For Emerald Lake (and probably for the Lions as well).
We went up to the Lake Monday morning, stopping in Clare for lunch and to pick up two watches we left earlier for repairs. Brenda's was finished, but mine still showed the date display caught between two numerals, the problem that led me to have it repaired. "We'll fix that for you and you can pick it up Wednesday." He did and we did.
Kelvin had the dock raised and his boat that we all use was parked on its trailer in the carport, a great place for it during the winter. Forty degrees inside the house--got all three heating systems going in a hurry. Eventually raised temp to near 70 by time we went to bed. Split some wood, hauled it up from pole barn, cleaning and packing for trip home. Kathy read a novel cover to cover--we both read tucked beneath a couple handmade quilts.
The wind kicked up over night, gusts to 50 mph we heard. We had to clear a fallen tree from the drive so Kathy could go to town for her Tuesday hair appointment with Ellen. It made her late, but we come to find out ours was not unusual. Winterized the Ranger and lawn tractor.
The propane heater began to overheat--we saw some smoke rising from the unit. Some sensor, I suspect. In addition we heard some "explosions". So we shut it down and will have it serviced next spring. Only wood and electric heat left. Still windy and temps falling to 20 degrees. Kathy was on her second novel and I was well into mine. Slept with an extra blanket.
We had to let the fire go out and cool over night since it was to be cleaned for winter. When we go up the temperature in the house was 50, colder than when we arrived on our previous visit. Put on heat in dining area and bathroom and worked as fast as we could to complete our tasks. Drained water heater and water pump, packed food and supplies to take to Romeo, pumped RV antifreeze into water pipes, packed Expedition. We were able to leave by about 11 am. Picked up watch in Clare and got to Romeo and some warmth.
We agreed to close up for winter earlier next year.
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Thanksgiving Week
Brenda is back in Nashville--she left Saturday evening. I enjoyed her visit.
Couple Lions games, couple days of shopping, she had lunch a couple days with friends, a couple crafts projects, and a couple card games we had not played in years. A couple tears when we dropped her off.
She was worried that some of her carry-on stuff would not be allowed--too many pieces--so we waited in a cell phone lot in case we had to return to lighten her load. We used the north cell phone lot not far from I-94 and her ok call came through within minutes of pulling in. There is a second cell phone lot on the south end of the airport to replace the cell waiting lane on a shoulder of the road leading into the McNamara Terminal from the south. We used the shoulder waiting area when we picked Brenda up and heard a report on TV of the new south cell lot. We will find the south cell lot next time.
Seems quiet here his morning. The good part is we will see her in Nashville for Christmas.
Couple Lions games, couple days of shopping, she had lunch a couple days with friends, a couple crafts projects, and a couple card games we had not played in years. A couple tears when we dropped her off.
She was worried that some of her carry-on stuff would not be allowed--too many pieces--so we waited in a cell phone lot in case we had to return to lighten her load. We used the north cell phone lot not far from I-94 and her ok call came through within minutes of pulling in. There is a second cell phone lot on the south end of the airport to replace the cell waiting lane on a shoulder of the road leading into the McNamara Terminal from the south. We used the shoulder waiting area when we picked Brenda up and heard a report on TV of the new south cell lot. We will find the south cell lot next time.
Seems quiet here his morning. The good part is we will see her in Nashville for Christmas.
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Thanksgiving Feast
Today we have our turkey and all the fixings. Because we are going to the annual Detroit Lions Thanksgiving Day football game tomorrow, against the Packers, we have been having our big meal the day before. That way Kathy can enjoy the game and not be concerned about the bird burning or splashing grease around the oven.
Brenda arrived last Friday evening for a week visit. She went with us Sunday to the Lions-Giants game, one that disappointed us. The Lions did not show consistent play, too many dropped passes (unusual this season at home), and breakdowns on kick coverage (that is consistent over the course of the season). We had breakfast at Detroit Breakfast Grill (co-owned by Robert Porcher) on Woodward between the river and Grand Circus Park. Excellent food, service, and atmosphere. Dinner on the way home at Champs Sports Grill though our first choice was Joe's Crabshack which we found to be closed permanently.
Kathy and Brenda have done their share of shopping and crafting and left me here--not disappointing--to finish up leaf collection. Our two large maple trees in front dropped their leaves over the weekend, later than usual, and needed to be picked up before rain and snow predicted for today and tomorrow.
Gobble, gobble. Time to eat.
Brenda arrived last Friday evening for a week visit. She went with us Sunday to the Lions-Giants game, one that disappointed us. The Lions did not show consistent play, too many dropped passes (unusual this season at home), and breakdowns on kick coverage (that is consistent over the course of the season). We had breakfast at Detroit Breakfast Grill (co-owned by Robert Porcher) on Woodward between the river and Grand Circus Park. Excellent food, service, and atmosphere. Dinner on the way home at Champs Sports Grill though our first choice was Joe's Crabshack which we found to be closed permanently.
Kathy and Brenda have done their share of shopping and crafting and left me here--not disappointing--to finish up leaf collection. Our two large maple trees in front dropped their leaves over the weekend, later than usual, and needed to be picked up before rain and snow predicted for today and tomorrow.
Gobble, gobble. Time to eat.
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Tuesday on the Road
We went to Detroit Tuesday for a shopping trip. Our first stop was Ford Field to pick up some new Lions gear. While making our choices, Jason Hanson (who passed Eddie Murray in career scoring and take over the number ten spot) walked in with his wife and preschool-aged son. After a manager finished helping Jason, Kathy inquired of him whether it would be proper to approach Jason for an autograph. He said Jason is qujite approachable and is very accomodating to fans so Kathy asked him for his autograph. Luckily she had something in her purse for him to sign--our tickets from Sunday's game which she had with her because we would get two Buddy's pizzas later in the day since the Lions scored over 24 points. He signed them for us and exchanged small talk. We made our purchases then walked over to the Tigers Shop where we found little--no clearance items yet (unless you want a Monroe jersey) so we may make another trip later.
We also wanted to pick up tickets at the Gem Theatre just south of Ford Field for Escanaba in Love, the prequel to Escanaba in the Moonlight, but found out it is closing this weekend, about 6 weeks earlier than their scheduled run through December. And how about the DSO gospel concert. At that box office we were told it is canceled. Along with seeing the attendance at Meadowbrook Theatre last week, these cancellations seem to indicate the economy here is significantly impacting performing arts.
Over to Farmers Market for beef and to Wigley's Market for our corn beef and a ham for Pat who we were to see on our way home. Lunch was at Buddy's and if I had remembered the plan sooner we would have had our pizza at the original Buddy's restaurant on Conant and Six Mile Road.
We boxed up some leftovers and drove to Pat's house where Kathy helped make applesuace, I tried to find the problem with her furnace (I think it is a fan problem, but she was to have service today from a professional), went grocery shopping while Pat and Kathy cooked, and had Chinese carry out for dinner. We had a good visit with Pat and are glad to help in any way we can.
Cold, windy, rainy, and snowy weather can't slow us down.
We also wanted to pick up tickets at the Gem Theatre just south of Ford Field for Escanaba in Love, the prequel to Escanaba in the Moonlight, but found out it is closing this weekend, about 6 weeks earlier than their scheduled run through December. And how about the DSO gospel concert. At that box office we were told it is canceled. Along with seeing the attendance at Meadowbrook Theatre last week, these cancellations seem to indicate the economy here is significantly impacting performing arts.
Over to Farmers Market for beef and to Wigley's Market for our corn beef and a ham for Pat who we were to see on our way home. Lunch was at Buddy's and if I had remembered the plan sooner we would have had our pizza at the original Buddy's restaurant on Conant and Six Mile Road.
We boxed up some leftovers and drove to Pat's house where Kathy helped make applesuace, I tried to find the problem with her furnace (I think it is a fan problem, but she was to have service today from a professional), went grocery shopping while Pat and Kathy cooked, and had Chinese carry out for dinner. We had a good visit with Pat and are glad to help in any way we can.
Cold, windy, rainy, and snowy weather can't slow us down.
Monday, November 5, 2007
Three Days of Culture and a Lions Win
Thursday night we saw Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure, a superb production at Meadowbrook Theatre. Holmes, with his assistant Dr. Watson, finally vanquishes his nemesis Professor Moriarty. Typical Holmes logic and strategy leads to the final fight between Holmes and Moriarty above a great precipice. We are led to believe both are killed, but, alas, Holmes reveals himself in the last scene.
Jim and Sandy Bade organized another trip to Stratford, Ontario, this time to see the musical Oklahoma at the Festival Theatre Friday. We loved the show. Our seats were second row center so we could see all detail in costume, props, facial expression, etc. We were concerned at times that the dancers would fly off the stage into our laps! Before the show we took a tour of the warehouse for all the theatres in Stratford. 50,000 costumes, 10,000 pairs of shoes, thousands of props, shops for making and maintaining all this. Found it interesting that it takes about 7 support people working on a production for every actor in the production--costuming, wigs, set building, etc. We gained a new appreciation for the behind-the-scenes efforts. (Brenda, only a forty minute delay returning to US.)
Disney music was the theme for Saturday's Detroit Symphony Orchestra Pops Concert. All great music and we recognized that from the earlier movies, such as Snow White and Pinocchio, and some of the later that were made into stage musicals, such as Lion King, but were somewhat unfamiliar with the more current movies (Aladdin, The Hunchback, Hercules). We will try to check these out of the library and watch them this winter.
We stayed downtown overnight. In the morning we walked the International RiverWalk (map)from Rivard Park to Joe Louis Arena-- garden rest areas, a fountain, fishermen, joggers, Detroit Princess cruise boat, and a carousel closed for the season. Most impressive is an Underground Railroad commemorative near Hart Plaza that honors those who helped the "flight to freedom." Eventually the walk will go from JLA to east of Belle Isle. Cool temperatures and mostly cloudy sky invigorated us for a late breakfast and a walk to Ford Field. We made the transition from arts culture to sports culture.
Yep, the Lions are 6-2 after they thumped--I mean thumped--the Denver Broncos. It was such a one-sided game that fans left the stadium as if the Lions were getting thumped! The running game was effective early which opened passing lanes later. And although Kitna was not particularly effective from a completion percentage standpoint, he did execute a two-play 95-yard touchdown drive with two long completions. A few Bronco fans were around us, but they did not make much noise after halftime. Heading to the playoffs? Who knows. Their record at this point points in that direction, but they still have half a season. Green Bay twice, Minnesota, and New York Giants will be good tests.
Jim and Sandy Bade organized another trip to Stratford, Ontario, this time to see the musical Oklahoma at the Festival Theatre Friday. We loved the show. Our seats were second row center so we could see all detail in costume, props, facial expression, etc. We were concerned at times that the dancers would fly off the stage into our laps! Before the show we took a tour of the warehouse for all the theatres in Stratford. 50,000 costumes, 10,000 pairs of shoes, thousands of props, shops for making and maintaining all this. Found it interesting that it takes about 7 support people working on a production for every actor in the production--costuming, wigs, set building, etc. We gained a new appreciation for the behind-the-scenes efforts. (Brenda, only a forty minute delay returning to US.)
Disney music was the theme for Saturday's Detroit Symphony Orchestra Pops Concert. All great music and we recognized that from the earlier movies, such as Snow White and Pinocchio, and some of the later that were made into stage musicals, such as Lion King, but were somewhat unfamiliar with the more current movies (Aladdin, The Hunchback, Hercules). We will try to check these out of the library and watch them this winter.
We stayed downtown overnight. In the morning we walked the International RiverWalk (map)from Rivard Park to Joe Louis Arena-- garden rest areas, a fountain, fishermen, joggers, Detroit Princess cruise boat, and a carousel closed for the season. Most impressive is an Underground Railroad commemorative near Hart Plaza that honors those who helped the "flight to freedom." Eventually the walk will go from JLA to east of Belle Isle. Cool temperatures and mostly cloudy sky invigorated us for a late breakfast and a walk to Ford Field. We made the transition from arts culture to sports culture.
Yep, the Lions are 6-2 after they thumped--I mean thumped--the Denver Broncos. It was such a one-sided game that fans left the stadium as if the Lions were getting thumped! The running game was effective early which opened passing lanes later. And although Kitna was not particularly effective from a completion percentage standpoint, he did execute a two-play 95-yard touchdown drive with two long completions. A few Bronco fans were around us, but they did not make much noise after halftime. Heading to the playoffs? Who knows. Their record at this point points in that direction, but they still have half a season. Green Bay twice, Minnesota, and New York Giants will be good tests.
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Fall Trip to Evart
We left for the lake Sunday morning hoping to get there before the Lions football game but stopped for lunch so we listened to the first half on the radio. Sounded like they were playing well enough. The house was 55 degrees (45 outside) but we fiddled with the rotary antenna until we had decent reception to see the Lions second half. They seemed to play quite well (I napped through most of it after I started the propane heater and emptied the car.) Kathy was happy with the result.
We went a day earlier than our plans. Karen, one of Kathy's friends from her childhood days, died of cancer and visitation was Sunday evening with funeral Monday. Losing someone you grow up with feels different from others--not better or worse, just different. A different flood of memories cascades through and recalls different emotions. A different sadness, different coping.
The weather was fabulous. Sunny and cool--perhaps my favorite time of the year. We cleared the roof and courtyard of leaves, cut down and up a half dozen dead birch trees,and pruned plants for their overwintering.
We had visits from Lee, Angie and the kids, and Carrie and the kids. Kids seem to love to run around the inside and play with the old toys. All are doing well. Angie is pregnant and due in April! Exciting! And Logan and Kamber, and Carter and Carlee are all in school. How time flies.
Then home to see all the munchkins in their Halloween garb.
We went a day earlier than our plans. Karen, one of Kathy's friends from her childhood days, died of cancer and visitation was Sunday evening with funeral Monday. Losing someone you grow up with feels different from others--not better or worse, just different. A different flood of memories cascades through and recalls different emotions. A different sadness, different coping.
The weather was fabulous. Sunny and cool--perhaps my favorite time of the year. We cleared the roof and courtyard of leaves, cut down and up a half dozen dead birch trees,and pruned plants for their overwintering.
We had visits from Lee, Angie and the kids, and Carrie and the kids. Kids seem to love to run around the inside and play with the old toys. All are doing well. Angie is pregnant and due in April! Exciting! And Logan and Kamber, and Carter and Carlee are all in school. How time flies.
Then home to see all the munchkins in their Halloween garb.
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