St. Patrick's Day Week

Friday, March 13, 2026

Brad and Janice came with a St. Patrick's Day lunch as I was on the phone with Kelly Glostott from East Side Services.  I registered to get free rides to my doctor's appointments, which will be quite a saving.

Janice brought an Irish stew with Guinness, Irish soda bread with a chocolate cake with Guinness either in the cake or the frosting.  Everything was delicious and very filling.

We watched "Waking Ned Divine", a movie set in Tullymore Ireland, about a man who won the lottery, but died of shock upon winning it.  The townspeople conspire to have another man claim to be Ned Divine so they would share the winnings. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waking_Ned#:~:text=Waking%20Ned%20(titled%20Waking%20Ned,David%20Kelly%2C%20and%20Fionnula%20Flanagan. 

We sipped Tullymore Irish whiskey while watching the movie.

Brad put together my desk lamp as best he could with tape, since the screw mountings were deteriorated.

We had a lovely St. Patrick's Day event. 

Sunday, March 15

Snow most of the day, starting to pile up.  Severe weather in the forecast; many cancellations.

The Irish stew tasted great on this miserable day.

Monday, March 16

Hazardous driving conditions.  The trattoria patio door had an interesting pattern.

Quite a difference from March 9th, when Frank D'Amato sat outdoors reading his book.

We had a St. Patrick's Day Happy Hour with shamrock shakes, also other beverages.

Cookie Anderson took pictures of us with an Irish top hat and posted them on the railings.

Tuesday, March 17

Buttermilk pancakes were on the breakfast menu.  There was an opportunity for early voting at 8:30 a.m., however, I didn't know what that involved, so I didn't go because I didn't want to be late for breakfast that ends at 9:00 a.m.  I was sure Barbara Leigh would come for the pancake breakfast, so I took down a battery and a wax candle plus matches for her birthday.  There were no pancakes!  

But I was able to cast my vote on my absentee ballot that the Election Commission Deputies had with them.

Jay picked up Annika and me for our Tuesday Dinner.  Laura served Irish stew and soda bread with Irish butter.  Just as delicious as Janice's, but with beef added, and not as thick.

Gift Cards at Mr. B's

 Thursday, March 12, 2026

Janice mentioned a couple of weeks ago that Jay, Laura, Brad and she were going to use their gift card at the Bartolotta's in Mequon.  I said that I have a gift card also and we agreed that Peter and I would join them.

Jay and Laura picked us up for our 6:00 p.m. reservation.  When we were seated I noticed there were only six chairs instead of seven because I knew Colin was coming also.  The waitress set another place; I think Janice did not allow for Peter.

I had the most delicious scallops in a puree of sweet potato with roasted Brussel sprouts and walnuts.  Peter had salmon. We shared a cheesecake.

I found my $100 gift card on my phone, but could not find the $20 bonus card.  After searching through my emails, it came up.  We spent $27 over the $120 credit card. 

I felt that Laura had an attitude; she was very abrupt, like something was bugging her.

Dinner with Annika

Tuesday, March 3, 2026

Jay and Laura are visiting the boys in Florida, that means Annika and I have to find a place to eat by ourselves.  Barbara Todd mentioned how much she and Leon enjoyed La Masa Empanada Restaurant on Brady St.  I thought that would be perfect since it's not too far, and a great opportunity to visit Brady Street restaurants which I never would go to since I'd never find parking.  Now to figure the logistics.

I texted Annika but got no reply.  I must have had the wrong number because she texted late in the afternoon asking where we are going to eat.  Annika arranged for Lyft to pick her up, then me to drive to La Masa.

It is a very cozy place on the corner.  Our waiter asked if I was familiar with empanadas; of course! I had them in Chile, along with pisco sour.  Well, they just happened to make pisco sours; it's one of their most popular drinks.

We could choose three empanadas, plus a side and sauce (we could opt for ala carte also).  I chose the pulled pork special of the day, Argentina beef and tomato, basil and mozzarella with a jicama slaw, very nice and crunchy.  I don't know which Annika chose, but she had very crisp thin French fries instead of the slaw.  Everything was delicious.  I definitely will return.

The Lyft back was a little awkward.  We had to walk down the street  to the car.  Granted, parking is a problem, but I would have had a problem if I had a problem walking.

As always, Annika and I had a very special time together.

Friday Lunch, Dome, Fish Fry

Friday, February 27, 2026

Veterans had a coffee reception at 10:00 a.m. with Danish pasties in the Cannoli Room.

Brad and Janice brought a Mexican lunch which was a soup/stew and a "Butterfinger" bar for dessert.  We had a very nice visit and agreed to use our Bartolatta gift cards together with Jay and Laura sometime in March.

Peter and I paid a short visit at the Domes to see the Train Show, which is always enjoyable.  The theme was wonders of the world, some were familiar.

The Taj:

Machu Picchu:

The Colosseum and the Christ in Rio.

We had a very nice fish fry at Steakhouse 100.  I'm glad the I made reservations; we were seated promptly, while others waited.

We finished the evening at Sobermann's.

Ushering at the Rep

Sunday, February 22, 2026

Peter and I ushered for the 7:00 p.m. performance of "Fisherman's Daughters" at the Stackner Cabaret.  A Lyft picked us up at 4:45 p.m. We had to wear black and white and arrive by 5:00 p.m. according to the web site.  We were overdressed; Peter in a black suit, white shirt and tie; I wore a white blouse with black pants.  Other ushers were more casually dressed.  I thing the more formal dress was required at the Powerhouse.

My job was collecting electronic tickets at an alternate entrance.  I had to monitor people coming in from the street (no one), and people moving from the cabaret to another venue (about 8).  I had a high seat and a scanning gun for one set and a phone for the other.  Peter had a seating chart to guide people to their tables.  There were steps that I'm glad I didn't have to handle.

"Fisherman's Daughters" had powerful singers that utilized the limited space of the stage.  We both enjoyed it.

https://www.milwaukeemag.com/fishermans-daughters-review/

Afterwards we stopped at St. Kate for a pepperoni pizza with a de-caf coffee for Peter and a cappuccino for me.  

Valentine's Day 3036

Thursday, February12, 2026

I baked a batch of Ella's sugar cookies, just need frosting.  I'm out of eggs; Janice will pick some up when she comes tomorrow.

Friday, February 13

Janice came with mashed sweet potatoes, cauliflower and broccoli, and heart-shaped sugar cookies for dessert.

A group was working on Valentines for residents and staff to hang; I joined them.

I passed out my Valentines that I began in mid-January for every resident, including Memory Care.  The photo is a bleeding heart from my Franklin garden; each Valentine had a handwritten message from a collection I gathered.

Peter suggested making reservations at the Golden Mast; nothing was available.  I suggested going somewhere after the choral concert we'd be attending on Sunday; Peter thought it was an excellent idea.

Saturday, Valentine's Day

Not too many people were at the breakfast pot luck.  Dwight Morgan was volunteering preparing for the spaghetti dinner tomorrow; otherwise, he'd be making pancakes.  I brought deviled eggs and the heart-shaped sugar cookies.

Sunday, February 15

I lectored.

Peter was late picking me up for the women's chorus that started at 3:00 p.m. at a church on Watertown Plank Rd; I was ready to go to the spaghetti dinner.  We rushed getting there and got stalled at a train crossing in Elm Grove.  We arrived about ten minutes late.  A group of about twenty-five women performed love songs prefaced by comments of the loves of their lives.

We ended the day at Pizza Man on Downer Ave.  We sat on the upper level at windows overlooking the street.  The restaurant was very lovely and Oula was a wonderful waitress.  We each had a red wine and the special 12" pizza that was the perfect size, thin and crispy.  We will definitely come here again.

Appointment screw-up

Monday, January 19, 2026

Lyft picked me up at 11:30 a.m. for my 12:15 appointment with Dr. Kostopolous.  I got checked in, and waited, and waited and waited.  After 1:00 p.m. I went to the desk and asked about my 12:15 appointment.  "Ma'am, your appointment is at 2:15. I double checked their text and my calendar, and it was at 2:15.

I was offered some water while I waited, went to the restroom.  I was finally called and the nurse looked at the computer and questioned why I was here.  Dr. Kostopolous saw me a few months ago; I wasn't to come in until December.  She took my blood pressure, which was a little high - no surprise, and asked if I wanted to see the doctor.  I really saw no need, so I left.

I got a lot of reading done, both in the office and home, How To Read a Book, by Monica Wood.

We held a Memorial service for Joanne Sedita; very few attended.