Kate graduated - how can that be?

What's the world coming to when my youngest cousin's daughter graduates from high school? I'm officially old. Oh well - Paul's grand niece already graduated from college. Ha!

Back to me. My cousin Amy Lamm Brownlee's daughter Kate graduated from Cherry Creek HS last week. Her reception was Sunday morning - how convenient, since we were in Denver to see our Amy and attend niece Leslie's baby shower. It was nice to see my cuz Richard - his nose was a bit out of joint since he wasn't invited to the baby shower. (Gurlz Only) Marty and Bill recently moved - so we'll have to check out their new place when we come back for Christmas. This trip we all stayed at the Marriott. Brownlees and fam were busy entertaining their guests so we soon said goodbye, leaving them to celebrate with their grad.

After the party, we headed to Vail, stayed at Cindo's and had a chance to shop at the fab store in Edwards, Ptarmigan. Amy got the perfect bag for her travels in South and Central America. That night we were invited to eat a delicioso meal at Bonnie and Eric's - barbecued ribs and chicken. Bonnie's potato salad was bueno too. Eric has been re-doing their master bathroom, tiling it himself - very nice. Wine guy Frank was there too. Fun hanging with those guys in the summer. Bonnie will be coming to DSM with Cindo in a couple weeks - her first trip to Iowa so we'll need to put out the red carpet.

Two beautiful women - graduate Kate Brownlee, and my Auntie Martha

Susi's pal Debbie, Jordie's honey Westy (making a face) and the Jordo

Pablo, Amy and mamma Leslie

Uncle Bill chats with Susi

We dropped Amy off in Denver early Monday a.m. and loaded her desk up in our car. Paul made it for her out of oak when she was in college - now the top has cracked, most likely due to the dry Colorado climate. Paul will work his magic on it.

 

We listened to "Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" during the trip. I bought it at a book sale, as I enjoyed it so when I was commuting. Paul liked the movie, and the book is 16+ hours, just right for this trip. The reader really brings the characters to life.

 

Tomorrow our recycled plastic deck furniture is scheduled to be delivered. Finally! Now we can finally invite guests over for drinks on and deck. I'm excited. Tonight as we walked off the deck to take Odie for a walk, Creston's Kyle McCann (former Hawkeye QB) and wife Maggie with their 2 daughters were walking by across the street. Paul called to them and we walked along for a bit as their girls rode bikes. We're Neighbors! 

Baby Shower, AWB and Waffles and Chicken

Saturday was the baby shower for Leslie Lopez and bambino. He's due July 17th - her birthday and wedding anniversary. She looks so pretty - all tummy! The party was at the Denver Tea Room.

Amy (our talented graphic designer daughter) designed the invitations and name cards at the tables - complete with little phrases about each person. Jordan (who should be an event planner) arranged the decorations and games. Lots of games. The food was delish! Tea, of course, and little sandwiches and scones - warm, just from the oven. There were fancy cupcakes for dessert too. Susi was in charge of paying for the above...

Cindy, Amy Brownlee, Aunt Marty

Susi, and her friends Debbie and Sher

 

Jordan, Amy, Kate Brownlee, and preggers Leslie

Yummy Food

Leslie received lots of nice gifts. Or should should I say, "Herman" did - as Cindo called the babe.

Herman gets a basket from Aunt Betso, who couldn't be with us
 

It was a great party. We're looking forward to meeting the little guy in a few weeks! Later, after a rest (it's hard eating and drinking) we walked walked around downtown Denver. They were having a rock event and an art event - and the weather was fabulous.

 

 

We walked by one stage - and they were singing, "Pick Up the Pieces". It was the original Average White Band. Okay - most of 'em. They sounded great. We had a band that sounded kinda like AWB for our senior prom - every song sounded like "Cut the Cake".

 

That's AWB behind Cindy and me

We ended up at a nearby bowling alley - they had a bloody mary bar and Paul could watch the baseball game with 7 women. Later Amy, Paul and I walked to a local bookstore, Tattered Cover. It was very cool - way nicer than a Barnes and Noble.

 

We ended the day at a funky restaurant that Cindo selected called Euclid Hall - named after the mathematician. Their menu is interesting - after appetizers of pickles and sausage, Amy had pig's ears - fried. Paul had chicken and waffles. The chicken was ground and covered with even more coarsely ground chicken. Cindy had a cauliflower salad. I had a mini fish sannie.

IN front of Euclid Hall

It was a busy day - I love my family. I slept like a rock!













Free Weekend

Thanks to all the veterans who have served our country. My family enjoyed a beautiful weekend because of your sacrifices.

We left Des Moines Thursday afternoon and pulled in to the Cabela's store in Kearney, NE around 6 p.m. We used to think that place was great, but now the other newer stores put it to shame. Paul got broadheads. No - they are nothing to do with women...they are razor sharp points for his arrows.

We took off early the next day and were able to have lunch with Amy at our usual spot - Udi's. Amy eats gluten free when she can, and they have a great gluten free menu. They have great sandwiches and can even get their granola at HyVee here.

We checked into the Marriott Residence Inn downtown after shopping at REI - the sporting goods superstore. We got socks. It is a cool place, and people there are so active. We went to Amy's temp new digs. Oh did I tell you she moved? Amy quit her job. She's done Friday. She will leave early next week to drive through North Dakota on her way to Minnesota to be a bridesmaid in her good friend Kelli Behr's wedding in Northfield. Of course we'll be there, along with Jud and Kara. The Behrs are like cousins to our kids - since there mom Vicki is my college roomie.

Then Amy will come to Des Moines for a few days before she leaves for her "walk-a-bout". Yeah, I know she's not an aborigine. But that's how I'm thinking about her trip to South America, with stops in Peru and Ecuador by herself. She is heading to central America too and will travel with her friend Rachelle. Megan may join her too. Am I nervous about the trip? Hell yes! But she's got to be Amy and this is what Amy does.

Back to Friday. By then, Cindy had arrived. There was a bit of confusion about our rooms - the Marriott was having a hard time figuring out the Bullock girls! But we straightened them out. Kinda. Today Susi got a survey that called her Cindy Alvillar. Susi brought along her friend Debbie for the next day's shower. The six of us had a reservation at Oceanaire that night. It was a cool place with an attentive waiter. Susi even got us baked alaska for dessert!

The walk back was gorgeous. Denver has great architecture. Cindy, Paul and I took a walk the next morning so I continued my photo op. The baby shower, hosted by Amy, Susi and niece Jordan for niece Leslie was later that morning.

check out the trees on the roof

 

We walked by Oceanaire - love Paul and Cindy's reflections

You can't tell but that is purple lettering and relief on this building - the green car is wearing a boot

 

 

 



Great Auntie

I know I'm a great auntie...but now I'm really going to be one. And the little bambino will have Bullock blood in his veins. It's so exciting!

Paul and I have wonderful nieces and nephews - from his oldest nephew Tom, who has to be closing in on 50 years of age to my youngest nephew David who is 15. On Paul's side we have lots of great nieces and and nephews too. The oldest graduated from college already! And there is another on the way in Kansas City.

Susi's step son David (who has been a part of our fam since he was three) and his wife Ashley had a son, Jonah a year ago. He's adorable. My niece Jordan keeps me updated with photos and videos - he just started walking.

Not too long after the sadness of my brother-in-law Bolder's death due to prostate cancer that went viral, my niece Leslie and her husband Jordan announced they were expecting. You may recall their fabulous wedding in Pasadena where they live. I blogged about it. (My life is an open blog) Amy was a bridesmaid, and many of my relatives were there. We had such fun in Santa Monica with Cindo and Bolder and Amy before the big day too.

I won't ever forget when Leslie was born (July 17 - she had been due on the 10th) - it was a highlight in my life, a year before my own special daughter Amy was born, a month before Cindy got married. Paul and I were married and living in Osage, Iowa at the time, but I was traveling Monday through Friday in Wisconsin - flying out each week from Mason City on a prop airplane to Minneapolis and changing planes to fly to Green Bay. I was in my hotel bed when Dad called to say "It's a girl! Leslie Patricia." The first grandchild. Special Special as Alberta Foster used to say on Creston Radio.

Leslie married a great guy in Jordan Lopez, and now he's going to be a great daddy. I don't think he'll be there this weekend when we get together in Denver for a baby shower for my niece. Amy, Jordan and sister Susan are hosting it at a tea room there. Sister Cindy, Aunt Marty and my cousin Amy will be there, along with other friends of Susi's and Leslie's. I can't wait to hug that little momma and the rest of my family.

Sadness
My heart goes out to Moore, Oklahoma - hit by a twister. Children were killed at school - how tragic. Is there no end to tragedies this year?

Weeping Willow

I went for a short bike ride today after I finished up my work week. I rode west on the trail, under Jordan Creek Drive, just south of a line of homes lined by trees. One is a large weeping willow. I started thinking about a similar tree that had a big impact on my life.

When I was growing up, we treated our neighbors' yards like our own. There were few fences back then. The Duttons had a fence and we decided the big rock in the back yard must be the grave stone of old Mrs. Dutton's departed husband. We'd stand on a rung of the fence and peer in between the ivy. The Browns had a partial fence too, to protect their garden. Most of the others on our side of the block (it was a big one) had wide open yards. We traipsed through all of them.

The first next door neighbors I remember at 202 Crombie were the Germains - Jack and Phyllis with their children, Margie, Dorothy, Johnny and Barbie. They were all older than me and they moved away when I was little. I didn't know it - but Phyllis was something of a celeb!

Golf Hall of Fame
Phyllis Germain

She once beat Babe Didrickson in a golf game. Her daughter, Dorothy went on to play professional golf too. I didn't realize her sister-in-law was one of her competitors. Perhaps that is how she met Jack, her husband.

When the Germains moved away, a family named the Mahoneys moved in briefly. The only thing of note that I remember about them is that one of their kids burned or threatened to burn one of us with a car cigarette lighter and Dad got really mad and punched him.

Then the Reinertsons moved in. Their kids were one grade older or younger than each of us. Plus they had a boy - Donnie stuck in there. They were great neighbors and we entertained each other better than any electronics ever could. In nice weather we rarely went indoors. There was a sandbox and our playhouse and the "woods" near our house. Technically the woods couldn't really be considered woods - more like a 7 yard wide strip of trees, bushes and undergrowth. We could be anything there - pioneers, space explorers, secret agents. I loved climbing trees.

Reinertsons had a pretty nice swing set with jungle gym bars plus that willow tree. It was like a siren - calling to us. "Swing on me!" We used the branches for a variety of things. Whips, of course. I'm sure Mom had to solve many a whip-related incident. We also made them into bridles when we played horses. Susi broke her wrist swinging off the tree - so that activity became taboo!

The willow tree in West Des Moines doesn't look like it gets that much action. It can dream though.

Water Park in WDM

Bike trail signs help direct me. This one runs along EP True just north of the mall

I liked my little ride down memory lane. I'd forgotten what cool neighbors we had. I'm looking forward to getting to know our new neighbors here.

Deep stuff about loss and death - in a novel

I written before about the author William Kent Krueger - his Cork O'Connor series. I like how he mixes a bit of religion and American Indian spiritualism along with good plots. The characters are likable people - ones you'd like to know.

 

So I was interested when I saw in the New York Times that he had a new book out.

 

 

 

Ordinary Grace - that isn't about Cork and family. I picked it up a couple weeks ago and began reading it Sunday. If you know me, you know I buzz through books quickly - faster than I would like really. That's why I enjoy listening to them so much - readers don't skip words. Anyway - I read the important stuff, and this book didn't disappoint - it had some. I'd like to share it with you.

 

The book is set in the viewpoint of a young boy in a Minnesota town in the early 1960's. So I could relate to the way he described life. His father was a minister - very similar to my family. You know - my dad sold undies. (just seeing if you were paying attention).

 

No spoiler alert - but something bad happens, and the Reverend must preach, despite his own personal sorrow and loss. Here is what he said at a funeral:  

I don’t mean to plagiarize – these are the author's words, if not directly quoted, pretty darn near…

What’s left when that which we love most has been taken?

3 profound blessings – in his first letter to Corinthians, Saint Paul tells us: faith, hope and love. These gifts, which are the foundation of eternity, God has given to us.

We have complete control over them – even in darkest night it’s still in our power to have faith. We can still embrace hope. And though we still may feel unloved – we can be steadfast in our love for others and God.

 

God gave us these gifts and he (she? That's me questioning God's sex...) doesn’t take those gifts back. It is we who choose to discard them.

In your dark night I urge you to hold onto your faith, to embrace hope and to bear your love before you like a burning candle – it will light the way.

 

That's the end of my quotes from that section. Powerful stuff, huh?

 

And later - at the end of the book, there is another character who is a fleeting one, not well developed but on the edges. The main character speaks to him about dead people.

The Indian says to him -

They’re never far from us you know. Who?  

The dead. No more’n a breath. You let that last one go and you’re with them again.

 

How true...how true.

Biker Chick

The Des Moines Bike Collective is Changing Greater Des Moines 2 wheels at a time!
Their Website

That's their motto. It's a non-profit, made up of a bunch of great people who care about bikes and the earth. When I heard about the place, I knew that would be a good option to get Chiya, my Little Sis, a bike, as biking is an activity we'd like to do together. Our new home is right on a bike trail - and there are many miles of trails all around Des Moines.

The first time I looked it up on the Net, the Bike Collective Store was in downtown DSM. Then my co-worker Scott told me they were moving to the East Village near my office. Yay. A couple weeks ago I walked down during lunch and checked the place out - it was still in progress. But the guy behind the counter gave me some good news. If I could get a letter from the Big Sis program people, Chiya could get a bike at no charge!

I spoke to Chiya's grandma Valerie first, before talking to her about a bike. I wanted to make sure Valerie was okay with Chiya having one. She was good with it! So C and I talked about it the weekend before, when we went out for pizza. She seemed enthused about the idea.

Chiya was at a "sleepover" Friday night, so I didn't pick her until 1 p.m. Saturday - when she told me she hadn't gone to sleep until 6 a.m. I'd forgotten about those. We called them slumber parties in my day. The key themes - little sleep, and the first to sleep gets "pranked". Chiya said they threw hot dog chunks on the unlucky gal. We did mean things like put toothpaste on them. Some things don't change...

Despite the party, Chiya seemed pretty alert when we got to the Bike Collective. It was a busy place too - we weren't the only ones with the bike idea, even though it was chilly out. A nice guy helped us pick out a refurbished bike and directed us to a parking lot so C could test ride it. I thought she should check out at least one more bike, but the first one was her fave. Then, because we had the magic letter from Big Sis, they presented Chiya with a helmet, bike chain, head/tail lights and a trail map - all at no charge. What a nice thing for this organization to do for kids!

She was pretty excited, but is hiding it well. The two gentlemen in the background helped us - nice guys!

  To celebrate, we decided to go to Zombie Burger down the street for a shake. First we loaded the bike and other stuff in my car. I had a Smores shake and C had chocolate cake.

She doesn't look too worried that the zombie is going to get her

We were lucky Chiya's grandaddy was in the yard when we got back to her house - he helped us unload the bike. Chiya wanted to know when we were going to go ride our bikes. Guess Paul needs to get that bike rack put on his car! I'm looking forward to hitting the trails soon with her.

Sunday, unfortunately, I must have opened up that crack in my tooth again because hot food gave me a "zing!" I first did it last summer before we went to Cannon Beach and Dr. Dave Buck fixed me up before we left for our vaca. I should have known that he told me to chew on the other side for a reason. I searched our church bulletin for dentists and called one first thing this a.m. I fear there is a root canal and a crown in store for me...

Scenes from lunch today - taken with my new phone camera.


Buffalo fountain on the west steps of the State Capitol

West side of State Capitol

Parenthood - we muddled through it

Our children didn't eat the healthiest meals. Amy tells people about our dirty little foodie secret - we ate Hamburger Helper. Heck - I admit it. The meals were easy and fast. Stroganoff, goulash, and cheeseburger - they tasted good, so the kids liked them. They also ate lots of spaghetti and pork chops/chicken and rice, grilled cheese, and soup. Your basic meat and potatoes. We'd serve vegetables with these meals, but it was tough getting Jud to eat them. I think we had the best luck with canned corn. Amy was more adventuresome.

 

It must have been "make a funny face" photo

We allowed them to order Happy Meals at McDonald's - before they were healthy. They loved the prizes and the fries. I bought sugary cereals - like Cap'n Crunch, Fruit Loops and another fave of mine - Lucky Charms. They're magically delicious, ya know. I grew up on the stuff and still like it today. We got Cheerios and Pop Tarts too. On weekends Paul sometimes made pancakes and eggs.

I was the baker - A & J helped me crack eggs for chocolate chip cookies. Sometimes they'd crack them right on the counter, missing the bowl. I'd try not to be impatient with the extra mess. It took extra work - I'd have to grit my teeth not to snap, as I'm not the most patient person in the world. I've written before about how rolling out Christmas cookies put me over the edge. Amy recalls how I threw the dough at the wall one year. Happy Holidays!

Loved those Easter outfits

Amy and Jud were lucky in the play department. I liked doing that! We went to lots of parks - we'd all get stir crazy at home. McKinley Park in Creston had a fun (and unsafe) kids area with a little swinging bridge and gliding animals that could knock unsuspecting kids down or unconscious. School playgrounds, Green Valley State Park and Rainbow Park - we liked them all. I loved pushing the kids on the swing. We also took Amy and Jud to cool playgrounds in other towns. Our dog Moki thought he was one of the kids. He'd go down slides with them.

Speaking of Moki - we made sure the kids grew up with pets. I know it's not for everyone, but I'm an animal person. It wasn't always easy for Amy and Jud to have Moki as a doggy brother. When he was 6 he starting drinking lots of water - and was eventually diagnosed as diabetic. I cried - thinking it was "curtains" for him. But no - we worked with our vet Dr. Brus to get him normalized on insulin. Everyone in the family eventually learned to give him the shots he needed twice a day. And we all had to make sure he didn't get any food besides his doggy food. Moki lived to age 13, followed by Odie - a plain but good hearted girl. Samantha the Pantha kitty was Amy's birthday gift when she was in 3rd grade. She lasted until last year bless her lil kitty heart.

I suppose I yelled at Amy and Jud too much. We attended parenting classes when Amy was 2 and learned to give "time outs" instead of spanking. Even so, at times I lost my temper and reverted to my childhood training of a whack on the backside. I hope my children weren't permanently traumatized. Amy was very stubborn and could last on our timeout bench for a long time before she would apologize for a transgression. Jud had to be relegated to his room - his 3 year old self would go into such tantrums, it was scary. Or he'd stop breathing and Paul would shake him and we'd yell "breathe" when he'd turn blue. I'm glad he grew out of that stage!

Looking back, it's amazing our kids grew up as well-adjusted as they did. Probably despite of everything we did rather than because of...
I like to read our niece Katie's blog about raising her children. The blog along with hearing my co-worker Becky's stories about her kids' antics bring back so many memories of the stages of child rearing.

This morning the CBS Morning Show featured a Mom who adopted a baby from Africa. The little girl turned out to have a severe heart defect. They tried to treat the problem once she arrived in the U.S., but she lived only 33 days and passed away recently. But the family loved her so well during her short time here - in photos she looked so happy to have a mom. I sobbed thinking of our baby Patrick - who died due to a heart defect after only 6 days of life in 1991. Stories like that bring it all back. I scared Odie with my antics! She had to get up from our chair - poor puppy. I would have liked a longer chance to mother Patrick.

Happy Mother's Day to my mom, Pat Bullock. I miss your strength, humor and intelligence. Thanks to my children who sent a nice gift, and for making me a proud mother every day. And to Pablo - who left me a nice and funny card today - and I'm not even his mother!

Pinochio-ette

I know...I detest the "ette" thing. But I wanted to express my feelings in just one word, and that did it.

Just like Pinochio became a real boy. It's happened to me. As I did errands yesterday, I came to the conclusion - much to my lament - that I've become such a real girl. Not as girlie as my sis Betso, but pretty girlie just the same. Look at me getting my toenails done.

I'm will have to break down and have my fingernails done too, as stress from grieving (darn you Dad and Bolder) have done numbers on my thumbnails. They split, and just won't grow out right. They they snag on everything - I can't stand it. I need to have a professional show me how to shape them, and cover with clear polish. I'm not THAT girlie - no colored fingernail polish for me!

No flowers this time - just lines!

I never thought that would happen. I think it's been the Des Moines influence. When I started working up here, and after the kids graduated. That's when I stopped spending my time on them (it's all about me now, uh huh). Plus I purchased a bit of makeup after the pedi - no not the department store kind, I'm not going that far. I make these kinds of purchases when Paul isn't with me. He still isn't used to "new" Leslie and is amazed at the prices of all the girlie accessories.

I now get my hair "styled" instead of cut, and actually use a blow dryer and a flat iron - though not very well. No seriously ugly gray brown for me! If only it were a pretty gray like others get. So nature isn't taking its course anytime soon for this girl. Chemical enhancement is my friend.

And there is my shoe/purse jones. I must have always had this inside me - but I held it in while we purchased countless sports shoes each season for Amy and Jud (basketball, football, volleyball, softball/baseball) plus school shoes for them. I am thrifty about my "shoe thing" and get really good deals. I watch for sales, and love Marshalls. Paul just can't believe one person should have several pair of loafers, sandals, etc. (He didn't think he married a girl like this...) I still don't hold a candle to many gals. And I still love my comfy shoes best. He's been a pretty good sport about it - because he has a hunting equipment jones...

Paul and I rode our bikes on the WDM bike trail Tuesday night, turning south on the trail near Jordan Creek School. We ended up at West Glen.


Near West Glen - new homes

 

Last night I went for a walk with a new friend, Pam. She works for NRCS - Paul has known her for many years. In fact she was at our baby Patrick's funeral. But I didn't really know her until now. We went for a walk around Raccoon River Lake on Grand - it was a beautiful afternoon and lots of people were out and about. It's nice to get to know someone new - and to find a new place to go. I'd been to the event center there before, but didn't know about the trail, and didn't really look at the lake before. Pablo and I will have to get the kayaks out on that lake!

When I got home Paul and I went to our hangout - Legends on Ashworth. I feel comfy there. It's not too plush and new (like me). I took a couple photos with my new phone - yep, I got the Samsung 4G. I am most excited about the camera capabilities. You know how I like to take pics!

Sirloin special - $12.99 - very tasty! Martini not bad either

The place was busy at 7pm but no waiting - that's what I like!

Incredible Time

The pizza was just okay. Early last week, I made a date with my Little Sis Chiya to go to the Urbandale Pizza place Incredible Pizza on Sunday. It's like Chucky Cheese, but for a bit older kids - featuring go-carts, glow in the dark mini golf, mini bowling and bumper cars - along with video games.

I think she was pretty excited to go to Incredible Pizza. I was pleased about that - especially after the art center fiasco the last time we got together - she was way older than the other kids - the rest of them were age 8 and under. We did have some laughs - chuckling at some of the art. We kept walking by this sculpture of this one skinny head that we got a kick out of. I'm rusty at this figuring out activities to do with a 12-year old stuff! It's been a long time since I've had one. After that outing I texted Chiya to say "thanks for being a good sport about today" she messaged me back to say - so nicely, "you're welcome". I thought it was cute.

We got to "Incredible" right at 4 p.m. Sunday when the special price deal started. Only it's not all THAT special since they leave lots of the good video games out of it - so we had to look at a list to see just what we were eligible to play.

Chiya tried to act cool, but I could tell - she wanted to drive the go-carts first. There was only a short wait and we were off!

This pic says it all - look at that grin! She was a speed demon too. The second time she went - later after we ate, she beat everyone!

Chiya - o Andretti

 

We played about everything we were eligible for. And yes, she beat me. Golf, bowling, air hockey, air guitar, bumper cars, video motorcycle races and more. The food wasn't great - but the ice cream with crunchy chocolate chip cookies was the best part.

I'm sitting on a boot

Bumper Cars

I was tired at the end of 2 hours - and the place was getting more crowded and loud! Time for us to make our exit.I always enjoy our drive time as a good time to chat. It's mostly me chatting and her nodding and agreeing. She's always thanks me when I drop her off - she has very good manners!

Chiya gave me a nice "Mother's Day" card - especially for sisters. (I think her Grandma Valerie helped with that.) It was really nice of her. I texted her to thank her and she texted back "!!!" That must be 12 year old speak...
Thanks again to the Big Sis program for allowing me to hang out with my little buddy.

Coffee Jones

I think it was my grandma, Zora Clayton Stewart Bullock - aka Momo, who introduced me to coffee. She stayed with us a few times when I was young, and Mom and Dad were out of town. She drank coffee, just like Mom, but at breakfast time she encouraged me to try it. She added lots of milk and sugar. And instead of Cap'n Crunch I had toasted Wonder Bread, slathered in butter that I'd dip into the marvelous stuff. It was a fun and different treat for when Momo stayed with us!

My Mom enjoyed coffee too. Remember those perking coffee pots? We had one of those, like everyone did. They made interesting noises, but took forever to brew coffee. One time at our house, someone forgot to put the top on the pot, and it perked all the way up the the ceiling! I remember how funny I thought that was. Perk!

Then Mom when through her "Zen" age. She got a funky coffee press with a filter and a decanter that sat on the stove. It was all very complicated...I don't know if it tasted any better, but she thought she was very sophisticated! After a while though, she got tired of all the time the system took and went to a Mr. Coffee system.

I never became a big coffee drinker despite that yummy coffee, milk, sugar concoction. In college, roomie Vicki and I picked up some instant coffee for late-night studying. It was before the microwave days - so we still had to boil water! I remember when Vic and I took Zoology together - we stayed up so late before a test that we became "slap-happy". I still smile today when I hear some of those scientific words for the various secretions the body makes...oh how we laughed due to our sleep deprevation.

I really didn't start drinking coffee again until I got married. To a guy who has a real coffee jones. He can't help it - it's in his genes and background. The Goldsmiths are farmers. They drink coffee 24/7 if you let them. He amazes me - he can drink the stuff until midnight and still sleep fine. Me? I'd better not sniff it after noon or I'll be buzzed for hours. Sometimes I can get jittery from just one cup! Deb and I used to get coffee at True Value in Creston (yes, in that town the coffee place is in a hardware store - they can multi-task. It's good too) on Sundays. Then I'd lay awake for hours that night. I had to go to decaf!

In 1986 when moved to Creston, the home of Bunn-O-Matic. Since then, we have been spoiled by coffee brewed instantly. I know experts look down on this method, but we lived and worked with the Bunn-ites! I toured the factory, that is the largest employor in town, several times - their break area has all of the good beverage. I worked to help the company reduce waste and recycle more. A couple years ago, when we needed a new hot water pot at the Wallace Building, I reached out to my pal Jeanne Piel, who staffs for Bunn through her employer Manpower, to get a reconditioned unit. So I've still got connections!

Paul used to be strickly a Folgers guy. These days he has learned to grind his own beans (since we bought Starbucks beans by mistake one time - so I ended up purchasing a grinder) and we're mostly Starbucks people. Who knew it made such a difference, until we started buying better coffee? Thanks to Momo, I still need creamer or milk in my coffee.

Today since Pablo is down south hunting wabbits (turkeys really), I treated myself to Starbucks - not a frequent thing for me. But in my mind, it's no better than that milky coffee Momo made.

Weigh in. How did you first start drinking coffee?

Week of 2 seasons

Paul took this cool photo on his way to work Friday morning. Who knew my guy had an inner photo artsy guy inside that gruff deer killer exterior?

New mural at Metro Waste Authority (E. 3rd and Locust)

Yep, snow. A sharp contrast to the pics I took earlier in the week when I was biking, and it was near 80 degrees.

The bridge on the bike trail near our house - Monday, April 29

Tuesday Paul and I rode to Bike World to pick up a few more accessories for the biking season.

Paul with Albie and his bike (un-named) outside Bike World

Wednesday was when the weather took a turn. It was the day we got to see my old friend (from afar) Gordon Lightfoot, in concert. We went home a little early so Odie could have some "us" time before we left again. I knew if rain/snow hit, she wouldn't be going outside much in the next few days.

We decided to try out a new restaurant downtown - Americana for a drink and appetizers.

 

We still had some time before door opened at the venue - the historic Hoyt Sherman Auditorium, near Methodist Hospital. Hoyt Sherman So we dropped by our fave, the Standard. I had one of their dessert martinis. Yum! 

By now the temp had dropped a lot - the winds were swirling. We were lucky to find a parking spot right on the block with Hoyt Sherman. Inside, volunteers showed us where our seats would be, and told us we could look around the art gallery attached. Paul took my pic with the beautiful young woman.

I wanted to see just what she was looking at...

They had wine and beer for sale, but we didn't partake. We found our seats and watched the auditorium fill up. The seats are small - built for 1900's people. By the time the show started, the place was full.

Right on time Gordie and 4 musicians entered. Sentimental old woman that I am, I got choked up when he played some of my favorites from the Gord's Gold double album. Yes, his voice is not strong. He may have fumbled through some of the lyrics - the guy is 75 years old! And his songs tell a story - they don't consist of a few lines repeated over and over. Right before the break, they sang "Sundown".

During the break, I got together with my longtime pal Roger Underwood. Paul had spotted him before the show started, and I'd texted him. We snapped this photo.

AHS Class of '76, Roger asked if I was surprised to see a Repub at the concert. I said, heck - I was a Repub when I started listening to Gordon Lightfoot!

 Gordon even did a costume change during the break - bless his heart! I had asked Roger if Gordon had on Roger's FFA jacket during the first set. (I know...always the smart ass). Finally he did "If You Could Read My Mind" The first and second verses go like this - I especially the second because of the book references:

If you could read my mind, love,
What a tale my thoughts could tell.
Just like an old time movie,
'Bout a ghost from a wishing well.
In a castle dark or a fortress strong,
With chains upon my feet.
You know that ghost is me.
And I will never be set free
As long as I'm a ghost that you can't see.
                                       
If I could read your mind, love,
What a tale your thoughts could tell.
Just like a paperback novel,
The kind the drugstores sell.
Then you reached the part where the heartaches come,
The hero would be me.
But heroes often fail,
And you won't read that book again
Because the ending's just too hard to take!

The background lighting was cool

This concert was unlike any other I have been to. People didn't dance, and hoot and holler much. The other band members were very stoic. The crowd was very polite - though I think there were a few drunks in the group. I'm glad we went - he's a musician for the ages.

By Thursday morning the snow was flying, but it wasn't yet sticking. Much - until Thursday night and Friday morning. It was in the 30s. In May!