Mid Summers Dream

Our summer has been full of great adventures and I want to share one of them with you.


In late July we were able to take Bella and Grace to visit Judy's Aunt Gerry and Uncle Louie in Mancelona, which is in upper Michigan. While we were there we took a day trip to Mackinac Island. For those who aren't familiar, Mackinac Island is located between the Upper and Lower peninsula of Michigan. No cars are allowed on the island and the only way to get around is either by bike or horse and buggy.

All visitors to the island are called "fudgies" because one of the main attractions on the island are the dozens of fudge shops located on main street. It is not a successful trip unless you eat about a pound of fudge while there.

We posed for pictures with the Mackinaw Bridge which connects the Lower and Upper Peninsulas.

The bridge is 5 miles long.

One of the first things we did was get a horse and buggy. The girls both

drove while I just kept my eyes closed.

The horse was named "Big Bob" and he was big !!!!

It started to drizzle but spirits were never dampened.

For Judy and I this September will be our 20th wedding anniversary. We were married on Mackinac Island by the mayor of the island at the Windermere Hotel by Margaret Doud.

She owns the Windermere hotel and when we walked into the hotel to show the girls where we were married she was standing right there in the lobby. The girls got to meet her and ask her about the wedding. We told them all about that day, how cold and windy it was and showed them the spot in the sun room where the ceremony was. It was a very special for Judy and I to be able to share it with the girls.

In front of the Windermere.

You have to take a boat ride to get on and off the island.

Grace trying on a hat in one of the many gift shops.

Main Street. Bikes and horses.

Isabella is getting so grown up.

Leaving the island as it gets dark.

This was the highlight of the summer for us. It difficult to express how much the trip meant to us.

Life is great.

Let the Boating begin ....

We have finally got the boat in the water. When the boat would not start I attempted to fix the problem myself. After unsuccessfully working on the motor I had it taken to a marina where they fixed what was really wrong with the boat and also repaired what I had tried to fix.

All's well that floats well.

On Friday we went to dinner with Kate and Roger to Andiamo's in Rochester and then went to a play, Jeckle and Hyde, at the Avon Theatre. A good friend of ours, Jeff Stillman had a part in the play. It was a musical version and was done very well. After the play we returned to Kate and Roger's house to watch the 7th game of the Stanley Cup. Detroit versus Pittsburgh. The Red Wings lost 2-1 and now that the season is over and we can resume what little normalcy we have to our lives. Better luck next year.

Polly went to New York for a wedding with her sister Sarah and Mark stayed on their boat with the girls on Friday night. But by Saturday the girls asked Mark if they could stay at Camp Ortonville with us. Of course we said yes. On Sunday morning the girls wanted to do more things than we had time to do. They got up watched cartoons, had waffles for breakfast, went into the hot tub, went for a bike ride, made water balloons, played with water from the hose, and wanted to go for a boat ride.

Watching cartoons is exhausting work.

Waffles are becoming an Ortonville Tradition.

I'm never sure who has more fun.

The ammo.

All Grace needed was a balloon and a puddle of water.

Water and a driveway... What fun.

We had a wonderful time on the boat even though the water was freezing. We got the girls back to Mark tired and hungry. Sorry Mark. We got back home exhausted from too much fun.

I received an e-mail from a friend with an article on diet and exercise. It ended with the following advice:

'Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways - Chardonnay in one hand - chocolate in the other - body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming 'WOO HOO, What a Ride'

Life is Good.

Life is just Blogging along.

It's been a little while since I last wrote. Retirement is not easy. It is is amazing how anything ever got done while I was working, cause nothing gets now that I'm not.

Since last I wrote much has happened and it would be a long boring list to anyone who actually reads this. But since I realize so many people just hang on all the things I write ( Who am I kidding? ) I'll list a few.

Of course the Grand-daughters always top the list of things I comment on. Sadly Judy and I have not been over to see them as much as we want to. I cannot imagine being as far away as some their other Grandparents are and not being able to just go and see them when-ever we want to. Sorry Dick and Nancy and Steve. When we see them we will kiss them both for you guys.

Two weeks ago Dick and Nancy were in town from Maryland.

Nancy and Judy

Dick and Grace

While they were here Isabella had a music recital at her school. We all attended and of course Bella was the best child at the performance. She sang with the class, performed on the xylophone and dressed up for a musical number with part of her class. Such talent and only 8 years old !!!

Not sure what was really going on here. Bella is in the Black and White wig.

Two of the cutest girls in the audience.

Since that time we have been busy. I'm trying to get our pontoon boat into the water, but had trouble getting it started. My brother Steve tried helping me and after no luck starting it I decide that he carburetors needed to be rebuilt. When that didn't work I called a marina and had it taken to them to be fixed. They told me that it was the ignition and since someone messed up the carburetors ( I didn't tell them it was me ) they need to be fixed as well. If warm weather gets here I will be ready.

Last week-end I had my annual golf outing near Battle Creek. This is the 25 th year I have been going with my golf buddy Mark. He organizes the 4 day tournament. We play at the Gull Lake golf courses, it's called the Ham-bone Invitational. Our four-some plays to see who pays for a ham we bring along for breakfast, and a traveling trophy. We won it this year. Did not play well but as always had a great time.

Judy spent the long week-end in Mancelona with her sister Sandy. Visiting her Aunt, Uncle and cousins. It was cold and Judy complained that they didn't even have a campfire while up North.

Yesterday I played golf in an outing put on by my High School, St. Ambrose in Detroit. It's for graduates from all years and I golfed with 3 guys I have not really talked to in almost 40 years. I had a great time reminiscing with these guys. Talk was about family and work but it was mostly about playing football since 2 of the guys were Michigan All-State players in 1968. We had a pretty good team back then for a small school. We lost only 1 game in 4 years.

The best news is about Judy. She has been seeing a neurologist about her headaches and after trying several medications she has found one that seems to be helping. It's called Topamax. It's side effects are dizziness but the Dr. says that will subside. Judy had another angiogram Thursday at Harper hospital to check the coiling and stent she had done in March. Everything is still in place and the doctors are happy with what they saw. This is finally some good news for Judy. She has suffered so much since January.

Life is Good in Ortonville.

Mother's Day ... Different but good.

Mothers Day 2009

Judy and I made plans to celebrate Mother's Day with Mark, Polly, the girls and Deanna by going out to brunch. We went to Mark and Polly's early so we could spend some time with them. We hadn't seen the kids for a whole week.

Judy told me that she will always remember when Mark and Deanna were just kids, and on Mother's Day morning they told her to stay in bed because they wanted to make her breakfast in bed. She said listening to them argue in the kitchen over who would make what and who was burning the bacon, is still one of her best memories of Mother's Day.

When we arrived the girls gave Judy a handmade ceramic vase with their hand prints and fingerprints pressed into side. The vase was filled with pink geraniums .. it is beautiful.

Mark made us mimosa's and we toasted Judy and Polly for Mother's Day. Deanna and Mike came over shortly after and we rushed over to Kruse and Muir for brunch.
We had a great time exploring the buffet tables as we waited to be called to sit down. The girls spotted the dessert table first and were planning exactly what toppings they wanted on their ice cream. Gummy bears, caramel sauce, Oreo cookies, sprinkles, even I could hardly wait.


After we were seated we almost ran for the buffet. So much to choose from, such small plates. Everything was fantastic. Creme Brulee french toast, pancakes with strawberries and special sauce, Parmesan talapia, Maryland chicken, special Troy eggs, sausage, bacon, it went on and on and so did we. The girls ate almost everything there. Grace couldn't be talked into trying the shrimp cause her Mom doesn't eat them, so neither does she. We all ate like it was our last meal.



After brunch we were full but the girls did not forget dessert. I helped Isabella and Grace make their ice cream sundae's with all the available toppings including the gummie bears.

Her Favorite Dad

What a lovely Couple !!!

Deanna and Mike

We really had a wonderful time and the food was great.

This is hockey Stanley Cup playoff time. So with the Red Wings in contention we returned home where Judy's sister Sandy and her family were suppose to come over to watch the hockey game. They didn't make it so we watched the Wings beat the Anaheim Ducks in game 5. Even though we were full from dinner we had to have the our traditional good luck popcorn during the game. We won the game 4-1.

This is the first Mother's Day since my Mom passed away last summer.

Mother's Day was good but different.

Happy Mother's Day Mom ... I Love You.

Earth Day - Lake Orion Recycled Art Show

Last night we went to the Recycled Art Show in Lake Orion, Michigan. The rules stated that all entries were to be made made from recycled materials.

A very close friend of ours, Roger, had entered one of his "Camera Purses" into the Show. Roger is a camera collector and makes women's purses out of antique box cameras. We met at Roger and Kates house for pre-show drinks and then hurried over to the opening of the show.

Roger ... Artist Extraordinaire with his camera purses.

It was very exciting ... The little house that was hosting the show was packed with local artists and all their adoring fans. Recycled art was displayed everywhere you looked. Roger's art was predominately displayed on a small pedestal in the center of the room. We were told 49 different artists had entered their work. After a few minutes of checking out Roger's competition we were sure he was in the running for a "major award".


We held our breathe as the awards were being announced. Roger's small contingent cheered as his camera purses were awarded with an honorable mention from the judges. It was very cool to be there when Roger won his award, he was so happy and couldn't stop smiling the rest of the night.

Roger with his purses, his ribbon, and his ever-lovely wife Kate.

We celebrated with dinner in downtown Lake Orion at Valentino's Restaurant. A very nice evening where we started with a toast to the almost world famous artist, Roger.

Jim and Deb were just part of Roger's Fan Club attending the art show.

Great Fun ...




Great Friends ...

... And In the Morning I'll make Waffles.

Life is moving slowly these early days of spring.

Judy is slowly recovering from her procedure and last Friday we had a visit from Kate and Deb. They came at lunch time and brought lunch. We had a terrific visit all afternoon. Drinking wine and gossiping until late afternoon.

Saturday I helped my brothers move my Dad into a one bedroom apartment from his two bedroom place in the same independent living complex ( his idea ). My brothers are getting too old and weak to carry furniture any more. I of course have no problems at all. We stayed and had dinner with him and I hurried home to watch Michigan State beat UCONN. Go Spartans.

Polly,the girls and Deanna came over on Sunday to visit Judy and as always we had such a good time. The girls were visited by Jack the neighbors dog who stops by every so often. The girls were just thrilled. They want a dog of their own so bad but Polly and Mark don't agree with them. So they settle for hoping Jack will be here when they are. They played with him all afternoon.

Jack and the girls...

Grace just loves Jack.

For everyone who knows Polly ... She loves the dog too. Yea Right !!!

While Polly was here she arranged to get tickets for the MSU / NC game on Monday night. Mark didn't know that Polly was getting the tickets and when they got home they surprised him. Polly asked us to babysit for the girls on Monday night. It was a tough decision , but we said yes. We all had dinner and everyone went home happy.

During the evening Sunday night we had a big snowstorm. We had 8 inches of snow on the ground when we woke up. I thought we were done with snow. I had to get out the snow blower one more time. I am sick of snow. For crying out loud it's spring !!!

This is getting ridiculous.....

Andrea, who watches the girls while Polly works, brought the girls to our house on Monday afternoon. We planned a special outing for dinner at the local A&W drive-in but it was closed. We were all disappointed.

Judy and the girls watched Shrek after dinner. Grace said she didn't like Shrek because he was a "mean yogurt". Grace did like the donkey and decided that she wanted waffles for breakfast.

The big plan for the rest of the evening was to watch Michigan State beat North Carolina in the NCAA Championship game. The whole state of Michigan was rooting for MSU to win. We watched as MSU got off to a bad start and never got back into the game. Bella was doing MSU cheers and screaming and yelling at every shot, but they lost anyways. What a terrible game. We are proud of the Spartans but they ran into a better team this time.

Judy and I watched Cinderella with the girls when they woke up this morning. As promised I made us all waffles for breakfast. Yummy !!!

It's late afternoon and Andrea has just picked up Isabella and Grace and taken them home.

The house is straightened ...

The house is quiet ...

We miss them already.

Snow, Sun, and thoughts of golf.

The weather at this time of year in Michigan can be anything from snow and winter jackets to warm 70 degree days and shorts. This year has been is no exception. We woke up to an inch and half of snow on Sunday and today it's going to be in the mid 60's.

The local golf courses are starting to open and I haven't swung a club since early October. Not that I haven't thought about golf ... I replaced the grips on my clubs about 3 weeks ago and I am planning to get to a driving range soon.

Just to let you know Judy did have her aneurysm procedure last week and everything was successful. Judy has been recuperating and still has a headache and some bruises from the IV's but is feeling a little better each day. I want to thank everyone for the calls and cards and flowers. It's good to know you have so many friends and family that care so much.

This is turning out to be a big week-end here in the Detroit area with the NCAA Men's Basketball finals at Ford Field. The Michigan State Spartans are one of the final 4 and green and white are the colors of choice. Mark and Polly along with my niece Kate are Michigan State alumni and they are so proud to be Spartans. Isabella and Grace have been turned into big State fans and follow basketball just as close as Mark. Grace loves the Michigan State mascot "Sparty" but every time she refers to him it comes out as "Farty". Just about the funniest thing you have ever heard.

So for Grace it's " GO FARTY !!!"

And for the rest of us it's ... "GO SPARTANS !!!"

Dinner and Rocks !!!!

Quiet week in Ortonville. Just waiting for Judy's procedure on the 25th.


Saturday we went out to dinner and a play with Polly and Mark. No girls just Polly and Mark. Chuck came over to babysit with Isabella and Grace.

We had dinner at Greektown in downtown Detroit at one of Judy's favorite restaurants, Pegasus. Lamb chops for Judy, chicken lemonato for Polly and Mark and I had veal. Great dinner with traditional flaming saganaki as an appetizer. Not sure how they don't burn down that restaurant with the flames going all the way to the ceiling. Everything was delicious.

Following the play we went to the Gem Theatre to see the play, " I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change". A musical comedy that made fun of the relationships between men and women from starting to date through old age. What a great play! I highly recommend it.

We finished the evening by stopping for a carry-out desert from Maggiano's Italian restaurant and took it back to Polly and Mark's to eat. We commented on how we don't remember the last time only the 4 of us had gone out. Not since the girls were born for sure. It was a wonderful evening and we will do again soon.

On Sunday afternoon we had a "Rock Party" at Eileen's house ( Judy's sister ) It was an excuse to get the family together for the afternoon and eat and drink. Judy's Dad was a rock collector and Eileen still had his collection of agates and Petoskey stones in the basement. All the rocks were brought up from the basement and everyone had a chance to pick out the rocks they wanted.

They may look like rocks to the untrained eye, but to Judy and her brothers and sisters they are priceless treasures.

Training Wheels... Gone .

Things here in Ortonville have been hectic lately and it's not letting up.

Judy has been going through a tough time recently. Those of you who know us are aware that Judy found out she has a brain aneurysm and is attempting to have it taken care of. She had a angioplasty performed last Thursday at Harper Hospital in Detroit to place a coil inside the aneurysm. After waiting for 3 emergency procedures that took precedence over her, it was discovered that her aneurysm needs to have a stent implanted along with the coiling. She was told they will reschedule and we went home that night. Judy has had to put her life on hold until this is taken care of. She is ready to get this over with!!! She is getting so much support from her kids, family and friends. Thanks to everyone.

Some goods news .... Today the hospital called and Judy is scheduled to to have the angioplasty repeated on the 25th of March. Lets hope it all gets fixed next week.

The week-end was not going well for Judy until Mark and Polly stopped by on their way home on Sunday afternoon from skiing at Shuss Mountain. A dose of Isabella and Grace were just what she needed. It was a warm afternoon and Isabella spotted her bike still hanging from the garage ceiling and wanted to ride it. Bella has not yet mastered to art of bike riding without training wheels and said she is the only one in her class who cannot ride a bike. Obviously a source of embarrassment for her. She rode with the training wheels until we called her in for dinner. After dinner she asked me if I would teach her to ride without the training wheels. We took them off and with a determined look on her face she hopped on and stated she was going to learn to ride. We worked on how to use the brakes and balancing herself and off we went down the drive. After a few shaky attempts I could tell she was closer than she thought to doing this on her own. It didn't take too much longer and when she realized that I was not holding on to her she rode about 30 feet all by herself. She stopped without falling and turned to me and said " Pa, I have never gone that far on my own before".

Her smile is something I will remember for the rest of my life.

From then on she worked on riding farther and farther by herself. The evening ended when she was riding down the drive, lost control and fell down a slope head first into the trees. We all held our breath until we saw her get up and start laughing. We then knew we had a great ending to the story of Isabella learning to ride her bike.

A Historic Moment in History. The first Ride !!!

Proud to be a Biker Babe !!!

Grandma and Grace gave their approval.

Catching up with February ... Week-end at Ortonville ... Snow and Fun

February 21st - Another cold week-end in Camp Ortonville with Isabella and Grace. Mark and Polly are starting to re-finish their basement and they needed some time without the girls to get started.

Over the week-end we watched movies and hockey games and Disney.

Madagascar 2 ... High School Musical 3 ... Red Wings ... and Mickey Mouse.

Saturday during the day we had about 3 inches of new snow and Bella and Grace helped me shovel.

And we ate anything we wanted. Chicken noodle soup and grilled cheese sandwiches on Friday. Grilled chicken and french fries on Saturday. In between we had candy and popcorn and ice cream.

Message from Grace.

Going crazy !!!

Sunday morning we had pancakes with ice cream, chocolate sauce and cherries.

As always having the girls visit Camp Ortonville is wonderful.

Sunday evening we were invited over to Deb and Jim's house to watch the Oscars. Just an excuse to get together to eat and drink.

Our wonderful co-hosts ... Jim and Deb.

Special invited celebrities ... Jerry and Joann.

Almost movie stars ...Katie and Roger.

Deb made so much food.. and had fun with the Oscar movies as a theme.

Benjamin "Button" cookies

Frosty Nixon Martini's and Harvey Milk shots..

Winnie is Deb and Jim's dog.

She was so disappointed that 101 Dalmatians didn't win an award.

We had a great time . It was a blast !!! Thanks guys.