home a few times, I know it to be an attractive single level condo in a very beige neighborhood.  The 80's/90's were the era of beige and medium brown for homes.  I am traveling along feeling quite confident in my directions,  but not going to a system of condos.  Perplexed but still moving forward,  the system tells me I have arrived at a home.  It is vaguely familiar in shape and size along with the lakeside setting.  Hmmmm.  I call her and say somethings not right.  The light bulb pops.  It turns out that i am at their former home due to an old address, and communicate this to her and she is to be delivered to this location.  

So I am sitting there looking like I don't belong.  The current owner notices me and asks if I am lost.  I tell her my story and and we have a good laugh while she is explaining the renovations they made on the house.

Katey came over last night for dinner of lemon/mushroom pasta and she and Judy decided to view the 2021 version of West Side Story.  It was good, but the second viewing did not spark memories like when we saw it in the movies.  When I was a boy, my first listening to a grownup recording was the music of the 1959 version of the story.  It was played on the stereo of my uncle , one of those with the horizontal sliding wooden door to reveal the turntable.  Those songs still resonate with me.

(a new bike station in Berkley)

its off to Planet Fitness this morning

all for now

stay safe

Day 1

Okay so, all the other parents/grandparents are doing it. But if feel compelled to show  pictures of the new Kindergartener in Grand Rapids, my grandson Paxton Peter Kocsis.  Just got these from Carla  the mother of Eli and Marie will be doing the same this year for the 7th and 6th grades.  We did not have our photo's taken on the first day of any year.  The pictures were hard to take, took time at the drug store to develop and you had to get out all the camera stuff.

With today's technology,  these are much more easily accomplished.  I am glad of that.  But frankly, the parents of the 50's did not make a big deal about going off to school regardless of the year.  You got a lunch in your Superman lunch box, a couple of spiral notebooks and pencils, loads of pencils and you were off, maybe with PF Flyers on your feet, a pressed shirt and corduroy pants.  Hair was always neatly combed topped of with a dab of your father's Brylcreem.

Frankly, I thing all these photos are a good thing.  These little people will be big people sooner than you think and will thoroughly enjoy seeing them,  laughing when they are teenagers and sparking memories when they are adults.  For me, it's hard to remember who I was at this point of my life.  I do recall my Kindergarten teacher was named Miss Lyons.  She was a kind older teacher whose main job to maker her young charges feel safe.  That feeling of safety is a much larger part of the experience.  My observations of the teachers I have grown to know and love is that ability.  The other is to really see and connect with students.  Mrs. Mann at Oak Ridge got right down to the kids level and looked them in the eye and the connection was made.  Because I am a middle school grandparent, I am away from this elementary school and miss it today.  I miss, Mrs. Mann, Mrs Coates, Mrs. Mangum and my pal Mr. L.  These are providers of knowledge but more important, safety and connection.

that's it

all for now

safe and enjoy the first day of school
 

How about Lunch?

Paxton, Kindergarten Bound

Let's consider the free school breakfast/lunch programs.  Kids learn better when their bellies are full.  They are more able to concentrate, process information and be less distracted.  For about a hundred years, breakfast has been called the most important meal of the day.  Even a little bit of food at the start of day allows the brain to function better. 

The budget creators in the national government have decided to end the food programs at schools that were instituted at the beginning of the pandemic.  The most data I could locate states that the cost of the food program was at 14.2 billion dollars in 2019. Couldn't find more recent statistics.  I don't agree with this decision.  Providing meals at school is a common sense program for the well being of all our kids.   Funding should be made available. 

Began watching Under the Banner of Heaven yesterday.  On Hulu, it's a murder mystery with a Mormon religious storyline and a true story.  Andrew Garfield is the lead character, and empathic detective with strong religious and family beliefs that belie his faith.  With this intertwining of dogma and police work it makes for an interesting concept.

It will be a Shannon day today.  If it doesn't get too hot,  will take her outside for a spin.  Gonna try some of the funny eggplants in the air fryer today to see how they come out.  

With all the political upheaval about,  we need to stop bitching and focus on the people of Jackson MS and their lack of water.  With all the great thinkers in our country, some solution must be found.

that's it

all for now

stay safe

Sunny Market Morning

Great visit to Eastern Market this morning.  Saw this hanging flower arrangement at the entrance to one of the Sheds, absolutely stunning.  Loaded up on tomatoes, screwy looking Japanese eggplants and peaches.  Learned its easy to get to.  Just take Woodward Ave south to Mack (near Orchestra Hall) make a left. Go over the freeway and make a right turn on Russell St.  Southbound I-75 is a mess so skip it.There is lots of free parking.  

 Once on Russell, make a left at the first traffic light.  you will see the parking lot.  If you plan to get there around 830am,  plenty of spots are available.  

Most of the plant sellers have left but there are lots of summer fruits and veg.  We are completed in about an hour.  If you are into food, cooking, or just tasting, it's worth the effort.

Going to be a low key steamy day today.  Will stay away from the festival in RO.  Crowds are not my favorite thing.  They will have music I don't recognize and over priced eats.  I am too old and it is too noisy at this point and my patience is growing thinner.

all for now

stay cool and safe

Pinky Berkley Sunrise

Took Eli and Marie to the former Dondero HS now called Royal Oak Middle School yesterday for their room finding/locker locating adventure.  In its original incarnation it was Royal Oak High School and opened in 1927.  Later it was renamed for George A. Dondero, a school board president and later congressman.  I am obsessed with local history and love digging in and finding out where names of places came from.  Notably, Eagles founder Glenn Frey (class of 1966) and Jason Beverlin a former pitcher for the Detroit Tigers graduated from here.   But enough about notables.  

This day we went to ROMS and I climbed and chased Marie to all of her class locations, always at least 10 steps behind.  This place stays true to its architecture for the most part with oak bannisters and arched windows.  There  is a WPA era mural in the auditorium called The Naming of Royal Oak which I am sad I missed.  It is shown here. We located all the necessary spots and met the new principal who was handing out directions.  I got in nearly all my steps for the day and my Fitbit says I climbed 10 floors.  it felt like 40. When I was in high school I remember that there were a lot of pretty girls that went to this school.  It seems we were always chasing them on Friday nights on Woodward hoping for a glimpse and a smile, maybe a phone number.  All I ever got was the glimpse.

It is September 2nd and the summer is almost over.  All the kids will be back in school.  Paxton is starting Kindergarten in Grand Rapids. I cannot believe it.  He is Mr. Conversation with clearly formed ideas.  I hope for a great year for him.

Going to Trader Joes for provisions and a reluctant trip to Planet Fitness today

that's it.

all for now

stay safe