Can't Go For That, No Can Do

Hall & Oates is (are?) coming to Des Moines next Monday night. I've been a fan since the late 1970's. I'm not sure who introduced me to this duo, but I purchased and fell in love with the Abandoned Luncheonette album (yes, real vinyl), before the group reached more Top-40 acclaim.

College years with Vic and Robyn

The album's headliner song lyrics resonated then as they do now.

They sat in an abandoned luncheonette
Sipping imaginary cola and drawing faces in the tabletop dust
His voice was rusty from years as a sergeant in "this man's army"
They were old and crusty

She was twenty when the diner was a baby
He was the dishwasher, busy in the back, his hands covered with
Gravy
Hair black and wavy
Brilliantine slick, a pot - cleaning dandy
He was young and randy

Day to day, to day today
Then they were old, their lives wasted away
Month to month, year to year
They all run together

Time measured by the peeling of paint on the luncheonette wall

They sat together in the empty diner

Filled with cracked china

Old news was blowing across the filthy floor

And the sign on the door read "this way out", that's all it read

That's all it said

I was nineteen or twenty years old when I fell in love with this song and the lyrics. Already realizing the nostalgia for times past. I wasn't in Atlantic anymore - I was a big college girl with a world ahead of me. But I've always been one to value my roots - maybe too much sometimes. I have to fight the urge to hold on to things sometimes. There's much worth grasping to my heart. And some I should toss.

I can't wait for the concert. Paul wasn't even my boyfriend when I discovered this band. We'll have a great time watching (and singing along) to them together. 

Old pic of Amy with college roomies Jenna and Rachelle

Amy is coming for a visit later this week. Her college roomie, Rachelle, is having her bachelorette celebration in Des Moines. Amy and I are planning to do some shopping. Mama needs a wedding dress! We are looking forward to time with our girl. Amy loves her college buddies - they'll be her bridesmaids in August. Some things (people) are worth hanging onto. 

The Next Stage of Life

The City of Creston lost a favorite son, my friend Linda lost her husband, the Landers children lost a father, and I (and lots of others) lost a friend. Michael (Mick) Landers passed away recently. He was the assistant fire chief in Creston, so his send off was magnificent. Mick died after a valiant battle against evil colon cancer. He was only 51.  

Paul and I attended the visitation where two firemen stood guard as he lay in state. It was comforting to see so many familiar faces at the funeral home. My friend Jeanne now works there - she'll be a great comfort to grieving families. She's such a warm wonderful person. 

Mick's family was lined up to greet people. They were doing pretty well, considering. I blubbered. Geez. At least I'm a good hugger. I really liked that guy. So did lots of others, judging by the line at the funeral home - which included several of our friends. We ended up catching supper with them. At times like that, it's very comforting to be surrounded by friends. 

I didn't really know Mick until somehow I talked him into working part-time for the Union County Landfill with me back in the early 2000's. He was trained to handle household hazardous waste and I needed a buddy to help me do that. And drive a truck with a trailer. We spent many hours together driving to Bedford, Mount Ayr, Atlantic and Audubon to collect drums and boxes of material. 

Those trips also involved hunting down local diners in search of pie! Of course, we spent time trading kid/parenting stories and many other topics along the way. I learned that he was a very honorable single dad, a hard worker, and an all around nice guy. Then he started dating my pal, Linda. Soon love was in the air! I was so happy for both of them when they married. 

Life is mysterious. I don't know what happens next. Mick was a man of faith and I know he is someplace good. After the funeral at the church, the Creston fire station did a ceremony that included the last call. It was heart-wrenching. RIP my friend. 

  

Happy Anniversary!

I can't believe it's been a year since these marvelous young people tied the knot. Jud and Kara's wedding day was a beautiful event. What's been even better has been watching these two make their lives together in the past year. The two have been together since college. Marriage looks good on them!

Today was a beautiful day, just like we were blessed with one year ago. I couldn't help but think about what we were doing one year ago - loved ones were assembled, dressed up in our pretty clothes, hearing the vows, celebrating and finally dining, dancing and drinking. Just a bit.

The wedding was so pretty, they have used pics from the event in their brochure! #fairytalewedding. 

Jud and Kara spent the day hiking in the park where Jud proposed. They took a picnic and even had some wedding cake - fresh from the bakery (not frozen like we used to do). They exchanged paper gifts. Next month they are going on a trip to England, Ireland, and Scotland. In addition to the usual site-seeing, Jud is fired up to see his fave soccer team in action. Compromise in action! See, this relationship is made to last. 

One of the other memorable things about Jud and Kara's wedding was what happened the day after. Amy's boyfriend Corey Park asked Paul and me if he could marry our daughter. Gulp! It was really sweet and of course, we said yes. We had to wait for him to pop to Q to her in May. 

Now here we are, a year later, counting down to their wedding day in August. Next year I look forward to seeing that comfortable "married" look on them too. 

For all the "Days"

Before I left for our annual Florida vacation, Facebook notified me that it was Crayola Day. Man, that brought back some memories. The 24  and 48 packs - new for school each year. Such potential! Worksheets and coloring contests ahead. How about the 64 packs with the sharpener in the back?

I lamented that though I was an eager colorer, I was not the best. Our artistic sister Cindo ruled in that department. Sister Betsy reminded me that, reminiscing about when we road-tripped to Florida a couple summers in the late 1960's - Mom with her four girls. Dad flew in later. The three of us younger girls were in the back seat while Susi and Mom drove. Armed with paper and Crayolas, Cindy made us paper dolls and colored them. #socool. She was ahead of her time - Etsy-worthy.

Gang's all here

Early in April this year, I was back in Florida and it was Sibling Day. And I was with my sib, the famous coloring artist, Cindo. Oh, how I look forward to that annual trek. It nearly didn't happen this year because the condo we've been renting was sold. Fortunately, our connection came up with another unit in Mom and Dad's building. Each year I appreciate it more - the opportunity to hang out with my sister, nephew, and husband on a beautiful beach.

Me and my sibling

Colby took this shot poolside

Florida is my recharge time. We don't do much while we're there. Paul and Colby fished a couple days. We walked on the beach nearly every day - #10,000 steps baby. To mix it up this year we visited the Everglades for an airboat ride and even saw a gator dozing in the sun.

Happy Place

My favorite thing, besides catching up with Colby (who brought us some of his newly developed product, Bold Hot Sauce, label designed by Amy Goldsmith) and Cindy, was sitting on the 17th-floor deck reading, overlooking the beach and pool. That is my happy place.

Paul and friend

A ten-day vacation was perfect as I was ready to go home. Cindy had the exciting ride with a plane with broken flaps - and emergency landing in Houston. All calm for us, except for one excited elderly doggy! It's always good to sleep in my own bed. Work awaited. And the whole politics thing...

Glad it's a weekend already!