IA my foot

 We went into the suburbs tonight

    We attended visitation for my friend Frank.  I have known him and his brother John since at least 5th grade, if not earlier.

    There were several picture boards and in almost every picture he was smiling, wether it be holding a grand child, or  child, or in front of his 65 Chevy, or with his wife.   Always a smile.

    Visitations in the city are different than in Rochelle.

    In Rochelle, there is a line of family members and everyone goes down the line and greets people and offers sympathies or stories.

    In Chicago, there is no line.  You look for the person you want to visit with and go to them.  It makes more sense to do it that way.

    Back to the picture boards.

    One was of Frank's childhood.  John called me over and pointed to a picture of Frank and some guy.  They must have been 12 or 13.  John asked, "Do you know who this is?"  I said he looked vaguely familiar, but I was not sure.

    It was me.  Seriously!  I did not recognize myself.  I recognized Frank, but not me.

    So I called Jackie over and shower her the picture.  She knew right away it was me.  So did Steve, another friend of the group.

    I have to admitI was a nice looking young kid, but that was before acne and weight gain.  

    But on to AI.

    At home, I plugged in the name of the funeral home and did a route search.  The most direct way was 88 to 171m north on 171 to Belmont, east on Belmont.

    However, in the car I asked for directions and got quite a different response.

    I said, "Siri, directions to Montclair Funeral Home, Chicago."

    Her response was something like, "I found the location in Paris, France, distance 4,186 miles.  Proceed?"

    Jackie and I just looked at each other.

    Now, I would not mind going to Paris, but I would be interested in seeing driving directions once we hit the coast.

    I tried again and got 2 more answers that made no sense.

    So I gave the address, and that worked. 

    Except, she had us going north on 39.  My guess is we would go north to 94, then the that ti 294 and go south.

    But on the map at home, that route was 20 minutes longer.

    So I ignored the directions she gave and got on 88 headed east.

A    ll was fine until we got to the Mannheim junction.  It took us 20 minutes to get through that.  And let me tell you, people are crazy!  I saw dozens of cars drive on the shoulder and then cut in front of the semi ahead of us.  

    We finally hit 171 and I went north.  Siri said to turn, we did.  She said turn again, we did.  We ended up creeping along Harlem Avenue.  Siri said turn right, so we did.  Then she said at ===== road turn left.

    Well, I got to a corner and turned left.  Onto a one way street.  Going the wrong way.

    If a police officer saw me and asked if I didn't see the arrows, I might have said, "Hell, I didn't even see the Native Americans."

    I made a 3 point turn, got back the on route, and eventually got to the funeral home.  But it took at least half an hour.

    On the way home I went down Belmont to 171 and then to the tollway.  It took about 15 minutes.  So much for AI

    We were hungry and stopped at a White Castle.

    I have a feeling that will stick with me for a few hours.

Peace and Love

what the......

My first thought was:  why in hell s a dog barking

     My second thought was:  Why is it so loud?

    My third thought was:  Why is Julia knocking at our bedroom door and talking to someone?

    I was sound asleep and forgot we had a dog!  Honestly, I was really confused.

    I was more confused when Julia said, "The guy's here."

    I had made an appointment for our furnace to be checked for winter.  I set the appointment for 8 a.m. and completely forgot.

    Yes, it was written on the calendar.

    No, I did not look at the calendar.

    Julia let him in, I put on some sweat pants, and everything was ok until........

    We have an on demand water heater.  It gets flushed and tuned every fall.

    The guy was working away and after about 20 minutes I went down to see how everything was going.

    He said he was just starting the water heater.  I commented that he needs to be sure the circulating valve is shut off because if you don't the  cleaner gets into the pipes and recirculates throughout the house.

    "Shut off valve?"  He seemed confused.

    I left him to finish and a few minutes later he came and asked me if I knew where the shut off valve was.  I did not.

    I give the guy credit, he called the shop and I believe he called the manufacturer to find the valve and shut it off.

    One time a different person did not, and we had discolored hot water.  We had to run the taps for a long time until they were all clear.

    He finished about 10:30 and checked the water, it was clear.  And hot.  He also left a sheet of instructions for future service.

    I had planned to get outside early today for a project.  I finally got Jackie ready for the day, went to the store, stopped at the post office, let out Emily's dogs and got home about 3.  I did not get the project done, but it is about 1/2 way there.

    Every day I wake up and a new part of my body hurts.

    Yesterday I had a cramp.  Luckily it did not reoccur once I went to bed.

    But I feel like I have a twisted ankle, even though I don't remember twisting it.  Add that to the sore knee, sore thumbs, sore back, and the smallest task becomes difficult.

    Supper was fairly easy.  

    Emily bought some gumbo at Costco.  She got 2 for 1, so I had gumbo for supper.  It was pretty darn good.  Julia made a pasta salad, I partially cooked 2 brats on the grill for Julia and Jackie .  For some reason, they did not like the pink inside, so I had to fire up the grill again and cook them longer.

    But all is well that ends well, right?

Peace and Love

Mr. Dillon, Mr. Dillon!!

 I feel like Chester from Gunsmoke

    He was the deputy, or assistant, who walked with a stiff leg.  He sort of did a strange 2 step down the wooden sidewalks of Dodge City.

    Spent some time with Exit 99ers today.  We met at a saloon in Monroe Center for lunch and visiting.  

    And no, Miss Kitty was not there.

    At some point after lunch, I staggered backward off my chair with a loud, "Oh my gawd" which made them think the old guy was having a heart attack, stroke or some sort of seizure.

    What I was having was a severe cramp in my left leg.  In the thigh region.

    I tried walking it off, standing, drinking water....nothing relieved it.

    Carrie had me do some stretches that helped, but the muscle never loosened completely.

    And no one would rub it for me!  

    I spent a lot of time moaning, stretching, walking and rubbing before I finally found some relief.

    But back at home, it is tightening again.  So I have had a Gatorade, and a banana and lots of water.

    But it is still tight, just not as tight.  

    I dread the upcoming night.

    Anyway, it was a fun time with TC, BH, CJ, and JC.  We had some serious talk, some laughs, good food and just had a fun afternoon.

    I just hope we can do a show again, soon.

    And that my leg doesn't cramp half way through it.

Peace and Love

Taxi!

This has been a complicated, busy day 

    If you can follow this, congratulations.  I can't follow it.

    Julia, Emily and a friend went to a craft show.  They left about 8, maybe earlier.  I was asleep.  All I know is Dog Beth came up to sleep with us after Julia left.

    Sleeping with us means constantly licking our faces, arms, or any exposed flesh.

    Julia and Emily drove to the suburban Chicago craft show separately, because Julia was going to pick up my niece from Midway.  She came for the weekend to help her mother with some tasks around the house.  

    Neither Emily or the friend, who for id sake we will call Sissy, wanted to go to Midway.  Especially since they had a 4 p.m. painting class in Oregon and Julia would not be back until 3:30.

    So the plan was to meet at 64 and 251 at 3:30.  I would take my niece to Rockford and Julia would continue on to class.  Emily was going to ride with Sissy, then come home with Julia.

    Well, that fell through when Julia got to Rochelle before 3:30 so they decided to stop and visit Jackie and use the bathroom.

    I was on my way to 64 with Emily, who did not ride with Sissy after all.  Emily got a text and we turned around and went back to my house to drop off Emily, pick up my niece, and continue on to Rockford.

    And yes, everyone got to where they needed to go.

    To be honest, I am still confused.  But that is a moot point.

    Julia, Emily and Sissy all enjoyed their class, Jackie and I had Portillo's, Laurie and Ruth had pizza from Napoli's and all is well.

    I I even cleaned out the car!  I vacuumed it, swashed the windshield, sorted out the crap that was in there....I was pretty darn productive!

    Just another day.....

Peace and Love

oh my gosh!

 Last night I had quite the experience

    Dog Beth is black.  She can't be seen in the dark.

    So Julia bought a collar that lights up.  It has options of a steady red light or a flashing red light.  That way we can see her in the dark.

    I take a flashlight with me when she goes out for the last time, usually around 9:30.  I can shine it on her when I get curious about what she is doing.

    Last night she was out sniffing around.  Sniffing, sniffing, sniffing.  She was over by the driveway and I was on the porch, hoping she would do her thing and come inside where it was warm.

    Suddenly, she takes off like a flash!  Across the front yard like a mad man.  Or dog.

    I thought, and this is where I get a little uncertain, I thought there was a deer in the yard next to us.  But I am not sure.  Could have been a. rabbit or whatever.

    But Beth was flying toward it.

    I had my yard shoes on, untied as usual, and I started running after her.  I yelled "Beth" and she stopped

    (Mental image time:  75 year old man wearing floppy shoes running across the grass holding a flashlight like a baton in a relay race).

    I caught up to her and herded her back into the yard.

    I don't know if my yell stopped her, or the underground fence did.  I don't even know where she stopped, although I thought it was in the neighbor's yard.

    But she went back into our yard without getting shocked.  So either she was not beyond the fence or the fence is not working. 

    I may have to go out tomorrow with her necklace in hand and check.  I don't look forward to that.

    I was really scared.  If she had continued after the animal, I would have had to follow that flashing red light though yards and fields, running the risk of being called a peeping Tom again.

    After our museum board meeting last night, I took a survey of 3 guys.  I asked them to pronounce the word handkerchief.   Go ahead, say it.

    All 3 said hankerchief....so I wonder where did the d go?

    This was all set off by hearing "She's Leaving Home" by the Beatles.  The young girl leaving home clutches her handkerchief as she exits the house.  I keep listening, but I can't tell if the British boys are saying hankerchief or handkerchief.

    I know in a world that seems to be collapsing around us, that is really a minor point.

    But I still wonder.

    By the way, I only use tissue.  Makes it easier.

Peace and Love

soupy sales

 I always like it when Jackie gets her hair done

    Why?

    Glad you asked.

    Right across the street from the salon is Acres Bistro.  (Add another o and you get saloon, not the same type of establishment.)

    It takes about an hour for her to get her hair colored.  During that time, I take my e reader and go across to  Acres for a coffee and usually some cookies.  I don't eat all of the cookies at one time and always bring half home.

    Well, Acres has squash soup on their fall menu.  An d no, ii is not splattered on the actual menu, but it is an item they are serving.

    Nobody in my family is adventurous enough to enjoy anything other than chicken noodle or vegetable soup.   So when I have he chance to experience a new soup, I try it. Usually.

    So I had coffee, a huge bowl of squash soup, and warm apple tart for dessert.

    It was great!

    We were visiting friends of Julia's once in Switzerland and Yvonne made pumpkin soup.  It was awesome!  Maybe it is the same as squash soup, I am not sure, but I still smile when I think of that soup.

    Today's was just as good.

    I also had carrot soup in Switzerland a long time ago.  I loved that.

    We had a VCCT progressive dinner years ago and I made about a gallon of carrot soup for our stop on the dinner route.  I think I ended up with about a gallon less 1 cup left.  I froze it, and all winter I would thaw some soup and enjoy it again.

    Today, on my way back to the salon, I ran into one of my former cohorts at Tilton.  Gwen and I spent about 15 minutes catching up on each others lives and laughing.  I don't think I have seen her in a couple of years, which is strange since Rochelle is not a big town and everyone goes to Walmart at some point.

    Well, if you are looking for some great soup, and a delicious apple tart, check out the good people at Acres Bistro!

Peace and Love

no laughs

 I am in a somber mood tonight

    A long time friend passed away last night.

    Frank, his bother John, and I grew up in the same neighborhood.

    I guess I was about 5th grade, maybe earlier, that we all became friends.  Through the years, John and I became closer.  But Frank was always there.

    He was a gentle person, who loved everyone.  They were all a close Italian family.  I spent a lot of my formative years at their house, and I can't even begin to count the number of softball games we played in their alley.  It was a lot.

    He had a beautiful red Chevy convert, with a license plate that aid summer 65, because that was when he met his wife, Barb .  I think the Chevy was a 65, but now I am not sure.  He brought it out to Rochelle for the Heritage Festival car show a couple of times, and everyone would come out to our house for a cook out afterwards.

    He, Barb, and John came out to visit this summer, and we had a great time talking about the "good old days."

    That old adage,:you never know when the last time you do something is.  How true.

    This has not been a good year for me, emotionally.

    My brother Carl, Rick from Church, Frank, and Jimmy Buffett....all gone.  

    Granted, I did not know Jimmy, but I loved his music and his outlook on life.  It was almost like I did know him. It's strange that I felt so bad about his death.  

    But time marches on.  We all come to the same end, don't we?

    And even though I know that, it is still hard to accept.

Peace and Love