2024/2025

 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 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 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.

Austrian Christmas Dinner/Grafton Chorus

Saturday, December 21, 2024

Peter was not responding to my texts about the Austrian Club Dinner today.  I mentioned it on Friday, and again this morning.  Just on a hunch, I wondered if he knew it was today, so I called him.  He thought it was tomorrow, like it had always been on a Sunday at Kegel's Inn.  But since our last dinner, they changed their policy, and would not open on Sunday for us.  Peter was grateful that I alerted him.  I couldn't imaging the tongue lashing he would have gotten had he missed this event.

We sat with a very nice group of people and had a delicious dinner.  Peter and I had beef rouladen, enough for extra meals.  John Puchner entertained us on the keyboard with pre-dinner music and Christmas carols afterward.

I got some cash from the ECU ATM and we spent some time at my house until it was time to go to the Grafton Chorus.

We thought we were too early when we arrived at 6:20 p.m. for the 7:00 p.m. concert, but the parking spaces were full; Peter had to park some distance away.  As I was getting in line to purchase our tickets, a man asked if I'd like his tickets.  When I offered to pay, he said, "Merry Christmas".  A lady motioned for me to take the seats on the aisle. We sat down, expecting Claude to come.  When he said he wasn't coming, we sat together and Mark from Eagle River sat next to me.  We had a pleasant conversation whenever the opportunity presented itself.

The concert was very enjoyable, really put me in the Christmas spirit.  A lovely mix of secular and popular music, with children contributing with "Rudolph" and "The Holly and the Ivy". 

 We met Janice afterward and she and Brad suggested following them to the Hard Rock Brewery.  Peter noticed his air pressure tire light was lit and was concerned how we would get home.  Brad had a tire pump in his garage and offered to fill Peter's tire after we had a beer.  We had beers and pretzels and met Mark plus other chorus member at Hard Rock.

We drove into Brad's garage and got the tires filled.  The caution light went off before we got to Green Bay Road.

Gaudete Sunday, 2924

 Sunday, December 15, 2024    

This was really a "Rejoicing" Sunday. I lectored, but made a little flub.  I said the reading was from Zachariah instead of Zephaniah, I must have read that more than ten times.

I put my stollen for the bakery after mass; it disappeared fast.

I mixed up a batch of Nut Butter Balls and refrigerated it to form later for the memorial we'll be having on Monday for Jane Zellmer's sister.

Teri Miller told us about the Milwaukee American Legion Band concert in Oak Creek.  Some people arranged to carpool; I decided I'd go, but went by myself.  It was marvelous, all Christmas melodies.

Afterward there were two buffets, one with main-course dishes: sandwiches, salad, sausages

the other, appetizers.  A donation was suggested.

When I got home I baked about 3 1/2 dozen cookies.

All Creation Waits, that I ordered for Laura, Claude, Janice, Colin and myself was delivered.  It is lovely and very informational about how animals prepare, as we prepare for Christmas.

The day ended perfectly with a Packers' win over the Seahawks 30 - 13.

Williams Bay, December, 2024

Friday, December  6, 2024

Brad and Janice were already at 127 Clover Street in Williams Bay when Claude and I arrived shortly after 3:00 p.m. The house looks deceivingly small on the outside but spacious inside.  We should be quite comfortable with one bedroom and a theater in the lower level and three bedrooms on the upper level. The kitchen is adequately furnished with plenty of room. Laura left Shorewood after her school day so arrived later, due to heavier traffic.  

Brad and Janice wasted no time trying out the hot tub in 27-degree weather.

Janice provide a baked potato bar with a lot of fixings - -very delicious and satisfying.

Saturday, December 7.

I texted Corie (property owner) that the toilet seat in the king bathroom is broken. She said she'd get a new one today.

Janice outdid herself with breakfast: hash browns from scratch with a hint of shallot, pancakes, fresh fruit flavored with fresh orange juice, fresh vanilla bean and mint. I brought bagels, cream cheese and lox; Brad made delicious coffee. 

Our plan for this morning was a walking tour of downtown Lake Geneva and a search for a caramel corn shop, that I was sure was on a side street from the main street.  Laura and I walked up one side of  Main Street, then on the other side.  Along the way, I bought a salt and pepper set, Laura found a puzzle to replace the puzzle they started that wasn't much fun, I bought another set of salt and pepper shakers that I liked better, Laura found some warm slip-ons, and at last we found a caramel corn shop; I bought two bags.  When we met the others at the car, Claude said that he bought a bag of caramel corn from a different shop. So I have three large bags of caramel corn!

We had a light lunch and sorted pieces of the new puzzle.

A shuttle trolley took us from Williams Bay High School to our 2:30 p.m. tour of Yerkes Observatory  On the way a man told us about the origin of the glass tree from Champagne, Illinois to Yerkes.

https://worldstallestglasstree.com/

Our group gathered in the Yerkes library and our guide gave us an abbreviated description and history of Yerkes.

https://yerkesobservatory.org/

We climbed some very steep steps for a look at the world's largest refractive telescope while our guide gave us a lot of information about the mechanics of how this giant contraption works-quite a feat of engineering.  

Before leaving, our guide pointed out numerous sculptures of Charles Tyson Yerkes, a major donor for whom the observatory is named.  

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Yerkes

He walked around the a world's tallest glass tree that is under construction with more molten glass getting added; visitors pay to add more glass. 

There was a tent with a variety goods, including some items made with glass from last year's tree.

It took longer to get to the Chop House in the Grand Geneva than we allowed, due to the traffic going to the Christmas parade. We got seated promptly.  Laura, Janice and I had soft drink cocktails; Brad and Claude had beers. Everyone enjoyed their meals: Janice, her vegan choice; Laura and Brad, filets; Claude, salmon; and I, scallops. 

Service was most attentive and we were very satisfied.  Afterward, Claude drove through the Grand Geneva Resort to enjoy all the lights, gorgeous on this clear evening.

 Sunday, December 8

Janice and Claude continued working on the puzzle, but Laura will have to finish it at home. 

The house is just as we found it. Everyone was out of the house at 10:00 a.m. The day is sunny and mild; it should be fine for going wherever we have to go: Laura to meet Jay at Rubicon to pick up a tree; Brad and Janice to Cedarburg; Claude and I to St. Francis de Sales Church for the 10:30 a.m. mass.

 After Claude picked up batteries for me a Walmart, we were on our way at 11:52 a.m. and got to St. Rita Square at about 12:30 p.m.

We discovered a tiny set of lights that are part of the tree gift from Laura, so Claude worked to untangle the wires and got it working.

 

 He also mounted my atomic clock that he fixed.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/MsZRAsFzBCUJyA9Y7

German Choruses December 1, 2024

 I always look forward to the German choruses the Sunday after Thanksgiving.  Even though I don't understand many of the songs, the music is lovely.  There are some English songs also.  The conductor is very energetic and gets a lot of music from shrinking groups.

We enjoyed stollen and coffee afterward, with Eileen and Henelore.  Frank joined our table, raising his voice when Peter made a comment.  The conversation centered on a suitable facility for Austrian American Day.

We finished the evening at Walters' with sandwiches and beer.

Thanksgiving Day, November 28, 2024

 It was a strange but wonderful Thanksgiving.

Laura came alone; Jay was in Lake Tahoe to be with Aleksei.  They are having difficulties because of Laura's alcoholism.  But we were so grateful that she decided to join us.

Annika was working; Anton left for Florida.

Here is Janice's email for the day.

Claude, thank you for offering to bring the Asti. Based on Laura’s last email, I was not planning on having her join us. Now it seems that Laura is reconsidering and the current plan is that Laura will join us. I know that Laura has said in the past that she does not mind alcohol being served at our gatherings. I feel strongly that serving alcohol in front of an alcoholic, especially one that is in crisis recovery mode, is insensitive. Since Laura is now joining us, I would ask that we not serve alcohol (beer, wine, Asti). This is something I would like to implement for gatherings in our home when Laura is present. I obviously have no control of things outside our home and in restaurants, etc., but at least I/we can support her in this small way.

Mom—please inform Peter that we will not be serving beer and so there is no need to bring beer.

In place of Asti, Claude, could you please provide sparkling apple juice and maybe non-alcoholic white wine and non-alcoholic beer, if you wish. I will provide some non-alcoholic cocktails and sparkling water.

Let’s please not make a big deal of this when Laura arrives. We can make light of it and just say that we are doing something different this time.

My hope is that this small sacrifice of no alcohol for one meal out of our day will help to show Laura our love and support.

Love,

Janice 

There was an abundance of appetizers with a cold non-alcoholic cocktail that Janice served.  The men had non-alcoholic beer; Claude provided non-alcoholic prosecco for dinner.

Janice ordered turkey breast and gravy from Sendik's that needed to be heated.  Janice prepared mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, cranberry sauce, and her homemade pickles.  She made a Vegan dish for herself.  She complemented the dinner with a delicious chocolate pumpkin pie. 

I'm rethinking turkey: The turkey from Sendik's was tender, moist and flavorful, without all the work!

November 17, 2024: Opera, "Alcina"

 Sunday, November 17, 2024

I made peanut butter filled cookies for the pot pot luck today.  It was a recipe from the new Electric Company cook book.  They were kind of putzy, but they tasted good.  I'll take some to share with Gerri and Doris at Osher; I got the cook book from Gerri.

A lot of nice food at the pot luck.  We had it at 4:00 p.m. instead of 4:30, to allow time to get to the Opera at 6:00 p.m.

We carpooled to go to an antique store on Vliet Street, across from MPS Administration.  I would never have though Dandy was a theater.  I rode with Shirley Bascom to this antique shop and we were directed to the back, with seating arranged in the round.  There were couches and arm chairs encircling the center stage, with metal folding chairs behind (the lower priced seats). 

Early Music Now and Milwaukee Opera Theatre gave a wonderful performance of "Alcina", by George Frederic Handel.  Details were spoken in English with Italian lyrics.  Beautiful voices throughout.  The evening was an unusual and enjoyable experience.