Had a great busy weekend

Picked up my Dad on Saturday and he came out to spend some time here. He enjoyed watching the Tigers baseball game in the big brown chair. It was breezy and clear skies so made for a nice sitting time. Dad enjoyed the chimes (a lot) and watching the birds. Dad said--you need to keep your feeder filled. (Unfortunately then the squirrels come and pig out) Dad's back was bothering him ( a lot) from doing the hedge at home so he had quite a bit of trouble moving around. On Sunday we went to Brunch with Jan and Marshall. We went over to the Hospital brunch--it was very very good!!! I am glad they suggested it.

The landscapers came today. I said goodbye to a lot of old friend plants. The one "kid" who was working was fun. He whistled and grunted and talked to the earth as he worked. He told me he was headed to college in Pennsylvania next fall. He kept hitting things when he was shoveling and would say "I found Jimmy Hoffa!!!" We found a bunch of big stones so we piled them up to put somewhere another day.

I walked this morning with my friend, Jan Stevens. She enjoys a morning walk. Jan Carr will join me some evenings, but keeps very very busy with classes and committees--so our walks have been more hit and miss.

Cynthia has headed to Phoenix to spread her mother's ashes. My heart is with her for sure.

Off to play in the yard. With 60 degree weather it is MOST inviting!

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How did I miss that ?

The Jans and I have been walking off and on. If Jan Carr is busy, Jan Stevens often will join me. They are available at different times so it works out well when I want company.

So tonight when Jan Carr and I were walking she started talking about being at a conference in NYC for Pfizer on 9/11 Boy, that's something I had blocked out, forgotten.

It was a medical conference and she said they were on the Avenue of the Avenues. They were not told of the happenings 4 miles up town until their coffee break at 10:10--when they not only announced what happened but asked for doctor volunteers to go assist as needed. ALL of the doctors at the conference (Jan said 60) volunteered to go. They were people from all over the world. Interesting. Jan said she went out in the street to see and that there was no traffic on Avenue of the Avenues--that she stood right in the middle and looked to the financial district and could see smoke but little else. She said she realized later that the towers had already fallen at that point.

They of course couldn't fly out of NYC so ended up renting a car the next day and driving back to Michigan (8 people in the car). She said they had to walk across the bridge to get to the car rental spots. Pfizer had set up the arrangement for them.

Headed to A2 this morning--as on most summer days, I have a list as I've held off running there until my official going in days. now----where is that list? I should stop past the Apple store as my beloved iPhone is acting up. It quit taking clear pictures, is very reluctant to allow me to touch to make a message for texting and now delivers my mail twice (interesting). Since it looks like my Dad will be coming out to join me soon (who knows, playing by ear) I noticed I need a number of things like-- lightweight bedding, pillow, lightbulb, replacement shade for living room, so it will be a busy spending day.

ah summer!

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on the deck this morning

I was checking the plants and came across this little critter just sitting on the railing.

He has been sitting there now for about 20 minutes. He let me get real close to take his picture so I am thinking he is newer at this woods life. We do have a lot of hawks about so I hope his Mom returns soon and shoos him back to the nest!

My iPhone pics have been blurry in the last week--so I know it's hard to see. Sorry

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Purple Rose

So I didn't like the play. There were moments that it was funny, very funny--but a play about a mortician whose husband has died and she won't leave the house--just didn't do it for me. The relationship with her mother and daughter (both excellent actress') was face paced and comical--but throw in a few dead bodies, including a dead Golden Retriever and it tore back and forth between comedy and tragedy. Three women, two men in the cast. Interesting as I think with TV you get used to lots of people in the cast, or opera there is a chorus--but limiting your cast--that's a heavy responsibility.

It was well done. I'll think on it today....but I don't think I'd spend another $25 to go back and see it again.

Dinner was at la Fuentes the local Mexican restaurant--Mexican without the spices ;-) Made for some interesting dreams ;-)

Off to my Dad's today. Will see what he wants in the way of company this week. Denise leaves today. Bon Voyage!

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Saturday in the Park

headed out to walk this morning before the weather shifts.

Up early and was out on the deck making repairs as needed to fallen tomato plants. The rain and wind did a number on their statuesque effect.

Went to the Farmer's Market hoping to get some more peonies but none to be found--probably the rain. A lady had nice bouquets of many flowers but at $10 a bunch I wasn't that interested. I do still have Wednesday's peonies. Bought sugar peas, yellow squash (from Tantra Organic Farm) and eggs from Chelsea Market. Picked up a loaf of bread for Gpa (his favorite Zingerman's Farm Bread) so set for my visit tomorrow. He is with Denise today at Ben's daughter's Grosse Pointe home on the river. She is having a Father's Day dinner, with her Dad and Denise leaving for Europe for the Medical Cruise (he will have educational classes off and on on the cruise--a way of getting recertified/up to date like teacher and CEU credits).

I was picking up Doris Kearns Goodwin's Angels and Ages book from the A2 library and since it was such a nice day, I decided to sit and read a few magazines. I was reading the June Observer and was surprised to read that they put out a plea to their readers to send money--that they were in trouble. I haven't read an Observer since October so I did note a big difference in this issue--thinner, and 1/2 the advertisers of the past issues. The business card page used to be 2 pages, but now it was 1/2 page with the other 1/2 the Observer advertising for business. hmm

From the library, I ventured to Target to find Gpa a shower curtain then on to Briarwood. I was totally shocked by the lack of people shopping (found excellent parking) and the downsizing, the missing stores, and the large vacant spaces. Eddie Bauer no longer carried any bedding (why I went) but only boys clothes. Macy's was having a White Sale. Very few people were there plus they had their air conditioning set to something close to 78. Everyone was sweating and complaining! I counted 20 people in line at the Apple Store (when I expected to see hundreds really). Many store fronts were vacant--really gave me an icky feeling! Wow, talk about a loss in the economy!

Headed to Purple Rose for the matinee today. New show called "Wake". We're going out to dinner afterwards. Had dinner at Jan and Marshall's last night--smoked turkey (from their smoker--excellent!!!) baked yams, cranberry sauce, white corn, and green beans. Beautiful table. I took the wine--one of our mutual favorites. With the storm fast approaching I left and came home near 10pm to find a message on my machine from a desperate bride looking for a musician for her wedding this afternoon. By the time I called her, she had found someone. This isn't the first time a desperate bride has called due to her musician "canceling" at the last minute.

Received a wonderfully chatty phone call from Hunter this morning. Big Truck, motorcycle, Gma, I wuve you are all beautiful words coming from him. What a precious soul!

Off and running. Hoping to get in a walk before I jet back for the show.

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Doug Fraleigh

came out to give me a quote on getting rid of the dead bushes at the side of the walkway --replacing with something simpler he said. Doug said Kayla kept the bushes engaged for all those years (well, Frisco and Justice, too) but once the dogs were gone from the house the deer knew and that's why they have been eating the bushes. Doug will get someone to shape the Japanese caria also--it has spread willy nilly to wherever it wanted. Ugly and invasive on the azalea and other plants. This is a beautiful piece of land......someone will realize it's serene value!

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ps PU

I think one of those critters that Marshall caught was a skunk.

The striped pseudo cat scent is permeating the woods.

arghhhhh

Rain Day

Will alter my plans a bit.

My deck garden was hit with the sweet kiss of the Rain Goddess and several tomato plants had fallen over. ugh So I was out at 7am staking up their slender stalks. I think it is the cherry tomatoes that took the plunge. Cherries are my favorite so lucky that I got out there in time to rescue them off the dirt. My frog friends had taken cover somewhere. I stuck a stick down the pipe as Doug suggested. He said they would be better able to climb out than sliding on the plastic piping. (something about having frogs drown in a bucket was the lesson)

Looks like I"ll be making a trip to the Apple Store later today. My iPhone won't charge. weird. Instead of the green bar I am only getting a red bar even though it is plugged into a power source. I tried different power sources--same deal. This happened once before and I ended up taking it to the Store. Now I'll have to remember what happened the first time. ;-) I think "they" replaced the battery.

Got an email yesterday from the Law School, hiring me for a fall gig at the UM Art Museum. Funny as Jeanine and I were there recently and I mentioned how I used to play there a lot--guess the cycle begins again.

Can hear Marshall ridding us of more raccoons. 3 shots! Either that guy was tough or we have been invaded! Jan says with "the kid" plowing down so much of his wilderness, the animals who lived there are still hunting for new digs. They (we) have seen an increase in possum, raccoons, birds, bunnies--etc.

Good day to sit in the chair and read a book. It reminds me of the times with the kids up north--we'd always get at least one rain day. Off to the Benzonian library ('member those dark wooden walls!) and load up on reading material. Well today I have plenty to read so will enjoy my own "easy" chair.

Enjoy your day

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"Schools Out Schools Out

Teachers let the monkeys out" My Mom would ALWAYS call me on the last day of school and leave that message on my machine. She was a riot! Mom was always proud of my work with the students, in the district but she also knew how much energy it took away from me and my real life.

So school's out and I'm smiling. Muffin is adjusting to my NOT having the alarm ring at 4:45. Saturday she attempted to get me up early and I shooed her. This morning she mewed and then rolled over and went to sleep again! aha!!

Had a lovely luncheon with my Humanities colleagues on Friday. We went to the Mediterrano. Good food, good company. I will miss their kindness' next year. They got me a gift certificate to a great card store in Kerrytown. You know I"ll be heading that way soon. I love beautiful cards.

Packed up my belongings, left a few things undone--oh well--and moved on down the road. Celebrated at home and have been smiling every since.

Jan and I went Garage Saleing yesterday. She is funny. She makes a DAY of it. Jan gets several newspapers, cross references and highlights ones she wants to attend, then uses her GPS to guide us. We go all over the western edge of the county. I love the backroads and the rural scenery. I also love being a passenger. There is a lot you miss when you have to pay attention to the road. (but then Jeanine knows the secret that Jan doesn't always stop at Stop Signs. Makes for some exciting trips) My big haul yesterday was 2 wooden puzzles for Hunter (Melissa and Doug puzzles/a newer thing) and a big black garbage bag of duplos (now washing in the dishwasher) There were big boxes of legos, too but I held back--I figured it would be years before Hunter started manipulating those and did I really need to start storing more things?

I have the name of a good realtor. Though the house is "just finished school" messed, I am thinking about putting in some time and calling her. My Dad is supposed to be hanging with me soon (Denise is leaving with Ben to go to Europe)--but I"m quite sure Dad won't want to stay here non stop. He is garden devoted and enjoys his own stuff. I have 1 tv and my house is not user friendly for someone no longer steady on his feet. Even to go walk in the yard would be hazardous. (Up and down the front door steps could even be tricky without a railing.) Well, we will do what we can and want.

My deck is flowing with plants (primarily tomato--I got a little crazy) I imagine I'll be having bushels to share come August. My squash is HUGE, my cucumber struggling (watering it with salt water from the tap wasn't a good idea)(also purchasing a new water softner soon) then there are the katrillion beans (I like beans) and lettuce, rosemary, lavender, peppers and more peppers, basil and flowers. ahhh

One of my friends, the country western gospel singer who also had a day job with Compuware (programmer) but was laid off last July (no work yet) called and told me he had a stroke. GOSH! He is pretty healthy, eats okay and is "young" --51. I don't think I'm prepared for friends of mine to have strokes. He lives far away (Romeo) so I am not much help to him. His kids though are supportive so he'll have help.

Brown Cat comes over daily for dinner. I'll include a pic at some point. He always smells sweet. He loves rocking on the deck rocker until I come to the door to let him in. Lately Marmalade has been coming over for breakfast--but he only uses the front door.

We've been missing DeNozzo for a while. Often in the spring he is busy with his lady friends, but it is unusual that he keeps so far away from the bird feeders (he loves corn) Though we have a lot of "No Hunting/No Trespassing" signs down at the pond, we did hear illegal hunters down there 2 months ago. We keep hoping DeNozzo will come back. He's been a mainstay for 3 years here. My front door step is empty without him.

Off to join the world. Plenty to do and then zipping into Dearborn to see Dad. Though he is disappointed about the Red Wings, he isn't nearly as sad as Emily. She zapped me Friday night "I am devastated!!!" and she meant it. The next morning she wrote "I cried myself to sleep!" She is a true fan!

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