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.

Symphony and Dinner

 Friday, October 10, 2025

Just four of us attended the Milwaukee Symphony concert: Shirley Bascom, Marilyn Minor, Madeline Sou and I.  It was magnificent, and the tuba concerto was outstanding.

I picked up Annika for dinner at Jay and Laura's  Listening to their Portugal adventures was so nice; I can't to hills and uneven walks any more.

We arranged our trip to Galena, IL, as my Mother's Day gift.  We'll be leaving on Sunday, October 19th and coming back on Monday, October 20th.  I hope we have nice weather

Laura served a delicious chicken, broccoli, carrot stir-fry, with an abundance for me to take home.

AAA Frustration

 Friday, October 3, 2025

I had my COVID shot before breakfast.

Jerry led us in a good exercise lesson;

I tried calling AAA to file a claim for my car damage and almost destroyed my phone, I was so frustrated at not being able to connect to a human.

When I finally got to Latosha, she was most pleasant and assured me that she would follow through with helping me settle my claim once she received the Police report.

I spent a lot of time reading Radium Girls.

Annika was having an exam, so we did not go out to dinner.

Tuesday, October 7, 2025

I filled out a digital accident report, but it would not accept my location.  I tried every method I could think of, but no luck.  I was ready skip the group breakfast and go to the AAA office on 28th Street that opens at 8:30 a.m.  As I finished taking my shower, I thought I'd use the location that the sheriff indicated.  It worked!  I was able to complete the report and now will wait to see what happens next.

Wednesday, October 15

AAA left a message to return a call on October 8, after calling back a number of times only to leave a message, I connected with an agent.  I didn't learn much, just that it takes a while until an accident report gets posted and if I do hear from the trucking company AAA will help me settle the claim.

Friday, October 17

I really miss my side view mirror and I'm not going to wait until I hear from the other party.  I heard some good comments about Pinky's Capital Auto Body, especially from Kathy Ledvina who had extensive work done there.

I got to the garage early and it looks like a professional operation.  I waited in the waiting room that was getting a paint job while the Steven Schulz made his estimate.  I will get the mirror replaced next week at a cost of $552.36.  Steven will call me when the parts arrive to arrange for the job, which should take about an hour.

Semi Encounter/Dinner at Parside 23

Thursday, October 2, 2025

After getting cash from ECU, I headed to the DMV on Grange Avenue with my documents saying that I passed my medical review.  I had my photo taken and had my previous check for $34.00 ready to pay my fee.  I had to make out a new check, because the price went up yesterday to $47.50

Since I was near Awe Orchard, some nice Honey Crisp apples would be nice, also a couple of apple cider donuts and a caramel apple.

The Hwy 100 ramp to the freeway was closed, so to got on at Beloit Road.  Traffic was heavy.  

I was in the right lane approaching the 68th Street exit, when a semi pulled alongside me on the exit lane to 68th Street.  It wasn't getting off at 68th Street, but was passing me up from the exit lane.  The driver did not quite make it to the right lane and cut in front of me, clipping off my side view mirror, and drove off.  I followed him and because he had to stop in traffic, I managed to get on the driver's side, blowing my horn.  I yelled to him that he broke my side view mirror. He shouted back that I didn't let him in.  He had no business passing me from an exit lane.  We managed to pull to the side of the highway.

He must have called the police, because when I called, the police had already been notified.  It took at least 30 minutes for the police to come.  When I told the officer what happened, he could immediately see the problem.  He took my paper drivers license and insurance and wrote up the information.  I stayed in my car the entire time.  The whole process took over an hour.  So in his haste to get somewhere, the driver lost more than an hour.

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.

Drivers License Screw-up

Wednesday, September 17, 2025

I went to the Chase Avenue DMV to get my drivers license renewed.  After having my photo taken, I filled out the form.

During the past year have you had a loss of consciousness or muscle control caused by one of the following?  I checked NO.  And then I crossed it out and checked YES and checked Heart.  I felt I had to admit that I passed out at the hospital when I had my leg treatment and now have a pacemaker. DUMB!

When I got called to the window, the agent asked about that loss of consciousness.  She said she'd have to call a supervisor.

She was on Hold, just like the rest of us.  When she got the answer, she said that I would have to have a form filled out by my doctor certifying that it was safe for me to drive.  The agent suggested dropping off the form for the doctor to sign and picking it up at my next visit, which was an September 26.

I picked up some cat supplies at PETCO, and then drove to Dr. Gundamraj office on Mayfair Rd.

The receptionist took my form for Dr. Gundamraj to sign.

Monday, September 22, 2024

I called Dr. Gundamraj office to see if I could move up my wellness exam from Friday to an earlier day, because I'd be driving without a license by Friday.  The receptionist promised to see what she could do.

Wednesday, September 24, 2025

I was able to see Dr. Gundamraj today at 3:00 p.m.  She completed the form and I got to the Grange Ave. DMV about 4:15.  I had to have my photo taken again because it was a different DMV and proceeded to Window 11.  Because it was so late in the day (closing time is 4:45 p.m.) I would not get my results until tomorrow after the DMV in Madison reviews it.  The agent thought I should have no problem, but he does not have the final word.  They will call me tomorrow.

Thursday, September 25, 2025

When I told the breakfast group that I had an appointment with the audiologist because my right hearing aid wasn't responding, I got a lot of comments about not driving with an expired drivers license.  Dwight Morgan said that if I injured someone all of my assets could be washed away.  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.

I was glued to my phone the entire day, expecting a call from the DMV.  I had so much anxiety, thinking of all the possibilities that my license would not be approved, mainly because of my age.

At 4:15 p.m., I decided to call DMV, almost resigned to the fact that I would not be talking to a person.  I almost fainted when a man answered and asked to help me.  I started explaining my situation, but he stopped me and said that I needed to talk to someone in the medical approval department; he connected me.

I talked to a most pleasant woman who seemed to be searching for my record.  She asked who told me that I would be receiving a phone call.  When I explained, she said a letter has been sent to me today approving my license.  I could have kissed her, I was so happy.  She also said that I could drive; my information has been entered.

The attention I received was commendable.  By the end of the day I'm sure agents have received numerous calls, probably from some frustrated or irate callers, and yet both agents that I was connected to were extremely pleasant.