Where do I begin

 

Over the past 4 days, we have been in Middleville MI visiting with our son Jon and taking care of our grandsons Paxton and Everett.  It was a most pleasant time with all the occupants including their big dog, Bow.  I did the highway driving to get there and Judy did the driving around town including the kid drop-off a the 2 elementary schools.  In this village, they have schools dedicated to students from pre-K to first grade and then from 2nd and third grade.  Don't know the reasoning behind it, but is seems to work out fine.  

They live on the shores of the Thornapple River which is a tributary of the Grand River.  Within walking distance is a pleasant walkway that parallels the river.  we took a hike along it.  Got a couple of photos on the way.

Jon got a row boat with an electric motor recently and he and the boys and Judy to a ride around the river.  Paxton was at the helm operating the electric motor. As the balance challenged member, I elected to stay on shore and filmed a short video clip showing part of the voyage. Couldn't get it in the blog unfortunately.  Judy is hangin on for dear life, but the craft stayed afloat.  I sent it to her sister, Andrew and Katey.  All had the same comment.  

While they were at sea, the dog got out and decided for a run.  My chasing abilities have diminished and I finally got here back inside with some harsh comments and a bit of comedy.     

Made a couple of visits to little hometown restaurant in town called the Nook.  Had coffee and some house made baked goods that were breathtakingly good, even if not so healthy for me.  It was after a long walk so I think it was ok.  Got to cook for Jon.  He really enjoyed and appreciated it.  A simple kindness was appreciated.  
He and I went to amateur comedy night one evening. I realized how difficult it is to be funny.

The ride home was smooth until an accident slowed us down and a subsequent rain torrent made vision difficult as night had fallen.  

But home now and glad to have slept in my own bed.  My glucose number was pretty good along with BP this morning.  I do not know why.  Have to do some food shopping and cleaning today along with cutting the grass.  Well, thats it.  Good to be home.

barking like a madman

 

Harry was barking like a madman.  I was in the shower and could not attend to him.  Katey had arrived unexpectedly with dresses for Marie's homecoming.  He went berserk at her arrival. He's hiding in the bedroom now.  Flowers are watered and the breakfast is done.  This is Judy and Shannon from last Sunday.

We have been a post dinner walk at Inglenook Farms where they have a well worn walking path of mostly cinders.  She 

grabbed my hand and motivated me to move at a better pace.  Normally, she is out in front by some distance and I am sauntering behind.  

It's the next day.  So, Robert Redford has left us.  With all the roles he played and triumphed in, he seemed like a good guy in real life He stood for the environment and for conservation and lived a more simple life in Utah.  With the Sundance Film, he fostered independent film makers.  "The Natural" was my favorite one of his movies.  When steely eyed Roy Hobbs sends the ball into the overhead lights and they explode, it was the image of victory.  This was my grown up baseball movie.  In my boyhood, "It Happens Every Spring"  starring Ray Milland was the favorite that I watched with my Dad. 

thats it

This Day

So today social media is flooded with the news of an assassination of a right wing political operative endorser of the current administration.  I really did not know of this guy aside from a few blurbs on my Facebook reel feeds.  Personally, I completely disagree with all of his statements and beliefs.  He should not have been killed, regardless of his opinions. It is yet another sad day for our violent and deeply divided nation. I fear this cycle will continue. 

This incident over shadows the 24th anniversary of the attack on our nation in 2001. For me it was one of the events where I could picture myself exactly where I was when it happened.  I was struck with disbelief that a plane had crashed into the World Trade Center and initially thought it was some tragic accident only to learn the truth.  I was at my computer doing my job and across from me in a large conference room the bosses were peering at the large screen tv which showed a burning building with a plane stuck in it.  I was shocked and really everything stopped.  We were all in a state of disbelief.

As we sit here in 2025, this event has moved in the history books along with the Kennedy assassinations.  Our offspring and grand children have no firsthand memories of these events.  But for my demographic, they are defining moments in our nations history.  This guy's killing will move to that status in a few years 

I am down to my last 4 tomatoes from my plantings of this year.  It was a good haul

Love your neighbor. Drop all the differences. We are all we have.

thats it

   

Complicated

 

Diabetes type 2 is a complicated condition and always frustrating to deal with.  Never knowing the right path and what foods to consume in what quantity.  At 75, and still consuming meat and a few vegetables doesn't seem to be the answer,  Eating late and eating pasta late is definitely off the list.  Tracking all the details on a daily basis should give some guidance but not really.  The big question still seems to be "What do I eat?"

Taking the kids to school this morning for the first time in over a year. Judy is tied up.  It's now the high school and I remember well how to get there after all the trips to sporting events and my kids attendance.  It was called Kimball HS back then and renamed after the Dondero HS was converted to a middle school.  

I am tired of the government wasting the taxpayers money looking into a dead pedophile and all his buddies.  We have to assume the Trump was there and he was best pals with him.  But really, enough all ready.  Let's work on the people's business and pass a budget.  

On a different subject, in Detroit, why is every Breaking News story in the morning news a shooting in some neighborhood?  There are always lit up patrol cars in a formation in the block and lots of crime scene tape.  There seems to be no good breaking news.

Also the president is attending a ball game on 24th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on our nation.  Let that sink in. 

Ok I'll stop bitching

Quiet Morning

Quiet here this morning.  Had a big crew here yesterday for eats.  This lower level easily accommodates a crowd..  My new buddy Frank came as well, absolutely thrilled to be here.  Even with his childish habits, I still love him in all his goofiness.  Andi, Steph's daughter is a pleasure to feed.  Been bombarded with nutritional videos on my FB reels.  Really don't know what to believe.  Are these just talking heads or people with actual qualifications? 

We visited this girl at the Nature Center in Troy recently.

Social media is flooded with Spartans and Wolverines posts.  MSU always opens with Western Michigan University and soundly defeats them. Michigan beat New Mexico.  Too much chest beating on both their parts.  I am not amused.

We have been consumed by Hostage on Netflix.  It is a British drama, well acted with a continuing developing plot line.  have a couple more episodes to view. 

I really need to get back to my walking routine and lifting my weene weights.  Have been lazy.

thats it