Nightly Reflections – Friday, June 29th, 2018

Hot!  Africa hot!  I’ve said it before.  I’ll say it again.  I do NOT want an entire summer of humidity and heat, Mother Nature.  Complaint registered.

Man oh man, today’s heat was stifling.  What would we do if we didn’t have an escape from it?  I was really dreading getting going this morning, yet I managed to get out of here at a decent time so I could get errands done and return home to cool temps.  I didn’t actually think my errands would take up a chunk of the middle of the day.

They began with a trip to the vet to pick up Willy’s case of can food.  I’ve told you before because of a urinary tract a few years ago, I continue to buy the medicinal stuff cuz the vet said I should and I’d prefer he doesn’t ever have to deal with that infection again.  Yet, $52 bucks every two weeks gets to be a little much to my way of thinking.   I’ve been considering cutting back and taking two of the feedings for just the wet food and then the other feeding make it hard food from Friskies or something.  It would at least get me another week or so worth out of a case of 24 cans.  I guess since I’m home here with him, it wouldn’t hurt to try.  We shall see.

From there, I was off to Barnes and Noble.  I wanted to buy a book that I’d use as a reference book for inspirational quotes and such.  I found one on the bargain table.  I’ve been trying to write next week’s column and I thought I’d start and end it with a quote, but I need to find ones that work.  I have yet to look through my book, but even if I don’t find any for this column, I know it’ll come in handy over time.  So, it was off to Barnes and Noble from the vet.

Once done at the book store, (no matter how hard I looked, I couldn’t find a book to satisfy my addiction cuz buying this bargain book did NOTHING to appease my need to buy a new fiction hardcover), I moved on to Cub Foods.  The things I forgot yesterday I wanted to get today.  Cub has Hormel pork tenderloins on sale and I love those tenderloins  I always buy the teriyaki flavored and it makes for two meals and they’re easy in the oven.  I was out to buy Coke and Diet Coke (for those nights when my buddy stops over and we mix our soda with the Captain 🙂 ) along with my favorite soda, Diet Rite as well as another case of A&W Root Beer.  I do NOT drink a ton of soda as much as one could conclude from all this that I do, but I was out and in the summer, I will admit it tastes a whole lot better on days like today.  Of course, the Eagan Cub had NO root beer or Diet Rite, so I was going to have to hit a different Cub.  I also left the store without buying the tenderloins.  And still I managed to spend over $60.  What the heck?

From Cub, I ran to HyVee cuz I wanted to get sandwich meat and a box of their bakery muffins.  I love their banana nut muffins and I usually have one to start my morning and that holds me over til 1 or 2 every day.  I like their deli cuz, frankly, they’re friendly.  I have found Cub deli folks act like you’re asking them to cut off an appendage when asking for ham or turkey or chicken to be sliced a little thicker than the thinly sliced stuff they have in their case.  Drives.  Me.  Crazy.  lol   Ok, so I’m sounding like an old retired guy.  Deal with it.  😛

After that, it was off to Kwik Trip to get a gallon of milk.  I also get a gallon of chocolate milk.  I love their chocolate milk more than any brand out there.  And the prices are competitive if not cheaper than the normal grocery store.

Finally, I came home.  Unloaded what I had and fed Willy.  Made myself a sandwich for lunch and then went back out after cooling down cuz I still wanted the pop I couldn’t find and tenderloins.  Picked up a big container of strawberries and vanilla yogurt cuz my sister made a smoothie while I was home and got me thinking how easy it would be to do that with fresh fruit.  It would be healthy and tasty.  Strawberries, plain yogurt, milk, and ice.  I have yet to make it, but I am pretty sure it will happen tomorrow.  Sounds yummy to me.

The rest is even more boring than the day.  Dinner, Brewers, gave Willy some catnip cuz he would NOT leave me alone, and then writing this.  Tomorrow, I will work on my column, for sure.  Tomorrow’s pension day so that’s always good 🙂  And hopefully the rains hold off so everyone can get outside to enjoy a day of temps not quite as hot as today.  I see the Fourth will be in the 90s again.  I am usually exhausted when I come home after sitting out in that weather.  I am sure the same will be said this year.  It shows no rain again and if that holds, that will continue the streak of Fourth of July parades in Apple Valley that has not been impacted by moisture.  Amazing.

Hoping your Saturday is a groovy cool one.  Tomorrow night I’ll tell you how the smoothie making business came out.  How hard can it be to make a good smoothie, right?  “It Can Only Happen To Chuck” story #489.  Stay tuned.

G’Night!

The Weekly Column – “Oooooohhh, Aaaaahhhhhh…”

The View From My Room – Year Six– #43

            When I sat down to think of a topic for this week’s thoughts, I realized it would be the last column before the Fourth of July holiday.  Not sure how that’s sneaking up on us so quickly, but ok.  Let’s talk Independence Day!

Most would agree this is a holiday people look forward to simply because it’s in July when the weather is far nicer than the December holiday’s weather.   Barring any unforeseen tragedy, I will be experiencing my 62^ndFourth of July next week, but the holiday has changed for me.

When we were kids, the first big thrill I remember for the big day was waiting for it to get dark and then going out in front of our house.  Mom and Dad would light our sparklers, and we’d run around the front lawn, spelling our name in the air with our sparkling wands.  I can remember burning my fingers a few times as the metal eventually got hot. Another popular item of the time was the Cobra Black Snakes.  They were little sodium bicarbonate pills that, once lit, would grow into long, winding black snakes that instantly blew away with any breeze that might be around. They smelled terrible, but they were magical to those of us who were young and gullible.

I was reminded by my sister that Mom and Dad would take the family out to Raceway Park for fireworks that night.  It was the place to be for the conclusion of that day. However, the Brookses never stayed too long once our sister joined the family.  She couldn’t tolerate the fireworks and her screaming, fighting and kicking usually had us heading back home well before the grand finale.  She was such a party pooper. Might explain what I was doing in therapy at age ten.

Post-high school and pre-college, I spent the fourth in Columbus, Wisconsin, with my friend Eunice and her daughter who was a year my elder.  We’d watch their parade, and then we’d head to the city park where I was introduced to my first drum and bugle corps show.  I had never heard one, nor did I know such a thing existed.  After that first time, I was a fan and still am to this day.

There is a black hole in my memory as to what I did in my first few years in Rosemount.  However, it was probably within the first six years of my existence at RHS when I was asked to step and announce the Fourth of July parade in Apple Valley.  I vaguely remember their previous announcer was to be the grand marshall that year, so I thought the gig would be temporary, but lo and behold, I was wrong.  This coming week, I’ll be back on the flatbed, parked in the Valley Bike and Ski Shop across from WalMart, for at least the 30^thyear.  I’ve missed announcing that parade once.  I was in Alaska.  The most amazing fact about that parade all these years is it has never been rained on once.  Each and every year, the weather has cooperated.  There have been years Mother Nature looked like she was undecided on whether or not to keep that streak alive, but we’ve never gotten wet.  There was one year, not that long ago, when the temps went over 100.  The street had many empty spots.  It was just too hot to sit outside for 90 minutes.

In the early years of doing the parade, we’d go over to Hobbs Park, and I’d emcee a talent show.  A couple of years, they even had a group of people being sworn in as citizens.  It was kind of cool to witness.  Eventually, all of the hoopla went from there to the softball fields on 140^th. I suspect because that’s where the fireworks exist each year.

Though I’d spend my afternoon in Apple Valley with the parade, the evening for a number of years belonged to Taste Of Minnesota and the fireworks there.  I sometimes witnessed those fireworks from one of the upper floors in a high rise on Seventh Street.  The fireworks were basically at eye level, and it was a fun way to witness them.

Other years, I’d be on a deck in Woodbury with people, listening to all the fireworks in the communities around us, and in the last eight or so years, I’ve gone home after being fried from the parade, I’d grill something special for dinner, and when Apple Valley’s fireworks began, I’d go stand in my driveway and watch them from there.  No crowds and no traffic.  Sweet.

This year again, my Fourth will be not unlike these last previous years.  Willy appreciates the company since he hates the noise from the explosions.  A little catnip, however, and he’s in la la land. Hmmm…I wonder if humans can take catnip.  Naaaahhh.   Probably not a good idea.  Hmmm…

Next week, the conclusion to last week’s The Reunion!  ‘Til then, Happy Fourth to you all!

Nightly Reflections – Wednesday, June 27th, 2018

One day closer to July.  One day closer to 96 degrees.  Celebrate one and dread the other.  Oh well.

An interesting Wednesday.  As I told you, I was going to have lunch with one of the twins in our family, the youngest boys.  I had dinner Friday night with one of them and his wife.  Today, I had lunch with the other one.  He was in Woodbury for an eye exam so I had him meet me at Yangs when he was done.  I love Yangs.  Been going there for years.  Great Chinese food.  Their lunch menu is still full of generous portions.  And so, by about 11:30, he arrived and we had a nice lunch.  We hadn’t seen each other since before Christmas.  Silly, since he’s only in Menominee but it seems the closer you are in proximity to people, the more difficult it is seeing one another.  Once lunch was over, he was off to his home and I to mine.

Willy and I had some bonding time until I got a message from a former student to whom I had promised a candle from my hometown.  And he was in my neck of the woods, so he stopped by to pick up his Earthshine candle.  I displayed about eleven candles for him to sniff and then to pick as his own.  He landed on the “Cedar and Bamboo” scent.  A more masculine scent than some.  We had a chance to chat for awhile before he was off and running and I was back to bonding with the Willsters.

By 5 or so, I was off to Miesville to meet up with the writers’ group.  Ya know, this group began last year in March.  Four afternoons for two hours each.  It was decided when it was done that people wanted to continue it.  So, we did.  Little by little people stopped coming for any number of reasons.  And the writing seemed to fall off and it became more of a time to talk about books that we had read or were reading or were going to read.  We’d talk about life in general and the path of conversation often times went wherever we’d steer it.  No rules.  Then, after discussing a book bout baseball, it was suggested we go to a game in Miesville some night and take in King’s for dinner beforehand.  And so, that’s what took us to tonight.

We had a fun night.  Dinner was fun with a guest appearance by the Hamms’ bear.  For those of you too young to know this character (in tonight’s pic), Hamms’ was a beer. The commercials for it had a bear for its spokesperson, so to speak.  It was always a little cartoon with a beaver and a bird and whatever else.  I, as a little boy, found the commercials delightful and the Hamms’ theme song was memorable.  Yes, throughout the King’s restaurant you’d hear people singing the theme song when the bear entered a certain area of the place.  Two of my cronies from our group posed with the bear for a pic.  The perfect pic opportunity for tonight’s Reflection.

As game time was approaching (8:00), we headed to the park.  Paid $3 for admission and we were sitting in the front row of the stadium.  Actually, I think there was only one row where we were sitting, so it would have to be considered the front row 😛  And the rest is history.  The evening was beautiful, the sky was brilliant as the sun set, and the company was great.  It was fun just sitting watching two teams go at it.  Lots of hard hit balls, but not many runs before we decided to leave after the fifth inning.  It was nearing ten.  So, yup.  Time to leave.

And once I got home, I immediately sat down to write tonight’s Reflection.  I am hoping to sit down and watch at least one hour of Big Brother before going to bed.  But then, maybe I’ll leave both hours til tomorrow.  We shall see.  I DO know that tomorrow is column night and this week’s topic is all about years of celebrating the Fourth of July in my 62 years.  Exciting stuff.  You don’t want to miss it 😛

Hope you had a good day and you’re already at Thursday tomorrow and next week, it’s at least a four-day week for most of you and maybe you’re turning it into more days off.  In any case, have a good couple of days and we’ll chat Friday night.  I know, I know…I can’t wait either 🙂

G’Night!

Nightly Reflections – Tuesday, June 26th, 2018

It is Happy Night in the Brooks household.  America’s Got Talent!  I begin this Reflection prior to 7 as dinner is in the oven and I had time to start the writing.  And what better place to start than to return to last night’s late viewing of Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom.

We went to the 10:30 show at the Burnsville theater.  Saw it on the IMAX screen.  Screen is huge.  We actually saw the previous Jurassic three years ago on the IMAX as well.  We both were primed for a film comparable to the 2015 film.  Sadly, it didn’t happen.  As summer movies go, it was a fun film.  You have to really work hard to screw up a Jurassic film, but the third one in the series did just that.  Both my friend and I agreed we liked the return to the series three years ago, but last night’s fifth installment was just ok.  My problem with it was the story.  It was too similar to the second movie of the brand.  I was also disappointed in the music, which is saying something since the composer is a man whose music I usually love.  He often works with J. J. Abrams’ movies.  In any case, it’s a fun distraction, but I wouldn’t go much higher than a C+ if it were a paper in my classroom.  😛

And now, it’s after nine.  Thought I’d get a lot of this written earlier, but my head resident called, wanting to debrief now that we were both back in our homes for 24 hours.  He said he slept quite well last night.  I told him I didn’t.  Once we got back from the movie, I asked my friend to pop in and check out something.  The morning that I was leaving for Wisconsin, I was cleaning out the fridge from anything that was needing tossing.  Primarily meat and/or veggies.  In the vegetable drawer, there was some liquid from I suppose a veggie gone bad, so I thought I’d quickly dump it out and wipe it out and slide it back in.  When I dumped the bin into the sink, I heard a little clink as something dropped down into the garbage disposal.  What the hell was that?  I don’t know what would have been metal that would have been in the veggie drawer, but I turned on the disposal, thinking maybe it was simply a little chuck of ice that would quickly get chopped up and devoured.  Nope.  Wasn’t happening.  This was something that needed removing and my hand was too durn big to reach into the hole.  I thought about it off and on while back home.  So, I asked my friend to see if his hand would go down there. I did NOT want to have to call in a plumber.  Well, lo and behold, he managed to get fingers into the hole and soon, he pulled out a plastic washer.  Something in my fridge is without its washer, but the disposal is fine and that’s all I care about.  So, by the time my buddy left, it was nearly 1:30.  Then I rolled over this morning when I thought I might be waking up.  The clock showed “5:40.”  Ain’t no way in hell.  Pretty much my thoughts.  Willy was disappointed because he thought he was going to get fed the moment I began to stir.  I slept in til 7.  Falling back asleep didn’t happen right away either.  Most of this night, I’ve been yawning.  I will welcome the bed tonight earlier than 1:30.  Simple enough.

Today was grocery day.  Hate grocery shopping.  And I need more, but I’m in the process of making a list now so I don’t have to make THREE trips!  Good Lord!

Tomorrow is an unusual day.  My brother who lives in Menominee has an eye appointment over here in Woodbury late morning.  We are going to meet for lunch.  And since he’s in Woodbury, I have a great Chinese restaurant I want to introduce him to.  He can come over again with his daughter(s) some time if he’s looking for a place to eat that’s away from Menominee.  Then, tomorrow night, the writers’ group is meeting for dinner at Kings’ in Miesville and then we’re walking across the road to watch the baseball game.  Should be fun!  And when I get home, I’m hitting the recliner and watching the two-hour debut of Big Brother!  And then summer is official!

So, tonight’s show had one teary moment for me.  Sadly, you don’t get his backstory with this video, but if you just do a little research, you’ll find out what a challenge it is to do what he did tonight.  Tonight will likely, in his words, be one of his final times to do what he did due to a medical condition.  His talent, however, is phenomenal and his energy paired with his attitude could put us all to shame.  Enjoy this week’s video…

And with that, I think I shall leave you.  Time to make some tea.  Hoping your Tuesday was peachy keen.  Can’t believe it’s Wednesday tomorrow.  My week is screwed up cuz of the weekend and driving Monday.  I’ll get back on track eventually.  And one week from tomorrow is the Fourth?  Wow.  The rollercoaster doesn’t slow down, does it.

Happy Humpday.  See you once the sun sets 🙂

G’Night!

Nightly Reflections – Monday, June 25th, 2018

I am never not amazed at how quickly my life changes.  I definitely have two lives.  And they’re vastly different.  One here in Minnesota and the one I have when in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin.  And after four really fun days in BD, this morning I woke early as I always seem to do on the morning of my departure, and by noon, I was crossing the river and heading for my Minnesota home.  Two totally different lives.

Willy was more than excited to see me.  I think cats don’t really like to show they’re happy about their owners returning from a multi-day absence, but in their own way, it’s obvious to the owner.  Willy was at the door when I opened it, as I expected him to be.  I carried in a few things right away as I entered my home.  I put the stuff down as Willy managed to get under every step I took.  Finally, I could sit in the chair and he was quick to be on my lap, on his way to my left shoulder and the rubbing of my head with his head began.  After giving him a little lovin’, I went to give him some food so I could finish unloading the car, at the very least.  And, since it had been nearly 24 hours, he was more than hungry.

I got my stuff out of the car and into the house.  Then, I unpacked my stuff.  Next I threw in a load of laundry.  Then, I went to make a pot of fresh coffee.  That was followed by a shower.  Once out of the shower, it was time to make a sandwich cuz I was hungry and had a little breakfast at 7 this morning.  After lunch, it was back to giving the Willsters more attention.  I got into the recliner and began watching one of my programs I had recorded.  Willy was right there in the chair with me, and he immediately curled up into his circle and was asleep.  All was right with his world once again.  Over the course of the afternoon, he got his normal feeding.  Otherwise, while I was gone, he merely got one can of food.  However, the vet told me he could have a can and a half years ago, and since his weight has maintained itself to the satisfaction of the vet, he continues to get that.  I just didn’t want him to have a can and a half all at once while I was gone nor did I want my cat sitter to have to return to feed him a second time in the day.  He survives on one can each time.

All that said, I’m still tired.  The drive back to Minnesota was a beautiful drive.  Tomorrow would have been yucky.  The one thing I love about the drive is it’s head time for me.  I do a lot of my thinking then.  And, with the weekend I had experienced, I had plenty to reflect upon for four-plus hours.  Certainly I didn’t focus only on that, but it was definitely in my pondering. I find a lot of solace in driving.  Unless the weather sucks, I never complain about having to drive long stretches.  I am not a fan of driving in metropolitan traffic, but give me an interstate, and I’m good to go 🙂

My friend last night texted as to my whereabouts.  He knew I was in BD over the weekend, but he was inquiring as to whether or not I was back.  I told him I’d be returning today.  He was looking to go to Jurassic World.  He waited.  We’re going tonight.  I will have to work hard at staying awake cuz I am still really tired.  I don’t feel as warm as I did last night, but the shower helped to wash away yesterday’s sun and warmth.  I am pumped to see this movie.  I have read a lot of positive reactions to it, so I am pretty much certain I’ll join those ranks.  And I’m overdue for some popcorn!

That also explains why I’m writing this early.  It’s not quite six yet if my friend is on his normal schedule, we’ll see a late movie.  I didn’t want to face writing this after the movie.  I’m pretty sure I’ll just want to crash.

One final comment, FOR NOW, regarding the reunion weekend.  In my thoughts today, I realized that for me, reality was suspended this weekend.  It was as if I had been transported through time back to 1980.  Aside from the visuals having changed, the voices and the behaviors had not.  Who gets to do have that kind of weekend in their life?  I realize we were lucky to a) have it happen and b) for so many to be alive to be a part of it.  I said it to you last night and I’ll say it again tonight.  It’s a weekend I’ll forever hold in a special quadrant of my heart and my memories.  Tonight’s pic is that of the free bobblehead we received yesterday.  I’ve never had a bobblehead.  This one is kind of fun, but more importantly, it’s special because of what it represents to me.  And for that reason, it will always be where I can see it in my home.  It won’t mean anything to anyone once I’m gone but for now, it means the world to me.

I hope you had a good Monday.  Come back tomorrow night and I’ll tell you what I thought of the fifth Jurassic film 🙂  Ya don’t wanna miss that, do ya?  Oh yea…nearly forgot…Six months from today…Christmas!  Just sayin’!

G’Night!

Nightly Reflections – Sunday, June 24th, 2018

*Heavy sigh*  Well, the weekend I looked so forward to for so long is now in the history books and this chapter closes as we move on to the next.  But, oh what a weekend it was.

So, assuming you read last night’s Reflection where I shared the grilling party and where we all saw each other for the first time in 38 years, or most of us, anyhow.  Today’s all began at a Park-N-Ride and ended at a bar on Blue Mound Road.  And I, for one, am one tuckered individual.

So, it began at the Park-N-Ride where we all would meet to caravan into the stadium so we’d park together and have the tailgating party. The caravan on the highways was quite the scene.  I was imagining music in the background from the all-time great comedy, It’s A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World! I don’t think I’ve ever been with a group that was so prepared to do this as this group.  One guy in the group said, “This isn’t our first rodeo,” referring to his wife and himself.  They’d had tailgating parties this size and bigger before, apparently.

The tent went up and the tables and coolers came out and before we knew it, there was food all over the place.  Chairs were opened and placed outside the food tent and the chattering continued from last night.  I should say it picked up from last night at the Park-N-Ride.  One by one, they arrived.  Three new people who weren’t able to join us last night came today and it was great to see these folks too.

I should add here because I was remiss in doing so last night…the people who brought their wives brought some fun ladies.  The women were delightful and they definitely this group of old but still full-of-tricks group of guys.

In any case, the sun was warmer than I had hoped for.  I could feel my skin begin to bake.  No, I didn’t have sunscreen nor did anyone else for that matter.  It never fails.  Once each summer, I do this.  And always in Wisconsin.  I blame my sister.  If it’s not her fault, she’s been at fault for many previous sunburns of mine and enjoyed the final product far too much, so she might as well own this one too.

We got to the park before 11.  They put us nearly as far out as they could put us.  This was not something I was happy about.  With my lower back weakness, and the walk that was ahead of me, I knew getting to the stadium was going to be a miserable trek and it was.  Throw in the warmth of the sun and I couldn’t wait to get to the THIRD floor of the stadium and sit down.

The tailgating went well.  Lots of good food and conversation time.  I learned that one of our guys lost his wife a couple of years ago to cancer.  She went quickly.  They learned of it and six months later, she was gone.  I felt pretty lousy for him.  And a sweeter guy you would never find.  Another one of us had quadruple bypass surgery, while another buried his mother last week, and so on and so forth.  Thirty-eight years ago we didn’t give a thought to personal challenges such as these, but in those 38 years, life happened to us all.

Once inside the park and in our seats on the right field side of the diamond, the enjoyment continued.  The game started strongly and quickly went south.  Gave us more time to continue catching up.  We were in the shade all day.  Thank God.  And there was a breeze that made it damn near perfect.  Considering the heat and the rain this part of the country has endured recently, Mother Nature couldn’t have served up a better weekend than the one we just finished living through.  It was as if it was tailor-made for this special event in the lives of the guys in the pic.  Wanna have some fun?  Take the pic I put in Thursday night’s column and match it up against this one and see if you can match the 79-80s person with today’s person.  Ouch.

The game was boring and depressing, but the company was great.  We left and I again dreaded the long walk back to the cars.  Once there, we made some goodbyes and those of us who could, met at a bar on Blue Mound Road.  The name of the place escapes me.  There were nine of us who slammed down water and soda along with a few appetizers before more goodbyes took place.  I left at around 6 cuz I had the hour drive ahead of me and I was truly fried.  As I am now.  My face is very warm.

I met my sis and her hubby at Stooges along with a friend of theirs, and I had yet another soda and then we left there, I said my goodbye to Jerra, the bar owner and oftentimes bartender.  Got back home, had some of the salad I made, and that brings me to now.  My sister is in bed cuz she works in the morning.  My brother-in-law is asleep in the chair cuz he works tomorrow.  And I am typing, but thinking about bed too.  Even the older dog has crashed on the couch, where he’s not supposed to be, but I  allowed it Friday night and it looks now as if I may have created a Frankenstein.

It was a wonderful weekend.  It was everything I had looked forward to and more.  This last week’s column was Part One – The Reunion.  Now, I’ll let the weekend simmer most of the week before writing Part Two.  It has to do service to what was a perfect reunion.  I have been reflecting a ton since it, but to be honest, I did a lot of reflecting during it while in down time mode.  I look forward to finishing the story, but it has a few days to simmer on the stove.

I’m beat and I have a drive ahead of me, something this trip has had no shortage of.  I’ll be returning to a little guy named Willy.  I have a feeling he’ll be gluing himself to my hip again for the day once I’m home.  🙂  I really wanted to stay until Tuesday, but the weather forecast indicates I’d be in rain pretty much all the way back on I94.  Not my choice of driving weather.  I’ll be back.

Hey, hope your weekend was somewhat as enjoyable as mine.  I said it last night and I’ll say it again.  This is a weekend I shall not forget for the remainder of my time here on Earth.  I’m not sure you could find a better group of guys…then AND now.  Have a good start to your week tomorrow.

G’Night (yawn)!

Nightly Reflections – Saturday, June 23rd, 2018

For months now, I’ve writing about this weekend that has taken forever to arrive, but arrive it has.  And I’m back in Beaver Dam after experiencing Day One of the greatest reunions ever.  Not sure you’ll be able to handle my excitement tonight.

The day was simple enough.  Breakfast kicked off the day with my sis and her husband.  I will say Friday night did NOT end up the way I would have anticipated, but that’s another story for another time.  In any case, we were tired when we woke up and it had nothing to do with bars.  Again, another day.

In any case, then my sister and I were off to Aldi’s to get the goods for what it would take to make the salsa and the pasta salad.  And once having gotten those items, it was back to the house and let the work begin.  My sister made the salsa as she’s quite proud of it.  Then we went for a spin in the car with Reggie, the dog.  It was such a nice day here that we took the top off the Jeep and just drove for awhile.  Then, upon return, my sister went to the porch to enjoy more sunshine and I went to work cutting up scallions, seedless cukes, celery, and peppers.  Once the salad was done, I joined her on the deck for a bit, but then she had to get ready to head to a funeral home and I had to get ready to head to Wauwatosa.

It was seriously a beautiful day here.  I’ll say at the start that part of the success of the evening was the weather didn’t beat us down or chase us inside.  So, I arrived at the house of one of the RAs for which I had a special fondness.  We were buddies in college and hadn’t chatted for nearly 40 years.  I was anxious to see him.  As I pulled up in front of his house, so did another car directly in front of me.  He got out of his vehicle and I had no idea who he was.  He came to me as I was getting out and he knew me.  So much for feeling like Man of the Year.  Ugh.  When he told me who he was, of course then I knew.  That’s how it was much of this night.  People change, ya know.

We walked into our former colleague’s home, met his wife and gave her our food items. Before this evening was over, there was going to be a ton of food choices, none of which were as appealing as the dessert one of the guys brought.  The one I walked in with brought salmon and he began the grilling process.  I am NOT a salmon eater, just for the record.  I went and checked out the back patio area of our host.  It came complete with an in-ground pool.  Plenty of places to sit, so the lawn chair I brought wouldn’t be needed til the tailgate.

I chatted a bit with my friend, the owner of the house, and then, one by one, they arrived.  When the Head Resident arrived, he brought with him a photo album.  And it was loaded.  Tonight’s pic is one he and I do not remember having taken.  We don’t know what we were doing on opposite sides of the announcer’s area which was MY spot when we filmed Wing Feud.  We’d film two episodes a week.  My Head Resident and I concocted the show for the campus’ TV station.  It was an instant hit.  We had a blast.  He was the man behind the scenes and I had the microphone.  Yea, I know, I know.  In any case, that’s one of the pics I used for tonight’s Reflection.

We were told to get plates and eat.  When I walked inside, thinking salmon would be the only meat choice, I was sadly mistaken.  Barbecued meatballs.  Turkey in gravy.  Beef in au jus.  Salads galore ( mine will be one more tomorrow )  and chips and a vegetable tray (my contribution for the afternoon, along with chips) and then that dessert.  Cupcakes made to resemble a billiards “8-Ball.”  There’s a story behind that, but I’ll spare you.  Or, cookies with the same theme.  Hysterical, but so very tasty.

My dentist eventually arrived.  He arrived with a toupee.  He informed three of us who KNEW he was bald he was going to do this.  When the time was right, he told us, he’d do a cannonball into the pool and when he’d surface, he’s be minus a wig.  And damn if he didn’t do it.  And those not in the know were laughing as were the three of us who knew.

Folks, it didn’t get any better than this.  Nine of them had golfed earlier.  Two of them returned to Appleton for the night.  They’ll come back for tomorrow’s tailgating and game experience.  At least one more will show up tomorrow who was absent today.  There were others who couldn’t make it, but they were there in spirit and we mentioned them as story after story was retold.  It was a helluva night.

It finally ended around 9 or so.  Knowing tomorrow was going to be a full day, we all wanted to get home and get a good night’s sleep.  And so that’s what I’m going to do now. I have to be on the road no later than 9 in the morning.  My sis, her husband and his adult son and one of my brothers will be coming to the game tomorrow.  I’ve invited them to the tailgate cuz we’re going to have enough food to feed an entire quadrant of cars.  Then, tomorrow night, I will return with the second day’s stories and hopefully a Brewer win.

This was a special day to me.  Tomorrow will be just as special.  When I return to Minnesota, I’ll be writing Part Two of The Reunion.  It will be the true reflection piece.  This is one weekend I won’t forget for the rest of my life.  People matter to me and these folks, even after nearly forty years, are still important people in my life.  They were there to help me on to my next phase of existence.  Today rocked!

G’Night!

Nightly Reflections – Friday, June 22nd, 2018

Well, if you read last night’s column, the you know by now this evening’s Reflection is coming to you from the kitchen table of my sister in our hometown.  I’ve come to town at this point in the summer primarily for the big reunion, which has its first two events tomorrow.  But, before I get to that, I’ll revisit day one and two in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin.

I left the house yesterday, bribing Willy with a treat so he’d allow me to leave.  lol  Actually, this trip, my usual catsitter couldn’t help me out as she’s on her own vacation, so I asked my neighbor if he could come in and feed the guy.  I figured he’d never get the attention my friend would always give him, but beggars can’t be choosers.  However, my neighbor has a daughter who is 20 or so and he said she likes cats.  He figured she’d come over to feed him one day or more and likely play with him.  I left several toys on the counter with the food so if she wanted, she could play with him.  That made me feel a little better.  I always hate leaving him to begin with but leaving him, knowing no one is going to give him any special attention was even more disconcerting.  I hope my neighbor’s daughter does spend some time there.  I explained to him that she and her boyfriend could watch my premium movie channels if she wanted to stay longer to play with Willy.  In any case, he’s taken care of.

The trip down wasn’t bad.  Rain off and on throughout the drive.  Construction along the way but nothing too detrimental to movement.  Made my normal pitstop in Eau Claire at the Starbucks for a bathroom break and an iced mocha.  Beyond that, it was homeward bound.  Pulled in and met my sister at Applebee’s as we usually do.  Then a couple of down hours until we set out for an evening of carousing.  Met up with her husband and a couple of friends of theirs down at Stooges.  We watched a great Brewers’ victory and consumed far too much liquid.  So goes my first night back in town each and every trip.  Ugh.  Getting up this morning was such a delight.  Ugh.

I was told by my sister yesterday that they’d unfortunately not be home after two today as they would be heading to the Brewer game which began at 7:10 tonight.  They never would have gone had it not been that this game was a freebie they had committed to.  Every Brewers game, somewhere in the middle innings, they’ll draw a business card of a tavern in Wisconsin.  That tavern then needs to call the Brewer offices in 24 hours for a batch of 40 free tickets to the game.  They sit in the Miller’s area with four other bars and their patrons and usually receive a free t-shirt or a free hat.  They just need to get to the game.  Well, Moonlight Bar in Beaver Dam had their business card pulled a few weeks ago and the bar picked this night to attend the game.  My sister and her hubby were of the first people to be invited.  She hadn’t thought about it being this weekend, but after our behavior last night, I told them today they needed to go because they were a terrible influence on this poor naive retired teacher.  So, they’re at the game and I’m bonding with the two dogs in peace and quiet, watching the game from their couch.  Works for me.  My brother who lives in town with his wife and I went to dinner together prior to the game and had a nice time bonding over food :-).

I stopped in at Earthshine Candles this afternoon to pick up a few new candles with the autumnal scents.  I have either used up all mine last fall or I’ve given them to people as presents.  And, of course, I spent far too much there as always.  But the smells are awesome!  I also ran to Madison for a quick run to Barnes and Noble, bought a book I’ll share with you next week, and then ran through the Starbucks there cuz I was having withdrawals already.  😛  I enjoyed the drive, which is all of maybe 35 miles each way.  The weather wasn’t beautiful, but it was a cooler June day.  And once I got back, I read until dinner.  Trust me, it’s been a far more sane day than last night.

So, tomorrow the real fun begins.  My sister and I have to get groceries to make salsa and a pasta salad.  I am taking both on Sunday.  They need 24 hours of fridge time so that’s why we’re getting on it tomorrow.  Long about 3:30, I’ll be heading by my lonesome to a place near Milwaukee called Wauwatosa.  This reunion begins with a round of golf earlier in the afternoon, but I opted out of that.  Then, at 5, we’re all meeting at one of the  guys’ homes in Wauwatosa where we’ll be sitting outside and waiting on a grill of burgers and brats.  It’s where I’ll finally see the group of guys I was with 38 years ago and haven’t seen since.  The emotions swirling inside me are too numerous to mention.  But they’re all positive!  Not sure how long that will run, but then Sunday morning, I’ll head to a Park ‘N Ride where I’ll meet up with all and we’ll head into Miller Park and begin the tailgating as soon as we all land.  Then the game and then a closure activity in a separate room in a bar that’s already been reserved.  Then, Sunday night, I crash like computer hard drive!

There ya go.  Tomorrow night, the Reflection will go in late, I’m sure.  But it will be filled with reactions and observations.  The same can likely be said of Sunday night’s Reflection.  They stand the potential to be far more interesting than the norm 😛  So…

I hope your weekend is going to be at least half as much fun as mine looks to be.  In the meantime, I’m back to bond with Reggie, the older of the two dogs, on the couch with the Brewers’ game.  See ya tomorrow night!

 

The Weekly Column – “The Reunion – Part One”

The View From My Room – Year Six– #42

            Once upon a time, there was a young man who went to college at the age of 22.  He lived in a dormitory called Towers.  The building was comprised of nine floors of guys.  Each floor was divided into two wings, South and North.  Each wing had anywhere from 36-42 guys.  Each wing had one guy who, after going through an application and interview process, would be the wing’s Resident Assistant (RA).  In all, if you’re doing the math, there were 18 RAs.  The RAs had a boss, and he was the Head Resident.  He was also responsible for the entire building of guys.  And if you haven’t figured it out by now, I was that 22 year old.  And that is where this week’s story begins.

An applicant to become a resident assistant had to have one year of dorm life.  As my first year was winding down, I applied. I was thrilled when I received the letter in December, before returning home for Christmas, indicating I had been selected as a member of the 18-guy staff.  The RA on my floor in my first year was a good role model for me, and I had, in time, met other RAs for one reason or another.  I was convinced it would be a great experience for me and lots of fun.  I knew a little of the Head Resident and had, at times, witnessed how the other RAs interacted with him; I wanted to be a part of that as well.

When I began my job as an RA in January, I took over a floor that had lost their previous RA to early graduation.  I was about to realize I had performed easier tasks in my life.  My new floor was used to one style of leadership, and I definitely wasn’t going to exhibit the same leadership. With the support of 17 other guys and my boss, I did my very best to supervise my floor according to the guidelines set forth by the powers that be for Towers.  An RA was to be a friend, listener, advice giver, authority figure, protector of my floor and my guys, and so much more.  On some levels, it was good training for me as I was on the road to becoming a teacher.

In my first five months (the second semester of the ’79-’80 school year), I experienced some grief from one of my residents who didn’t like being held accountable for his actions.  That was unpleasant. Beyond that, my time in that semester as an RA was filled with many fond memories.

Most of the memories that winter involved the staff of 18 plus the Assistant and Head Residents.  As an RA, we were told to make sure our door was always open to our floor of residents, so they had a place to go for whatever needs that may arise. The Head Resident practiced what he preached.  Our boss was over and above welcoming to his staff.  For example, Sundays always meant a group of the guys would be in his apartment, adjacent to his office, watching the various football games.  This man shared his soda and treats consistently. He had a sectional sofa that housed a number of bodies, and often a person would walk in to one or several of the RAs rough-housing the boss on his own couch.  Essentially, wrestling.  The boss would be laughing helplessly and yelling “Get off me!” but to no avail. Then, a standard stunt would be one of them would go to his fridge, open his margarine, dab some on a finger, and come back and smear it over his glasses.  This happened A LOT and was always in good fun.  The expression “a boy and his dog”?  Our version was “a Head Resident and his staff.”  One fact was certain.  We eighteen young men admired, idolized and loved our boss. Unconditionally.

We’d do weekly sporting pools, depending on the time of year.  A group of these peers would often get into a game of buckets.  The boss’s apartment was our home away from home.  It came with furniture, a television and most importantly, a fridge. It was much bigger than our closet-sized dorm rooms. The Head Resident couldn’t have opened his home any more than he had.

Every weekend, two RAs were on duty. Often, you’d find us in the apartment.  RAs would eat together.  We played together.  It was the best support group the university offered.  After my first semester of being a resident assistant, I returned in September for semester #2, and it began at a resort with cabins; all of the campus RAs had to attend.  It was leadership training prior to the arrival of all the other students.  Those few days made us stronger as a staff and it was also fun!

The moral of this story?  Too early to tell you that.  For, you see, 38 years later, this same group of guys who can make it, will meet for the first time this weekend of June 23^rdand 24^thin Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to celebrate the thenand the now.  That story is yet to come.  Stay tuned.

(Here we are in 1980…can you find me?)

Nightly Reflections – Wednesday, June 20th, 2018

Three years ago today, I received the biggest paycheck I’d ever receive from ISD 196.  I took all my summer checks in one payment since I was now officially retired.  It was the day after my retirement party.  The party was the best ever and the day after just was an extension of the emotions.  I turned right around to put that money into new carpeting, new wood flooring, a new fridge, stove and microwave, a new couch, 2 recliners, dining room table and writing table.  I believe I might have had enough left for a mocha 🙂  On July 1st, I received two-thirds of my first pension check for June and all of it for July.  Damn, that was a good summer!

How was your Wednesday?  An actual day where I don’t think any rain fell.  I thought we’d see more sunshine, but as days go, it was ok.  Still would like it less humid, but baby steps, eh?  Frankly, this was a busy day.  And it’s only now beginning to simmer down.  Willy has even had a difficult time settling in for the night.  One of my stops today was to pick up new shoelaces for my tennis shoes.  I have been fearing that about the time I don’t have shoestrings to replace them, I’ll be someplace where buying a pair will be difficult.  So, once I had the laces home, and after I ate dinner, I sat down on the couch and began the de-lacing and lacing process.  And guess who had to wake up to help me.  Yes, he’s cute as a bug in a rug when he’s playing with my shoelaces, but when I’m the one trying to do the task, it ain’t so friggin’ cute!  I fought him tooth and nail through the whole process.  And, as always, I’m giggling as I’m getting frustrated with him.  Grrrrrr.

Bought him one of those laser light toys.  He loves chasing the red dot.  Bought him a new bowl and that was that.  Looked at new toys, but they’re too expensive, especially when you’re talking cats.  They love one thing one moment and the next, they’re on to something else.  Actually reminds me of someone I once knew.  lol

Kitty litter was also on the docket.  Ran through CVS for drugs and Kwik Trip for milk and that was the end of the errands, at least before having to run to meet up with the writers’ group.  Once again, we sat outside on the patio of the Steeple Center.  There was a nice breeze.  I had my diet root beer with a cup full of ice and I was good to go.  Only three of us could show up, but we had a good chat.  We nailed down a brand new effort we’re going to attempt with the group come July, but I’ll wait until then to describe it to you.  It’s pretty cool, at least in theory.  We also talked about next week Wednesday night’s King’s and Miesville baseball night field trip.  Once that was all dealt with, it was time to head back home.

Doing laundry tonight and was hoping to watch the Brewer game, but right now, it’s in a rain delay.  Ugh.  At 8, some of my regular shows begin, so I’ll survive.  I’ll sit down next to Willy after writing this and read a little more King.  Boo!

Tomorrow night is already column night once again.  And once you read this week’s column, you’ll begin to piece the puzzle together that I’ll return and help you with on Friday night.  Tomorrow night’s column could simply be titled, The Reunion – Part One.I think you’re especially going to enjoy the picture.  It’s kind of a two-for-one pic since it’s also Throwback Thursday 🙂  And I’ll leave you with that thought.

Have a good pair of days as we head into another summer weekend.  We’ll see ya back here Friday night and things will look just a little bit different then 🙂  If you’ve been paying attention these past few weeks, then this won’t be a surprise, but if you haven’t, then….well….Stay tuned.

G’Night!