Happy Homecoming Harley!

I've been dreaming Chris Stapleton. Not the artist, but the music. Lyrics bounce around my brain on repeat all day and all night long. I am a big fan. Just about every song is my favorite. The concert was a family affair and a good memory for sure. Just like nineteen years ago for the 100th...I'll revisit this night again and again. The bikes were roaring and the beers flowing and the music sounding. It was a great weekend to be in and from Milwaukee, and it was a beautiful night to be lakeside enjoying live country music and then smack dab in the middle of the city for post concert fun and priceless people/bike watching. We stayed out until almost bar time. I can't remember the last time we did that. Truth is that after being housebound for so long, I could have stayed even earlier later.

Smallwaukee sticks for good reason. You can pretty much strike up a conversation with anyone and find far fewer than six degrees between you. I both love and strongly dislike that about this city. Case in point...a kid commented on a my Harley hat and before long I realized that I knew his parents from when I was his age.

When we headed home Sunday morning, they were building the Eiffel Tower in Cathedral Park. Milwaukee is also known as the City of Festivals because we pretty much have one every weekend all summer long. Next week it's the French. I haven't been to Bastille Days in years, but I think we may stop by.

Mike suggested breakfast Sunday. We checked out and headed to a local diner to continue our short staycation. Breakfast out is almost always a vacation thing, but maybe it shouldn't be.

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 has 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 122nd. Sorry America. I can't be a proud patriot for your 249th.

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.