It is Friday

And America's birthday. Happy Birthday to the good old USA! Well, this 4th is a bust not a blast. I haven't left the house in days and today will be no different as I'm still under the weather. Being sick on the weekend sucks. Being sick on a holiday weekend sucks royally. No fun in the sun or bbq or fireworks for me. It's okay though because in one of my bursts of energy yesterday, I cleaned out the freezer and found a container of pasta fagioli. That sounds good even though it's hot and steamy outside. Gus gas been a constant cuddler. Mike is taking good care of me. Yesterday I showered and put on real clothes because I was over my pjs. I'm thinking that is a good idea again today. Act the way you want to feel they say. I want to feel better and I know it is only a matter of time. Just about this time next week, we'll be gearing up for Harley Homecoming and Chris Stapleton. I'll be celebrating Harley's 120th. Sorry America. I can't be a proud patriot for your 250th.

Fog brain and malaise leave me without much to say. Here's evidence that life is good and I am grateful that the rest of the house is happy and healthy.

 

Is it Friday Yet?

 

This has been a week. A week that has tested my fortitude, my spirit, my nerve. But if bad things happen in three: hello Covid, untimely appliance purchase and goodbye beautiful, majestic front-yard Maple, good things still have them beat. Good things like a mandate to rest and binge Mobland, perfectly timed July 4th sales, and the tree fell but managed to avoid two houses and three cars. The part that is still standing bears the American flag and tomorrow is our 250th birthday. Also the perfect thing to do in between naps is ten days worth of laundry to break in your new machine so you can send your kids to Chicago and Lake Erie with fresh unders and clean socks. Never you mind that said new machine took the life of Ted's favorite shorts (I believe they were past due as were our thirty year old Maytags). We went with no bells and no whistles Speed Queen models and I will mention, but not complain, that they cost about three times more than their fancier competitors. Less is more. I expect that this will be my last set because I expect they will last and that will be money well spent and also my obligation to be kind to Mother Earth. Planned obsolescence is for the birds.

This may be the last time I do Ted's laundry. He and Meryl moved into their new pad on Tuesday. This was the first move sans rents. I'm not going to lie...that's a damn good thing. I'm old. Mike's older. He moved and set-up his bed and our old kitchen table without our help (save for one phone a dad). They are excited and they are dreaming and scheming as they should be. I'm tickled for them to start this new chapter even as I came clean to my neighbor that I was a little sad too. She gave me the hug I needed. Endings and beginnings baby. They get me.

They came home with both flavors of the day and we had a casual family dinner. Everyone was starving and so tired and some were very sweaty. Sunday I made sauce. Summertime Sunday sauce is its own thing. Think Tzatziki and hummus. Dinner was Chicken Souvlaki and satisfying. The kids wanted to watch family videos with their ice cream for dessert. It was just what my mama heart needed. One ceremonial last supper and adrenaline dose of nostalgia. I wish we'd taken so many more, but I cherish those we have. Wednesday Ted, Meryl and Manny left for July 4th festivities in Lakeside with a specially curated bag of road trip snacks I put together. They'll be back. Maybe next week for a night or two while they sort their place. This will always be home. They are forever welcome.

Lily left Wednesday too for a work trip to Chicago. She visited the office there and went to a Cubs game with her team. I was beyond relieved to know she was back at her hotel when I got the news alert of mass shooting in the city. No words. While she was gone, I washed her bedding (I love my new machine) and bleached her shower. No words. She came home this afternoon and took a nap. She is so my daughter and man I love her.

I don't love that I likely have to forgo 4th of July festivities. I am a patriot and this holiday holds a very special place in my heart. It will be a game-day decision whether or not we make a brief appearance at Windmill Beach. I'm dreaming of a swim. Mike says vitamin D will do us good. Part of me says pony up and part says whoa Nelly. Tomorrow will tell. 

 

Grateful Friday

Today I give thanks for...

Mikey is home sweet home.

I just found out that Elizabeth Strout has a new book out. I've got a few to finish before I can justify starting another so hopefully this is the incentive I need.

 

 The day lilies are in bloom. They make the front of the house look so happy. Peonies too.

 

 

 Fresh herbs on the patio.

 Strawberries in the flower bed.

 Salad weather. Especially when there is fresh burrata and a good medley of Italian olives in the frig.

 

 

 Happy hour.

 

A cease fire in the Middle East.

 

Getting out for a walk before storms rolled in last night.

 

 Knee is good and neck is too.

Scheduling a call with my aunt last night. No work talk...just catching up and talking about travel plans. 

These two. Such special souls. 

 

This picture of Lils I found on my phone. She reminds me of my mom. I think it's the sunglasses.

 

Gus helping Ted and Meryl make salsa for a pool party last weekend.

 

 Their spots.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pink nails.

July 4th sales. Our 30 year old washing machine must be retired. Dan cannot fix it because they no longer make the part he needs. He didn't charge me for the service call and confirmed that Speed Queen is the way to go. They are being delivered Tuesday so no laundry for me this weekend!

Impromptu plans with Pete and Sue tomorrow.

It's supposed to be a beautiful 75 degree day tomorrow. Perfect for a walk and cocktails on the patio.

I took some pictures and I wrote some words this week and it inspires more. 

 

Oh Hey

Summer is rolling right along, but on the calendar it only just started, and on cue the extreme heat hovered and scorched. Ted picked up a slip & slide. I came home from a long overdue mani/pedi Saturday afternoon to quite the spectacle: Ted and five bikini babes in the backyard flinging themselves across the yard like they did when they were kids and so much closer to the ground. I didn't take a picture, but I'll remember the smile it brought to my face for a long time. Of course, these kids are all grown up and I truly ponder how? when? wtf? I love this season of parenting (most of the time). My two are amazing young adults that I'm lucky to spend time with. I suppose I'm waning a little because Ted and Meryl are moving next week to a loft in the Third Ward. So not far away, but it still feels like an ending. Yes an ending, but followed by a beautiful beginning.

Last week I tagged around a bit with Meryl while she was apartment hunting since Ted was hard at work. I tried to keep my opinions to myself except for when a matter of safety. She pared it down to two that they both toured on Saturday and made a decision. The place is light, airy and updated in the building next door to some of Ted's buds. I think they're going to have lots of fun living within walking distance of so many cool spots. I'm excited to see what they do to make it their own.

It brought me back to the first place Mike and I lived together. It was no where near as enviable in style or location as the kids' digs, but we had a lot of fun in the couple of years living there. When you opened the front door, you had a view straight into the bathroom. My closet was in the front hall and exercise equipment was part of the living room decor. There was no fancy workout room or other amenities. We also weren't shilling out the rent they are, but new job and promotion and they're off. I made them promise to come home often and to bring Manny when they come for Sunday dinner. He kind of likes it here at Casa Wags where breakfast is served at 9 o'clock and there are seats with a view.

 

Yes, he's on the counter.

 

And on Gus's hammock.

We did a little stopping in the wards and the lower East side on our way home. The public market for a snack, Ashley's store for new apartment inspiration, Gloriosos for a cartful and Kopps where Meryl treated us to both flavors of the day. Hard to choose between red velvet Oreo and chocolate chip cookie dough. It was nice to spend some one on one time and I told her as much because I'm working on saying the things I assume people know.

Mike's been on the road the past two weeks...MA, NH, OH, PA...coming home just in time for the weekends. Two weeks ago we celebrated the fathers at my dad's. We were able to enjoy the deck on the beautiful, mosquitoless day. There were turkey galore though and a yummy bbq. My dad grilled and made Cherry Clafoutis for dessert. That was a first. I'm usually the baker, but I'm loving how my Dad and my brother are getting into it too just like my grandpa did later in life.

My biker boy.

Theirs and mine. The best.

And keeping it real with these two.

 

My Dad's favorite gift.

 

I didn't get a picture of Mike and the kids, but Lils and I got a selfie.

Last Saturday we celebrated Jess's fabulous fifty. She's been my little sister since we first met when she was 19! It was a nice, one table intimate crew for what was an impressive tasting menu and a lovely gathering. We ate everything from caviar, to pork belly to quail eggs and the most delicious corn bisque garnished with popcorn. She hired after dinner music so we refreshed drinks and convened outside to enjoy all the Taylor Swift covers. Jess is a diehard, loud and proud Swifty and it's just one of the things I love about her. I didn't take many pictures because Jess is not a fan, but Candace grabbed us for one sweaty shot. Hello 90s. Evidence. We came. We celebrated. We loved.

 

I love these ladies so much. Tried and true through good times and bad.

And these ladies too.

Lils is living her best life this summer. She's working hard and saving money, having fun, keeping fit. Her life is a life in balance and I aspire to be more like her.

Gus though...he lives the most charmed life of all. 

 

Proof of Life

 

I've been sleeping like and with the dead. My dreams have been full of strife, conflict, unrest...demons. Not the evil kind, but those that are self-made and harder to battle. I'm thinking I need to rethink my evening programming choices.

Last night Ted and I got sucked into a animated film about a robot, a goose and a fox. It was nostalgia on high. We didn't miss a Disney or a Pixar film for a decade plus, but before that was news and 1923 so yeah...not very zen.

That being said, when I woke from literal mayhem, I was greeted by the most beautiful morning after yesterday's heat and late night storm. It's a window open kind of day. I'm already looking forward to my evening walk. Whatever was going on with first my right and then my left knee has abated. Just so the rain stays at bay until I'm done. I love a good thunderstorm when I'm home safe and dry.

On the hottest day of the year, we made pasta. I had beautiful fresh peas which are perfect with parmesan, pancetta and pasta. Today's leftovers are hitting the spot with a side of big, fat, roasted asparagus I made for Ted because he has yet to learn the worth of the pea. Lily had ice-cream. It's dairy and summer.

I cannot believe it's already Thursday or mid June for that matter. We are just about half way through 2025. Fleeting time disquiets me. Ironically, the whirlwind silences me. I lose my words and stop thinking in stories. It's pops and buzzes. Flashes. Moments on the move.

Yet today I felt compelled to wear pink, green and pearls, listen to music on my ride to work (Boz Scaggs, The Stones and Paul Simon) and to come here today. Not with anything illuminating to say...more like a proof of life. I'm here. Life is good for the most part. I am happy most of the time. I feel blessed always.

Grateful Friday

Today I give thanks for...

Baking means you have more than enough: more flour, more butter, more eggs, to make more cake than you need for just you. It means you have something to give away. Baking is an act of generosity, and thereby an act of freedom, since to be generous is to be free from the smallness of thinking only of yourself. Jessica Fechtor

What a beautiful sentiment from Jessica Fechtor's memoir Stir. This quote sums up what I so love about baking. The cake I recently made was lovingly shared with neighbors, friends and co-workers.

Saturday afternoon with my book on the patio. A curious doe approached me and got unusually close. I was reading aloud. I think she liked the story.

Spring babes. A mama turkey and her dozen poults scurrying across the yard. 

A new hummingbird feeder. 

New toys for my girl and boys.

A patch of strawberries has taken over my front flower garden. I had nothing to do with it. A little birdie must have dropped a seed and while they are taking over, I'm letting them bear fruit and ripen because my kids eat their weight in strawberries every week and why not.

Summer hours. A very short day today. 

Friends who are family. Fristers. My tribe. 

Champagne toasts to 50 years of life and 30 plus of friendship. 

A new pair of Reefs. They are my go to flip flops, but man have they gotten pricey. I found my faves at Nordstrom Rack for half the price.

The first brats of the season that Mike grilled for us in a total deluge in the dark.

Thunder and lightning. Cloudy days. 

My fave snack right now: rice cake with peanut butter and banana: sweet, crunchy, fast and filling.

Shopping my house. The way moving something can give it new life.

Commissions. Just enough for summer tuition and new brakes for the kids' car.

BLTs.

A trip to Arizona is in the works for this fall. A little anniversary surprise for my guy as we'll be married 30 years in October. 

My mil's bran muffins and that no one else in my house likes them so they are all mine.

Lily has a standing Thursday night tee time with friends.

JFK Jr. I applaud him for stating the obvious and taking on big pharma and the industrial medical complex.

Life, liberty and freedom. 

 

 

 

 

Just the Way I Like It

 

It's June and we're falling into our summer routines, which is to say not much structure at all and that, of course, is par for the course. I sleep in as long as I possibly can because I've yet to abandon my night owl tendencies. Truth is, I concede that I'm an erstwhile early riser. The kids are hybrid employees, but Ted's team doesn't make it in much. He happens to be in the office today and Lily is working from home. I never know until I get up in the morning just who is occupying their bedroom offices. This working from home is getting expensive because my two have become serious coffee drinkers. They love the Nespresso. I just placed a $100 order yesterday that will hopefully get us through the month. I also placed an order for wine. I won't divulge the amount or how long I expect it to last. Oh, and that's for me. I drink my cuppa at work where I happily go M-F.

The evenings are a crap shoot. The kids are busy as they should be. Sometimes dinner is at 8 o'clock, sometimes 9 o'clock...sometimes not at all. I try to keep the fridge stocked and to cook a few meals each week with lots of leftovers. Last night Lily went for a walk with a friend after work before hitting the gym. Ted loaded up his bike and went to train with a friend who is doing an Iron-man soon. They were home after dark and dinner was what they could find.

The driveway is a maze of cars, the mud room is littered with Hokas and Birks and Reefs, there is never enough ice and the sink is usually filled with dishes. I steer clear of their rooms unless I need a blood pressure surge. We had a family meeting about expectations, considerations, chores, but here is where I fail in my parenting. I am a big softie who was raised by one who championed the motto if you want something done right, do it yourself. I'm ignoring the messes because these days are numbered, and I just want to embrace and enjoy this full house feeling.

Ted and Meryl are apartment hunting. Her new job starts mid-July and I think they're hoping to be settled in by then. I've loved having Teddy back home this past year, but I'm excited for the two of them to get their own place and I'm beside myself that they are here instead of NYC or Denver or Cali. Now I'm well aware that they may not stay here forever, but I'll take for now, and so many of Ted's close friends have returned to Milwaukee because it's a rather awesome place to live.

This week flew by after a pretty chill weekend. We went out for a fancy dinner Saturday night with Pete and Sue and spent the rest of the time close to home. All lovely. This weekend will be more of the same. Happy hour with the girls tomorrow and then some planting, some cooking, some reading and writing and fingers crossed lots of walking if my knee feels up to it.

It really is the little things in life that spark the greatest joy.