Festa

Sunday, June 1, 2025

Peter and I took the Uber to Festa on a clear, cool, comfortable day.  Claude joined us in time for the 1:00 p.m. mass, Father Tim as the celebrant.  His theme centered around his summer painting job at Allen Bradley: scraping, priming and painting.

After mass, we joined the procession of the Blessed Sacrament around the grounds to the lakefront.

We did not find any entertainment that was in session, but I was in search of an Italian sausage sandwich.  As we thought about it, we were not really hungry, and it was mid-afternoon.  The beer garden at Estabrook Park seemed like a great alternative.

Claude drove Peter and me to SRS and we met at the beer garden.

We had beers with brats for the guys, a hot dog for me.  A man asked if I waltzed.  When I told him the I did, he asked Peter if it was OK; his name was Mike.  We had a nice slow waltz, but I would not have been able to last much longer, with the pain in my hip.

When we got back to SRS, I ordered a cable for Peter's shaver.

Window Washing and More

 Friday, May 16, 2025

I soaked my shower curtains overnight with one cup of white vinegar to the full wash load to remove unsightly mold and stains.  They came out spotlessly clean.  I hung the liner to dry so that Janice could hang it and the curtain when they came later.

Brad and Janice came prepared to wash windows with their equipment.  Janice took care of the shower curtains while Brad wiped down the balcony screens and woodwork.  Janice finished the job by washing the windows.  Brad vacuumed my carpets, all before lunch.

Janice used jackfruit over rice and roasted broccoli with a lovely sauce and roasted cashews.  We had tea and 'Easter Eggs' for dessert, (chick peas and peanut butter covered with thick chocolate.

Rain was forecast for the evening, but Colin said the game was on.  I had on and off rain as I drove to Hart Park.  When I parked, it was pouring and a bolt of lightening cracked across the playing field.  The team packed up and left.

Janice and Brad were on their way and met Colin at the sponsor's bar.

knitting, Ripping, Peter is Back

 Sunday, May 18, 2025    

I[m working on a two-tone purple and lilac cap and the purple is worse than black.  I twisted the stitches, purled instead of knit and must have ripped three times.  I'm on the lilac which seems to go better.

Peter arrived at 6:38 p.m. after spending three weeks in Germany.  I cruised around before picking him up just minutes after he called me.  We usually ate at a Mexican restaurant after trips and Jocelyn liked Botanos II on East 14th and Howard.  We had margaritas and generous steak fajitas with an extra order of tortillas; I had another margarita.  Peter had a lot to tell about his trip and we lingered until they were pulling up the chairs.

I drove Peter home and got to SRS at about 9:30 p.m. 

Memorial Day 2025

 Monday, May 26, 2025

Eleanor Harris, Cookie Anderson and I planted zinnias and Mexican feather grass in the piazza planters.  Eleanor had some feather grass seedlings from last year that I hope will survive.

I made Rice Krispie treats for the pot luck

I discovered a mistake in the navy hat I'm knitting, so I'm back tracking.

Peter came for the pot luck, which was varied and plentiful with a lot of chicken that Dwight Morgan grilled.

Peter stayed for a while and told me more about his trip.  He wanted a water kettle ordered and I had a name tag/documents holder that he could use.

Lunch wi th Janice/Softball Fizzle

 Friday, May 23, 2025

It was nice to see sunshine with a little warmer temperature this morning.  I took my plants that were keeping warm in my living room to the balcony; the aluminum plant died from lack of water.

Janice came with a different dish that included a side of cauliflower gratin, very nice.  We visited until after 1:00 p.m.  I said I was planning to go to Colin's softball game, we thought we'd meet there.

I started a navy cap and could knit only while it was bright outside; navy is very difficult to see.

I went to Hart Park for the 6:15 game and was surprised to see no one there.  The games were moved to a different park because Hart Park was still too wet from the recent rains.

I picked up a large quesadilla from the truck on Pleasant Street.  I should have bought a small one; this was huge. 

May Red Hat

Wednesday, May 21, 2025

Everyone except Rita Bruce was at Japanica in the Greenfield shopping center.  We sat a tables instead of the hibachi.  Everyone seemed to enjoy what she ordered.

June Krueger and Julia Rice had birthdays close to the date.  Each got a dessert while the staff sang their version of "Happy Birthday".

Dinner at County Clair With Laura and Annika

Tuesday, May 20, 2025

It rained all day and was very cold.

After sheepshead I went to the prayer shawl ministry group with three shawls.  I hoped to find matching yarn to finish a shawl that used less yards, but took some navy yarn to finish each end.  The man who took our picture two months ago gave each of us prints.

Laura picked me up to go to County Clair where we met Annika.  I had a delicious meat loaf with mashed potatoes, enough to take home for another meal.

Laura said that she went to Bayside Garden on Monday afternoon, the same day that I went with Eleanor Harris.  She said she bought some dahlias, I also bought a dahlia.  We bought the identical 'Happy Days' dahlia!

Plant Shopping

 Monday, May 18, 2025

Eleanor Harris and I headed headed out to Bayside Gardens to shop for plants for the piazza on a cold day that would not get up to 50 degrees; the wind made it feel colder.  We bought an assortment of zinnias, plus plants for ourselves.  I found some coral petunias, licorice plants for trailing and a yellow dahlia to plant in front of my window.  Eleanor also bought an abundance of plants.

It's too cold for the plants outdoors; I also brought in my dragon wing begonias.

I watched a Zoom program on healthcare that Rod DePew downloaded from Osher.  The figures in trillions and billions are beyond my comprehension, and some of the information was extremely technical.

Balcony Planting

 Wednesday, May 14, 2025

Claude came in the morning to work on my balcony.  He assembled and mounted my new planters, which look very sturdy and roomy.    He filled them with the new soil and had to supplement it with the soil from last year.

I planted two cuphea vermillionaire (fire cracker plant), two lantana and two helichrysum plants (that one might be too vigorous).

Claude swept up the area and went home with a package of frozen vegan lentil vegetable soup.

I drove to Kelner's and bought some fibrous begonias, siky plant, basil, mint and rosemary.  Everything got planted.

In the evening we shared stories about spring.  I told about spring cleaning.

2025 Mother's Day/Birthdays

 May 11, 2025

We had a wonderful afternoon at the Dorns', sitting outdoors, watching many birds.  We always have a lot of laughs at each other's expense, but no hurt feelings.

Brad had hamburgers and brats already grilled and simmering in his secret mixture of beer, butter and onions.  Janice completed the meal with mixed vegies and dip, chips and dip, delicious potato salad, baked beans and a carrot Birthday cake.

We celebrated Mother's Day with gifts of two 12" dragon leaf begonia plants that Claude brought in when he picked me up, plus and Amazon gift card; a pink rose plant from Colin; a long necklace for my Portsmouth charm; and a gift of an overnight in Galena with Jay and Laura.

We sang "Happy Birthday to Claude on his 64th

and Janice on her 59th.

Dentist, Thai Soup, Garage Break-in

 Tuesday, May 13, 2025

I had a lot of tartar on my lower teeth; more in six months than in two years.  It was not a very pleasant session. Dr. Gola advised rinsing my mouth after each meal and using an electric tooth brush.

I picked up my prescription at Walgreen's and wanted to check on electric toothbrushes.  They were all locked up; did not want to waste my time.

Annika was in charge of a Thai soup with a lot of Laura's help.  I was anticipating a burning hot sensation, but it was delicious, along with batter-fried calamari.  

We sang "Happy Birthday" to Claude on his 64th Birthday.

Annika and I stopped at Walgreen's to pick up some Lactaid with my UH benefits.

As I was driving into my garage, two Black boys were riding bikes out of the garage.  I checked the bike racks and the bikes were in disarray.  I reported the incident to the police; I also called Tyler and sent an email to the residents.

PO Hernandez came at 9:15 p.m. for further information and looked at the site.  I really don't know if any bikes were stolen.

Easter, 2025

 April 20, 2025

Laura and Jay hosted the Easter dinner.  We started out with an array of appetizers that would be enough for an entire dinner.

Dinner included a flavorful ham, scalloped potatoes, salad and a braided bread.

Everyone enjoyed this absolutely delicious meal.

American Legion Band, Pot Luck, Movie

 Sunday, April 6, 2025

I made an apple salad to the pot luck before mass.  It filled Donald's big bowl.

I did the second reading of St. Paul to the Philippians, which had very long sentences, but I felt very good today with no fainting spells.

Terri Miller drove Doug Visvader, Cheri Franch and me to the American Legion Band Spring Concert in Cudahy.  It was marvelous, with great musicianship and spirit.

When we got back to SRS there wasn't much time to get our dishes down to the pot luck.  The pot luck was pretty skimpy, mostly salads.  My apple salad got polished off very quickly.  I hate buffets, but I hate pot lucks more; all that food mixed together does not appeal to me.

A movie was arranged at the last minute.  I would not have known about it, but Marilyn Minor asked if I was going to see "Oklahoma".  We had a nice group watching, and Marilyn could sing all the lyrics to every song.

Lots of Energy/Ribs at Double Bs Ribs

Saturday, April 5, 2025

My bathroom cabinets needed organizing and tossing.  I sorted towels and made some items more accessible. The cabinets look much neater.

After my hair, I revived my African violets that looked droopy.  I added more soil and snipped off wilted leaves, and then gave them a good soaking.

I picked up $100+ groceries at the P & S on Lyon Street.  I loaded them in the shopping cart, put stuff from the garage in my trunk so I could get my area washed on Monday.  I found a parking space on Van Buren close to the garage.

I took up my groceries, washed the freezer and frig, and put my groceries away.  I bought enough for the apple salad for Sunday's pot luck, vegetable soup and other odds and ends.  This shopping was very convenient.

I relaxed until Peter picked me up at 5:30 p.m. for our 6:00 p.m. reservation at Double Bs Ribs.  We were seated immediately and we both ordered a half rack with beans, also a beer for Peter and a cola for me.  They surely were messy eating.  I wonder what laundry they use to clean those soiled napkins.  Peter thought the ribs did not have very much meat on them; I would have to agree.  Also the ends were quite dry and hard to chew.  Outside the restaurant, I determined the the ribs at Sazz's were better.  We'll try there next time; I'm sure I'm right.

We took a slow drive back to SRS and somehow were headed south instead of north.  My GPS got us back on track.  But it was a lovely clear night with a lot of night life throughout the city.

Pizza at Cataro's Italian Villa

 Saturday, March 29, 2025

I called Three Brothers Restaurant, but the best they could do was seating at 8:30 or 8:45 p.m.  Much too late.

Peter suggested "lady's Joyce's".  I searched but could not find that restaurant in Milwaukee; however, there was something "Joyce" in NY.  Texting is tedious to communicate when one wants immediate answers, so we resorted to the phone.  Peter meant "Lady's Choice", meaning that I should select a restaurant.  Peter mentioned Balistreri's where we went with John and Mary McGinnis.  No way!  I wasn't impressed with it.  I suggested Cataro's.  Perfect!

When Peter picked me up at 5:30 p.m. I told him to go to 35th Street, to Loomis Road.  We were almost in Franklin when I realized we should have been on Beloit Road.  I guess even though I know where I'm going it's best to use my phone for directions.

Peter had wine, I had Diet Pepsi while we waited for our Cataro's Special Pizza: sausage, cheese, mushrooms and onions on a thin crust.  It was worth the wait.

The pizza is generously loaded with meat and mushrooms, and the crust does not droop in your hand.

Needless to say, we both enjoyed our pizza, and Peter was able to take a small portion home.  

I regret not including Claude; maybe next time

Hair, Shopping, Stiftungfsfest

 Saturday, March 22, 2025

Jocelyn got the whole story of my medical ordeal and a cut and style felt good after three weeks.

I'm looking for a needle threader, but Dollar Tree didn't have any sewing supplies; I bought Easter candy.

I overextended myself at P & S.  I took some gulps of milk from my cart to overcome a weak feeling.

I took a nap before Peter picked me up at 4:30 p.m. for a 98th anniversary of some German group called Stifftungsfest.  We each had the pork chops, enough to take home one of the chops for an extra dish.

Sunday, March 23, 2024

The church was overflowing for Father Joe's mass.  I passed on muffins after mass.

I made a ravioli dish from the P & S monthly magazine for the pot luck.  Very easy, with no cutting or chopping, and it all disappeared.

Terri Miller arranged for us to see "Simply Ballroom" in the club room.  A large group enjoyed the movie.

Doctor Follow-up, Panera's, Roses,

 Friday, March 22, 2024

I had a 7:15 a.m. appointment with Dr. Gundamraj, first of the day.  She was amazed at my being 92 years old with such vitality and youth.

Peter and I met at the Panera's at 850 N. Mayfair Rd.  Peter didn't even know about that one and had to ask where to find it.  We each had an egg and cheese sandwich on a sesame bagel with lots of coffee.  After a number of tries, I was able to put Peter in Panera Rewards.

A group of men were sitting nearby, and Peter knew some of them.  I'm sure he'll be seeing more of them in the future.

I met Peter at his car and he gave me a bouquet, with a catch in his throat.  I arranged them when I got home.

I rested a bit before the March Birthday Party.  I did not eat, since I just finished a large breakfast at Panera, but sat and knit and listened to the Irish music.

Jackie Haessley arranged pedicures at A nails in Brown Deer where we took a leisurely drive through every Parkway on the North side.  I had a very relaxing, satisfying pedicure, complete with light pink polish.  I didn't think my funny right  big toe would look good with polish, but it did.

St. Paul Fish Market was about two blocks west of A Nails.  I had two tacos filled generously with jumbo shrimp.  We came at the right time, because as we were leaving there were a lot of people waiting to get in.

Jack Huennekens rang my doorbell and wanted to know more about the fourth archangel, so I found plenty of information about Archangel Uriel to keep him busy for a while.

March 2025 Red Hat

Wednesday, March 19, 2025

Lyft driver Mike got me to Mo's Irish Pub on Bluemound Road, driving in steady rain.

I could not make reservations, but waited for a table for six, if Rita Bruce would be coming; she didn't.  June,Krueger, Jane Worzala, Janice Rochwerger, Terry Harvey and I made up the group.

Shepherd's Pie sounded great on this damp, rainy cold day, and it was just right.

We visited and Terry insisted that Bob drive me home.  I finally agreed.

I got completely frustrated with Blogger when the width of the text page shrunk.  I tried numerous fixes to no avail.  I am hoping JJ with be able to help me.

Learning Blogger

 Monday, March 17, 2025

Whenever I edit a previous blog it jumps to the current date and is out of sequence.  I Googled how to keep it in the original order.  When I found out how to do it by changing the "Published on" date, I started working on my blogs.

Some Titles I wanted to change, but had trouble doing that.  I Googled that also and it took a couple of tries to get it right.  I needed to Update the blog in the pulldown menu, instead of the Update in orange.  Then I had to save it with Ctrl S.

I stopped for a while to join a group reading about St. Patrick Day Observances in other parts of the world.

I skipped the St. Patrick's Day Happy Hour, but I enjoyed my corned beef and Swiss cheese sandwich for dinner.

I continued this blogging task until after 11:00 p.m., and I'm only up to September 2021.  I have been sitting much too long.

 

Substitute for a Substitute

 Sunday, March 16, 2025

I woke to a snowy morning.  Sharon Malenda called, asking if I was going to mass.  She offered to bring me Holy Communion if I was not.  I told her that I would be at mass.

Sister Mary Louise volunteered to lector for me today when I thought I would not be here due to my hospitalization.  The entire ministry knew about it and welcomed me warmly.  I went to my pew and Sharon came to tell me that Sister Mary Louise would not be coming because of the snow.  Could I lector?  I could, even though I still felt a little weak.  The reading went well.  But the Petitions book fell behind the seat and I couldn't find it.  A man located it for me.

We gathered after mass and shared a lot of pacemaker stories.  Nancy continues to bring generous treats.

I made some note cards that turned out rather nice.  I did some napping and took it easy.

At 6:30, I went to the Club Room to watch "Invictus", which Terri Miller had arranged, about South Africa, Nelson Mandela and rugby.  I hesitated going, but I'm glad I went to see this excellent film.  Mandela found strength from repeating the poem "Invictus", which is the title of the movie.

INVICTUS

Out of the night that covers me
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance,
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate
I am the captain of my soul.

2025 Hospital

 Wednesday, March 12, 2025

Claude got me to the Same Day Interventional Service before 7:00 p.m.  I was gowned and shortly after taken to the operating room to have a catheterization on my legs, which were bothering me with some discomfort.  They did find some blockage in both legs and put in some balloons.  All went well, but I felt people pounding on my side repeatedly after the procedure. I had developed a hematoma, which is bleeding under the skin and they were putting pressure on the area to control the bleeding.

I was taken to the original room and was given a light lunch of a sandwich, fruit and juice.  I really did not have much appetite, but as I was eating I felt like I was blacking out.  Putting my head below my knees did not help.  I pressed the Nurse button, but no one responded.  Then I heard people shouting at me and rolling me over.  My heart had stopped for almost one minute.  There was no intervention.  My heart recovered on its own!  I was told that my heart showed a straight line on the monitor.

I was taken to Intensive Care and monitored, especially for the hematoma.  I had a weight put on the area, also some device that was hooked up to the system.  Now I needed a pacemaker to avoid my heart stopping again.  Because I had that little bit of lunch, they could not insert the pacemaker until Thursday.  I had to lie flat on my back with no food and only sips of water because of the hematoma.  My mouth felt like it was full of sand. 

I was so happy to have Jay and Aleksei visit me.  I was able to arrange for someone to lector for me on Sunday, and canceled my Friday eye appointment.

From that time on there were numerous checks on my blood, X-Ray, blood pressure, oxygen, the hematoma and "How are you feeling?".  The big concerns were my blood pressure, which was really high and my oxygen level, which was low; mostly because I sleep with my mouth open and lose oxygen.

I was scheduled for my pacemaker at 1:30 p.m., Thursday.  A hospital representative came and told me they are running a little behind.  There was an emergency operation that took precedence, so I was wheeled into the operating room at about 5:00 p.m. 

After surgery, I was in another room of the hospital. I had a sleepless night with a lot of interruptions from being checked for one test or another.  When I was able to sleep on my side I slept soundly.

I had a bowl of oatmeal, prunes and coffee for breakfast that never tasted so good.  A nurse explained what I needed to do to take care of the incision.  Another nurse gave me instructions on my medications.  I was given the word that Claude could pick me up at 1:30 p.m.

Claude stayed with me until it was time to go to Jay and Laura's for a family dinner for Aleksei's departure to Knoxville and a new position.

I felt very well, sitting and knitting, visiting with Ellen Meyers and the family.  I felt a sudden development and could not get to the bathroom fast enough.  It was a disaster.  Jay drove me home.

Pen Pals, Knitting

Tuesday, January 14, 2025

I am far behind in my writing to my pen pals.  I spent a lot of time organizing a system for keeping the letters in order, and then wrote three letters: Hollie, Bruce and Frederick.  I also wrote to Annika.

My accounts needed updating, so that took most of the day.

Jackie Haessley suggested making little knitted palm squares to give to people who need support.  I found some patterns and verses to go with them and have knitted a few.  Now I have three projects going: shawls, caps and squares.

I ordered long double-pointed steel needles for making caps that I hoped would help the cramping from using the short circular needles.  I thought the steel would be heavy and/or the stitches would slide off.  These are very smooth and comfortable.  The stitches don't fall off, unless I pull the wrong needle!

Plaza Café, Dance Band, Mader's

 Monday, January 13, 2025

Peter really likes breakfast at the Plaza Café.   After breakfast, we drove to the Kohl's at Point Loomis Amazon Return Center to return a wallet that he was not satisfied with.

Terri Miller told us about a dance band that would be playing at the Wilson Senior Center at 1:30 p.m.  It was a very convenient drive from Kohl's.  We had plenty of time to survey this lovely facility with many activities and a lot of people participating.  We found a large table in the huge main hall and were joined my Terri, Cecille, Cheri, Terri's sister Mary and her husband and another friend.

The band consisted of at least eighteen musicians playing great dancing arrangements of many standards.  I recognized a number of Vagabonds.  Peter and I danced more than we ever did, because the music was so danceable.  We stayed until 3:30 p.m.

We still wanted to do something else; I suggested getting some bar food at Mader's.  Great idea.  We were the only ones in the bar and enjoyed beers with Rueben rolls, just enough.

  

Door County New Year

 End and Beginning

Jay, Laura and I are off to Door County on an overcast morning. We started out at 10:30 a.m. with a slight mist that cleared and was overcast the rest of the way.

Jay had some problem with his tire sensor. We stopped in Green Bay to have it repaired. Before continuing we grabbed something to eat at Freddie's. Hamburgers for J & L, a dish of custard with hot fudge for me. I had an omelet at SRS so I didn't want anything too filling. It took me 30 minutes to finish the custard.
The drive was very pleasant. Good visibility with overcast skies, light traffic..

https://www.vrbo.com/4019733?
We arrived at our cottage in Ellison Bay at 2:30 p.m., and spent a lot of time looking for the switch for the light over the table. When all else fails, call the management. As Jay was on the phone with someone, Laura discovered the switch.
A wonderful feature about this cottage is the skylight in the sunken sun room. It's like sitting in the forest. I saw a red squirrel scampering, followed not too long after by a pair of deer giving us a looking over.

Friends of Jay and Laura's, Karen and Jim Sporer, arrived at about 6:00 p.m. with a bountiful farewell to the old year.  We feasted on barbecue meat balls, bacon-wrapped sausages, cheeses and crackers, smoked salmon, shrimp and cocktail sauce, pretzels and dip, salsa and chips and assorted veggies and dips.

After letting that settle for a while, Laura brought out a platter of her Christmas cookies. We toasted 2025 with champagne, but not at midnight. By10:00 p.m. we called it a year.

Wednesday, January 1, 2025
I slept very well on a very soft comfortable bed. My bedroom is on the first floor with a full bath and shower.  A light snow was falling, just enough that the car needed brushing; but that wasn't necessary, because we were not going anywhere.
Laura prepared scrambled eggs, bacon, toast and fruit for breakfast.
I read most of the day, sitting in the sunken sunroom. The only wildlife that came by were the red squirrel and some chickadees.

Laura found a nice puzzle that she and Jay can work on.

After a spaghetti dinner we watched some Dick van Dyke and Twilight Zone shows.

Thursday, Jan. 2,2025
I really slept well, much longer than everyone else. Jay prepared frogs in a hole for breakfast. Our plan was to visit Barb Pederson. When we got to her facility she was about to attend a meeting, so we said that we'd be back later. We browsed through a resale shop where I found a nice looking vest, Laura picked up a nice sweater. Jay took pictures of a resort damaged by fire that he thought Aleksei's company might be interested in buying. We stopped at the shop where Laura bought a purse last summer hoping to find a similar one for winter, and realized that she never gave the pajamas she bought there for the 3 As. 

We had a lovely visit with Barb Pederson who did not remember me, but who carried on a very nice conversation with J & L, She is confined to a wheelchair, and has impaired vision. She enjoys listening to books on tape .
We picked up a few groceries at Piggly Wiggly, and had a little snack.

We had dinner at The Chop.  I coaxed Laura to get lobster which we both enjoyed.

 We finished the evening watching Midsomer Murders.

Friday, January 3

We visited Karen and Jim Sporer in their kitchen.  Laura looked out the window and spotted a beautiful bald eagle in their tree.  We also saw a pileated woodpecker at their feeder.  That was the highlight of the day.

Saturday, January 4

We were on our way at 10:00 a.m.  We had one stop to pick up some food at McDonald's.

I was back in my apartment at about 2:00 p.m.