Calvin Take Me Away

You gotta love SpellCheck.

No, not really. The app that fixes one's spelling "errors" seems to mess up what I'm trying to say more often than it helps. And it's so sneaky, sliding a change in stealthily after I've viewed text I'm ready to send. I'm sure SpellCheck laughs its ass off over how it dupes people into sending idiotic texts.

Last week my girlfriends and I were excited about gathering for our annual vacation. This year is special because we all turn 60. Most flew into Orlando on Thursday. Watson and I didn't arrive until Friday - to meet up with them for an evening flight to Key West. Paula was already on site in KW. On Thursday, Robyn, Sal, Pam, and Julia were trading group emails about meeting up. I was slogging through a series of work meetings, preoccupied with packing and my friends.

As our group text message string grew, I attempted to send a photo of the PowerPoint from my meeting. I typed "Calgon, Take Me Away" to go with it. SpellCheck changed Calgon to Calvin. Of course, I didn't notice it until later when someone else posted a reply. Ugh! Robyn said she knew what I meant. Watson said she wanted me to bring Calvin along - so this became a running joke. This group is witty and funny - a must for buddies. They fill my bucket. 

What about these bucket fillers? It all started 11 years ago with our 50th birthdays when we pulled a group together to honor our pal Theresa Faust, who had passed away. Since then we have grown to be fast friends - something I truly need at this stage of my life. They are my support and advice. Hey, it takes a lot to be a woman of our age.

We've been gathering each year since our 50th, sometimes at our class reunion in our hometown Atlantic. In addition to Nebraska and Iowa, we've been to Oregon, California, Florida, Texas, and Florida. For our 60th we chose Key West, Florida. Paula found a lovely townhouse on VRBO. It is on Stock Island, adjacent to Key West. The gang arrived on a prop airplane at about 6 PM on Friday night. Our pal Paula, trip planner extraordinaire, picked us up.

Our puzzle fits nicely

Have I mentioned what good cooks my friends are? Paula had purchased a grouper at a local fish market. She grilled it and Julia also performed some magic. We had fish tacos that night. The grouper melted in my mouth! Robyn is a super bartender. I am on cleanup duty. We had 60 cake and did a puzzle Paula made her own self. My talent is listening to audiobooks.

The next day we walked to the local Botanic Garden and sat by the pool in our complex. We had the place all to ourselves for a while. It was like our own little Atlantic Golf and Country Club pool.

Rob & Jules hydrate

That evening we wished to see the sunset from the pier, so we taxied down. Then we walked to Duval Street - the commercial happening spot on the island. I insisted on buying Red Headed Slut shots for all at the Smallest Bar. This was in honor of our 60th birthday. It's a fam tradition as I'd done this for my sister Cindo's 60th on my first visit to the island.

Love how the sun shines on us

So pretty! 

Smallest Bar - shots! 

The next day was a bit rainy. We paid for a tour bus to take us around the island. The driver was very knowledgeable about the history of the place. There are several military bases in the area, and we noted flyovers at Stock Island quite frequently. We hopped out and some of us visited the Butterfly and Nature Conservatory, where I felt like I was in a Disney movie. Paula and I walked over the KW Cemetery, but it was closed, and nobody hopped out of a grave to let us in.

After winter in Iowa, it was nice to see green plants and butterflies

The flamingo was trying to impress his mate

KW is full of chickens and a rooster woke us up each a.m. 

We ate at a Cuban restaurant that afternoon. I think the Cubano sannie in the East Village in DSM is just as good.

Hey there sailor! 

Monday was the day we celebrated our birthdays. Most of us are already 60, but Robyn's is coming up soon and Sal's is not until August. We took an 8-minute boat ride to Latitudes on Sunset Key for a lovely luncheon overlooking the most beautiful view anyone could wish for. I ordered a lobster roll, which was delicious. After lunch, we shared desserts, of course!

Giving Paula selfie lessons

Luncheon View! 

Sixty is grand!

After lunch, Paula and I decided to stay on Duvall and listen to music. We heard a good band at Sloppy Joe's - the older bar in town. The name came from how messy the place was from ice melting and the owner's name - not the sandwich. The gang stopped at the store. When we arrived back at the ranch, we ate shrimp and celebrated our last night together by playing Cards Against Humanity. I did not win - I think Pam was the come-from-behind victor.

In between all of our activities we spent time on our deck and watching the Olympics. We had discussions about our parents, health, jobs and volunteer activities. At one point there was a half pill on the table. Whose was it? We Nancy Drews figured it out. We talked about future plans. This stage of our lives is exciting and scary! It's best to be in it together. Cultivating friendships isn't always. But oh, the payoff is sweet. 

Aren't they adorable?  I adore them! 

On Tuesday three of us headed back to their real lives. Away from the rest of us. We remaining four carried on as best we could. We went to lunch at Hogfish. It was yummy. I love the open-air joints. We hit the pool one last time. Leftovers were on the menu that night. I hate that part. Cleaning out the frig, stripping the beds - all pointing at the reality. The party's over.

Marina on Strand Island

Flying sucks. I'm not a genius when it comes to traversing airports. I bumbled my way through Orlando (exiting and going back through security) yet still made my flight to Houston. My flight to DSM was delayed for two hours. Still, my honey collected me at the not quite DSM International airport at 11 PM that night. I was happy to see him and Odie. I was not happy to see the wintery Iowa weather and my job. Calvin. Take me away!

VIPs

Looking back, there have been many Very Important People (VIPS) who have touched my life when I needed a helping hand, guidance or maybe just a hint. Wayne Rodgers, my friend Sally's father, provided equine and life guidance when I was in those tender junior high hears especially. He was a great role model. Wayne, the General Manager of Walnut Grove Company in Atlantic, was an intelligent, quiet, mostly serious man who I looked up to. 

Me with Frosty - Wayne is in the background

When I was in 7th grade, my mom asked Wayne to help find me a horse. My parents (and grandparents) got me a horse for my birthday. He accepted that challenge, hunting down my first mare, Frosty. She was owned by a family in Yale, Iowa. Wayne and I drove together to pick her up. I was overjoyed to be getting a horse. I must have talked his ear off. One year later, the family wanted Frosty back, so I "traded up" for a 3-year-old registered quarter horse gelding they had by the name of Poco Hi Jack. Then my new young horse needed training - Wayne helped with that and he lined up all our horses (he/Sal had some too) medical and shoeing needs.

Wayne and I went on many a road trip together - sometimes with my friend Sally, other times it was just he and I. We talked about many things in life, but mostly stuck to horse talk. Years later, when Paul and I were dating, I was so pleased that he got to know Wayne and his lovely wife Anna Day when he helped Wayne build a shed at their home in Atlantic. Paul agrees with me. Wayne was a VIP - to many people.

I read today about another VIP. He meant a great deal to many young people at a school in Ohio. Dan Wirth was a custodian at the school. I read about him in a Washington Post Article. Mr. Wirth passed away recently after a short illness, and the students were saddened. He was a "security blanket" in their young lives.

Many of the students are from low-income families. They relied on Mr. Wirth as a "steady Eddie". He swept up messes and helped coordinate departures at the end of the school day. It sounds like he did his duties with a smile. I read that this man was a former steelworker and owner of an electronics store, who found himself working as a custodian. He might have considered that this job to be beneath his skill set. But he didn't. We need more Dan Wirths in our world. I'm sorry we lost him so soon. RIP.

I told Paul about this story, and we decided Creston has had a similar VIP gem in Darwin West, bus driver extraordinaire! Darwin drove bus routes and drove the bus for sports teams. He always had a bright smile for everyone - and a few smart comments.

I bet you have VIPs in your lives too. Take time to thank them - if you can. I get to see Wayne's daughter Sally soon. I'll tell her how much her father meant to me. 

Super game?

I was raised on football. Today is Super Bowl day. I don't have a favorite but will pull for the underdog Eagles. Paul and I listened to the audiobook "Silver Linings Playbook" recently. You may have seen the movie the book was based on. The main character in the book is a huge Eagles fan, which encourages me to appreciate the team, its fans and the "Fly Eagles Fly" song.

I grew up watching football on TV and at the Trojan Bowl, where our school team played. Sure insert condom jokes if you want to. We Trojan fans are used to it! The Atlantic Trojans were good at football - especially in the 60's and 70's. In the 60's, our team featured the great Eddie Podolak, who went on to star for the Iowa Hawkeyes (I cheered for them too, once upon a time). Then he went on to play for the Kansas City Chiefs. He now does color for the Hawkeye football games - wearing his black and gold heart on his sleeve (tongue).

AHS teams seemed to always be at the top of the conference. Coaches sent players went on to college teams. Just this year, I read that our former A-town neighbor Tom Hayes is retiring as defensive coordinator at Kansas State University, after a long career as a player and coach. Football was in the Atlantic water. 

So proud of my football jersey

I don't have any brothers but was (am?) what used to be called a "tomboy".  I'm not sure that term is even proper anymore. I knew that beyond the backyard and Powder Puff variety, I'd never get to play the game in any real sense. That didn't stop me from asking for a football for my birthday. I'd punt it in my backyard and run and catch it! Behind Tyler's house, up the hill from Buck's, there was an open space where we used to put together neighborhood games. I liked being the wide receiver. Sue Tyler made a good QB. 

My family worshipped television. When I see homes where the TV isn't a main feature in the living room, I think, "whaaaat is this about?" Sure, an office or library without a television - makes perfect sense. But the room where one lives? No way. Our own home features a big TV, just how we like it.

I have fond memories of watching football with my family - including my grandparents Momo and Bubba. They too worshipped the TV god. We'd go to their place for "drinks". I remember watching the Dolphins vs. the Chiefs when Eddie played. The Fins came out on top of the longest NFL game ever played. My grandma, Momo loved the Viking's Fran Tarkenton and Roger Staubach of the Cowboys. Had a thing for the QBs, I guess. 

I don't know what the future of football is. Head injuries are a major concern. How can some players go through life not showing the trauma from head injuries, yet other are so damaged? More work needs to be done to change the game - or it may just fade away as parents quit funneling their boys into it. And Millennials paying for cable TV.

Meanwhile, I continue to be a fan. College football is my passion. And tailgating! I'm a winner at that - thanks to our Cyclone tailgating pals.

Go team!