Donald Remembered

September 29, 2021

I was the first to arrive at St. Bernard Catholic Church at 12:30 p.m. for the 1:00 p.m. mass.  I was so happy to spend that time alone with Donald, with no one to interrupt my thoughts.  Happy that I had one last visit with him when his spirits were high.  Happy for the many times we shared together.  Happy that I had such a wonderful brother.

Seeing his crematory vessel brought the stark reality about why I was here.

Soon Donald's son Eric arrived, followed by Donald's wife Masako. Also present were Donald's daughter Myleen and her husband Michael and their son Kenji; Rachel, her husband Troy, their son Koji and daughter Kai; Donald's daughter Naomi; and my son Claude.

Rachel arranged a bouquet from her garden.  There was a photograph of Donald performing tea ceremony, plus a folded American flag for Donald's service in the army during the Korean war.

After the mass Troy, as a representative of the armed forces, presented the flag to Masako.

Afterward we gathered at the funeral home which was almost adjacent to the church for a light lunch.  It was a time for us to catch up on what has been happening in our lives and share the many happy memories that we had from past years.

Judge Derek Mosley

 Tuesday, September 28, 2021

I had intended having a light breakfast in my apartment, but wanted to make sure I was signed up for dinner tonight, so I went down to sign up.  When I saw people having breakfast, I succumbed and joined them, eating more than I had intended.  We engaged in a lot of conversation, so when I went up to get ready for my 10:00 a.m. therapy session it was 10:00 a.m.!  I called and apologized, and said I'd be there on Thursday.  But on second thought I'll cancel.

I didn't do much until we played sheepshead at 2:30 p.m.

After dinner I attended an excellent lecture entitled Implicit Bias by Judge Derek Mosley.  He was so inspiring, with examples of how we are bombarded by all kinds of media that we don't realize how biased we are.  He was gracious to have a picture with me.

Musical Sunday at Riverwest Pizza

September 26, 2021 

After mass I met Marilyn Minor who said a group is going to River West Pizza where Brianna would be performing at 2:00 p.m.  

Peter suggested going to the Germanfest in Germantown, but since I agreed to go with Marilyn, I declined Peter's suggestion

We met in dining room and waited for Bonnie  and Pattie, but they left already.  Cookie was planning on going also, so she did the driving in the event she needed her scooter.  The weather was perfect on the patio.  

I ordered a diet Coke and Fried Brussel Sprouts, there went my light eating resolution.

Brianna put on a great performance with a trio backup.  What a treat instead of German um-pah-pah.

Hair, Laundry, Football/Baseball

September 25, 2021

I had breakfast in the Tratoria and lingered until almost time of my 10:30 a.m. hair appointment.  My color took very long and the solution irritated my eyes, but it was a nice color.

I changed bedding, including the mattress pad, and did all the laundry including putting away.

Wisconsin lost to Notre Dame 41 - 13.  The Brewers beat the Mets 2 -1

My 89th Birthday, Palmer Steak House

 Friday, September 24, 2021

My voter registration listed my drivers license expiration as 2017; I checked my license, and sure enough, 2917.  I could have waited until Monday; what would a couple days matter, but I headed to the DMV on Chase Avenue as early as I could.  The agent looked at my license and said it didn't expire until 2025; it was issued in 2017.  I was focusing on the 2017 and ignored the 2025 that was in bold type. Target was two blocks south, so I drew money from the ATM and stocked up on cat litter and other personal items.  I noticed they had an optical department, so I'll get my prescription filled on Monday.

The monthly Birthday party was held at 11:30 a.m. with a couple playing a nice mix of music.

We had a light lunch of sliders, hot dogs, fries and chocolate shakes.

Claude called to wish me a Happy Birthday while I was watching "The Best Years of Our Lives".  Then while I was out of the Club Room I called Peter to arrange a time for him to pick me up for our 7:00 p.m. dinner reservation at Palmer Steak House in Hartland.

Peter came at 6:00 p.m., which was perfect timing.  We drove in light rain and Peter dropped me off at 6:50 p.m. while he found a parking spot.  There was no parking lot, but he managed street parking.

We started off with a martini for me; a gin and tonic for Peter.  I wanted a steak with a bone, undecided on a New York Strip or Rib Eye, but settled on a bone-in filet at a whopping $55.00; Peter ordered lamb chops.  We were served a generous salad with warm, crusty French bread.  My steak was incredible.  It was so delicious I gnawed every morsel from the bone.  The waitress brought a dish of ice cream with a brownie lit by a flaming candle to celebrate my Birthday.

The rain picked up as we drove home.

Lee Lunch at Mitchell's Fish Market with Walter Matthews

 Thursday, September 23, 2021

I had my therapy session at 10:00 a.m. and told Dru that I would go through the end of September which would be two more sessions.  Each session without insurance is $140.00. 

I needed to change for the Ladies of Lee-sure lunch, plus look up where to go.  I did not put it on my phone.  Luckily, it was easy to  find in my messages.  I got to Mitchell's Fish Market right on time.  What a wonderful surprise to have my first grade student, Walter Matthews join Stephanie who had him in kindergarten, and Janet who had him in second grade and was responsible for this reunion.

I had a delicious salad with seafood plus an assortment of vegetable.

I got home just in time to gather my dominoes.  Chuck, Jane, Sue Cantrell, Connie and Jack joined me.  We played until it was time for Happy Hour with a sizeable group.

I ended my day with the phone SIG.

First Day of Autumn, Boone and Crocket Happy Hour

 Wednesday, September 21, 2021

I started the day with a sitting exercise class, which felt good with a lot of stretching.  This should be a good follow-up after Athletico.

I made a banana nut bread, then picked up a large number of photos at Walgreen's.  I made a sympathy card for Joanne Seidita who just lost her husband Sal.

A few of us went to the Boone and Crockett Bar for our Happy Hour.  It is right be the river.  It's a good place to keep in mind for sitting outdoors on a warm day.  It was only in the low 60s, so would not be too comfortable.

Abby took our picture: Concierge Maggie, Connie Haas, Me, Lanore Lee, and Pattie Featherston.  We ended on a sad note.  We were seated in an elevated alcove.  Even though the step had a yellow marker Connie took a fall when she missed the step when going to pay her bill.  She said she was all right.

We were just in time for a Mexican dinner.  Connie was beginning to feel her pain.  She was using an ice bag and taking aspirin to relieve the pain.