Sarah left for Boston this afternoon (Fri. 10/7). She and her girlfriend Sibby flew there together. Sibby also has a daughter who lives in Bosto
They flew on Spirit Airlines which is one of the very cheap carriers. Sarah and Sibby shared one suit case. Spirit charges two dollars more for a carry-on bag than they do for a checked bag.
Sarah will get to meet "The Boy Friend" Jean Michael and also his mother. That will be interesting.
I think that the weather is going to be good in Boston. Sarah likes the off-beat sort of stuff. I hope that they can find some funky, non-tourist things to do.
I am home alone for the weekend. It gives me a rather funny feeling.
Friday, October 7, 2011
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Mineral Point, WI
Sarah's brother and his wife own a nice second home in Mineral Point, WI just a block north of the down town. Mineral Point is an old town with some great limestone buildings, other historic structures, lots of arts and crafts galleries, and other interesting places to visit.
David and Donna were kind enough to invite us up for the weekend and my mom too. We drove up on Friday afternoon. Mom checked into a modest old motel half a mile from David and Donna's. There is only sleeping room for four people and also Sarah was concerned the the stairs up to the bathroom and the odd two inch height difference between the bedrooms and hallway might make it dangerous for my mom.
As it turned out Mom went up and down the stairs several times and was careful and did fine. I don't know if I would have Mom stay at the motel next time. It was cheap, about $47 per night but that still adds $100 on to the weekend. Also, I wonder if Mom felt at all slighted. I could have slept on David and Donna's blow up mattress and let mom have the bed in the third bedroom.
Mom brought food and Sarah and I brought some too. We only ate one meal at a restaurant which was nice in some ways. We visited the farmers market at the park on Saturday morning. On Saturday night we went to the newly restored but old opera house in Mineral Point to see a comedy troupe from Chicago.
They were terrible. It was seven people each doing a comic monologue about some aspect of their life. One guy did his on his dog that bit him and made him bleed. A woman did hers on a tornado that swept through her town when she was a little girl.
I felt bad for the performers. There were only about 40 people in the audience, they must have worked hard to memorize their stories and there were few laughs. I left after the third performer and went down the block and had a beer in a dive bar. That wasn't very entertaining but I felt good to be liberated.
I spent part of Sunday under the van adding grease to a leaky cv joint boot and then patching the leak. I could write more about the van but the whole thing is rather discouraging. For now let me just say that the van worked fine, the patch seems to be working and we drove home Sunday afternoon in the rain and had not problems.
How generous of David and Donna to have us for the weekend. We had fun.
David and Donna were kind enough to invite us up for the weekend and my mom too. We drove up on Friday afternoon. Mom checked into a modest old motel half a mile from David and Donna's. There is only sleeping room for four people and also Sarah was concerned the the stairs up to the bathroom and the odd two inch height difference between the bedrooms and hallway might make it dangerous for my mom.
As it turned out Mom went up and down the stairs several times and was careful and did fine. I don't know if I would have Mom stay at the motel next time. It was cheap, about $47 per night but that still adds $100 on to the weekend. Also, I wonder if Mom felt at all slighted. I could have slept on David and Donna's blow up mattress and let mom have the bed in the third bedroom.
Mom brought food and Sarah and I brought some too. We only ate one meal at a restaurant which was nice in some ways. We visited the farmers market at the park on Saturday morning. On Saturday night we went to the newly restored but old opera house in Mineral Point to see a comedy troupe from Chicago.
They were terrible. It was seven people each doing a comic monologue about some aspect of their life. One guy did his on his dog that bit him and made him bleed. A woman did hers on a tornado that swept through her town when she was a little girl.
I felt bad for the performers. There were only about 40 people in the audience, they must have worked hard to memorize their stories and there were few laughs. I left after the third performer and went down the block and had a beer in a dive bar. That wasn't very entertaining but I felt good to be liberated.
I spent part of Sunday under the van adding grease to a leaky cv joint boot and then patching the leak. I could write more about the van but the whole thing is rather discouraging. For now let me just say that the van worked fine, the patch seems to be working and we drove home Sunday afternoon in the rain and had not problems.
How generous of David and Donna to have us for the weekend. We had fun.
Saturday, September 10, 2011
work work work
I have pride myself on the fact that I can fix a car, lead a Great Books discussion on Hamlet and play competitive table tennis. My ideal is the well-rounded person.
This week I replaced the front struts on the wife's Toyota van. Both sides were a disaster. I inadvertently pulled the inner boot off the inner cv joint, twice, on the passenger side spilling grease on the driveway and greatly increasing the time to finish the job.
On the driver's side I fought rusted-on bolts and because of said rusted-on bolts, had to replace the stabilizer bar end link.
I have concluded that one large problem with my approach to auto repair, which I have done on my own cars for years, is that I lack certain tools. The list is long but includes large size wrenches, die cutter and breaker bar. Getting work done with minimal tools is another thing that I have prided myself on.
I recall that pride commeth before a fall. I have fallen and I resolve to invest in enough tools to do work without so much pain.
This week I replaced the front struts on the wife's Toyota van. Both sides were a disaster. I inadvertently pulled the inner boot off the inner cv joint, twice, on the passenger side spilling grease on the driveway and greatly increasing the time to finish the job.
On the driver's side I fought rusted-on bolts and because of said rusted-on bolts, had to replace the stabilizer bar end link.
I have concluded that one large problem with my approach to auto repair, which I have done on my own cars for years, is that I lack certain tools. The list is long but includes large size wrenches, die cutter and breaker bar. Getting work done with minimal tools is another thing that I have prided myself on.
I recall that pride commeth before a fall. I have fallen and I resolve to invest in enough tools to do work without so much pain.
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Eric goes to college
Saturday 9/3/11
Sarah, Mom, Debbie and I drove out to Jeff and Grace's last Sunday. Eric was leaving for college in Wisconsin on Wednesday. We wanted to say good-bye and also hear about the trip to Yellowstone National Park that Jeff and Eric had enjoyed.
They had hired a guide and hiked and camped for 3 or 4 days. We talked about bears and moose and camping.
Sarah and I had brought a few things to give to Eric. Things that he could use in his dorm room. Mom baked cookies for him.
Grace made a wonderful dinner. We had a very nice time. Eric is a fine young man.
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Empty Nest part II
When Baker went away to college three years ago we still had Amanda at home. So although there was a hole in the family when he left we still had one child at home. But last fall when Baker and Amanda both left it was tough. After 20 years of thinking of myself more as a father than anything else it was tough to have both children gone.
We have reached that same point once again. Baker left for college today and Amanda will leave on Thursday. Anxiety is taking hold. I feel sad and a little nervous. When the kids are gone not only does my identity suffer a painful shift but I don't know where they are. Especially at night. I don't know if they are safe and making good choices. I don't know if they are home safe. I don't know much at all except that they are at that age where they are going to do some foolish things and be in some dangerous situations.
I'm lucky to have good kids and cell phones help. But I go to sleep many nights wondering where they are and what they are doing. No wonder I am melancholy.
We have reached that same point once again. Baker left for college today and Amanda will leave on Thursday. Anxiety is taking hold. I feel sad and a little nervous. When the kids are gone not only does my identity suffer a painful shift but I don't know where they are. Especially at night. I don't know if they are safe and making good choices. I don't know if they are home safe. I don't know much at all except that they are at that age where they are going to do some foolish things and be in some dangerous situations.
I'm lucky to have good kids and cell phones help. But I go to sleep many nights wondering where they are and what they are doing. No wonder I am melancholy.
Thursday, August 11, 2011
London Riots 8/11/11
I suspect that world events tend to have less impact on a person like me who does not watch tv. Moving images of people suffering, buildings burning, debris strewn streets after a bombing and the wailing of survivors have a greater impact than a newspaper story, even one with pictures.
On September 11, 2001 my friend, who always has the tv news on, called to tell me when the first plane hit the World Trade Center. Many people spent the day in front of the tv watching the jets crash into the towers over and over.
That's not my idea of a good way to spend a day.
I am reminded of the role of video during upheaval by the recent London riots. I read a little about the riots in the Chicago Tribune, read a little more on line, and heard some reports on the radio. Also, because I enjoy the writing of Theodore Dalrymple, I went here http://www.manhattan-institute.org/html/miarticle.htm?id=7356 and read what he had to say.
A more informed, less emotional opinion and response to news is my goal. To sit and watch images of looters looting and buildings emptied and destroyed is considerably different than to read about the underlying reasons for the riots, including not only the shooting of the cabbie, the relationship between some of the poor and the police, and in the case of the Dalrymple article an opinion about the culture and character of British youth.
Friday, August 5, 2011
Family event Shakespeare
In Oak Brook, Illinois there is an old mansion with beautiful landscaped grounds. It is owned by the Du page County Forest Preserve District. There is a wonderful theater group, First Folio, that makes its home there.
In the summer they perform outside next to a hill on a large stage. First Folio is very good.
Last night Sarah, Baker, Amanda and I went to there to see "Romeo and Juliet". The four of us seldom go anywhere together so this was a special occasion.
I had trouble understanding the actors words and so did Sarah. The sound was just a little distorted or something. At intermission I talked to the sound guy and told him I was having trouble understanding some of the actors and asked him if he could turn the volume up.
He told me that he was at the upper limit and if he turned it up more he would get feedback.
The words in any play, but especially Shakespeare, are so important. So not only did I have to contend with 400 year old language but also with under amplified voices.
Despite the sound problem and voracious mosquitoes, I had a good time. I don't think that Baker and Amanda enjoyed it very much but its hard to tell.
In the summer they perform outside next to a hill on a large stage. First Folio is very good.
Last night Sarah, Baker, Amanda and I went to there to see "Romeo and Juliet". The four of us seldom go anywhere together so this was a special occasion.
I had trouble understanding the actors words and so did Sarah. The sound was just a little distorted or something. At intermission I talked to the sound guy and told him I was having trouble understanding some of the actors and asked him if he could turn the volume up.
He told me that he was at the upper limit and if he turned it up more he would get feedback.
The words in any play, but especially Shakespeare, are so important. So not only did I have to contend with 400 year old language but also with under amplified voices.
Despite the sound problem and voracious mosquitoes, I had a good time. I don't think that Baker and Amanda enjoyed it very much but its hard to tell.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
water in the basement part two
The clean-up continued on Sunday 7/24. Neither Baker nor Amanda helped at all. Both were available.
I am delighted that the mildew smell is all but gone in the basement. It is Thursday night 7/28. I did not finish the clean-up job. But I did buy boards and built a mini dike across the sliding glass door opening in the basement. I screwed boards to the bricks and attached them to a long board that went from the inside of one side of the opening to the other.
The patio is not perfectly flat. For much of the length of the long board, which is about 11 feet, there is a gap of about 1/2 inch. I used two tubes of sealer. I checked the sealer 24 hours after I had put it in. It is as soft and wet as it was when I applied it. I do not understand what has happened.
The sealer should have hardened.
A friend of mine named Tim who is in the landscaping business and lives in the area stopped by tonight. I had told him about my basement flooding problems. He came over with two of his kids. They were out for a bike ride.
I showed him my backyard. He said that he thinks that I need to add some top soil to direct water away from the basement but more importantly he said that he thinks the two back down spouts from my gutters are draining into the lower patio and causing flooding. It was kind of him to come and take a look and offer his suggestions. I will follow his advice.
It is horrible to have to worry every time it rains.
I am delighted that the mildew smell is all but gone in the basement. It is Thursday night 7/28. I did not finish the clean-up job. But I did buy boards and built a mini dike across the sliding glass door opening in the basement. I screwed boards to the bricks and attached them to a long board that went from the inside of one side of the opening to the other.
The patio is not perfectly flat. For much of the length of the long board, which is about 11 feet, there is a gap of about 1/2 inch. I used two tubes of sealer. I checked the sealer 24 hours after I had put it in. It is as soft and wet as it was when I applied it. I do not understand what has happened.
The sealer should have hardened.
A friend of mine named Tim who is in the landscaping business and lives in the area stopped by tonight. I had told him about my basement flooding problems. He came over with two of his kids. They were out for a bike ride.
I showed him my backyard. He said that he thinks that I need to add some top soil to direct water away from the basement but more importantly he said that he thinks the two back down spouts from my gutters are draining into the lower patio and causing flooding. It was kind of him to come and take a look and offer his suggestions. I will follow his advice.
It is horrible to have to worry every time it rains.
Saturday, July 23, 2011
water in the basement
There was ominous lightning high in the clouds when I looked in two or perhaps three directions last night. I checked the weather on the radio and looked at radar on line. I went to bed full of worry.
I woke to the sound of very loud thunder and pouring rain. I went into the basement and checked the sliding glass door. Everything was fine during the first hard rain.
Later that night more thunder and vicious rain woke me. This time the ground was saturated and it rained harder, much harder, and longer.
The water level in our patio off the basement sliding glass door was becoming a pond. This is nothing new. It rained like hell. When the level of water reached a depth of about 6 inches in the middle of the pond, ...er patio, the upper level of the water was at the bottom of the sliding glass door and it started gushing in.
I put towels down along the door but if that slowed the water coming in it didn't slow it very much.
I tried to hook up the little auxiliary pump. You attach a hose to it and put it in water and it pumps. I couldn't get it to work. It was raining very hard and water was pouring into the basement and I was outside struggling with hose and the extension cord.
I realized that the little pump was not going to help very much and abandoned the task.
I went back inside and called up to Sarah to come and help. I expected that she would wake the kids but she didn't. We fought the water coming in. Both sump pump holes overflowed.
If I were a real man I would have stayed in the basement and lifted lots of things off of the floor and stacked them on high things like the washing machine. Instead I just told Sarah that we were fighting a losing battle, that we couldn't stop the water and that we might as well go to bed. The rain had nearly stopped.
I felt terrible. But I slept fitfully and in the morning I stayed in bed rather than face the mess in the basement. And I did that even though I knew that Sarah was down there working.
Not much more water had come in after we had gone to bed last night. That last sentence is an awkward construction. Most of the basement had about a half inch of water on it, maybe more like a quarter inch. Most everything that would otherwise be on the floor had been placed on two by fours a long time ago. The problem is that the two by fours absorb the water and it wicks up to the top of the board and gets the things sitting on the board a little wet. It's still a lot better than having the stuff on the floor.
When I finally got up Sarah was in the basement mopping up. Both kids were up but neither one of them was helping her. I am ashamed of both of them.
Sarah and I worked. Finally, in anger, I called to Amanda and made her help us. She was a big help even though I spoke harshly to her. We got a lot done but there is still plenty to do.
I sure hope that it does not rain again tonight.
I woke to the sound of very loud thunder and pouring rain. I went into the basement and checked the sliding glass door. Everything was fine during the first hard rain.
Later that night more thunder and vicious rain woke me. This time the ground was saturated and it rained harder, much harder, and longer.
The water level in our patio off the basement sliding glass door was becoming a pond. This is nothing new. It rained like hell. When the level of water reached a depth of about 6 inches in the middle of the pond, ...er patio, the upper level of the water was at the bottom of the sliding glass door and it started gushing in.
I put towels down along the door but if that slowed the water coming in it didn't slow it very much.
I tried to hook up the little auxiliary pump. You attach a hose to it and put it in water and it pumps. I couldn't get it to work. It was raining very hard and water was pouring into the basement and I was outside struggling with hose and the extension cord.
I realized that the little pump was not going to help very much and abandoned the task.
I went back inside and called up to Sarah to come and help. I expected that she would wake the kids but she didn't. We fought the water coming in. Both sump pump holes overflowed.
If I were a real man I would have stayed in the basement and lifted lots of things off of the floor and stacked them on high things like the washing machine. Instead I just told Sarah that we were fighting a losing battle, that we couldn't stop the water and that we might as well go to bed. The rain had nearly stopped.
I felt terrible. But I slept fitfully and in the morning I stayed in bed rather than face the mess in the basement. And I did that even though I knew that Sarah was down there working.
Not much more water had come in after we had gone to bed last night. That last sentence is an awkward construction. Most of the basement had about a half inch of water on it, maybe more like a quarter inch. Most everything that would otherwise be on the floor had been placed on two by fours a long time ago. The problem is that the two by fours absorb the water and it wicks up to the top of the board and gets the things sitting on the board a little wet. It's still a lot better than having the stuff on the floor.
When I finally got up Sarah was in the basement mopping up. Both kids were up but neither one of them was helping her. I am ashamed of both of them.
Sarah and I worked. Finally, in anger, I called to Amanda and made her help us. She was a big help even though I spoke harshly to her. We got a lot done but there is still plenty to do.
I sure hope that it does not rain again tonight.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
A Complaint About Life
Okay, I am extrapolating. The complaint is about one of our old cars. But it seems to apply to life, you fix one thing and soon another thing is broken.
Specifically the driver's side lower ball joint on my 1994 Mercury Grand Marquis failed. Luckily I was driving on a side street 3 blocks from our house. I knew the ball joint needed to be replaced so when I heard nasty scraping noises I headed home slowly and was lucky to pull into the driveway before the ball joint popped out completely.
That was in October 2010. If you know me you know that I did not get on the job right away and replace that ball joint. I thought about it, I researched it on the internet, I bought the replacement ball joint and rented the tool to press the old one out and press the new one in.
And then it got cold. Winter came as though someone flipped a switch. And from that day, sometime in November, until spring there were very few days when a person would be comfortable working on a car.
Did I write comfortable? It's not a comfortable job even on a nice day.
I replaced the lower ball joint after much fighting and swearing and pain, in June!
It needs an alignment but I have been driving it a little bit anyway. And then on Monday of this week I was driving on a four lane road four miles from my house and I pressed on the brakes to stop at a light and my brakes felt very funny and the car took a longer time than usual to stop.
I pulled into the nearest parking lot and discovered a leak just forward of the driver's side rear wheel. A brake fluid leak.
I drove around the parking lot and realized that the car would stop but the brakes were not good. I took side streets, drove very slowly and made it home.
I have a hole in one of the brake lines and they are all severely rusted. Running along the frame of the car right along with the two rusty brake lines are 3 rusty fuel lines that also need replacing.
Replacing all of those lines is a big job. I am not happy. You fix one thing and soon another thing is broken.
Specifically the driver's side lower ball joint on my 1994 Mercury Grand Marquis failed. Luckily I was driving on a side street 3 blocks from our house. I knew the ball joint needed to be replaced so when I heard nasty scraping noises I headed home slowly and was lucky to pull into the driveway before the ball joint popped out completely.
That was in October 2010. If you know me you know that I did not get on the job right away and replace that ball joint. I thought about it, I researched it on the internet, I bought the replacement ball joint and rented the tool to press the old one out and press the new one in.
And then it got cold. Winter came as though someone flipped a switch. And from that day, sometime in November, until spring there were very few days when a person would be comfortable working on a car.
Did I write comfortable? It's not a comfortable job even on a nice day.
I replaced the lower ball joint after much fighting and swearing and pain, in June!
It needs an alignment but I have been driving it a little bit anyway. And then on Monday of this week I was driving on a four lane road four miles from my house and I pressed on the brakes to stop at a light and my brakes felt very funny and the car took a longer time than usual to stop.
I pulled into the nearest parking lot and discovered a leak just forward of the driver's side rear wheel. A brake fluid leak.
I drove around the parking lot and realized that the car would stop but the brakes were not good. I took side streets, drove very slowly and made it home.
I have a hole in one of the brake lines and they are all severely rusted. Running along the frame of the car right along with the two rusty brake lines are 3 rusty fuel lines that also need replacing.
Replacing all of those lines is a big job. I am not happy. You fix one thing and soon another thing is broken.
Friday, July 1, 2011
airconditioning redux
The air conditioning unit that I had serviced to the tune of $450.00 is not working. I suspect that the leaking valve that was merely tightened before refrigerant was added two weeks ago needs to be replaced. Perhaps I think that only because it would be a cheap, easy fix.
Today, Friday July 1st, was supposed to be very hot and humid. Last night a big storm blew through Chicago. Sarah and I sat outside and enjoyed the cool air, dramatic winds and quietude. It didn't rain in Roselle but areas closer to the lake had heavy winds, rain and hail.
The storm interrupted the heat. It's cool today, cloudy and windy.
Baker has the day off. Sarah took a vacation day. So everyone is home.
Today, Friday July 1st, was supposed to be very hot and humid. Last night a big storm blew through Chicago. Sarah and I sat outside and enjoyed the cool air, dramatic winds and quietude. It didn't rain in Roselle but areas closer to the lake had heavy winds, rain and hail.
The storm interrupted the heat. It's cool today, cloudy and windy.
Baker has the day off. Sarah took a vacation day. So everyone is home.
Saturday, June 25, 2011
quiet Friday night
Sarah and I drove over to the VFW on Friday late afternoon. They moved the weekend market from the downtown street on Sunday mornings to the VFW parking lot on Friday afternoons.
There were about 15 merchants selling everything from organic meat to chiropractic care. Sarah and I wandered around. She bought some pasta.
I had spied a welcoming patio at the side of the VFW hall. There were a few people sitting there drinking beer. I told Sarah that I wanted to sit and have a beer while she shopped. I asked a man standing by the door if I could go in and buy a beer even though I was not a member. He was very friendly and he said that I could.
They didn't have any good beer but I bought a Miller Genuine Draft and went out on the patio and watched the shoppers. It was a little cool but the setting was quite pleasant.
Sarah came to get me and I bought her a beer. But she didn't like the Miller Genuine Draft so I finished it for her. We talked about dinner. We talked about going out for a drink. Instead we went home and ate and then sat and tried to find a movie to watch.
We started with a chick flick called, "Letters to Juliet." It did not work for us. We started a couple of other movies and then watched quite a bit of the movie, "Wild Bill" because it has Jeff Bridges in it.
"Wild Bill" was too violent and action packed to please us. Sarah fell asleep and the movie really seemed to bog down towards the end. I turned it off and we went to bed about 9:30 PM.
There were about 15 merchants selling everything from organic meat to chiropractic care. Sarah and I wandered around. She bought some pasta.
I had spied a welcoming patio at the side of the VFW hall. There were a few people sitting there drinking beer. I told Sarah that I wanted to sit and have a beer while she shopped. I asked a man standing by the door if I could go in and buy a beer even though I was not a member. He was very friendly and he said that I could.
They didn't have any good beer but I bought a Miller Genuine Draft and went out on the patio and watched the shoppers. It was a little cool but the setting was quite pleasant.
Sarah came to get me and I bought her a beer. But she didn't like the Miller Genuine Draft so I finished it for her. We talked about dinner. We talked about going out for a drink. Instead we went home and ate and then sat and tried to find a movie to watch.
We started with a chick flick called, "Letters to Juliet." It did not work for us. We started a couple of other movies and then watched quite a bit of the movie, "Wild Bill" because it has Jeff Bridges in it.
"Wild Bill" was too violent and action packed to please us. Sarah fell asleep and the movie really seemed to bog down towards the end. I turned it off and we went to bed about 9:30 PM.
Monday, June 20, 2011
Amanda comes home
Amanda, my daughter, left two weeks ago for Boston. She went there to attend meetings to help her plan for her Interfuture adventure. She had to create a research question that she would study both here in the U.S. and starting in December 2012 in Amsterdam.
I must go now to pick her up at the airport. I have missed her a lot.
I must go now to pick her up at the airport. I have missed her a lot.
Sunday, June 19, 2011
air conditioning
I don't use air conditioning a lot. Cost is a factor but also the fact that when you turn on the air conditioner the outside world becomes a hostile environment and you are likely to stay inside. Also, the environmental impact is a consideration.
There are some really hot days and nights when even I turn on the air. The first such hot night this summer I turned on the air conditioning and it blew warm air.
I spent the next day doing research on the internet and using my meter to try to track down the problem. I couldn't find the problem.
When all was said and done it turned out that I had a leaking valve on the outdoor unit ( the compressor and condensor ) and all freon had escaped from the unit. $450.00 dollars later the air conditioning is working. I hope that the fix lasts a long time the replacement cost is very high.
There are some really hot days and nights when even I turn on the air. The first such hot night this summer I turned on the air conditioning and it blew warm air.
I spent the next day doing research on the internet and using my meter to try to track down the problem. I couldn't find the problem.
When all was said and done it turned out that I had a leaking valve on the outdoor unit ( the compressor and condensor ) and all freon had escaped from the unit. $450.00 dollars later the air conditioning is working. I hope that the fix lasts a long time the replacement cost is very high.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Dinner in Berwyn
Sarah and I met my brother and his wife for dinner in Berwyn. It had been a long time since I had been in downtown Berwyn by the railroad station.
There were some cute shops and a few restaurants and bars that looked promising.
We ate at The Riverside Restaurant on Harlem Ave. The food reflects the food of the dominant (at least formerly dominant) population of Berwyn. That would be Czech, Bohemian and Hungarian I believe.
I had goulash.
There were some cute shops and a few restaurants and bars that looked promising.
We ate at The Riverside Restaurant on Harlem Ave. The food reflects the food of the dominant (at least formerly dominant) population of Berwyn. That would be Czech, Bohemian and Hungarian I believe.
I had goulash.
Monday, June 13, 2011
birthday
For many years, but especially for the last seven or eight, I have not been a good celebrator of my own birthday. I view birthdays as rather melancholy affairs. A reminder of my own mortality and a time to reflect on how little I have accomplished over the years.
I would rather sit and brood than celebrate. The wife would try her best to improve my mood. She would suggest things that we could do but I would refuse.
This year the wife didn't ask me. She planned a party. She invited my good ping pong playing pals Dale, Ziggy, Vaso and Jeff and their wives Carmen, Irene, Sue and Maria. Also invited, as they are every year regardless of my mood, were my mom and my sister. And last but not least my neighbors and friends Frank and Tish.
Mom and I have season tickets to the Elgin Symphony Orchestra and the concert was on Sunday, my birthday. It was a great concert. We heard Tchaikovski's 6th symphony, the Pathetique, and Rachmaninoff's 3rd piano concerto.
The piano in the Rachmaninoff piece was played by a young, Korean woman by the name of Joyce Yang. She was wonderful!
I don't think that I ever heard Rachmaninoff's 3rd piano concerto before, it is quite a piece.
After the concert Mom and I drove to my house. Some of the guests had already arrived and sister Debbie was there as well.
Sarah had bought me a small, metal fire pit to replace the one that had rusted away. She had also purchased two skewers. We built a fire and roasted hot dogs. There was also coleslaw, chips, baked chicken and deviled eggs.
I set up the bag toss game and the men played.
It was a cool evening and the fire felt good. We sat around it and talked and ate. Some of us drank beer. Not much beer though, there is enough beer left over for another four parties. Maybe five.
Everyone left early except for Frank. Of course he only needed to go next door. He had brought some very good beers as a gift and when everyone else left he got out two cigars. We smoked cigars, tried the beers that he had brought and talked for several hours.
I was tired but satisfied by the time that I went to bed.
Everyone brought gifts. I was embarrassed by their generosity and wished that they had not brought anything. Both Jeff and Vaso had birthdays only a couple of weeks ago and I did nothing for them but wish them a happy one.
Sarah worked very hard to make the party a success. And it was. I had no time to reflect and be melancholy.
I would rather sit and brood than celebrate. The wife would try her best to improve my mood. She would suggest things that we could do but I would refuse.
This year the wife didn't ask me. She planned a party. She invited my good ping pong playing pals Dale, Ziggy, Vaso and Jeff and their wives Carmen, Irene, Sue and Maria. Also invited, as they are every year regardless of my mood, were my mom and my sister. And last but not least my neighbors and friends Frank and Tish.
Mom and I have season tickets to the Elgin Symphony Orchestra and the concert was on Sunday, my birthday. It was a great concert. We heard Tchaikovski's 6th symphony, the Pathetique, and Rachmaninoff's 3rd piano concerto.
The piano in the Rachmaninoff piece was played by a young, Korean woman by the name of Joyce Yang. She was wonderful!
I don't think that I ever heard Rachmaninoff's 3rd piano concerto before, it is quite a piece.
After the concert Mom and I drove to my house. Some of the guests had already arrived and sister Debbie was there as well.
Sarah had bought me a small, metal fire pit to replace the one that had rusted away. She had also purchased two skewers. We built a fire and roasted hot dogs. There was also coleslaw, chips, baked chicken and deviled eggs.
I set up the bag toss game and the men played.
It was a cool evening and the fire felt good. We sat around it and talked and ate. Some of us drank beer. Not much beer though, there is enough beer left over for another four parties. Maybe five.
Everyone left early except for Frank. Of course he only needed to go next door. He had brought some very good beers as a gift and when everyone else left he got out two cigars. We smoked cigars, tried the beers that he had brought and talked for several hours.
I was tired but satisfied by the time that I went to bed.
Everyone brought gifts. I was embarrassed by their generosity and wished that they had not brought anything. Both Jeff and Vaso had birthdays only a couple of weeks ago and I did nothing for them but wish them a happy one.
Sarah worked very hard to make the party a success. And it was. I had no time to reflect and be melancholy.
Saturday, June 11, 2011
A Wisconsin Day
Sarah and I enjoy visiting Wisconsin, most often the area between Monroe and Madison. It's a close enough drive that we can take day trips there.
On Wednesday Sarah had to be in Rockford for a two hour meeting. I went along so that after the meeting we could drive up to Wisconsin.
In Beloit there is a small bar/restaurant called Hanson's just north of town and just east of the river. They are famous for their hamburgers. We decided to stop there for lunch. We made the mistake of sitting at the bar where a ditzy bartender was working.
Working is not the right term, there wasn't much working going on. And that was the problem. It took a long time to get a drink, when I asked for menus she gave them to someone else - even though there were only five people at the bar, and after getting our drinks she ignored us.
We decided to wait until we got to Monroe and eat at Baumgartner's. And that is what we did.
After lunch we walked to the used book store, Fireside Books, just off the square. We always visit Baumgartner's and Fireside Books when we are in Monroe. The owner of Fireside Books, Cathy, actually recognized us from last year. We had a long chat with her including talk of memoirs, which she and I both like, and her daughter Calla who is traveling through Europe.
After 90 minutes in the book store we went to an old soda fountain on the square and then took our ice cream to a park. It was a hot day but there was a breeze and it was alright in the shade. We got blankets from the van, laid in the grass and read for over an hour.
At about 6 PM we decided it was time to head home.
On Wednesday Sarah had to be in Rockford for a two hour meeting. I went along so that after the meeting we could drive up to Wisconsin.
In Beloit there is a small bar/restaurant called Hanson's just north of town and just east of the river. They are famous for their hamburgers. We decided to stop there for lunch. We made the mistake of sitting at the bar where a ditzy bartender was working.
Working is not the right term, there wasn't much working going on. And that was the problem. It took a long time to get a drink, when I asked for menus she gave them to someone else - even though there were only five people at the bar, and after getting our drinks she ignored us.
We decided to wait until we got to Monroe and eat at Baumgartner's. And that is what we did.
After lunch we walked to the used book store, Fireside Books, just off the square. We always visit Baumgartner's and Fireside Books when we are in Monroe. The owner of Fireside Books, Cathy, actually recognized us from last year. We had a long chat with her including talk of memoirs, which she and I both like, and her daughter Calla who is traveling through Europe.
After 90 minutes in the book store we went to an old soda fountain on the square and then took our ice cream to a park. It was a hot day but there was a breeze and it was alright in the shade. We got blankets from the van, laid in the grass and read for over an hour.
At about 6 PM we decided it was time to head home.
Friday, June 3, 2011
Leo Kottke
Neighbor Frank won two tickets through a contest on radio station WXRT to a Leo Kottke concert. The concert was at the new Montrose Room (Montrose is Rosemont backwards sorta) in the InterContinental Chicago O'Hare hotel in Rosemont.
Frank was kind enough to take me. We left early so that we could upgrade our tickets from the back balcony, where you must stand, to the area right in front of the stage that has chairs and those tiny, round nightclub type tables.
On the web site it says that the upgrade costs $5 per ticket. We had to talk to Niles. He charged us $10 per ticket. We didn't ask or argue. My guess is that for their regular Friday night concerts featuring local acts the upgrade is $5 but for bigger acts like Kottke the cost is doubled.
We found a table and sat down. We were within 20 feet of the tiny stage. Soon Leo Kottke came out and played and talked for about an hour and 15 minutes. He is great. And quite clever too.
After the concert Frank and I stood in the parking garage, on the eighth level, and looked out over O'Hare Field and talked. It was a beautiful evening.
Frank was kind enough to take me. We left early so that we could upgrade our tickets from the back balcony, where you must stand, to the area right in front of the stage that has chairs and those tiny, round nightclub type tables.
On the web site it says that the upgrade costs $5 per ticket. We had to talk to Niles. He charged us $10 per ticket. We didn't ask or argue. My guess is that for their regular Friday night concerts featuring local acts the upgrade is $5 but for bigger acts like Kottke the cost is doubled.
We found a table and sat down. We were within 20 feet of the tiny stage. Soon Leo Kottke came out and played and talked for about an hour and 15 minutes. He is great. And quite clever too.
After the concert Frank and I stood in the parking garage, on the eighth level, and looked out over O'Hare Field and talked. It was a beautiful evening.
Sunday, May 29, 2011
rain leading to flooding
We moved into our Roselle house in March of 2004. Before buying it we looked it over carefully and also had a home inspection. It was fairly clear that the basement did not get water. I could tell by looking in the corners and along the baseboards for water stains, sniffing for mildew and noting that the owners things were stored on the floor and not up on boards.
We had no water in the basement for the first three or four years. I now look back on those years longingly. How wonderful to have lightning flashing, thunder crashing and rain falling by the bucketful and have a dry basement. Part of that wonderfulness comes from freedom from worry.
Worry is now the byword. Even when we don't get water, and we usually don't, I am always worried.
Today, May 29th, the Sunday of Memorial weekend it rained like hell. I kept going in the basement to check on the sump pump and to look at the sliding glass door where nearly all of the water leaks in.
All was fine until the last round of rain. Around 1 PM it rained hard, very hard. There had been lots of rain the day before and also plenty of rain over the previous two hours. This hard rain lasted for about 15 minutes.
During that last heavy rain I went down stairs to check yet again, the lower level patio was full of water and it was leaking in under the sliding glass door. There was probably about 20 gallons of water on the floor - imagine four 5 gallon buckets of water spilled onto the floor of your basement.
The water was bubbling in under the door. I called up to Sarah and Amanda, "We've got water!"
I grabbed old towels and rags and tried to block the water at the sliding glass door. I took more towels and used a mop to push them through the water and towards the floor drain in the laundry room.
Amanda came down. She didn't want to walk in the water because it was icky. I won't say more about that but you might imagine my thoughts at that moment. She started laying rags and towels out and using a mop to direct them. Sarah went out and used a broom to clear the drain in the lower patio. That was a vital job.
Baker was sleeping. Sweetie the cat was nowhere to be found.
Water covered about twenty percent of our floor. The tile in the finished part of the basement is already ruined from about seven previous floods.
We continued to push rags and towels through the water. The sump pump ran constantly. Baker came downstairs after most of the work was done and then mostly stood and watched me work.
The floor won't be really dry for a week or more. But we got up all of the standing water and I set up a fan and left it.
Not a good day.
We had no water in the basement for the first three or four years. I now look back on those years longingly. How wonderful to have lightning flashing, thunder crashing and rain falling by the bucketful and have a dry basement. Part of that wonderfulness comes from freedom from worry.
Worry is now the byword. Even when we don't get water, and we usually don't, I am always worried.
Today, May 29th, the Sunday of Memorial weekend it rained like hell. I kept going in the basement to check on the sump pump and to look at the sliding glass door where nearly all of the water leaks in.
All was fine until the last round of rain. Around 1 PM it rained hard, very hard. There had been lots of rain the day before and also plenty of rain over the previous two hours. This hard rain lasted for about 15 minutes.
During that last heavy rain I went down stairs to check yet again, the lower level patio was full of water and it was leaking in under the sliding glass door. There was probably about 20 gallons of water on the floor - imagine four 5 gallon buckets of water spilled onto the floor of your basement.
The water was bubbling in under the door. I called up to Sarah and Amanda, "We've got water!"
I grabbed old towels and rags and tried to block the water at the sliding glass door. I took more towels and used a mop to push them through the water and towards the floor drain in the laundry room.
Amanda came down. She didn't want to walk in the water because it was icky. I won't say more about that but you might imagine my thoughts at that moment. She started laying rags and towels out and using a mop to direct them. Sarah went out and used a broom to clear the drain in the lower patio. That was a vital job.
Baker was sleeping. Sweetie the cat was nowhere to be found.
Water covered about twenty percent of our floor. The tile in the finished part of the basement is already ruined from about seven previous floods.
We continued to push rags and towels through the water. The sump pump ran constantly. Baker came downstairs after most of the work was done and then mostly stood and watched me work.
The floor won't be really dry for a week or more. But we got up all of the standing water and I set up a fan and left it.
Not a good day.
Monday, May 23, 2011
Jason C.
A teacher at school today mentioned that she had been at the elementary school and one of the boys she had noticed, in the 5th grade, is the younger brother of Jason C. who graduated from RMS two years ago. Several people involved in this conversation could not remember Jason C.
Jason C. was described in some detail. I remembered him. He was a nice boy and smarter than you might think to look at him.
After school I was walking home. I never walk even though it is only about a half mile to my house. But today I was walking so that junior could use the car in case he got called to work. He didn't.
I had just left school grounds when a bus from the high school stopped 100 feet ahead of me and several students got off. One of them was Jason C.
I had not seen Jason C. in two years. I had not heard anyone mention his name in that same time period.
I love coincidences.
Jason C. was described in some detail. I remembered him. He was a nice boy and smarter than you might think to look at him.
After school I was walking home. I never walk even though it is only about a half mile to my house. But today I was walking so that junior could use the car in case he got called to work. He didn't.
I had just left school grounds when a bus from the high school stopped 100 feet ahead of me and several students got off. One of them was Jason C.
I had not seen Jason C. in two years. I had not heard anyone mention his name in that same time period.
I love coincidences.
Sunday, May 22, 2011
a question about memory
I was talking to a friend. They were recalling a time when their uncle stopped. My friend said that they could remember in detail the uncle pulling up in his car in front of the house. Bright sunlight. Getting out of the green, overstuffed chair and greeting said uncle at the door.
This uncle lived in the same town. He often stopped by. Why, my friend wondered, did he so vividly recall this one particular episode. My friend does not recall that the visit was of any great import. My friend says that he has recalled this uncle visit recollection more than 10 times during the 25 intervening years since it occurred. Why?
I have some similar recollections that share the insignificant, one of many and oft recalled features of my friend's memory.
I have a theory. Perhaps the memory is emblematic. It might serve as a general memory taking the place of many particular memories. That might also explain the repetitive nature.
I've forgotten lots of important events in my life and many others I remember that they happened but could not relive them and remember details the way my friend can remember a visit by his uncle one day.
This uncle lived in the same town. He often stopped by. Why, my friend wondered, did he so vividly recall this one particular episode. My friend does not recall that the visit was of any great import. My friend says that he has recalled this uncle visit recollection more than 10 times during the 25 intervening years since it occurred. Why?
I have some similar recollections that share the insignificant, one of many and oft recalled features of my friend's memory.
I have a theory. Perhaps the memory is emblematic. It might serve as a general memory taking the place of many particular memories. That might also explain the repetitive nature.
I've forgotten lots of important events in my life and many others I remember that they happened but could not relive them and remember details the way my friend can remember a visit by his uncle one day.
Friday, May 13, 2011
Hay Fever
I suppose that hay fever is an old fashioned term. Nowadays we say allergies.
On Thursday evening the weather had cooled off. When I got home from teaching I called Sarah at her work and asked her to come home early so that we could go somewhere for a cool drink.
Sarah suggested that we meet at Tree Guys in Itasca and sit on their deck. She got off of the train in Itasca and walked to Tree Guys.
All of the chairs and tables were stacked. No one was on the deck.
Sarah suggested plan "B" which was go to Salt Creek Gold Course on Thorndale in Wood Dale.
When we got 6 old men were sitting at the bar. The place is huge.
Sarah and I sat outside on the patio. There was no one out there. It was a beautiful setting. Sunshine, trees, geese, blossoms, bees and an occasional golfer. We marveled at the fact that no one sat out there the entire time.
We sat there for two hours.
The next morning I felt achy all over. Mostly my head but also my back and my neck, even my elbows. I got called into work and was happy for it but it would have been a good day to stay home.
After school I came home and went to bed. My guess is that I was suffering from hay fever as a result of sitting outside with so many things blooming around me. No stuffy nose or watery eyes just lots of body aches. It's similar to what my mother has suffered from all of her life, except she does get some sinus problems.
On Thursday evening the weather had cooled off. When I got home from teaching I called Sarah at her work and asked her to come home early so that we could go somewhere for a cool drink.
Sarah suggested that we meet at Tree Guys in Itasca and sit on their deck. She got off of the train in Itasca and walked to Tree Guys.
All of the chairs and tables were stacked. No one was on the deck.
Sarah suggested plan "B" which was go to Salt Creek Gold Course on Thorndale in Wood Dale.
When we got 6 old men were sitting at the bar. The place is huge.
Sarah and I sat outside on the patio. There was no one out there. It was a beautiful setting. Sunshine, trees, geese, blossoms, bees and an occasional golfer. We marveled at the fact that no one sat out there the entire time.
We sat there for two hours.
The next morning I felt achy all over. Mostly my head but also my back and my neck, even my elbows. I got called into work and was happy for it but it would have been a good day to stay home.
After school I came home and went to bed. My guess is that I was suffering from hay fever as a result of sitting outside with so many things blooming around me. No stuffy nose or watery eyes just lots of body aches. It's similar to what my mother has suffered from all of her life, except she does get some sinus problems.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
A hot day and hotter at school
I worked at Spring Hills School today. It was an exceptionally hot day, made hotter by the fact that the air conditioning was not working in the part of the building that I was in. Kids came in from their half hour recess at lunch time and they were red and sweaty.
After work I rushed home to make dinner. Sarah's friend Sheri was in town and was coming over. I made a healthy Mexican chicken casserole.
Sarah and Sheri went out to run errands after we ate. I just sat and relaxed after a long, hot day.
After work I rushed home to make dinner. Sarah's friend Sheri was in town and was coming over. I made a healthy Mexican chicken casserole.
Sarah and Sheri went out to run errands after we ate. I just sat and relaxed after a long, hot day.
Monday, May 9, 2011
Mother's Day
Mother's Day 2011 was quiet but very nice. John and Marge were gone in Champaign visiting Meagan and Jeff was in Portland visiting our friend Tim so Grace and the boys went to her mother's I am sure. Amanda is still in Boston with JM.
When I talked to Amanda, actually texted, I had offered to buy flowers for Mama to be a gift from Amanda. As of Saturday night I had not done so.
On Mother's Day I got up at 6:45 AM! I dressed quietly and went to the Jewel. I not only wanted to get flowers as a gift from Amanda, I also wanted to buy more flowers and a card that would be a gift from Debbie to Mom, as I had failed to get together with Debbie and shop with her.
For lunch I made chalupas using a recipe I had seen in Parade Magazine. The recipe was submitted by Eva Longoria! Before lunch I served the ladies Bloody Marys.
When I served lunch Baker came down and sat with us but he didn't eat. Sarah, Mom and Debbie all raved about the bloody marys and also the Chalupas. I think that they really did like both.
Afterwards we sat outside in the sun. It was just warm enough to do so. Mom and Debbie at about 3 PM.
I love those three ladies. I would call the day a success.
When I talked to Amanda, actually texted, I had offered to buy flowers for Mama to be a gift from Amanda. As of Saturday night I had not done so.
On Mother's Day I got up at 6:45 AM! I dressed quietly and went to the Jewel. I not only wanted to get flowers as a gift from Amanda, I also wanted to buy more flowers and a card that would be a gift from Debbie to Mom, as I had failed to get together with Debbie and shop with her.
For lunch I made chalupas using a recipe I had seen in Parade Magazine. The recipe was submitted by Eva Longoria! Before lunch I served the ladies Bloody Marys.
When I served lunch Baker came down and sat with us but he didn't eat. Sarah, Mom and Debbie all raved about the bloody marys and also the Chalupas. I think that they really did like both.
Afterwards we sat outside in the sun. It was just warm enough to do so. Mom and Debbie at about 3 PM.
I love those three ladies. I would call the day a success.
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