Clean-up and More With Claude

Saturday, November 1, 2025

I drove in light rain to my hair appointment, and the rain continued as I drove home.  Claude still wanted to collect my dragon leaf begonias to store at his house.

Claude came about 1:30 p.m. and put the begonias in his car.  I took some stems and, hopefully, will get them to root.

Claude told me about Beethoven's symphonies that will be playing during the New York marathon and I wanted to show him  how I listen to music through my speakers.  Unfortunately, I wasn't getting any sound from them.  He fixed that by securing the wires; now they work fine.  I'm looking forward to listening to a new station.

My digital clock hasn't had the correct information since I hung it up.  Claude put that in order.

Laura's CARE package dinner from last night came in handy to share with Claude: bacon-wrapped meat loaf, mashed potatoes and red cabbage from her garden.  We started with pumpkin soup that I made yesterday, and finished with cream cheese topped brownies that I made for a memorial service.

Claude finished my balcony by pulling out the entire root systems  from the two planters.  I have two large plastic bags for composting.

I'm leaving the coleus until the frost kills them.  They are still so lovely.

I finished a shawl while I watched the Dodgers beat the Blue Jays in a heart-breaking game.  The Jays were leading the entire game until the ninth inning when the Dodgers tied it; they won 5 - 4 in the 11th inning. 

2025 Skeletons

 Thursday, October 23, 2025

Today was much better than yesterday's gloomy, cold, windy day to take a drive to see the Hubertus skeleton display.

The theme celebrates the 250th Birthday of America.

Again the creator's imagination went wild with costumes incorporating colors, slogans and symbols on tee shirts, hats and outrageous positions.

Evil Knievel rose from the dead to join the party.

And dominating the scene is the Statue of Liberty.

Read more about the skeletons here:

https://www.tmj4.com/news/washington-county/red-white-and-boo-the-26th-annual-holy-hill-skeleton-display-is-bone-afide-patriotic

My 93rd Birthday

Wednesday, September 24, 2025

After circling the block a couple of times to find parking, I bought a pound of cookies at Peter Sciortino Bakery to serve the breakfast group.

I brought my cereal and a hard roll (it wasn't as hard as I'd like) that I bought at the bakery to find Terri Miller, Rod DePue, Russ Langford, Edie Zutz and Barbara Todd at the table.  They sang "Happy Birthday"; they sang it again when Cecile Langford arrived, and once more when Jackie Haessley came.  I had quite a few cookies left that I shared with some people in the lower trattoria, also the cook.

It was bumper to bumper Brewer traffic that made driving extremely slow going to Maggiano's for lunch with the Ladies of Lee-sure.  I got off at 35th Street and took Wisconsin Avenue until the street was closed.  Bluemound Road was better and I got to the restaurant exactly at noon.  I had lunch with Karen Sauer, Vicky Barton, Wendy Selestow and Cindy Swenson.  I had shrimp scampi with a lot of pasta that I could take home. 

The waitress brought a Birthday treat that was an oval of white chocolate with "Happy Birthday" and crescent shaped lemon-flavored cookies that I shared with the ladies; there was also a strawberry.

                    

I got to Dr. Gundamraj's office about 2:00 p.m. for my 3:00 p.m. appointment  When the nurse assistant asked how I was spending my Birthday, I told her that I had lunch with the teachers from Lee School. "I went to Lee School", she said, and we tried remembering some teachers.   Dr. G  completed the DMV form before going over my lab results; the only concern was high glucose (borderline diabetes).  I also got a flu shot.

It took me about 30 minutes to get to the DMV on Grange Ave.  Because it was so close to closing time, my information had to be sent to Madison for review and I won't get approval for a license until tomorrow when they will call me.

Thursday, September 25, 2025

At breakfast when I told the group that I had an appointment with the audiologist because my right hearing aid was dead, I got a lot of advice about not driving with an expired license.  Dwight Morgan cautioned that if I hit someone all of my assets could vanish.  Paco Martorell offered to drive me, but I declined, not knowing how long my appointment would last.  I decided to call Lyft.

Dawn arrived with a Jeep and almost lost control when I told her that I was 93 and was able to get into the Jeep.  We had a lively chat and she got me to Dr. Martin's office on time, even after missing an exit.  That ride was $23.93.

My hearing aid was filled with wax and needed a cleaning and a new guard; I also got different tops

David picked me up at 11:55 a.m. and got me to SRS at 12:20 p.m.  That ride was $13.93; my transportation cost $37.68.

Claude treated me to dinner at Pitch's.  We each had a half rack of ribs (buy one get the second at half price), I had a Pinot G, Claude had a beer.  The meals were delicious.  I expected a Birthday treat since the waitress knew it was my Birthday, but Claude was not charged for my Pinot.  I toasted the waitress; it was much better than a piece of cake.

Friday, September 26, 2025

Janice came with a noodle dish, salad and a iced banana dessert.  She gave me a card with a Pick 'n Save gift card.  It was a beautiful day to have our lunch on the balcony.

Annika and I had dinner at the Twisted Fisherman; I knew she'd like the mussels on the menu.  Even though the day was warm earlier, it was too cool to eat outdoors.  We shared a calamari appetizer, Annika devoured a bowl of mussels and I had shrimp tacos.  Annika said she was mussels happy.

Thursday, October 2, 2025

Peter treated me to dinner at Parkside 23 as my Birthday gift.  I had charred salmon; Peter had Amish chicken breast.  Both were delicious.  We shared a complementary Crème Brulee.

We finished the evening at O'Donohue's.

Austrian American Day

Saturday, September 27, 2025

Before breakfast, Jackie Haessley and I presented a shawl to Avery Aten on the death of his wife Marcia, whose memorial service was being held today.

I bided my time knitting until my noon appointment for a perm with Emma.  Peter sent me a text saying that he will be at the church for Austrian American Day at Noon.  Oh, my God!!  I thought it was later this afternoon, and I was charged with taking photos.  

I called Salon Marie to cancel my perm and I feel just awful; this is the second time I deserted Emma.

I rushed around to get myself ready and tried using my Sony; it was dead, and I even forgot how to use it.

I got to Wauwatosa Methodist Church just about noon, expecting to see Peter there already; he was in charge of setting up the Austrian flag and the board of provinces.  He came almost at 1:00 p.m., because he wasn't feeling too well.  

It was a fine program, but the men's chorus could have done fewer pieces.

I was busy taking a lot of pictures.

The day was absolutely beautiful, it would be a shame to put it to waste.  We decided to change clothes and go to Octoberfest.

I programmed my GPS and I can't believe where it was taking me.  I punched in my Franklin address!  Since I was in the vicinity, I filled the gas tank and hit some heavy traffic before going home.

The biergarten was packed.  A couple saw Peter looking for a table and motioned him over as they were leaving.  We had our beers and a half chicken, plus split another 1/2 liter.

The night was warm and still; not a leaf was stirring.  We stayed well past 8:00 p.m., and people were still arriving.  We had to take advantage of this lovely day.

October Red Hat/Happy Hour at Golden Mast

Wednesday, October 15, 2025

We had almost all Red Hats at the SteakOut for lunch: Janice Rochwerger, Jane Worzala, June Krueger, Kathleen Schnagl, Julia Rice, Terry Harvey and myself; Joy Kilimann is recuperating from surgery, and Rita Bruce was not able to come.

We had exceptionally attentive service and good food.

Peter and I originally planned to take in the skeleton display near Holy Hill combined with the Happy Hour at Golden Mast.  Because of a late start, we'll see the skeletons at a later time.

We joined Ed Seebach and his friend Paul at a table with our gin tonics and ordered a Rueben roll appetizer.  An accordion player. that Peter also knew, provided music next to our table.  Each of the men had some person that one or the other knew.  It was a pleasant exchange of conversation.  When Peter and I danced "The Blue Skirt Waltz" that I requested, two more couples followed suit.

Peter was pleased that he will be going to a special band in Wautoma with Ed and Paul on Saturday.  

Galena, IL, 2025

Sunday, October 19, 2025

Jay, Laura and I left St. Rita Square at 10:00 a.m. on a drizzly morning, but by the time we got to Elkhorn, we saw patches of blue and then bright, sunny skies that followed us on our trip.

We stopped for lunch at Baumgartner Cheese Store & Tavern in Monroe https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064797993660&ref=page_internal.  

Besides cheese, there were other items on the menu, such as tomato basil bisque that was delicious.  The waiter thought it a little strange that I ordered raw onions with my braunschweiger on dark rye, but he delivered it with a smile, even after I added catsup.  

The owner stopped at our table and Jay reminisced about his visits to this tavern since he was a young boy.

On to Warren, IL, where we passed the home of Jay's great-grandmother, the cemetery where Jay stopped to pay his respects at the Sorensen gravesite and the church where Jay's mother worshipped.

When we got to Galena, Jay parked in a handicapped spot and we walked the Main Street from one end to the other on both sides. 

I bought caramel corn (naturally), some essential oil, and a microwave hot pad.  The streets were pretty well filled on this beautiful day, and the shops seemed to be doing a brisk business.  With all the walking we did, my walker was a godsend; I kept up without any discomfort. 

We got to the Wyndham Hotel and I hoped to watch some of the Packer game.  Scrolling up and down the channels didn't get any results.  I took a rest until it was time for dinner at Fritz & Frites Bistro. We were there for lunch on our December family outing in 2006,

and it's Jay and Laura's favorite place.  It is very cozy and quiet, dimly lit, and inviting.  https://fritzandfrites.com/

I had a glass of Bordeaux Blanc with my chicken schnitzel with spatzel and red cabbage.  The chicken was lightly breaded, flavorful and very tender. 

Laura had a bowl of Mussels.

 Jay had Wiernerschnetzel ala Holstein with an anchovy.  Because people were not eating the anchovy they stopped including it, but at Jay's  request, it was.   

The chef came to our table to answer Jay's question about the quality of mussels.  Chef said that the mussels come from Madison and are top quality.  We paid complements on the quality of food and the excellent service, which were warmly acknowledged.

This was memorable dining.

When I got to my room, I got ready for bed.  Even though I had my Kindle at my side it didn't get opened.  I was too exhausted to read.

Sunday, October 20, 2025

After a complementary breakfast, we were on our return home with stops again in Warren.  

Jay has kept in touch with the couple who purchased his great-grandmother's home, Jan and Grace Cikowski from Chicago.  We were on our way to visit them at another home they purchased in Warren.  

Laura had a jar of her homemade Zientek pickles as a gift to Jan and Grace, who greeted us warmly.  Grace led us on a tour of the house with elaborate furnishings and lovely collection items throughout the house.  There wasn't a surface that did not have a piece of crystal or china.  This is their own coat of arms.

Grace served Bundt cake and coffee while she and Jan told us about the work they are doing on Jay's great-grandmother's home, like scraping paint to bare wood, making draperies and other repairs.  They are a real team, supporting each other in purchasing and working on the restoration, while keeping an eye open for more collectables.

Laura mentioned beforehand Grace's generosity, and she didn't exaggerate: she gave me a lovely pin as a Birthday gift, Laura and me a bar of Lindt chocolate and Laura took home the rest of the Bundt cake; Grace apologized to Laura that she didn't have any Polish sausage to give her.  Then we were off to see Jay's great-grandmother's house, a short distance away.  

Both houses are about one hundred years old, and of very solid construction.  This house has multiple bedrooms and could possibly be a bed and breakfast.  It was not as elaborately decorated as the previous house, but the collectables are still in storage.

Here are Jan and Grace Cikowski with Jay and Laura.

As we left Warren on County DD, Jay pointed out a number of properties that are or were inhabited by the Schultz family (Jay's mother's family).

Laura was on a quest for pumpkins.  A search brought up Heidi's Pumpkin and Maze; much too expensive.

We were fortunate to find Ten Eyck Apples, a warehouse with many tables of apple varieties, plus affordable pumpkins; Laura bought three, I bought a huge caramel apple.

A good portion of our trip was through Lafayette County.  I was amazed at the vast farmland, beyond what the eye could see, planted mostly with corn.  Very little livestock; the barns held machinery, not cattle.  And then, a solitary home, with no other habitation for miles and miles.  We also saw acreage of sunflowers, that must have been gorgeous on a warm, sunny day.  We drove along steep hills that gave us a roller-coaster ride.

We were not overly hungry after having breakfast and Bundt cake, so we decided to head to Milwaukee and Lakefront Brewery, which would be open when we got there.

Jay and I had beers, Laura a Coke that we had with our lunches.  Russ Klisch joined us and served us a second beer.

We did so much in one day, it seemed more like a week.  What a delightful experience.

Free Saturday

 Saturday, 10/11, 2025

I did not have a hair appointment today; I will be getting a perm on Thursday.

This was an ideal day to clean the frig.  I should be doing this more often, but everything looks great.

All the plants got a thorough watering.

Finished a scarf, a pocket square and worked on a shawl.

The Brewers won over the Cubs in the fifth game of the play-offs.