Ups and Downs in NYC

My favorite skyscraper - reflecting the afternoon sun.

(This is a lengthy post--just scroll through the photos and plan a trip of your own!)

Weekends in NYC are always exciting ... and exhausting. This past weekend was no exception. And that is the first of the ups and downs of NYC.

This time was the first time I flew into NYC with the husband since I started visiting NYC three years ago. So except for the first night, which the girls had pre-planned, the dynamics were a little different this time. It was a birthday weekend and we accommodated the birthday boy's preferences.

We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express in the Financial District, which was just steps away from M & S's lovely new apartment. They are up on the 33rd floor with a great view down to the bay. On Sunday night I looked down from their living room window and saw fireworks popping up. Not sure what the occasion was, but maybe it was for earth day...

We were assigned to the 12th floor (out of 55) of the hotel (the tallest Holiday Inn), which was still too high up for the one who is afraid of heights. Immediately upon entering the room I was asked to put the window shade down while he looked away. The single shade closed via a remote control hanging on the wall by the bed. It was just as well it remained closed, since this was the view down below:

Not so pretty!

So the first night we walked just a few blocks to the Osteria della Pace restaurant in Eataly, located in the World Trade Center complex, building #4, the first one to be completed, featuring 65 floors above ground.

Sangria at Eataly

I had a sangria (while the husband and M. upped the bill with several martinis). We split some pasta and downed a shared meatball appetizer and an eggplant dish, but the insalata rossa was the Instagram star of the evening:

Roasted red and golden beets in a delicious pistachio sauce were down under there...

We sat by the window, facing in. The window views from Eataly are great. I took a funny selfie which I really cannot share full-face. Notice the load hanging from a crane--a common view in NYC. I guess NYC building and repair will never be finished. Cranes and scaffolding everywhere are just part of the picture.

A cropped view of my hair (with freshly dyed roots!) and the view behind me.

View from my "obstructed view" seat up on the second tier looking down. 

It was a long subway ride to Carnegie Hall, but we had the tickets in hand and quickly found our box seats on the second tier up. The Grand Rapids Symphony was warming up and it was already 8:04 PM when I took this photo, according to my phone and the downbeat was likely around 8:10. Many were still waiting outside for tickets when we arrived and were allowed in later, filling a majority of the seats in the hall. It was a surprisingly large and enthusiastic crowd. We enjoyed the guest pianist and the symphony choir, with our own Aaron singing sincerely from the front row of tenors.

We had purchased obstructed view seats, not really knowing what that meant. My only obstruction was the head of the husband of the French horn player, but I also could not see directly down at the trombones and basses. That was okay, because the tickets were only $17.50! The French hornist's spouse who sat a foot closer to the rail said he paid $35, which he said was the discounted GR Symphony price! Upon reflection, I'll bet he was confused. He had his daughter with him and that would have been $35 for the two of them!

I enjoyed the program and the view from up on high in this famed hall very much. M. found the program to be a little too long to sit quietly. The husband seemed engaged throughout!

Maestro Lehninger returned on the same late Monday night plane. We were able to greet him and tell him how much we had enjoyed the concert.

The next day we four received a surprise Uber Eats breakfast, compliments of the Floridian kids, for the husband's birthday. It included a variety of delicious breakfast foods. The delivery girl sang, danced, and twirled the husband around in the hallway. She made up extra verses and would not stop! She was so badly out of tune! And M. has it all on her phone. Hilarious!

Saturday was sunny and in the sixties. We took a long, narrated bus tour, through sections of Manhattan mostly south of midtown. We went past Madison Square Garden, Stuyvesant Town, the Empire State Building, the Flatiron Building, and learned that Soho (South of Houston) was the place for shoe shopping. We got off to eat lunch at Madison Square and had to wait in a long line (on a sunny Saturday) at the original Shake Shack (which was kind of a minor bucket list item for me). I had a chicken sandwich and an apple pie shake. Very tasty! The husband had a draft, a Shack-cago Dog and some fries. Not everything in NYC is so expensive! We also had a Dunkin' Donut shop right next door to our hotel. A small coffee was only $2.09 and we enjoyed two croissant breakfast sandwiches and two coffees for $9.99 one morning.

We sat up on the top of a Greyline bus and took photos looking up at tall buildings. My neck was a little "cricked" from looking up so much! Now have a much better sense of the enormity and diversity of this amazing city.

Typical city view from the tour bus - blooming dogwoods and World Vision building in view

That evening a big steakhouse dinner was planned for the birthday boy. We had ribeyes and filets that were aged and large, tasty and pricey. Plus a nice bottle of wine. I have no photos of brown steaks in a gracious but dimly lit steakhouse. Nothing Instagram worthy. But it happened! I went to bed with an overstuffed belly of beef, having shared, but not wasted one bite of my steak.

I navigated the city streets successfully in my black dress flats on both our "dressed up" nights out on the town, with the help of some new gel inserts which I had cut to fit. It turns out the daughter has the identical pair of black flats (a size larger!) from Nordstroms, which I spotted under her desk at work. My shin splints were only minimally twingy on this trip--even with all the ups and downs.

On the way home from the steak dinner we passed by the NYSE which looks extra cool at night:

NYSE at night.

Sunday we (three) grabbed a taxi to Redeemer Presbyterian Church on the UWS. We went down below ground to enter the worship space. A fabulous violinist played Mozart and we sang traditional hymns to piano accompaniment. The preacher for the day was lengthy and learned, speaking about how to think about using our work time in a way that reflects God's will for our lives and prepares us for the life to come, when we can truly experience Sabbath rest. Something like that. The sermon included an abundance of content, ample examples and appropriate biblical and literary references.The husband was super happy with this traditional worship service. The congregation was friendly and filled with many Asian faces--presumably Korean Presbyterians.

Spring in the Cloister Museum garden

We found a nearby French coffee shop for brunch, where S. joined us and then grabbed a big Uber to take us up north to The Met Cloisters, part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, devoted to the art and architecture of medieval Europe. The Cloisters Museum was set up on a hill overlooking the Hudson river. We enjoyed the warm spring sunshine in the outdoor areas as well as the indoor art.

I took some photos in the Unicorn Tapestries Room while I listened to some thoughts from the docent. These tapestries were woven in Brussels around 1500 and were gifted to the museum in 1937 by John D. Rockefeller Jr. The Museum opened to the public in 1938.

Unicorn tapestry detail

A winding path descended down the hill from the Cloisters and led us to the A subway line which took us all the way down the Island to the stop near our hotel--the longest subway ride for me ever.

We relaxed for a bit and then returned to the 33rd floor apartment where we enjoyed a pizza and salad delivered via a new service called Seamless. We watched some old family movies that we had brought along on a device for them to download.

Monday morning we asked for a late checkout, packed up a bit. grabbed some Dunkin' and walked past Battery Park to the Staten Island Ferry, which is a free ride that every tourist seems to do. We viewed lady liberty and the skyline on the return trip and it was okay--especially for the price!

Then we locked up our luggage at the hotel and toured M.'s office. It is a great space and it was good to see her work environment. We found a quiet neighborhood restaurant/bar, Suspenders, where the husband enjoyed a Founder's Breakfast Stout and a burger with fabulous real mashed potatoes while the girls had salad and nachos. We met Romeo, who loves the stouts. I told him I was from Founders country and that they had other good stouts he should try!

Suspenders empty afternoon bar area

After saying goodbye to M. we took a peek in a Brook's Brothers shop and sat for awhile in the new garden area below the WTC Freedom Tower. That is when I snapped the photo (above) of the reflected sun.

With tired legs and city-weary heads, we decided to avoid the rush hour (ha) and get a cab early. We engaged the help of the concierge who snagged a taxi for us. The taxi driver's meter was broken! We had exactly 50 dollars cash between us which he was willing to accept to take us to La Guardia! (It was over $70 with tip when we arrived.) Traffic was horrible and it took well over an hour to get to the airport. But our flight was much later and we had plenty of time. Everything kind of went wrong for us until we actually boarded our flight back (gate changed twice, long walk, long line, no TSA pre-check line--shoes off, arms up scanner, couldn't work the I-pad for ordering dinner, etc.

The plane ride home, however, was fast and smooth. We were glad to return to the quiet comforts of home, as always. The only damage done (with all the ups and downs ... besides a little cash expended) was that the husband left his Kindle on the airplane and is not sure if he will ever get it back. It did not have any identification on it, sadly.

My photos were taken with my brand new Samsung S9. Can you tell any difference? I didn't edit much!

Every new building reflects--this one taken into the Oculus!

The Morning After (Book Club and Spring Snow)

Book Club - set up for 13. (I was going to stay in the kitchen or something.)

Whew! I survived another book club event.

I couldn't get to sleep last night after all the stress of the evening, so after some TV time I played a few lightning rounds with WWF (in bed) trying to bore myself into slumber ... but that game is actually fast and stimulating!

 But it's all good. It's over for another year. Next year: Pizza. Delivered!

If you had to host 14 non-family members for dinner, wouldn't you stress just a little?  Not everything was perfectly executed, but the food was good and the husband-led discussion was interesting enough. They were all gracious ... but they always are. I have to believe things are tasty and that the book is interesting, and then my conscience is clear. Actually, one couple cancelled on the day of. I took one of those mid-century Danish teak Eva chairs out of the above photo, and there was room for all. Actually, the cancellation was a permanent one, and we are back to an even dozen.

All events and church services were cancelled on the morning of book club, due to icy roads, but by afternoon the ice and snow had turned to slush and a snow plow or two had come roaring down our street. 250,000 homes in Michigan lost electricity, but this time we were spared!

I had moved almost all the over-wintering plants from the sun room. (It is my greenhouse!) I hope they survive in the cold garage for a month until they can be set outside again. M. picked up her Boston fern that I "babysat" for 7 weeks while she gallivanted around in warmer climes. I thought it might freeze in the garage with the "spring" storm descending upon us and urged her to pick it up.

Also, I had Modernistic shampoo the carpets. The old Berber was surprisingly well revived with the 220+ degree steam extraction, except for a couple of deep old spots. It desperately needed to be cleaned and this was a good time for a spring cleaning, even if it was just before a slush storm.

E. wanted to make shepherd's pie. We ended up making massive amounts--and have delicious leftovers. The peeling, boiling and smashing of the potatoes late afternoon was the messiest part. The sauce had been fried (3-1/2 pounds of ground beef) and simmered in a big pot for a few hours on Saturday night, and had been set in the cold garage overnight, to be heated again before assembly. I made a simple Caesar salad and bought two very special pies (cherry berry and rhubarb/peach), served with vanilla ice cream.

The husband was good for something. He re-read the book, tidied his TV table, peeled 15 pounds of potatoes--flinging the peelings onto an old bath towel on the floor (while watching the golf tournament), and agreed to take his shoes off in the entryway! I will compost the potato peelings (still towel-wrapped in the garage) as soon as the SNOW MELTS IN THE BACKYARD.

Yes, it was the husband's turn to pick a book. He chose an old classic, by Alexander Solzhenitsyn, One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich. Our yellowed copy was published in 1963. I don't know when it was written, but not until Khrushchev's time was it allowed out of the country. Three out of 12 clubbers, surprisingly, had studied Russian history in college and knew something of the Stalinist regime that led to the formation of the work camps, which the author himself survived for 8 years, providing him with the knowledge needed to write about, with excruciating detail, all the atrocities of that one single day in the life of Ivan. Several clubbers said that every time they read the book they felt chilled. I know I would not have survived that camp. I probably would have given up in one day (the first day!), curling up in a snowbank for a long cold sleep.

Anyway, as I type, the third and final load of dishes is quietly sloshing in my Bosch. I am attempting to keep the house tidy for at least one day. The husband asked if he still had to remove his shoes for another day. I said, yes, UNTIL THIS "WINTER" SNOW MELTS!

Two Major Events

Without getting into all the personal details, the husband and I attended a funeral in Minnesota last week, connecting with a small family group on my side of the family. It was a sad time of loss for the St. Paul contingent of the family and we were glad that we had the time to drive the distance to be with them in a show of love and support.

Overnighting in Naperville with the husband's sister, twice, still left a long, cold journey. Even with sunny skies, the temperature on Friday--the day of the funeral--never rose out of the frozen twenties.

In stark contrast, the weather for the Masters tournament at Augusta National Golf Club looked perfectly lovely.

Yes, it was also the week of the Masters, a favorite of golf aficionados. I would love to go to the tournament one day--if I could get tickets and afford it--if nothing else to see the glorious azaleas and immaculately manicured grounds. The husband managed to catch most of this important golf tournament (and the first of the 4 majors) with replays and DVR'd recordings. The event was on at the hotel bar where I enjoyed a brisket sandwich, sweet potato fries and half a pint of a local (Dead Poet) stout before the visitation Thursday evening. We watched the final tense moments of the tournament here at home with the three of us on Sunday evening.

Look how colorful the azaleas, spring-green grass fairways, brown pine mulch, white sand traps and blue skies appear on the television screen!

Our favorite, Spieth, was leading on the board in this shot, but in the end Patrick Reed was the one to win the green jacket--and that was okay, since Jordan Spieth already has one!

Speaking of immaculate (I only recently learned what the immaculate conception really refers too!), the funeral was held in a beautiful long-established Catholic church. The sanctuary had been newly built at some point and was large and impressive, adorned with many stained glass windows, etc.

We are unfamiliar with the "Mass of Christian Burial" and participated as best we could. I knew some of the sung responses and hymns. We (6 of us traveling family members, sitting in the back) were invited, but chose not to go forward to receive even a blessing only (to be signaled with crossed arms) as everyone else went forward to receive the wafer (host), which becomes the real body of Christ as it is consecrated and elevated for all to see, according to Catholic doctrines. The careful ritual after the distribution was interesting to observe. And I confess (not formally!) that I have no clue about the smoke (incense presumably), or even what you call that bit of mystery which was part of the Mass.

As Reformation Christians, we do not have much interest in or opportunity to attend any kind of mass. But the dignity of this service, the use of Scriptural readings, a personalized homily, the lovely music, and the use of organ and cantor made for a meaningful time of worship and remembrance. The excellent singing of Ave Maria by the church cantor was touching, and even tearful for some.

Our local (Protestant) church has mostly abandoned hymnals for screens, the old hymns of the faith for praise songs, the organ for a "band" and has "lead singers" (with loud microphones) in place of choir or cantor.

This Catholic church still had wooden hymn boards, with hymn numbers, ready for the next service. Hymn boards already seem quaint to me. I have one hanging in my house, now an antique, found by daughter R. in a Presbyterian church in Pennsylvania, as I recall.

In many ways my church has accommodated to the culture in ways that this Catholic church has not. They even had an Italian-born priest, with an obvious accent. How authentic is that?

On the way home the husband mentioned a very recent article from First Things magazine entitled "A Tradition Unlike Any Other." Comparisons are made between the vigorously controlled traditions of the Augusta National Golf Club and the acquiescence of the (Catholic) church to societal and cultural pressures. I was intrigued and found the article on-line when I got home.

And besides, I thought I could glean something that could possibly tie these two events from last week together (in a more important way than by contrasting temperatures) in one post! (A favorite device of mine--as in my recent post on Demons and Saints, a theme which allowed me to talk about totally disparate things--like my early affection for pigs on the farm and what the recently deceased Rev. Billy Graham might be doing now in heaven!)

The Augusta National has always strictly controlled (not only the immaculate grooming) but its membership, its television coverage and its advertisers. I also learned from the magazine article that it was not until the 80's that the tradition of employing all black caddies in all white jumpsuits for the Masters ended. I noticed that they still use the (ugly) white jumpsuits! They only recently allowed a few women to join, including Condoleeza Rice.

But most of  the regulations and traditions have continued, uncompromised, throughout the years. Augusta National remains a revered and respected golf course and tournament--perhaps the greatest of the four majors.

What if the church remained true to its long traditions, protecting those practices as rigorously as the Augusta National Golf Club has?

Perhaps then the church would be more respected! Perhaps it would not have been abandoned by today's younger generation. Perhaps it would be more attractive in its distinction from "the world" ... if only it followed "The Master" with more reverence and dignity.

Interestingly, from my brief visit, it would seem that the church I visited in St. Paul has held on to much of its rich tradition.

Well, of course the Mass was not in Latin...and we were allowed to sing--a lot! 

(For example, we sang "On Eagle's Wings" which was written by a priest from the St. Paul community in the late seventies and is a favorite at Catholic funeral masses, as well as making its way into many other church traditions.)

We can only hope that the Christian church in all its manifestations--like the Augusta National Golf Club--will find success in holding on to something of that which is good and traditional.

I recommend taking a look at the article mentioned above. It is currently available without a subscription to First Things. I did not use any of the specific language or points made. These reflections are mostly my own. You will find it to be a thoughtful and well-written piece (better than mine!), with many astute response comments as well.

...................................................

And yes, as always, I photograph food and flowers. The food was tasty (and the service excellent) at the Minneapolis Four Points Sheraton. (We used some Starwood points.)

And the funeral flowers were abundant and gorgeous:

Hot apple pie and creamy vanilla (we split it!) ... good enough to be my last meal of choice before my execution, lol.

Some of my favorite flowers and flower colors. So pretty!

What to Wear for Easter?

High of 37 for Easter Sunday!

As you know, Easter can be in March or later in April, and whatever the weather, the old rule is that you lighten up for Easter, with shoes and coats and with brighter, even vivid spring colors.

Dressing my little girls up for Easter back in the day was always a daunting task ... all the shopping, plus the strain on the budget. And then checking the weather and whether they would freeze in their frilly frocks.

Rules (even unwritten or imagined) have changed (relaxed) in 30 years, but it still can be challenging to anticipate the weather for Easter in West Michigan.

Below is a weather chart for one recent March when I actually traveled to Florida on the day it was 87 degrees! That year Easter was on April 24. But in 2008 it fell on March 23. So even if spring weather were predictable in Michigan, the calendar date for Easter can be all over the map.

As I have previously referenced, I have been singing in the church choir lately. The rule for black bottoms and solid tops is more flexible for Easter. If people wish to wear their fancy Easter best, it is sometimes allowed. I have a long sleeved dusty pink top as my default Easter wear. I hope to do a little shopping yet before Easter. So who knows.

On Words with Friends, I discovered just this week that peacocky is a word. Maybe I will go all peacocky for Easter!

But I will most likely stick with the dark bottoms and shoes rule--maybe even boots. Just look at the weather chart--a high of 37 and possible flurries! It will probably still be below freezing in the early morning when we gather to rehearse.

I am not stressing out over my wardrobe choices. I am getting too old for that.

And I would not wear a fancy spring dress anyway, even if I had one!

Some Days Bad Stuff Happens

I am reeling from recent very bad news which involves a few extended family members.

Yesterday my brother informed me that his daughter's husband had passed after a long hospital stay. He was 33 years old. I did not know him personally (attending a wedding does not allow for much getting-to-know) but I do know that this is totally devastating to my brother's family. One can only try to imagine if it would happen in your own family...

Last week we were informed that a son adopted in Liberia years ago by my husband's older brother had lost his wife. Living part-time in Minnesota and part-time in Africa, she was bludgeoned to death by a robber. Again, while I know this adopted son, I do not know his wife.

A niece-in-law by adoption and a nephew-in-law--both essentially strangers to me. Two souls with a long life still ahead of them, taken too soon ... a terrible reminder of how precious life is. And how fragile.

I wish I knew better how to make more of each day I have.

Some Days Good Stuff Happens

My last post was about spring cleanup and the opening day at the free city yard waste facility. I actually mistakenly put that up on the gardening blog--and it really belongs there. But if you want to find out how I get rid of all my spring debris (how exciting!) check it out here:

https://agardeningrose.blogspot.com

We are advised (by the Bible ... and therapists, and friends) that it is good to "count your blessings," to approach life with an attitude of thankfulness.

So yesterday morning began with the appearance of a small white bloom from an orchid which I have neglected (but not killed) for a little over three years now, since the day I took 2 orchids home from my Aunt V's kitchen window following her funeral.

To see even a single bloom arising from the ungainly orchid leaves after all these years, and all these days of cold winter weather, is a sign of something ... it must be!

It warmed into the 50's yesterday, dry and sunny. (The husband golfed without doing too much damage to his knee). And I was "in the garden."

I pulled out the dusty Husqvarna mower that I purchased used from a neighbor who moved some years back. I don't think I ever used it last year. I brushed off the spider webs, filled it with fresh gas, and with one pull, it roared to life (with a little blue smoke).

I used it to mulch some piles in my yard that might contain sticks. I don't like to dull the blade on my newer mower.

What a joy that a neglected, un-serviced motor worked perfectly well!

Then after a break, I went to my uncle's property and starting working on the giant hosta/daffodil patch. After making some huge piles and picking up the larger sticks, I filled his old basic mower (which he bought just for me and my mulching) with fresh gas. That mower has remained outside, subject to the elements now for a few years, and I don't remember if I used it last year. Well, it took about 10 pulls and multiple pumps of the little red button that fills the line with gas, but it also roared to life and never killed.

So I mulched the dry piles into pulverized leaf compost. The old mower helped to reduce the pickup work for this old bag lady.

And then...

While I was resting up at home on the couch watching the news, there was an unusual, rhythmic knock at the front door. Thinking that it must be the husband, I opened the door wide to find a good-looking young man on the porch. "Hello, my name is Carl."

Carl bought a house last December, and is now my back fence neighbor.

Carl had a chainsaw in his pickup and was going to cut a fallen limb that was hanging into my yard. Yay!

I had a 20 foot and a 30 foot dead tree limb down in the yard as well. We paid him $20, which he reluctantly accepted, to saw them up, and he said he could use them in his backyard fire pit. I told him I could haul the wood away myself to that favorite dump site (now that it was in shorter segments), but he tossed them over his fence.

Never let a young man  at your front door with a chainsaw  go to waste!

He might just be our new handyman!

Today there is a light rain and it is not a good day for mulching. Or perhaps any work outside. My back hurt a little last night, but I felt like I was really getting my spring groove on around here.

And yes, I felt blessed by the "old things" that came to life once again, and the "young thing" who appeared at my front door to help.

 It was a good day!

Time to Unplug?

Trillium - one spring day at Aman Park

Some are warning us that our phones, social media use and constant news exposure (fake or not!) are contributing to our anxiety and/or general unhappiness with life.

Think about how much better you (might) feel after an unplugged walk in the woods on a sunny spring day ... perhaps scouting out patches of trillium, Virginia bluebells, Dutchmen's breeches and other wild spring ephemerals.

I don't become overly emotional about every new tragedy around the world. Bad things happen. All the time.

But we need some distance from it all once in awhile.

Our cars may be the most dangerous things in our lives--potential missiles of death! We use them every day and love them, and they will never be banned or taken away, along with our guns.

But we have to live our lives...

Falling is a risk. I have talked about that before. Especially now that I am well past 65! When I had a TGA (transient global amnesia) incident for like, 3 hours, I was given a wrist band in the hospital--FALL RISK. That was before I was 65 and it made me smile (once I regained my mind and was just fine).

But falling is no laughing matter!

I grab the hand rails now. And wear sensible shoes.

Speaking of falling, Hillary is a walking fall risk! She usually has help from a burly bodyguard or two, but she keeps falling! I think she has something seriously wrong with her. But why is she risking her life going up and down slippery steps in India just to see an ancient harem! And did you see the photo of a typical bathtub at that India Palace place where she supposedly slipped and broke her wrist?

Many of us would like her to just stay out of the public eye and take lots of walks in the Chappaqua woods. If Hillary falls in the woods, does anyone hear it ... or care? Lol.

One cannot take in all the trouble around the world!

War in Syria is harder to comprehend than a natural disaster like a hurricane--which we have no control over. But both are far removed from most of us.

When a tragic event occurs in an area near where I have traveled, I do pay more attention. When a terrorist attack happened last fall on a bike path in the area by the World Trade Center, when I planned to ascend the Freedom Tower in just a few weeks, I looked up exactly where it happened on a map.

On our recent trip I saw lots of broken trees and damaged roofs from the latest hurricane that hit Florida. Fortunately there is advanced warning now and people sought shelter or evacuated.

I just referenced the beautiful bridges I saw while in Florida. Now a massive pedestrian bridge has fallen down on a highway in a spot very near to an expressway we used on our way from the Keys to Sebring last month. It was not an old crumbling infrastructure bridge, but a brand new (unfinished) bridge! Can you imagine having a 950 ton concrete bridge fall on your car?  Cars can be dangerous!

Most of us find the shooting of innocent children in school to be the most intolerable kind of tragedy.  And when so many systems failed the students in the recent incident in Parkland, Florida, it is even harder. If a hurricane had blown down the roof on top of the students it might be easier to process...

We should probably be paying more attention to the shootings on the streets of Chicago--and the daily overdose deaths in the current opiod crisis. Every life should be valued.

It is all just too much!

So, I am talking to myself here...

As soon as the weather improves, take a walk in the woods. Unplug for a few hours and tune in to the birds who are now getting really excited about mating and nesting prospects.

Meanwhile, we (three) have been watching episodes from Planet Earth. The incredible beauty of the earth, even on the big screen, is renewing.

And the husband and I have just finished the latest Mozart in the Jungle series. It was CRAZY, with some great music, and great acting--very absorbing and real-world-escaping.

Also, I binged on episodes of Naked and Afraid. Why do I like that program? The husband wants to know!

Yes, I occasionally turn off FOX NEWS!!

Today I am still in hibernation mode here, but spring is coming, ready or not. So throw off your worries, shut down your smart phone, and join me for a walk in the woods!

Founders KBS 2018

After My Year of Beer, I haven't said too much about the craft beer scene, which continues to explode  here in "Beer City" and all over the country almost as fast as Amazon, with a staggering and seemingly unsustainable pace.

5 oz samples of KBS (Kentucky Breakfast Stout) at Founders Brewery Co.

I have learned a lot about beer since 2015 and don't want to forget everything I know--so I stay moderately tuned in to what's happening around town.

I am not crazy about beer or anything, but try to keep learning about food and drink. The variety of beverages (even bottled cold coffees and kombuchas) is simply impossible to keep up with.

E. recently started purchasing SToK cold brew coffee. This black un-sweetened brew has 2 mg. salt, 2 grams of carb and 10 calories per 8 ounce serving, with 0 everything else (along with an appropriate amount of caffeine, I trust). It is really good!

Anyway, a girl's night out was scheduled at Founders with the goal of tasting the Kentucky Breakfast Stout. This seasonally brewed imperial stout was recently brought up from a full year of storage in oak bourbon barrels, kept cool in the caves down under the city in the old gypsum mines. It was KBS week at Founders Brewery, and before this year's batch is bottled and/or depleted, I thought I should have a taste, at the source.

Well, instead I had to go to a wake in Marshall, Michigan. After the wake we dined at Schulers, which is very close to Dark Horse Brewery, which I visited with O. in My Year of Beer! I ordered no beer in Marshall (what a pretty town!) since the choices did not intrigue, although the husband enjoyed a Bell's Porter draft.

So the next day, in the middle of the afternoon, with nothing else to do, I not only had a sample 5 oz. glass of the KBS 2018 batch, but I sampled the featured 2016 and 2017 as well. This beer was so heavy and bourbon barrel-y that I not only could not distinguish the difference in the three brews, I could barely recognize the load of coffee it purportedly features. And was there chocolate in there, too? The 2018 was supposed to be a bit sweeter. I thought one had a hint of maple. Maybe it sat too close to a barrel of the maple-y Canadian Breakfast Stout, released last fall!

I think I will be fine with just settling for their basic Oatmeal Stout, once the KBS (with all the hype) runs out for the year. The ABV for the three samples varied slightly, but was all on the high end of the scale, the 2018 coming in at 11.8%.

Are all these seasonal Breakfast Stouts an excuse for those who are addicted to starting with a beer in the morning? That would be an expensive habit, and certainly not prudent--for anyone.

I ordered a Reuben to pair with the beer samples, although the Reuben sandwiches are not authentic at Founders. The husband had a salad with a smokey porter, after asking for a taste. We found paid parking for the hour, right out front at 3:30 in the afternoon, with snow/sleet falling outside and a sparse crowd inside. I paid all the bills for the two of us, which was my bribe to find someone to go with!

This heavy stout was probably great by most standards, but it was just too much for a Tuesday mid-afternoon. I was disappointed that I had nothing profound to offer to distinguish these 3 sample drafts. I have no future as a beer taster, that is for sure.

But I am always willing to try a sip or two of any outrageous new brew!

For now, my go to beer is an occasional Founders Sumatra Mountain Brown and even less frequently, a New Holland Brewery Dragon's Milk, a pricey 11% milk stout. I recently left a bottle of this brew on Uncle J.'s kitchen counter for him to try, with a warning that it was potent!

Spring Fling in the Big Apple

Postcard came in the mail ... now I'm going!

I'm getting a little excited...

We (yes, the husband, too) are booked to fly to NYC for a weekend, including a hotel in the financial district ... with the first night already planned. We just scored some cheap seats (report later) to see the Grand Rapids Symphony and Chorus perform in Carnegie Hall. How crazy is that?

M. suggested that the new Eataly is a short walk from our hotel, for a pre-concert dinner. I briefly scouted out this Eataly, which is on the third floor of building #4 of the World Trade Center complex, last November--and having a drink or a meal there became a new bucket list item. It opened in August of 2016, and is the second Eataly in NYC. It is beautiful, with some great views looking out  of its large windows.

The rest of the weekend is yet open. I will (try to) go along to get along, and relinquish any more bucket list items!

Yes, we are staying in FiDi. The kids have moved! To the 33rd floor ... with a bay view. So the trip is partly to see their new digs. I will miss the familiarity of their UES neighborhood, but look forward to becoming more familiar with lower Manhattan.

I can handle the dreary doldrums of this cold late-winter weather in West Michigan if I can look forward to some more fun in my future!

A Wish Granted - Winter Returns

Automatic Google-enhanced photo of the remains of stump/veggie garden, taken 3/7/18

We are back to winter ...  with just two weeks or so now until spring. No more back-breaking raking today. But is this really what I was welcoming last week?

The snow erases all the flaws of the early spring landscape and provides cover for the emerging bulbs, but it also brings a chill to the spirit.

Giving me a little respite from yard work for now, the snow will not be long for this world; but meanwhile, I'm keeping those Uggs handy by the garage door.

I escaped a whole month of winter this year and really cannot complain about this fresh blanket of gorgeous winter white!

Demons and Saints

While I am open to believing phenomena arising out of both realms--heaven and hell, I don't dwell on such things and certainly do not open myself up to the influences from the underworld. I gave up dabbling (briefly) with a Ouija board long ago, in high school, and don't seek out books or movies that deal with such subjects, that is, those that are associated directly with demons and devils.

Many movies, of course, contain themes of evil vs. good, and evil is certainly of the devil.

The Darkest Hour (which one best actor at the Oscar's last night) portrayed Winston Churchill at the time in history when he was having to make decisions about confronting Hitler, who remains our favorite modern personification of evil. The 1517 to Paris movie memorialized the story of three brave young heroes who subdued an evil Muslim terrorist, saving a train full of people. The only other movie I have seen in a theater in the last few months was Selma, a movie from 2014 which portrays the evils of racism in our country's history.

But yesterday, on a sunny Sunday morning when my only goal for the day was just getting up early enough to shower, blow-dry and curl my hair, and be dressed and ready for a choir rehearsal by 8:15 AM in order to practice an inspirational version of "How Great Thou Art," I was subjected to a sermon about Jesus, as recorded in the gospel of Matthew, casting out demons from a tormented soul and sending them into a herd of pigs ... quite a dramatic story!

When I toured Israel years ago I saw the peaceful grassy hill (knoll?) where this miraculous event purportedly occurred.

It is still hard to believe the story.

I have a certain fondness for pigs, as they helped to put food on our table literally (well, sort of) and figuratively back in the day. I assisted my father with the birthing (farrowing) process for years. I even had a pet pig one summer named "Skippy" whom I abandoned in the fall, shedding no tears on the day he went off to market along with all the other grown up hogs ... off to a graphic slaughter, yes, but providing bacon and chops for many other tables.

So, especially for me, the extraordinary phenomenon of 2,000 devil-possessed pigs streaming and screaming down the hill to their death in the sea paints a very graphic image! And a complete waste of bacon!

In total contrast, part of the worship service included remembering the Reverend Billy Graham, who passed away a few weeks ago at the age of 99. We sang three verses of "Just As I Am" with and without accompaniment, with solemn familiarity. And the choir performed that rousing version of "How Great Thou Art" which I will always associate with George Beverly Shea of the Crusade.

Billy Graham was for me the best representation I know of a saint on earth. Rev. Graham was a humble man who embraced his own sinfulness and need for grace, but never debased himself with even a hint of scandal.

Already reminded of demon possession from the morning sermon, we book-ended the day with a Sunday night movie--The Exorcism of Emily Rose. It is not a totally terrifying movie, but included a frightening portrayal of what demon possession might look like, based on a true story.

If I were in charge of the world, there would be more Billy Grahams and fewer Hitlers.

But so it is--good and evil evident in the world and all around us ... until that day when all the saints gather in heaven beside the "glassy sea." And perhaps we will hear from Billy Graham and George Beverly Shea, together once again.

*********
Billy Graham would have been 100 years old in November, a few days before Grandpa VR's birth date. Grandma VR would have been a 100 about two weeks before that. Graham came to national prominence with a crusade in L.A. the year I was born ... and I am old!

Three long-lived servants of God born in 1918 are now gone, all very ready to have been moved on up ... to sainthood in the skies! (♫movin' on up ... to a deluxe apartment (mansion?) in the skies♫)

Grandma VR was once in close proximity to Rev. Graham. She claimed to have sensed a "presence" around him (like a holy aura or something).

Somehow I don't find that hard to believe.

February Goes Out Like a Lamb

Witch hazel branch (added 3-2-18)

Weather in the 50's demanded that I dig out a few yard waste bags and a rake ... and pick up the storm sticks that have fallen since late November, when I last spent time outdoors in my yard. I have a large yard waste container now, so the larger sticks get tossed into the can rather than a bag.

My old back is well-rested, but not quite ready for this kind of abuse. I tell myself it is really too early for spring work.

 It is even too soon to uncover the little naturalizing crocuses affectionately known as tommies (crocus tommasinianus) that are sending up green under the leaf cover in the backyard. The Lenten rose from J. that is known for withstanding cold spring weather is sprouting dark new shoots from the base. And there are unimpressive bits of yellow on the branches of the witch hazel, which is still in a pot because I have not found a spot to plant it. But I have real blooms in winter!

It is always fun to scout out the first signs of new life emerging from the drab remains of another winter.

The husband was even tempted (and succumbed) to a round of golf with his still sore knee. Even after doubling up with two different braces, and a recent shot from the doctor, he did some (painful) damage...

The rule is: if the husband is on the golf course, I am in the "garden"...

My back will be okay. But I am reminded that I have to ease into spring clean-up activities. I would actually welcome a light cover of fluffy snow. It is still February in Michigan. It is too early for Spring (or at least spring cleanup) just yet!

Random Reflections on the Month in Florida

Elegant egret at Gatorland

Florida in winter is a whole different world than West Michigan. Even though the jet stream brought arctic air way too far south for awhile (it was in the low 20's the night we spent in Atlanta), for the most part we were comfortable or slightly hot in Florida, leaving the Orlando area with highs in the upper 80's.

And the flora and fauna are so different. I can never figure out when the leaves are supposed to fall or if there is an optimal time to plant some annuals. I did plant some cilantro and oregano in the daughter's herb garden but Walmart did not yet stock any basil (my favorite) which is not very cold tolerant. I don't think I have any flora (or floral) photos from the trip, but of course, Florida is a haven for abundant fauna, including so many birds ... and of course, alligators!

Big Chester gets his own space at Gatorland!

Albino gator! Who knew?

Florida was a little messy in places this year. We witnessed hurricane damage in Naples and in the middle Keys. Browning from the January frost appeared on the trees here and there. As fast as things grow, the trees will soon recover, I am sure. It was especially messy on the edges of the roads in the middle of the Keys, where the hurricane hit hard last fall. I don't know how all the debris will ever be cleaned up. I would import a couple dozen chippers!

We needed jackets and sweatshirts and beach clothes for the trip, although I never took my swimsuit out and never thought to bring a beach towel or chair. We checked out the gorgeous beaches of Naples and Marco Island, and of course Miami Beach. The people I was with were not beach bums. The husband just had two skin cancer spots on his face removed and was certainly not interested in sitting in the sun. He did use his suit a few times, including on a last morning kayak jaunt with the son-in-law.

Naples beach birds

I tried to sit out in the sun for awhile each day it was sunny, without sunscreen, to boost my Vitamin D levels and hopefully immunize myself against the viruses that once again are wreaking havoc throughout the country this winter. But we are pale, white, former northern-European mid-westerners, not suited to sun worshiping!

Without the freeze and thaw cycles which beat up our northern roads every year, the streets and highways in Florida remain smooth. The bridges are mostly quite amazing, especially in the Keys, where one is called the seven-mile bridge. The new bridge is actually 6.79 miles long, shorter than the original from the 80's.

And most of Naples ... so nice! So much wealth. So many places to live/retire/winter--clean and color-coordinated in similar shades of coastal-friendly colors.

The crumbling infrastructure of the US that we hear so much about is not so evident in southern Florida.

Miami Beach did have its mix of old and new. Some of the older hotels are crumbling a bit around the edges. Our room was dated, painted in shades of peachy pink that would not be tolerated elsewhere.

But the brick "boardwalks" of South Beach were pristine--filled with mostly the young and the beautiful, jogging and cycling. And a few homeless. A great place to people watch! We found a spot to park within a half block of the beach and then we sat ... and watched. Parking costs were metered and pricey in Miami Beach and Key West, but we were fortunate to find great spots for the beach, for our dinner at Yardbird and for our activities in Key West. No Ubers were needed on this trip!

There is a mix of lifestyles in the Keys, as well, but we also avoided the whole nightlife/bar scene there, competing on the streets of Key West in the daytime with older white folks (the worst, lol--like us, perhaps), spilled out from the three docked cruise ships. The husband's cousin couldn't help but notice and point out the lack of diversity.

We took the requisite photos at the southernmost point of the USA, like good tourists:

There is certainly more to do than we did in Key West if you want to shop, drink, or rent a boat. We did browse in at least one shop. The husband purchased a new t-shirt to replace the black polo he had chosen that morning, which proved to be too hot. I approved the choice of a pretty turquoise color, so he blended right in, lol, with the tropical island hues. I wish I could share the photo of him looking up the skirt of the giant woman statue in front of the museum--wearing his new turquoise t-shirt.

(Wow. Turquoise has a lot of vowels! Also Sequoia. And Iroquois. Glad to have spell check!)

So we are happy to be home at last. Almost all the clothes are washed. All the stray Golden (Red) Retriever hair clinging to our clothes has been washed away into the sewer system. We live in a pet-free zone here. Our suitcases are wiped down and closeted.

It is raining. Dismal. Grey. Dirty. Barren. I washed the car in the mild winter rain, trying the Rain-X option for the first time. The snow is almost gone.

Home is where your stuff is, and we have a lot of it! I was missing one black sweater after our first hotel in the Atlanta area. I found it when I emptied one of the husband's suitcases. I was so mystified by its disappearance for the month. In Naples I bought a new Skagen watch, sunglasses and a pair of capris that are (sadly, for now) one size too small. The husband acquired that pretty new t-shirt. I have a cute Coke bottle from Colombia for my collection that I took back from a dresser drawer, since we had plenty of safe space in the car and no weight limits.

Otherwise, we really are too old to collect souvenirs. (I have to keep reinforcing that in my mind.)

I am throwing out an old duffel bag used on the trip. A net gain of space ... I think!

Hobbes the Costco dog models husband's new Salt Life T.

Time to Change Climate Zones

Mango Mimosa for Sunday brunch

Things are becoming more routine around here now, even as we are winding down our month in Florida.

Today we attended FPCO again, downtown. The husband has his old phone up and running again (sent express from home) and yesterday found a suitable mount for the car at, yes, (big excursion to) WALMART yesterday.  I found a Styrofoam cooler for transporting a few leftovers home... 

... because my daughter hates (vigorously expresses her displeasure) when I leave things in her fridge--like a big jar of regular Hellman's Mayo (the horror!) even as I have to shove aside a jar of Blackberry Patch Raspberry Chipotle Ketchup (what?) in order to fit it in.

Anyway, the husband was delighted to have his GPS Waze functional again. The Waze lady, with her non-judgy British voice, found a totally new route to downtown Orlando for us, past a huge Black Baptist Church, past new construction, dictating unexpected turns and exits. Maybe we were re-routed because an action movie was being shot in downtown Orlando!

The hymns were good, the new organist was fabulous, the choir was enthusiastic but the church was emptier than usual, with 75 married couples "retreating" with the head pastor.

The preaching pastor tried to cover the 10 commandments in 20 minutes. (The husband used to teach an entire course on the commandments!) The pastor had at least one useful illustration on the benefits of following God's laws, but his excessive volume and enthusiasm, sadly did not reflect excellent content. And he said 2 Corinthians, just like the POTUS was mocked for saying!

After the late service, the husband surprised me with a brunch at Dexter's in Winter Park.

And thus, the mimosa above.

The brunch food was okay at this popular spot, but nothing to write home about. Below are photos of the brunch menu and food. As usual, I went with an inventive entree choice:

A Hot Mess! Yes, it is HOT in Florida. Today we saw a high of 87! The air-conditioning here is currently being controlled remotely from California and is a little out of whack! For once, the husband is way more steamy than I, and has been jumping into the chilly waters of the unheated pool to cool off. With the hot red Golden:

I have blocked out the unflattering shot of the husband's head as the Toffee dog makes a dash for the stairs.

And then we ate leftover pizza. Pizza Hut. We are reverting to old familiar things. We dined at The Coop of Winter Park again for a delicious southern fried chicken dinner with all the fixin's. And then, Pizza Hut--after our Walmart shopping! We managed to fit in a lunch at Shake Shack as well.

And then we snacked on sandwiches made with yummy white Chicago Italian bread, with MAYONNAISE. And another carton of Publix Premium Butter Pecan. THAT stuff is to die for!

We are embracing the comfortably familiar as our time here winds down. Last chance. Since the diets MUST start after we return to Michigan. And I really am done with Key lime pie--for at least a year!

I will miss all the green things here and all the beautiful blue bodies of water and shorelines we have enjoyed.

Goodbye cute cacti:

Such interesting reflections! A trophy inside, a hanging bulb on a string, palm leaves and a shadow of my elbow ... I think.

It will be a shock to our system to be plunged back into snowy northern climes.

But at least we will have a thermostat that can be controlled! 

A Launch and a Late Lunch

Our view of  the SpaceX launch from the Max Brewer bridge.

After two weeks of trekking around Florida, all the way to Key West, we were happy to be back at our home base doing ABSOLUTELY NOTHIN' for a few days, before taking on our dog and house care responsibilities. 

All Obama needed was a pen and a phone. 

All I need is a phone and a credit card!

A little bit of shopping at the friendly local Publix and a lot of staring at my electronic devices was a welcome relief after being with people for much of the "trekking" time.

Our hosts in Maitland were completely preoccupied with their pre-trip work and were happy to ignore us!

So after almost a week, we were ready for an adventure.

Last year we attempted to witness a SpaceX launch from the Cocoa Beach pier. It was scrapped at the very last moment. This year we trekked (we do a lot of trekking, but mostly via the Avalon) to Titusville for a bridge view of the launch, scheduled for 1:30 PM on Tuesday. 

Parking was a challenge, but the husband snagged a prime spot up on a median near the bridge. Other cars with higher chassis were parked all along the grass up the curb. When we found out the launch was delayed until 3:45--even as balloons were still testing the upper level wind velocity--we got back into the car to enjoy air conditioning, radio and phones.

This launch was said to be big--dubbed Falcon Heavy. The payload included--no, not a Falcon (my first car!)--but Elon Musk's red convertible 2008 Tesla roadster. Complete with dummy. Sent into orbit for eternity.

The daytime launch was more smoke than fire, but watching with hundreds of excited people was cool. We almost left when the bright speck disappeared into the heavens, but everyone else was waiting for the twin boosters to light the sky once again and stream down safely toward a (different) launch pad. Quite amazing! And if I am correct, the sonic booms were heard after the descent!

Cute rocket squiggle

After this remarkable launch we were hungry. While others were seen carrying pizzas up on the bridge, we didn't even have so much as a bottle of water along.

Returning back to Maitland, we found the Teak Neighborhood Grill. It was late afternoon, there were few customers, we found a quiet spot by a window...

...and I indulged in a remarkable hamburger and brew.

My Cronie Burger

Any place that has Teak in its name and features hamburgers must be a place for me!

I don't know why the restaurant was named Teak, but they made creative use of the name:

Restroom sign at Teak

I chose one of the most adventurous burgers on the extensive menu--really almost a breakfast rather than a very late lunch.

First I ordered a pricey snifter of Funky Buddha Maple Bacon Coffee Porter.

And then the cinnamon-sugared "cronut" burger with pepper-bacon, smoked gouda cheese and an over medium egg!

It was insane! The cinnamon was the weirdest element, but the combo actually kinda worked for me--an exceptional sugar/salt/fat combo! I had sugar all over my face as I attacked it with gusto. I was too full for the fries ... my stomach actually hurt for an hour.