TBT: LOOK WHO WAS a year younger not only Becky but her Aunt too. Niece Becky was a mere 24 but on Saturday she turns a quarter of a century. We won't talk about me... What a difference a year makes!
I personally like traditions... and I guess it becomes super obvious when one's children request to continue these and incorporate them into their new families.
Due to folks having the day off and that longer weekend our Memorial Day activities include the traditional get-to-together for a potluck bar- b-que. My brother was hosting and although I wanted to make bar-b-que beans, my daughter said she wanted the Red, White and Blue pound cake which is served with strawberries, whipped cream and blueberries.
What I should have suspected was even though my daughter is a great baker, her idea meant this as a grandparent activity for me with my almost 6 yr old granddaughter Ms. H. Ms. H is no stranger to the kitchen either and we have shared many projects before but in this kitchen, it involved a lot of moving of the stepstool. It was an almost all-morning activity.
We had to divide the batter into thirds. By the end of the project, we had batter everywhere.
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| Yep, that's my Bubbe being silly with the whipped cream! |
My kids always make fun of me because I can change the lyrics of any song and when I went to look up the link for today's TUESDAY TUNE boy did it come as quite a surprise that the Hall & Oates' song title wasn't Because Your Kiss is NOT on my Lips but rather YOUR KISS IS ON MY LIST. All these years I have been singing it wrong.
Memorial Day is about remembering those who served our country in military service. Many soldiers lost their lives doing so and therefore, many people will be visiting cemeteries today w /wo special ceremonies.
Actually, I have been in cemeteries more than a couple times already this month to remember other loved ones...
I also noticed additions to the path and markers where a different kind of army had taken over. Ant activity was rampant. (Notice the bottom right in the photo of the ant hill.) Hopefully, my call remedied this issue for visitors visiting there today.
Whatever we do today let us always remember those who not only served us in the military but also those whose lives were affected by war while they were alive...
*May 30 there will be a library presentation at 6pm on the Bitter Sacrifices: Art and Writing from Arkansas’s WWII Japanese American Incarceration Center
Enjoy this big surprise out Sandy and Bruce's kitchen window.
I will never forget meeting Ed for the first time in synagogue as Natureman's seat was directly behind his. Ed turned around to introduce himself and shook my hand, charmingly adding " You have such a beautiful smile."
Ed made me smile a lot over the last two decades as he had a lot of jokes and stories to share.
Natureman and Ed had met as newlyweds 5 decades ago and although their lives took different trajectories many familial, religious and social occasions brought us together.
The photo below was taken at a mutual friend's daughter's wedding in Eagle River 2010...
Ed, You've got a beautiful smile.
A little over a year ago Ed was diagnosed with the Big C. He went on hospice at the beginning of the month. Ed asked for a big party and he got it last Wednesday at the Freight House, one of his favorite La Crosse eateries. He must have been beaming ear to ear the entire night as family and friends paid tribute and enjoyed the food, friends and memories.
Ed, You've got a beautiful smile.
Ed's eldest sister reminded us her brother was raised in a household of women since his father died young leaving their mother, two daughters and 8-year-old Eddie. At 17 years old he met the love of his life, Corine, his wife-to-be, on a blind date, and there was a lot of smiling to follow.
Ed, You've got a beautiful smile.
Corine and Ed were married on July 4th with a promise to renew their vows yearly... His motto was "Happy Wife, Happy Life." Oh yes, he was a wise man...
Ed, You've got a beautiful smile.
Family meant a lot to Ed and he was determined to be a family man with his children. Ed ensured his 3 children were schooled nearby, married local, and stayed in town. Close, attending all their grandchildren's school and sporting events. Having a home on the water and all types of watercraft ensured a lot of family river fun, boating, jet skiing, fishing and swimming. Ed invited my family to join in when they visited. Good family time.
Ed, You've got a beautiful smile.
Ed had a big heart. He was generous in helping causes and individuals. When Natureman's wife of 40plus years had pancreatic cancer Ed offered to send them anywhere she wanted on her bucket list. She preferred to stay home but what a lovely gesture.
Ed, You've got a beautiful smile.
Like all of us, Ed wasn't always with a smile. He led a tough annual meeting with no smiles when he wielded a gavel nor when you didn't agree with him. Politically, he would send oodles of emails to our left of left household. LOL. When Natureman became sick, Ed offered to do Reiki, Natureman refused... Ed was disappointed. No smiles then.
Our last get-together Ed brought grandchildren over to see the farm animals and boy was he smiling seeing their reactions to getting eggs from the coop and petting the baby kid goats.
Ed, You've got a beautiful smile.
I will always remember Ed's smile and it will be sorely missed...
It was a typical Wisconsin day where rain had been predicted. But, since the darker sky had dissipated much earlier in the day and we had been sitting out in the backyard enjoying the beautiful sunshine and we assumed the weathermen were wrong. But no, in blew this dark sky and I was up in Cashton coming down via St Joe's Ridge that this sky told me otherwise.
And, of course, the heavens let loose... It poured cats and dogs and then was gone by the time I got down to La Crosse.
What an experience in my rental matchbox car, a little Kia Soul!
An oldie was played this morning in exercise just in time to be chosen for Tuesday Tunes.
Enjoy : Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello singing Señorita.
OOh la la, talk about chemistry.
My how time flies. Cameron and Haley are now 22 and 21 respectively. Haley becomes a Mrs. at the end of June.
Congrats Haley!
MONDAY MUSINGS: LOSS OF the MUSHROOM GUY
They say bad things come in threes but one loss is more than enough. I had three this week.
I was raised by a Dad who speaks to everyone so I come by it naturally to talk to those who cross my path. My life has certainly been more interesting for it... Jess was one of those encounters.
We got to know each other at the Bernice Garden on Sunday mornings two years ago when I moved back and we see each other almost every Sunday when it's market time... Jess's about the age of my son who is in his mid 30's.
The subject of mushrooms brought us together as kindred spirits. He had perfected the art of growing magnificent 'rooms and became my supplier of blue and grey oysters, chestnut, lion's mane... His business is Wye Mountain Mushroom Farm. We shared morel hunting stories and how I supplied oak logs from the End of the Rainbow Valley for plugging portobellos...
I gladly loved helping support his business by my weekly purchases. He was a fountain of knowledge which he shared with his customers regarding not only their growth, but also how to use them and shared recipes and cooking tips. Whether it was for broth / great soups/ vegetarian meals, my meals are better from his advice.
Jess loved the out-of-doors. When he wasn't helping other customers, we visited about hiking the Ouachita Trail and floating the Buffalo. His sidekick, Ty(?)Ty was a great, chill dog who would use the shade of the market table as his paws poked out from underneath the tablecloth.
TyTy will miss his best bud since Jess's life was taken in a motorcycle accident on May 5th.
In fact, I am sure all who knew Jess will miss this special soul. I know I will...
May your memory always be for a blessing Jess.
TUESDAY TUNES:Guess who 's playing in La Crosse Wednesday night ?
NONE other than Chicago and what could be more perfect a tune than one of my favorites ?
COLOUR MY WORLD Ah, the memories...
TBT: Marilyn and I met at 17 years old when we shared the summer of 1972 as camp counselors and co-songleaders in Mississippi.
Over the years I have visited Marilyn numerous times in her home state of Arizona, both in Tucson and the Phoenix area. And we met up when her work brought her to both Milwaukee and Philadelphia.
Time flew and before we knew it, the week was gone. Antelope Canyon is on our radar for our next get-together.
Here's to many more good times ...
BFF ( Best Friends Forever)
Human rights are still being challenged today...
The beauty of music is it can speak to us through its melody or its lyrics or both. And just like any interpretation its meaning or worth is dependent upon the listener.
Perhaps music's popularity relies on its listeners. Where is that listener at that particular time in their life? Does it evoke other memories?
We are all a work in progress no matter how old we are...
This week's choice speaks volumes to me. Yes, it is a repeat and while there many other song choices today take another listen to
YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL by Chritina Aguilera.
The Arkansas Fine Arts building renovation is now complete and the last 2 weekends have been one big open house with dignitaries, special sponsors and the public along with a ribbon cutting ceremony, music and tours.
