Spring is near! Spring is near! Might not look so, off our patio today, as the little fountain continues to chug along. But the ice and snow will be seriously melting as thunderstorms arrive Sunday. We have survived. Made it thru a Lake Michigan winter. Easier of course for us, as leaving our home in…
March 7th: Ice Ice Baby
Of course we had to visit the beach today. The ice was back in full force. All the way to the horizon. Ice. Ice. More ice. The song title Ice Ice Baby entered my mind. Quickly replaced by Queen’s vastly superior Under Pressure from which Ice Ice Baby stole the famous bass line. Another ear…
March 5th: Addicted to speed
I remember my mother on the phone, sadly recounting how two young women I had attended high school with had suddenly died. “Isn’t it strange, what are the odds?” she said. I replied, a bit callously, “Quite good actually. Speed kills.” Sadly, back then so many people were oblivious to speed (methamphetamine). My mother was a…
March 3rd: Last gasp of winter
Every cold, otherworldly sunset is beautiful. As I have seen friends and relatives bemoan the relentless snow and ice, I silently disagree. I am really going to miss winter on Lake Michigan. Of course if we were stuck in Kansas City, or Iowa, then I could understand. But here along the shore, winter is beautiful….
March 1st: The Fan Club at Old Boy’s
A Thursday night tradition. Dinner at Old Boy’s Brewhouse while enjoying The Fan Club. I never cease to be amazed by the depth and breadth of their musical vocabulary. Led by Tommy Foster, they stroll from table to table, taking requests. The regulars have their favorites… I’ve heard their stunning rendition of “The Devil Went…
February 28th: The Day the FBI arrived
It was a day the accounting manager (Terri) will never forget… March 5th. We were gathered in a conference room, somber faces all around. The CEO, his staff including the CFO (Terri’s boss), myself as the new FP&A manager. I was sitting directly across the table from Terri. The CEO solemnly spoke directly to Terri,…
February 24th: Our day at the beach
A blizzard rages 75 miles north. But not for us. We have been spared the snow this time, so today we enjoyed our beach. Wind and waves. Ice hills and lighthouse visible without the wind-born blinding white. Someone with the State of Michigan made the extremely popular decision to keep the gates open, and road…
February 22nd: Blue soon
Bright blue skies again. Donning sunglasses we ran around town, doing our errands… oil change, grocery store, by the clubhouse for free beverages and to hear the latest news. Everyone was a little happier today. You could feel it in the air. The sun had returned. We were of course extra happy. Our last destination…
February 21st: Should we stay or should we go?
We spent much of the day in Muskegon, of course visiting another beach, but also looking at where we might live come May. One of the many positives in no longer owning a house… we can just pick up and move. The move is also made easier by the minimalism and simplification we adopted last…
February 19th: The Joy of Eating
It is official. We have enjoyed Old Boy’s Brewhouse more than any other eating and drinking establishment in our lives. We have eaten almost the entire menu, some items several times. Then they change the menu every six months. And every week, the have specials. Something special, for a few days, and then maybe never…