Memorial Day Weekend

Sunday, May 24, 2026

I have a hard time reconciling that we are celebrating Memorial Day this Monday; it seems too early.

After mass I decided to make lemon bars for the pot luck "today".  I was almost going to skip it after the skimpy offerings at the last one.  But I had some lemons, and this seemed like a popular dessert.

I took a nap until about 4:10 p.m. that gave me just in time to cut them for the pot luck.  I checked out my balcony window to see who would be helping Dwight Morgan grill chicken.  No one was there.  The pot luck is tomorrow!

Memorial Day

There were nice offerings at the Pot luck; I did not have the grilled chicken.  It was quite dry.

Grafton Concert

Saturday, May 23, 2026

I met a lady taking a cart off the elevator and after I introduced myself, she said that she was a dear friend of Hartwin Just who died recently.  When I told her my name, she said, "You are the one that sent a card".  She and Hartwin had been serious partners for about fifteen years, same as Peter and I.  I invited her to my room as I had something for her.  She was very touched when I gave her a shawl and asked if I had made it.  I did not make the one I gave her and asked if she'd like one of mine instead.  She was happy to have one with bright colors.

Peter was pretty late picking me up for the Grafton concert, but he drove faster than he ever did and we got to Grafton High School just in time.

The choir was dressed in red, white and blue; the director in colonial blue, celebrating America's 250th Birthday.  

The program included a number of patriotic songs, solos by scholarship winners and some standard arrangements.  When they sang "Give Me Your Tired, Your Poor". I wanted to add "And we'll sent them right back where they came from".

Afterward, we joined Brad, Janice and Colin at the Water Street Brewery for beers and empanadas for me, a couple tacos for Peter, which he didn't care for.

John McGinnis Funeral

 Friday, May 22, 2026

I was so apprehensive that I would get up with a lot of pain; therefore I slept in a chair last night.  I had a surprisingly restful sleep, and I didn't feel as much pain in the morning as I did when I slept in bed.

Peter was here by 9:30 and we drove to Mother of Good Counsel Church on 68th and Lisbon for the funeral of John McGinnis.

https://www.foresthomefunerals.com/john-mcginnis

As often as I drove through this area, I never noticed this beautiful church, and it was very beautiful inside.

I was expecting more Austrian American Club members, but I'm glad that we could come.  There were many neighbors, former students and friends.

A lovely service that included meaningful readings which the priest explained in his homily were a significant reflection on John's life and character, especially the Passion in the gospel of John.

We drove a short distance to Holy Cross Cemetery, which was actually across the street.  I stayed in the car while others proceeded to the gravesite, but I could still hear "Taps".

We gathered in the church basement for lunch provided by Bunzel's, and sat with John's godson and his wife, also a friend, all from Shawano.

Afterward, we drove to Bunzel's to buy some fresh liver sausage and ground chuck; Peter purchased some items also.