LOVE LUNCH - ALA ROMA
The best salad menu in our city is the beautiful selection at Ala Roma, our favorite Italian restaurant. They are expensive. They are huge. They are wonderful! We ordered one to split and hade a make-shift picnic love lunch. Keith caught a photo of me headed to the car with this culinary marvel. We were delighted as always with the quality.
HELEN KELLER DAY
What serendipity! Little did I know when I made Keith’s appointment for his annual eye exam that it would take place on the inspirational Helen Keller’s birthday. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate than to love your eyes and give them a great preventive care screening. The meaning was not lost on us. We love our sight!
SURPRISE SR-71 FAN
Tom says his name stands for Terrible Old Man (T.O.M.). He is anything but! We have known him for years and years, frequenting the same coffee shops and chit chatting through the decades of life in the same spaces. I am amazed it was not until today that I found out he was a total nut for the SR-71. It was his not so subtle shirt that tipped me off. Of course, a long discussion ensued about my cousin Arnie’s genius and leadership of the engine project. Of course, I sent him the Aviation Zoo video and maded his day. He made me repeat everything twice to make sure he got the retelling to his friends corrrectly. I am so lucky to have connections to some brilliant people. It really increases my social capital. LOL.
TEA WITH JEAN
We have always called it our tea time. It makes me smile as I sip my diet coke. For years we’ve set aside 2-3 hours to go deep on life and solve the world’s problems. She is an absolutely exquisite person and one of my most valued friends. Our biographies converge with eerie similarities, interests, and values. I cherish this time even though it is virtual, we wander around house, yard, and gardens and the distance between Wisconsin and Florida disappears. We are truly present together.
LOVE LUNCH - ALA ROMA
The best salad menu in our city is the beautiful selection at Ala Roma, our favorite Italian restaurant. They are expensive. They are huge. They are wonderful! We ordered one to split and hade a make-shift picnic love lunch. Keith caught a photo of me headed to the car with this culinary marvel. We were delighted as always with the quality.
SURPRISE SR-71 FAN
Tom says his name stands for Terrible Old Man (T.O.M.). He is anything but! We have known him for years and years, frequenting the same coffee shops and chit chatting through the decades of life in the same spaces. I am amazed it was not until today that I found out he was a total nut for the SR-71. It was his not so subtle shirt that tipped me off. Of course, a long discussion ensued about my cousin Arnie’s genius and leadership of the engine project. Of course, I sent him the Aviation Zoo video and maded his day. He made me repeat everything twice to make sure he got the retelling to his friends corrrectly. I am so lucky to have connections to some brilliant people. It really increases my social capital. LOL.
TEA WITH JEAN
We have always called it our tea time. It makes me smile as I sip my diet coke. For years we’ve set aside 2-3 hours to go deep on life and solve the world’s problems. She is an absolutely exquisite person and one of my most valued friends. Our biographies converge with eerie similarities, interests, and values. I cherish this time even though it is virtual, we wander around house, yard, and gardens and the distance between Wisconsin and Florida disappears. We are truly present together.
CAR SHOW NIGHT
This show favorite was indeed influenced by extreme favoritism. Keith’s numerous collection of photos from the event all featured this beautiful blue 1955 Chevy own and built by dear friend Tom Kiser. It was revealed a quid pro quo may have been at work. Tom forfeited his token for free ice cream. Perhaps an innocent gesture of friendship or perhaps something more nefarious?
CAR SHOW NIGHT
This show favorite was indeed influenced by extreme favoritism. Keith’s numerous collection of photos from the event all featured this beautiful blue 1955 Chevy own and built by dear friend Tom Kiser. It was revealed a quid pro quo may have been at work. Tom forfeited his token for free ice cream. Perhaps an innocent gesture of friendship or perhaps something more nefarious?
CINDERFELLA: THE SHOE FITS
Since the second pair was half-price, we left with a pair of white tennies. But our mission was blue shoes. The man NEEDS blue shoes. If they were suede I would “stay off of them.” Ah, Elvis!
CINDERFELLA: THE SHOE FITS
Since the second pair was half-price, we left with a pair of white tennies. But our mission was blue shoes. The man NEEDS blue shoes. If they were suede I would “stay off of them.” Ah, Elvis!
GLOBAL BEATLES DAY
The day started with “Hey Jude” and continued for 12 hours of back and forth between Keith and I to start a duet of a different song we hadn’t sung yet. Finally, Keith conceded when he just couldn't think of one more. It was only later that night after Beatles supper, that we swooned over our own little tubs of Strawberry Fields ice cream and cranked the woofers to max as we enjoyed our own curated Beatles concert. Encores were our two favorites: Here Comes the Sun (Keith) and All You Need is Love (me). Thanks for the memories, John, George, Paul and Ringo. Perfect.
GLOBAL BEATLES DAY
The day started with “Hey Jude” and continued for 12 hours of back and forth between Keith and I to start a duet of a different song we hadn’t sung yet. Finally, Keith conceded when he just couldn't think of one more. It was only later that night after Beatles supper, that we swooned over our own little tubs of Strawberry Fields ice cream and cranked the woofers to max as we enjoyed our own curated Beatles concert. Encores were our two favorites: Here Comes the Sun (Keith) and All You Need is Love (me). Thanks for the memories, John, George, Paul and Ringo. Perfect.
GRANNY BUNNY FUN FOR JULY
It’s such a good feeling to publish a finished newsletter, hoping it sparks some love. I am really enjoying this collection of events/holidays/celebrations for each month. I want to do the whole year if I can manage it. Four months down and eight to go. I love it!
GRANNY BUNNY FUN FOR JULY
It’s such a good feeling to publish a finished newsletter, hoping it sparks some love. I am really enjoying this collection of events/holidays/celebrations for each month. I want to do the whole year if I can manage it. Four months down and eight to go. I love it!
THE RAT UNCHAINED
Keith’s great-nephew Henry (sosn of Leah and Andy and grandson of brother Greg) was excited to meet The Rat, but no one was more excited than The Rat himself. After months in a ddrawer with his wardrobe and competitor puppets, he hasn’t had the chance to torment children for ages.. Henry was no easy mark. He poked and tickled back, and finally took over the puppeteering role. It was a memory none of us will forget.
THE RAT UNCHAINED
Keith’s great-nephew Henry (sosn of Leah and Andy and grandson of brother Greg) was excited to meet The Rat, but no one was more excited than The Rat himself. After months in a ddrawer with his wardrobe and competitor puppets, he hasn’t had the chance to torment children for ages.. Henry was no easy mark. He poked and tickled back, and finally took over the puppeteering role. It was a memory none of us will forget.
YAY! COMPANY’SS COMING
Andy, Leah, and Henry flew from Mississippi to Chicago where they were fetched by Greg for transport to Appleton. Luckily for us, we were on the route at supper time. The guests requested cheese pizza and some snacks, which we meticulously curated. It was a veritable Festival of Foods, if you catch my drift. There arer not many thhings that excite me more than tables readied for guests. That slice of time between “ready” and “arrival” is frought withh anticipation and jubilation. A tiny chance to imagine the gathering and love that will soon be manifest. Love it!
GRANNY’S DOLLAR GAME
It was invented over 30 years ago when the nieces and nephews started populating family gatherings. I would keep a stash of one dollar bills in my pockets for the game I invented. When a new introduction was made to Aunt Mary, I would pull a Washington out of my pocket and tell them if they remembered my name next time, they’d get another dollar. It has worked successfully for decades. I admit it started as a ruse to punk my siblings who I’d hoped would wonder why my name was always remembered by children and theirs wasn’t. Evil. I know. I let Keith in on the game today and his name sits prominantly nestled in Henry’s heart next to the image of a dollar bill.
POKEMON TREASURE HUNT
We had an exciting time with Henry as he zoomed through the house collecting Pokemon treasures wrapped in yellow tissue paper. He had to find them all or else he couldn’t open any of them. And he did it! Pokemon cards galore, a precious clutch of Pokemon eggs, and a stylish Pokemon hat to boot! And the cards were superb aid in his battle against his dad, which he won handily!
