Showing posts with label events. Show all posts
Showing posts with label events. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
C-note
It finally happened. $100 for one visit to a gas station. I could have spent more but the pump limited me to $100. Even with my credit card. Granted, I filled the Expedition and put an additional 7 gallons in cans. And the price per gallon was below $4.00 per gallon. Happy days are here again!
Thursday, September 13, 2007
What a day!
Almost too much excitement for my medicaid birthday.
Brenda called to wish me a happy birthday! That was special.
James called to wish me a happy birthday! That was special.
Kathy decorated a clipboard for me with pictures of me and Spencer and Garrett. That was special. She covered the oldest clipboard of mine she could find with paper, matted the pictures and mounted them on the board, and decorated with miniature tools and tool stickers. It now hangs on the pegboard in the workshop.
Kathy and I transplanted some day lilies. I'm not too old to help around the yard yet.
We then went to Tiger ballgame with Bill and Patti, had dinner at Tiger Club, saw Tigers win on two home runs and a fine pitching performance by Justin Verlander. Great tickets arranged by Brenda.
One great day. Thank you.
Brenda called to wish me a happy birthday! That was special.
James called to wish me a happy birthday! That was special.
Kathy decorated a clipboard for me with pictures of me and Spencer and Garrett. That was special. She covered the oldest clipboard of mine she could find with paper, matted the pictures and mounted them on the board, and decorated with miniature tools and tool stickers. It now hangs on the pegboard in the workshop.
Kathy and I transplanted some day lilies. I'm not too old to help around the yard yet.
We then went to Tiger ballgame with Bill and Patti, had dinner at Tiger Club, saw Tigers win on two home runs and a fine pitching performance by Justin Verlander. Great tickets arranged by Brenda.
One great day. Thank you.
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
We walked the Mackinaw Bridge
Above the Straits of Mackinac, St. Ignace to Mackinaw City, from the UP to the Mitten, Lake Huron on our left, Lake Michigan on our right. We were not alone. Leo and Marci, and her sister, Rita, and her husband, Merle, walked with us along with 57000 of our closest bridge-walking friends and 50 swimmers who swam the straits. We completed our walk in an hour and a half.
Our day began at 4 am when Leo awakened us outside blaring the car horn and yelling, "Let's go, people!" Packed the car and drove to pick up Rita and Merle a half hour away. Driving US-23, we watched the sun rise over Lake Huron and arrived in Mackinaw City about 6:30 am. Merle navigated us to convenient parking from where we walked a short distance to get in line for a bus to take us across the bridge to the St. Ignace starting point. Long lines of walkers moved slowly but steadily and we finally boarded our school bus. Traffic congestion attributed to an increased number of walkers kept us at a crawl and it took longer than veteran walkers remembered to cross to St. Ignace.
Looking out school bus windows we were impressed first by runners who began around 7 am and had gathered for pictures on our side after finishing their run, and then by the leading walkers who were already nearing the finish line as our bus began its ascent of the bridge (about 8 am). Then two five-mile lanes filled from one end to the other with walkers.
We were on the bridge in St. Ignace at 9 o'clock. I tried to establish a pace comfortable for me. It was slower than that of Kathy and the others but I was determined not to "go out too fast" and I didn't! Impressive views impossible when crossing by car. The sky overhead was clear, the sun warming us so we tied our windbreakers around our waists, a slight breeze keeping us comfortable.
Panoramic views: St. Ignace over my left shoulder, Mackinac Island and ferries shuttling passengers and raising rooster tails, Mackinaw City ahead, a freighter approaching the straits from our right, and the shores of the UP over my right shoulder. As I glanced over my right shoulder, I saw no signs of the still burning forest fire I first noticed returning from Canada on August 3. Support towers 360 feet (a football field) above us held observers stationed atop. The freighter sounded its horn approaching the bridge, passed under, then sounded again and turned north toward the Soo Locks and Lake Superior. Looking through the grate that forms the middle two lanes we could see the lower superstructure and the green water below.
After reaching the middle of the bridge the trek was all downhill so I increased my pace and could comfortably keep up with Kathy and the others. To our right was Fort Michimilimac and to our left the last group of swimmers made its way to the Mackinaw City beach.
Walkers of all shapes, sizes, and ages. There were families, groups of young people, young couples and older ones, babies and infants pushed in strollers, some people in wheel chairs, adult children helping their parents, and some people by themselves seemingly out for a good walk.
At the finish line I felt relief, satisfaction, pride. We had accomplished something we had intended to do for a long time. We got our certificates and then--now get this--walked around Mackinaw City shopping for T-shirts.
One great day!
Our day began at 4 am when Leo awakened us outside blaring the car horn and yelling, "Let's go, people!" Packed the car and drove to pick up Rita and Merle a half hour away. Driving US-23, we watched the sun rise over Lake Huron and arrived in Mackinaw City about 6:30 am. Merle navigated us to convenient parking from where we walked a short distance to get in line for a bus to take us across the bridge to the St. Ignace starting point. Long lines of walkers moved slowly but steadily and we finally boarded our school bus. Traffic congestion attributed to an increased number of walkers kept us at a crawl and it took longer than veteran walkers remembered to cross to St. Ignace.
Looking out school bus windows we were impressed first by runners who began around 7 am and had gathered for pictures on our side after finishing their run, and then by the leading walkers who were already nearing the finish line as our bus began its ascent of the bridge (about 8 am). Then two five-mile lanes filled from one end to the other with walkers.
We were on the bridge in St. Ignace at 9 o'clock. I tried to establish a pace comfortable for me. It was slower than that of Kathy and the others but I was determined not to "go out too fast" and I didn't! Impressive views impossible when crossing by car. The sky overhead was clear, the sun warming us so we tied our windbreakers around our waists, a slight breeze keeping us comfortable.
Panoramic views: St. Ignace over my left shoulder, Mackinac Island and ferries shuttling passengers and raising rooster tails, Mackinaw City ahead, a freighter approaching the straits from our right, and the shores of the UP over my right shoulder. As I glanced over my right shoulder, I saw no signs of the still burning forest fire I first noticed returning from Canada on August 3. Support towers 360 feet (a football field) above us held observers stationed atop. The freighter sounded its horn approaching the bridge, passed under, then sounded again and turned north toward the Soo Locks and Lake Superior. Looking through the grate that forms the middle two lanes we could see the lower superstructure and the green water below.
After reaching the middle of the bridge the trek was all downhill so I increased my pace and could comfortably keep up with Kathy and the others. To our right was Fort Michimilimac and to our left the last group of swimmers made its way to the Mackinaw City beach.
Walkers of all shapes, sizes, and ages. There were families, groups of young people, young couples and older ones, babies and infants pushed in strollers, some people in wheel chairs, adult children helping their parents, and some people by themselves seemingly out for a good walk.
At the finish line I felt relief, satisfaction, pride. We had accomplished something we had intended to do for a long time. We got our certificates and then--now get this--walked around Mackinaw City shopping for T-shirts.
One great day!
Thursday, June 7, 2007
Hats Off
Last weekend Kathy co-captained a team that participated in the Relay for Life Troy event.
She spent the entire 24 hours at the event, walking many hours to ensure someone from team was on the track at all times -- a feat not many of us could have accomplished, especially me. The walk was interrupted about an hour and a half by a thunder and lightening storm; teams took shelter in the Troy Community Center adjacent to the site and returned to rain-soaked tents and soggy grass. And they persevered
In addition Kathy devoted hours planning and organizing her team, attending orientation and update meetings, and preparing for the event. Especially impressive was their team sign that held pictures of loved ones affected by cancer, both survivors and not.
Her team raised nearly $5000 for the American Cancer Society. And the 33 teams combined for over $160 000.
Kathy and her team have my admiration and respect.
She spent the entire 24 hours at the event, walking many hours to ensure someone from team was on the track at all times -- a feat not many of us could have accomplished, especially me. The walk was interrupted about an hour and a half by a thunder and lightening storm; teams took shelter in the Troy Community Center adjacent to the site and returned to rain-soaked tents and soggy grass. And they persevered
In addition Kathy devoted hours planning and organizing her team, attending orientation and update meetings, and preparing for the event. Especially impressive was their team sign that held pictures of loved ones affected by cancer, both survivors and not.
Her team raised nearly $5000 for the American Cancer Society. And the 33 teams combined for over $160 000.
Kathy and her team have my admiration and respect.
Saturday, April 28, 2007
The Crabtrees
invited some friends to celebrate their 44th wedding anniversary with them over dinner at the Bavarian Inn restaurant Frankenmuth, Michigan. Chicken and ribs--the ribs a first for us--family style with good stories and good-natured kidding. Marietta's maid of honor Rae Ann and her husband Foster were there also.
After dinner a stop at their bakery for a few goodies. Then on to Birch Run outlet mall to pick up some items, notably four pairs of Bounce tennis shoes for Kathy, a style she has not been able to find for many years.
Ein guter Tag wurde von allen gehabt.
After dinner a stop at their bakery for a few goodies. Then on to Birch Run outlet mall to pick up some items, notably four pairs of Bounce tennis shoes for Kathy, a style she has not been able to find for many years.
Ein guter Tag wurde von allen gehabt.
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Fascinating Exhibit
at the Detroit Science Center called Our Body: The Universe Within.
Yesterday we went to the exhibit with Leo and Marci who is a nurse and found it especially interesting. This has been in the plans for some time and finally our schedules meshed.
The exhibit displays specimens of the human body usually seen only by doctors and scientists showing us bones, muscles, nerves, blood vessels, etc. Some displays are whole body, some are parts. One whole-body display showed all the muscles, another all the bones, another nerves. Some case displays showed organ comparisons like cancerous lung and healthy one, enlarged stomach and ulcerated one.
The exhibit was so stimulating, had so much visual information, that at the end of the two-hour tour I felt mentally and physically exhausted. I could take only so much.
The body is remarkably complex. There are so many things in so many places that can go wrong that it is a wonder it does so well for so long.
After the body exhibit we "played" with exhibits in the science area--generating electricity, lifting half-ton weight, testing dexterity, and so on.
On our way home we had lunch at Detroit's Breakfast House and Grill on Merchant's Row, one of Robert Porcher and associates' several restaurants. Stuffed French toast, chicken and waffles, meat-lovers frittata, and seafood omelet. Delicious.
Great trip.
Yesterday we went to the exhibit with Leo and Marci who is a nurse and found it especially interesting. This has been in the plans for some time and finally our schedules meshed.
The exhibit displays specimens of the human body usually seen only by doctors and scientists showing us bones, muscles, nerves, blood vessels, etc. Some displays are whole body, some are parts. One whole-body display showed all the muscles, another all the bones, another nerves. Some case displays showed organ comparisons like cancerous lung and healthy one, enlarged stomach and ulcerated one.
The exhibit was so stimulating, had so much visual information, that at the end of the two-hour tour I felt mentally and physically exhausted. I could take only so much.
The body is remarkably complex. There are so many things in so many places that can go wrong that it is a wonder it does so well for so long.
After the body exhibit we "played" with exhibits in the science area--generating electricity, lifting half-ton weight, testing dexterity, and so on.
On our way home we had lunch at Detroit's Breakfast House and Grill on Merchant's Row, one of Robert Porcher and associates' several restaurants. Stuffed French toast, chicken and waffles, meat-lovers frittata, and seafood omelet. Delicious.
Great trip.
Monday, April 16, 2007
Dinner with the Waltons
The Waltons live in Huntington Woods just north and west of Rackham Golf Course, a few miles from our first house in Oak Park. Bobbi and Denny invited ten of us join them for a reunion of sorts on Sunday.
Bobbi prepared a sumptuous meal. Beef tenderloin, two different salads, twice-baked potatoes, rolls, and green bean casserole. Both red and white wine and a couple sparkling drinks. Coffee and tea accompanied her grandmother's carrot cake for dessert.
Most of us are retired, most are getting social security, all grandparents. Six of us were confirmed into Truth Lutheran Church together back in the day where I grew up in Detroit.
Randy, Doyle, Ken and I (who were at the dinner) along with Ken Jones, Dan, and Jerry were best of friends through our teen years and even kept in close touch through college. Then, as the song goes, "those wedding bells are breaking up that old gang of mine." I have been fortunate to reconnect with them after a period of time, once at another reunion at Bev's and at a couple funerals.
Then a heated game of Pictionary--how do you draw a picture of ugly? Lots of laughs, poor drawings, and random guesses.
A wonderful time yesterday with a summer get together at Doyle's and Pat's is in the works.
Bobbi prepared a sumptuous meal. Beef tenderloin, two different salads, twice-baked potatoes, rolls, and green bean casserole. Both red and white wine and a couple sparkling drinks. Coffee and tea accompanied her grandmother's carrot cake for dessert.
Most of us are retired, most are getting social security, all grandparents. Six of us were confirmed into Truth Lutheran Church together back in the day where I grew up in Detroit.
Randy, Doyle, Ken and I (who were at the dinner) along with Ken Jones, Dan, and Jerry were best of friends through our teen years and even kept in close touch through college. Then, as the song goes, "those wedding bells are breaking up that old gang of mine." I have been fortunate to reconnect with them after a period of time, once at another reunion at Bev's and at a couple funerals.
Then a heated game of Pictionary--how do you draw a picture of ugly? Lots of laughs, poor drawings, and random guesses.
A wonderful time yesterday with a summer get together at Doyle's and Pat's is in the works.
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