Spider Lake and James

So we went on our Spider Lake adventure this week. the whole mob came along with a new comer, baby James. There was lots of swimming, kayaking and mostly eating on this trip.  Only drove the car to get there and then parked.  Our weather was splendid and everyone had a good time.  I learned further that my balance was compromised struggling  up the jagged steps to our house.  They all went down to the lake to see the meteor shower but I declined because it would be an episode of America's Funniest Videos with my stumbling and  falling.  

I made Janine's egg casserole and it turned out great.  This dish will be added to my repertoire of selections.  I did barbecue on their large grill and remembered how much I enjoyed this type of cooking.  Made a "cooks surprise" of a pasta dish and that was enjoyed too.  The ride up and back was not bad but seemed like I was driving to NJ by the time we arrived at home.  All is well and quiet this early morning.  Will force myself back to Planet Fitness for a much needed workout this morning.  

Sadly, Liz Cheney lost her seat in the Congress, going down to defeat to a Tr*mp supported candidate.  She is paying the priced for her position on the big lie and for being on the January 6th Committee.  I disagree with almost all of the Republican policies and have voted only once for Rick Snyder (a big mistake).  But her, I admire.  She stood up for her beliefs and sadly paid the price.  Her dad, Dick Cheney, in a rare moment of integrity, supported her as well.
 

Do you like the sleeping picture?  I never know when these are going to happen, but they always do.  There is a photo of Amanda and James.  He is cute and relaxed being held by multiple people and loved being outside down at the lake.  

I met a man from Dearborn that had a fire pit going and was cooking a large fish that was pinned in a frame kind of like the ones for burgers.  He cooked it indirectly, not over the coals

We had a most pleasant conversation about life, cooking techniques and what we both did for a living. He was up with his large family enjoying the peaceful environment.  It was nice to make a new friend even if only momentarily.  

Eli and Marie were completely hooked on the kayaks. They had to be pried out of them.  Eli pulled Nanny in the tube around the a lake, much to her happiness.  

Well that's it

all for now

stay safe

Harry and I

Harry and I took our pre-heat walk this morning on a high 50's morning today before 7am.  Took some shots of the sunny morning and a reluctant subject, Harry.  He loves the walks but hates being photographed.

 

Have you noticed that online news sources now mostly demand you to subscribe to their site before the content is revealed.  I know they need their revenue source but since the news used to be free, it bugs me that they converted to this pay to play model.  Apple news, NY Times and others show you nothing but headlines for free.

I have a Nurse Practitioner coming from my Medicare Advantage plan this morning to discuss my health and well being. She just called and gave me an update.  Judy had a similar interview last month with no complaints.  She received a couple of kitchen implements as a senior prize for the effort, but a suspense novel or a musical download (no more CD's)would have been nicer. 

 We are preparing for a Spider Lake adventure commencing at the end of the week.  It will be an ordeal to get there but worth it for all the kids.  It will be wonderful to see my Grand Rapids tribe especially with Paxton starting kindergarten in a week or so.  Praying for at least decent weather and planning for meals.  I will be a one man band for this.  Andrew has to head back early for his job.  Kind of exciting to get my "sea legs" back in the kitchen for a big group.

It's the next day.  The Nurse Practitioner showed up about 9 am but just prior to her arrival, I received video call from Maria in Melbourne in tandem with Maria in Hungary (her mom and my first cousin).  This event was quite remarkable to me in that we were talking and seeing each other over 3 continents and many thousands of miles.  The image from down under was a little sketchy but the one from Europe looked like she was next door.  It was a lovely but brief chat.  

In order to achieve regulatory requirements for Medicare, I received a pretty complete physical and lengthy interview about my medical history.  This lady was extremely pleasant and from Ghana.  She addressed me a Mr. Kocsis.  As we became more familiar, I suggested that she call me Jerry.  She announced that her father would be "jumping out of his grave" if he heard her say that.  In many cultures, addressing ones elders by their station is an absolute requirement.  

Later had a nice dinner and dog walk with our friend Janine who made a wonderful egg casserole followed by ice cream.  All in all a pretty good day.

Today back to kid duties and as of this hour, they are still snoozing.

all for now

stay safe

Reported at 7:14PM tonite

A large contingent of FBI agents descended on the compound of the former president at Mar-A-Lago resort in FL tonite.  This is not made up and even Matt Drudge reported on it.  

What  does this mean? if anything?

Kind of a big deal.

 

Breakfast

Met this fine fellow out on one of my walks thru the neighborhood peering out from the plants.  Speaking of which, my veggies in the community garden are doing poorly due to a lack of sun.  There are trees overhead that put the whole area in the shade.  Repeated requests for trimming to the powers that be have fallen on deaf ears.  Have good plants but no fruits.  

Had a wonderful breakfast with college friends last Saturday 

on a wonderful deck surrounded by flowers and foliage.  Friendships with contemporaries are vital to being connected to the world.  We share similar experiences and culture of the time.  This was in honor of a visit from one of the folks who resides in the Upper Peninsula now.  Lovely food, pleasant conversation and a few laughs.  I came home feeling connected.  I feel it is important to lead a purposeful life through all of your life.  Whether you are caring for children or pets or cleaning up someones yard.  These actions create meaning and worth in ones life.  Sitting and consuming the kindness of others will not create fulfillment. This becomes more apparent in retirement.  Purposeful activities keep the brain going too.....because you have something to look forward to and maybe figure out. 

We had Shannon home for the week end and I did Apollo duty for Katey.  Had some corn and tomatoes purchased at Eastern Market on Saturday for dinner last night with Andrew.  Learned about roasting corn rather than boiling.  It intensifies the flavor.  These two items are a summer treat. 

Its Monday and PF day and I DO NOT WANT TO GO! I will suck it up and travel to the sweat palace to get the bones moving.  Always feel better on my departure from the place.  Update:  we survived the gym today only to greet a rainy day.

That's it.

all for now

stay safe

 

Job Fair

Bored, really bored,  needing some meaningful activity along with a couple of bucks.  We have a wonderful, lively elementary school down the street near our home.  Kids racing noisily around the playground is a welcome sound.  The quiet around here is some times deafening.  So the Berkley School System is having a job fair today about a mile away.  I prepared a resume with one of the tools on the computer only including my major employment and my dusty old degree.   I probably cannot wear shorts to this event.   

Presenting myself for employment is kind of new at this point.  The last time I interviewed for a job with in 2016 at Staples with nice guy who was a retail burnout at the store in Clawson.  I lasted there about 2-1/2 years before the hours and the low wages got to me.

Update:  met with the movie star handsome principal of Rogers Elementary at the Job Fair.  He had no positions for a person with my qualifications.  I really was not prepared for this today.  I had nothing pre thought of in my head.  Never looked into a job like this.  Thought it would be tables with pamphlets and smiling folks handing them out.  I was wrong.  A guy at the entrance asked. my what I was interested in.  It was a duh moment, and teachable moment for me.

I am sure you are sick of reviews by me.  but saw two remarkable shows yesterday (its the next morning a 5:45 am).  The Last Movie Stars is a documentary series about the early days, the romance and the body of work by Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward.  It is a series of assembled vignettes put together by Ethan Hawke and a team of his friends reading from transcripts from Paul's biography.  The video version of this was burned, hence only the words exist.  It captures the essence of the feel of the fifties films and the depths of the actors.  If you were already a fan, catch this one.

Ron Howard has given us some outstanding films in his post acting career.  His latest offering is the true tail of the rescue of 13 young soccer players from a flooded cave in Thailand.   Thirteen Lives may be the most tense movie you will view in decades.  I had a difficult time falling asleep last night.  The adrenaline was still pumping.  

It Is a foggy beginning today.  PF, shopping, out with friends at dinner time followed by a sleep over with Apollo for me.

all for now

stay safe

TV Time

 Had a quiet TV filled time yesterday at Andrew's.  The kids decided they wanted to stay home and veg doing as they pleased, which they did.   I was on a watching marathon.  The two only came out to eat occasionally.  The cat meandered in and out of the rooms, kitchen shelves and his climbing tree.  Spoke with Janine about her adventures with Pippa and the new trainer, bitching about politics and the like.  Finally picked up the photos for Flo in the building with her kids.  The first batch had the subjects heads removed.

Read this morning that Andy Levin was defeated in the primary election yesterday by Haley Stevens.  I was disappointed but not devastated.  She has done a good job in Congress and will probably continue to do so.  I suspect he wished her well in her victory.  Witmer will face Tudor Dixon, the former president's endorsee.  She worked at fathers steel company  and is some sort of commentator with no governmental experience.  The car dealer with the dead voters went down to defeat in their primary.  

Watched Pleasantville yesterday.  Looking at the world and promoted 50's values so prominent today, the film posed an irony that was recognizable.  Life was predictable completely so in black and white.  When color and unsanitized emotion was injected,  life stations were upended and yet they moved forward. Not a bad film to watch in the afternoon.

The Old Man  on Hulu was just completed, 7 episodes with a great cast including Jeff Bridges and John Lithgow and supporting role from Amy Brenaman.  For me, this started out with just enough unanswered questions to leave the viewer intrigued.  The episodes near the end left one confused with the finale tying up all the loose ends.  

Going to be a hot one today.  Hopefully will cool down this evening for my Harry walk.  Seems to be the best time for me to beat down my sugars and get some needed exercise.  

Thats it for now

stay safe

Have you Noticed?

One of the downsides to all the programs we have been streaming is that the viewer cannot resist binging on the whole series.  I am guilty completely of this.  So have written before about the new Hulu series "The Bear".  Now, pre streaming, these would have been on one a week after 9pm mostly.  Would have waited expectantly for the night it was on, viewed and had to wait another week.  In todays world we watched all 8 episodes in about 6 days, completely engrossed.  Then, oh boy, we have to wait till 2023 for the next set of shows.  There have been a few like this.  

In my happy place, cooking and listening to Chick Corea via Pandora. on our portable speaker.  We are going back to Spider Lake mid month with the gang
.  Got up early thinking about meals.  This is when I do my best contemplating.  Amidst all these thoughts, I remembered Marie Reno and how much she loved large, loud gatherings with kids running amok all over.  She loved to make way too much food and have guests enjoy it.  She would have loved this mob and cooking for them. 

Tomorrow  is primary Election Day in Michigan.  Sadly, we are loosing a seat this cycle.  Two Democrats are forced to run against each other.  They are in agreement on most issues.  No political pitch here, just remorse for this fact.

Had a pretty good weekend with Shannon overnite Saturday and bagels for the tribe on Sunday morning.  No illness and no falls with our girl.  She has more fans here in the building than the Beatles.

Rain today?

stay safe

all for now