Really been delinquent in posting, but it's that busy time of year with the holidays, presents to buy, and various parties to attend. Am about ready to winterize my bike as I have ridden for over two weeks and the weather doesn't look to get much better. I will miss riding for several months now.

I get my annual affliction of SAD with the shorter days. The sun is setting aroung 4:20 now and rising around 7:10. It really gets to me after awhile. Drinking a little more coffee in the morning, and going to the gym and playing tennis works for me. But I will be happy when the days start getting longer. Unbelievably that will be in about 2 1/2 weeks. Now it is pretty depressing to go home in the dark.

The election furor seems to be running its course, except in Iowa and New Hampshire, where the candidates are blanketing the registered voters. While there are just too many people running now, that will be correct by the first of February. I still am hoping that the Dems don't blow this election. An ideal for me is that Hillary or Barack wins the White House, the Dems retain the Senate, and the Republicans will the house by a few votes - perhasp ten. Then no one can ramrod bills through, but the Dems will still have the bulk of the power.

One positive result of most of the states moving up their primaries is that they will be over quickly, and another is with many states holding them close together it will be difficult for all of the candidates to be everywhere, thus sparing us some political pain.

I stated my preference for the Dem side and now on to the Republicans. hard choice there. Guilani has a lot going for him, but also on wife #3. Forget Thompson and the rest. It would be ridiculius to nominate Huckaby, although he is seen by many to be moving up in the polls. I'm afraid I don't want a minister in the drivers's seat.

With the primaries finished, we will, Oh my God, have a campaign that is so long that we will have heard every issue upside down and backwards. all the money being spent that could go the needed things that folks really need at Christmas, warm clothes, food to eat, housing, etc.

Oh well, need more coffee to stay awake

Take care.

A long time

It's been forever since I have written. Been very busy with meeting new people and with work. Still riding the bike. Rode Wednesday & Thursday even though it was about 40 degrees when I departed in the morning. I was hit by a pick-up in my car Tuesday night so I had no choice as the car wasn't really drivable.

On Wednesday morning it was one of those unbelievable mornings driving along LSD. The lake was moderate and just a little wind. The sky had fluffy clouds heading east on Belmont, but then I saw new weather heading in from the east, over the lake. Clouds were gathering and getting a little gray - there was a space out over the lake where the rays of the sun were shooting through with a very unusual yellow color and the sun was peaking through the top of the clouds a little - and then down on the horizon - towards Indiana - the sky was violet. And of course off to the west it was still nice blue sky with the puffy clouds. Just a great feeling to ride along, although my hands got a little cold by the time I reached Hyde Park.

Getting into these shorter days sets off my SAD. I have a light going on at about 5:30 am when I get up and that helps a little. At least it isn't dark when I leave work yet. Give it another three weeks.

Riding does help but that does not last much longer. Looking forward to Thanksgiving and getting together with all the kids in Atlanta. That will be a great couple of days.

Not much else today - but have to comment on some of the political craziness soon.

Take care.

Meeting

It's been almost two weeks since I have written. The primary reason is preparation for my organization's annual meeting - our biggest event of the year. Have board members from all over the states and from Japan. Takes a lot of time and energy to get things just right, the way they like it. Our small staff has been working on preparations for about three months.

The meeting was yesterday, with other activities yesterday and the day before. Almost all are gone now. Everything went well, with some financial planning issues very important. Next spring's meeting will also be very important.

One of our trustees in very much the Renaissance man - he is learning to play the flute, is a successful retired businessman, totally built his own vacation home, is very good at sketches, and now is composing "hi ku" poetry. Likes to sing karaoke also.

Most of the group are very interesting with varied backgrounds. We are working to expand and diversify the group a little more.

I ate too much as we have two big dinners and one big lunch as part the events. But the food was really good.

Has to wear suits for the last three days instead of going casual as I do most of the rest of the year. It was kind of nice, but I prefer the casual. Back to normal and also got to ride my bike again today.

Started reading Greenspan's book recently - I am hoping for a lot of interesting insight.

That's about it for now.

Take care.

What?

A real grey or gray morning, anyway you write it. A little windy on the ride in but not cold. It has brightened up this afternoon so the ride home will be more pleasant, if not slower due to the afternoon congestion.

It has been a slow day at work, feeling very tired this pm, hoping to take a nap but knowing that is not possibe, so that means more coffee. I think that when I drink my late pm coffee it does perk me up some for the balance of the work day, but also its effect will keep me up.

Started taking harmonica lessons so I will just be a little harp blowing crazy person.

Take care.

?

Another day in Chitown - the Lake is beautiful, but it is very dreary out - matches my mood. Haven't ridden for awhile - too hot or rainy - tomorrow is a go and that should help my spirits. Otherwide a real downer.

Watched my youngest daughter run in the Chicago Half Marathon yesterday - over 15,000 in the race. Her race went according to plan - she ran eight minute miles and finished 13.1 miles in just under one hour and forty-five minutes. It was the first time I watched a distance race and it was very interesting - all the different styles and body types. I can't imagine ever being able to complete a half, let alone a full marathon.

If anyone reads this blather, hope that your day is a happy and productive one.

Take care

Finally rode again this morning, and it is a beautiful morning here in Chicago. It is cooling off a little although the temp will be back up in the 80's for the weekend and holiday. I look forward to a nice fall and riding into November. Last year I did ride until the very end of November and it was just great.

Kind of out of words this morning - just waiting for some more resignations from the bush administration. Now his group has a big pr campaign going to say that we should stay in Iraq - what a crock. Moveon or someone will be countering it soon. I appreciated the quote from the mom of a deceased GI in Iraq, saying something like, I would like bush to explain why I am burying my daughter while he is marrying his off!

Take care.

A number of things!

Another week has started and the weather in Chicago is not bad.

Yesterday it was perfect. My block had a block party - seems pretty rare in the big city - I experienced these little neighborhood get togethers in other much smaller communities but I think this is unusual in this setting. Got to meet a few new folks.

Haven't ridden my cycle for almost two weeks - first the heat - then the rain - now a commitment that required wearing a suit - so in the four wheeled monster. Can't tomorrow as I am going down to Lafayette to my sister's retirement ceremony (my younger sister - how depressing! :-) not really. Maybe I'll ride on Wednesday.

Hooray! Our US AG finally resigns! I have new appreciation for his predessesor Ashcroft who at least had some scruples. Gonzales fits in the same boat with Rove - totally political animals with no consciences. This man was a danger to US society - his memos as White House counsel probably got us into the whole torture mess - we don't have to comply with the Geneva Conventions - unbelievable! Glad that he's gone - at least there is a little justice!

And Dick Cheney falls right in line (along with Rumsfield and Wolfawicz) with his totally political behavior. It's hard to find anyone in this administration who has a little humanism in even their pinkie! Did you see this clip on our VP?

http://www.moveon.org/r?r=2879&id=10983-3748630-DEO01n&t=2

What an opportunist! The father knew it was a disaster to go into Iraq and the new tricky Dicky went along then. Why did he change his story a few years later?

With all the campaigning going on (ugh), we should just have the election this fall, get bush out, and put some Democrat in office this January - give them a five year term as they will need all of that time and more to start to right all of the wrongs of the bush administration.

Remember that you saw it here many weeks ago that the Dems should go with a Clinton - Obama ticket. I think that the country is so fed up with bush and his cronies that this unheard of ticket - a woman and a black man - should win. We need drastic action for terrible times.

That's about it for now.

Take care.

Sicko

Another rainy day in Chitown. Had to take the bus today as I didn't want to ride in the rain. We seem to be getting more than our fair share of precip lately, but it is better than the stifling heat that we had before and other parts of the country are still getting. Global warming anyone?

We are getting into hurricane season - a very scary time. Have a colleague whose kids are in Jamaica, where Dean has hit. She finally got through on the phone yesterday and they are fine, but it is still scary.

Now Dean is a great name for a hurricane. Of the Deans I know, blustery and big wind are common descriptors. Also the ones I know have caused a lot of wetness (tears) and wanton destruction through their actions, seemingly unpredicatable, but well-planned on their parts. The quietness at the center is really an emptiness of true being. Everything swirling around is a front to intimidate and impress. What is a Dean, or a hurricane really like?

Saw Sicko this weekend and was really impressed. Of course Michael Moore puts his bias on his works, but that doesn't mean that much of the meat is true. Anyone who thinks about the current health care situation in America knows that it is terrible. About 25% of the folks are not insured and about 25% underinsured. The rest are precariously covered, as illustrated in the movie. I am sure that the systems in Canada, England, and France are not perfect, but they do seem to be beating the record of the richest country in the world. The statistics pretty accurately reflect the situation, and our infort mortality rate is pretty sad for all of the resources we have as a nation.

HMO's suck. Manage care to save money, not lives. What a crock. The insurance companies are making a ton of money while driving costs up. Denied healthcare means more expensive health care down the road, and less chance of success. The movie showed the stomach turning situation where hospitals turn out folks without insurance instead cab them to the curbside of clinics run by United Way agencies, who have minimal funding and don't make huge profits as most of the hospitals and insurance companies do

The next administration needs to propose and put into place a system by which all folks in this country will get the health care needs met on a timely basis. If it increases taxes, so be it. If it cuts into health insurance profits, so be it. The status quo is shameless.

We all need to do everything that we can to get universal healthcare into place; contact our state and federal representatives; etc. Must be done or we are condemning our country and children to failure.

Riding Again

It seems like forever since I have ridden to work, but it's probably been about two weeks. The heat here, and almost everywhere, has been brutal. And then we had several rainy days, which, although it broke through the heat and humidity a little, were not conducive to riding either.

Today was much cooler and the lake was calm. No marching boats in the various harbors, just standing at parade rest. I am really bonding with my bike, now that I have had it for over a year and all of the relatively minor mechanical problems have been rectified. It is just a joy to ride, and I left a little early this morning so the traffic was not too bad.

From one of the quotes in my collection that I use in my email address and closing, which I usually change weekly, I have discovered a man named Jiddu Krishnamurti. The quote is

You must understand the whole of life, not just one little part of it. That is why you must read, that is why you must look at the skies, that is why you must sing and dance, and write poems, and suffer, and understand, for all that is life.

I am in a bit of a contemplative mood so I am going to look into his writings. Anyone familiar with his writings?

Another Day

Another dog day of summer, but I'll take it.

I thought that I would continue with a few more thoughts on relationships, as I ended with that yesterday. I think that a shared sense of spirituality is a very important link between people. Again not that it is identical, but that spirituality exists, is important, and can be discussed. That one can understand the other's and can accept it. As we age, or get more seasoned, it gets more important. I think that we are coming to terms with who we are, what we have done, and perhaps with a higher being.

I think spirituality provides a strong link between people - it gives a strength that can be shared - it provides the basis for prayer, meditation, and study. It also gives a strength to be an advocate for others and to bridge differences. For as much as we human beings are different in this world, we are still more alike. We have the same needs and aspirations. We need to love and be loved.

I have not been a great student of the religions and faiths of the world, although I did take a comparative religion course in college, but I think they are more alike than we think also. The parts that are different are more made by us human beings. I think that we need to be aware of all of the parts of the various faiths that make us stronger in love and support for each other, that help us to be kind.

And finally, getting back to relationships, spirituality helps us to be one as a couple for the love and strength that it provides, but it also gives to joy to see individual growth in the partner. To be together - to be apart. It is something I wish for everyone.

Take care.

A few random thoughts

Another hot day of summer in Chitown - have to remember that I'll be wishing for this next January!

Took a quick trip to Louisville yesterday to brief a new trustee on our B of D. Haven't been there for about 25 years - she said that the metro area is 1.2 mil. Wasn't there long enough to make any real observations. Did have a great discussion with the cabbie on the way downtown and he expressed the prevailing sentiment that I am hearing more and more - that bush made a huge mistake going into Iraq, that it is a shame that our troops are dying for this mistake, that it is now a terrible mess for anyone to try to get out, and that the US can not solve other countries' problems. This guy was from Kenya and been here for nine years. Very articulate and insightful.

On the way back to the airport the cabbie was a lady who crossed herself getting on the Interstate, and then I saw my first real case of road rage. A guy in a van following another van, honking his horn constantly and following from about two feet - a disaster waiting to happen. This went on for three or four miles and then the enraged one cut across four lanes of traffic and exited the highway. Unbelieviable!

Cubs win on a wild pitch and now are in 1st place. Hope there is no looking back, but still two whole months to go. Woody is back today or tomorrow. Good luck to a great young man.

Finally, how does one know when they are really compatible with another person - perhaps a real soul mate? You can list preferences and experiences, etc., ala the online services, but what does that really mean? Should you be looking for someone similar or not? The old adage is that opposites attract, but then 50% of marriages end in divorce. I am thinking that there should be many similarities for compatibility purposes, but perhaps a few differences to keep life interesting. Just wondering.

Take care.

Another summer day

A great day, although it was getting a little steamy even as I rode to work this morning about 7:15. The lake was very smooth and the sun very bright. For the second time in about a week I saw a water skier out there on the calm surface - now that's the way to do it! It will be even warmer riding tomorrow and the next day, but I always wear all of my gear - though it gets a little sweaty. I guess that two accidents will do that to a person - a totaled bike in one with a night in the hospital and a broken ankle in the other.

I haven't written about the beloved Cubbies to date, but they are pulling at our hearts - seem to be winning in every imaginable way - and Pinella is a big reason for their success. Hope they end the streak at 99 years. I have been a fan since 1957 - the days of Ernie and Walt Moryn, Lee Walls, Randy Jackson, Sammy Taylor, Glen Hobbie, Moe Drabowsky, Dick Drott, Bill Henry, and a few others. Not too many familiar names there. The Phillies are in town - there was a game for the ages with them in the late 70's - when Kingman and Schmidt played - the think that the final score was 23-22 Phillies, and the wind was blowing out.

I guess that the definition of an eternal optimist is being a Cubs fan.

Take care.

What the future may bring

Just remembered an interesting tidbit to my motorcycle trip. when I was taking off my rain gear at a Shell station in mid Illinois, a voice asked me where the rain was. I turned around and it was another cyclist gassing up at the pump. I didn't notice her when I drove up. I told her about the rain as she was heading to MO, and she thanked me.

She was about five foot tall and almost as wide and I looked over at her bike. It was a three wheeler, loaded down. She was from Florida and had been up in WI for a rally and now was heading for Oklahoma for another one. I asked her if she was seeing family, and she said no, just going to the rallies. She had to be in her early 70's. I hope that I am still out riding at that age, and maybe still on a two wheeler. But I see a three wheeler in my future.

And just to add some spice to life, I haven't seen so many debates so far before the primary season in my life. I missed the one hosted by U Tube but saw the reports - now that's the kind they should have. The Dems are coming to Chitown in a few weeks for a debate at Soldier Field - I think the AFL-CIO are hosting this one. Wonder if I can get in if I wear my Local 212 Teachers t-shirt?

I wonder if anyone really is listening. This is just too early. Haven't heard about any Repub debates but they are pretty much w/o hope if the Dems stick together behind their candidate.

And getting to my favorite Bush (not) - he still is trying to rewrite history - Al Quida and Iraq.

That's about it for today.

A little variety

Has another great ride this morning along the lake - the sun was reflecting brightly of the water and the lake was relatively smooth - another cool morning. Planning a ride to Lake Geneva on Sunday and it will be hot, but not as hot and humid as Arkansas was.

As political a person as I am, I think the campaign is starting way too early, and what do we have - 20 candidates - unbelievable. Of course several will be out of money by the time of the Iowa caucuses. And then we may also have Fred Thompson and Bloomberg in the race. I think that this is really driven by the internet and all of the 24 hour news stations. However it may have some benefit of getting issues discussed much earlier and in more detail that would otherwise be.

Being a liberal - there is only one person in the Republican camp who has any interest, and that is Guliani. He's too liberal on social issues to get the nomination, but he would run a good race. Do you remember him on Sat Nite Live many years ago in drag? Very funny. I used to like McCain but his stand on the war is too bush-like. I guess his funds are drying up. T. Thompson is a joke - when he was appointed to the bush cabinet the folks in WI were saying that the only reason he was appointed is because bush wanted someone dumber than him on his staff.

The Democrats have to have the nominee left standing - not totally battered by the primaries. This is a hard one - Hillary and Barack are the strongest, but each have some skeletons. It's awfully early for Bill to be out in force. They must be worried.

I'm thinking of the ticket with both of them on it. Women and African Americans should like it, but other minorities may not be too excited, and the south is probably lost again. I wonder if either would settle for VP?

Blumberg is another interesting case - supposedly won't pull a Perot and would drop out before splitting the election. Newsweek has him as a possible Dem VP candidate. And all of his money. The rich are too rich, but then that is another thought.

Last thought for today. Anyone seen Sicko yet? My friends that have really like it although they realize that Michael really slants his material. One friend, a doc, said that she thinks that she should move to England or France to practice. Not to say it isn't true, but could be mitigated by other factors. Oh well, that's someone else's movie. Hope to see it soon.

The health care system needs a huge overhaul - who will attempt to take on the insurance companies? With 25% of Americans with no insurance and 25% underinsured, we have a shameful situation.

Got to get going. Take care.

Riding

An absolutely beautiful morning in Chicago - I don't know how it could be any better. Temp about 66 - clear blue skies with a few clouds along the horizon over the lake. A soft cool breeze. Riding along Lake Shore Drive was almost heavenly. Relatively light traffic - no horns honking.

The lake had small waves with tiny whitecaps as they hit the sand. The sun glimmered off the water at about 7:30 am. Mayor Daley's flowers proudly waved as I drove along - each stretch of road had a different color - beautiful yellow, reds and some blue. Grant Park was fresh and clean after the end of The Taste. The white masts of the sailboats in Monroe harbour were quietly marching along in place. The Field Museum stands proudly at the end of Grant Park with its banner telling all of its current exhibits.

After heading around the curve and heading south, it was a comfort to be going that way instead of north as that side of the Drive was backing up severely. Oh, to when the Ryan project is completed. As I continued south I could see the tips of the smokestack towers in Indiana and the workers who are always in a section of the median, trimming, weeding, and replanting.

Very peaceful all the way to Hyde Park as I let the Type A's speed by in the left lane while I toodled along in the middle. The man selling bananas and apples was there in from of the Museum of Science and Industry with his green safety vest on this morning. Some day I need to stop in the small median there and make a purchase for the staff.

Anyway, all at peace with the world this minute. Too bad this feeling can't be shared with everyone, everywhere.

Take care.

A Great Trip!

Just came back from my (almost) annual cycle trip with my son last Saturday. We hadn't gone for a few years due to my lack of a bike, but I bought a 2003 Kawasaki Vulcan 750 last year and so we decided to visit Arkansas this year.



We went from 6/23 to 6/30 so it would be a little cooler than our other possible date (early August) - wow - it was 90+ most days (except in the "mountains") and rainy and/or very humid. But it was still fun.



Drove 400 miles in the rain on the 23rd going from Chitown to extreme southern Illinois. Had to stop a few times when it was pouring and got totally soaked - found out that the waterproofing on my jacket was long gone and my rain boots ripped. My rain pants worked fine - the only part that remained dry. Had "water proof" covers for my saddle bags and sissy bar bag and found out that the saddle bags could have used trash bag liners - next year! In six previous trips we had never hit rain anything like this!



On Sunday we cut through MO to Arkansas. Stopped by the Stars & Stripes museum and the new MO Veterans cemetary for a little bit. Went over about 15 miles of milled highway, which is always fun. Also saw miles of rice fields. We camped at Ft. Davidson State Park on Sunday and went canoeing on the Black River on Monday. The camp was pristine and not full. The folks were nice and we explored around a little also - saw the plat for the original Ft. Davidson.


This area of Arkansas, NW, seems particularly poor. Housing not very good, so many storage lockers I was wondering if folks are living in them. Started to see horses on almost every farm - everyone must ride! Saw herds of cows standing, sitting, and doing both - Jeff''s wife says that sitting cows predict rain - we had rain, but not too hard. As we got over to the middle of the state in the Ozarks area, things started to look better. Nicer homes, not so many storage buildings, still many horses (and a few Shetland ponies and mules) - I think the tourism business is better here in the Mountain Home area.

Stayed at the Buffalo River National Park on Monday and Tuesday nights. A pretty place and it was nice to stay in one place for two nights - I'm not as young as I used to be. On Wed morning there was just a light sprinkle as we are breakfast and I tempted Mother Nature by saying that this wasn't too bad. Then the heavens opened up and we and our gear got drenched. But we started out and it finally stopped raining. We made it to Mount Magazine, the highest point in Ark., almost 2800 feet high!

Again a beautiful ride and a nice campsite. They warned us about bears, but all we saw was deer, and learned what sounds deer make - very peculiar - never heard it before. They have special waste containers there that were supposedly "bear proof", but we were told that some bears had already figured them out.

Then the next day took Arkansas Route 7 most of the way to MO. On the map 7 is marked as a scenic route, which really means lots of ups and downs and curves with mostly double yellows on the road. No passing anywhere! It took a long time on these scenic highways, although it was very beautiful and enjoyable.

While our speedometers said about 55, I think that we were really going about 50, with everyone in the world passing us by. This was the hottest day of the trip and we were just dripping. Beautiful country though.

We got back to Missouri on Thursday and camped at Tam Sauk park. Not much going on there. Then we headed up 44 on Friday to get to Eureka, which would be our last stop together. Then on Sat I would head up to Chicago and Jeff back to Jeff City.

On Sat I stopped at a little town on 51 for gas and a late breakfast and discovered it was Hank Williams home town - nothing too memorable, but the cafe was a fun place.

I finally sped up a little on Saturday as, on the way back, we had been staying to 60 or 65 mph on our speedometers. There were not many people on the highway so I sped up to the flow of traffic, which was about 80 mph - othersise it would have taken forever to reach Chicago. Finally got back into the Windy City in time to help with the condo garden and get cleaned up for a party. Over 1700 miles in 7 1/2 days.

What a week. What a day. What fun.

Take care.

Gray (or grey)

Another day to ride in Chitown -very gray by the Lake this morning - one of those times when it is hard to tell where the sky ends and the water begins. Kind of somber. While the sun has come out later in the day, it was kind of dulling riding on LSD this morning. Hope it isn't a sign of things to come. Don't need a downer.

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

Another Day

Riding today is an experience - the temp is up there around 90 and the wind is 25 to 35 with gusts up to 50 mph. I always wear full gear to the temp is a little bit of a problem - the vents don't help much at this temp. The wind will be interesting riding home tonight - probably will be less affected than the big SUVs.

Starting to think about my trip down to Arkansas Ozarks and getting my saddle bags and sissy bar bag out - leaving on 6/23 & returning on 6/30. Will meet my son, do a little riding, camping, and canoeing. This will be like nirvana.

I have been riding for about 15 years and there is nothing like heading out on the highway. Such a high. At the beginning and end of the trips I am by myself and then with my son. Without a definite schedule, we can do what we want when we want. The weather has never been much of a problem, although I have invested in much better rain gear than I started out with - very important.

Happy trails to you, and hope you get a lot of whatever gives you a natural high.

Riding

My bike was in the shop again just after I had it tuned up - very frustrating. Was riding to work on a clear Thursday morning and it just quit running - turned out to be an electrical problem and it was in for two weeks - "waiting for parts"

So I rode today and it was great. A light sprinkle of rain but nothing to worry about. Just out there on a cool morning enjoy the freedom and fresh air, the beautiful lake and being alive.

In two weeks and a few days I leave for a week long trip to the Ozarks of Arkansas. Meet my son there - do some camping, riding, canoeing - just have some fun and relaxation. Can't wait.
You know about anticipation, don't you?

Take care.

Another wonderful ride

this morning was not as bright as yesteday, but still provided a wonderful ride along the lake to work. It was one of those hazy mornings where the sky and lake seem to blend together, can't tell where each starts and stops. Started a little late so the traffic was a little jammed up going downtown, and it was a little warm. A cool breeze arose when I got close to the s curve and traffic lightened up after Grant Park. It is always awe inspiring seeing all the buildings and people at that time of day - the high rise condos under contruction with the little elevators on the side of the buildings going up and down - one of the cruise boats anchored by the drive as advertising for its services - this one with its own small helicopter safely tied down on the deck.

Not too many bikes out this morning - did get cut off by a lady changing lanes in a minivan.

The sameness and changing scene from day to day starts off each day I can ride in the best way possible!

Riding by the Lake

Wow, what a great morning!

Just got my annual tune-up on my Kawasaki Vulcan 750 and started about six months plus of riding to work most days. Thirteen miles down Lakeshore Drive from near Wrigley Field to Hyde Park. The Lake is beautiful and different every day, from calm to raging with waves breaking over the running paths. Also its color changes often from deep blue to angry green and black. From full of boats to hardly any. The harbors are filling up with sail boats and the motor boats are almost all back. Sailing schools have been in session for several weeks, as the little two person boats snake around, first inside the harbor and then venture outside the break waters.

If I can leave by 7:15 am the traffic isn't usually too bad - can enjoy the lake and the buildings of downtown. It is a different story going home in the evening - usually worse around the S curve by Navy Pier. Sometimes I just go down Michigan Avenue - less traffic that way.

Hope that your week is starting out, and stays great!

Edna

Spent the weekend in NW of the WI Dells - the occasion was the passing of one of my aunts. She was a month and a few days past 86. She actually died on my dad's birthday. He passed in October 2005 at the age of 82. Was more of a celebration of her life than mourning which is the way it should be, I think, except for those who die young.

She was one of 10 farm kids - three girls - you know they needed cheap labor. she went off to CA at about 15 to live with her aunt and uncle - not too excited about farming I guess - not with chores at 6 am. She was a hairdresser and found a beau and married him. They had two daughters, one of whom passed about two years ago at the age of 60 - the other took care of Edna for the last two years. Her husband died at 58 many years ago and after awhile she moved back to WI to be near her surviving siblings, including my Dad. Now there are just two left, Edna's twin brother and a younger sister.

Edna was the oldest of the twins, I found out this weekend, by about 20 minutes. Her brother just quit dying his hair black about six months ago - it was strange to see him with gray hair. I'm guessing that her life was pretty basic, but she had a great sense of humor and was fun to be around. she adored her girls and their kids. She could needle my dad, which was a little unusual as he intimidated most folks around him. A couple years ago I took her and my dad out for dinner along with a few other relatives and it was a gas. Dad was trying to tell her something but wasn't making much sound since he had had some injury to his vocal cords during a recent surgery, and Edna had hearing aids. Finally, she said in a loud voice, "We're a fine pair, you can't talk and I can't hear!"

Did learn a lot more about the family from the surviving brother and sister - dad really never told me that much. I think he was trying to forget. Not the best childhood, and he probably was verbally abused by his dad - and use of the belt as a correctional tool also.

Anyway, I'll miss her (only a fraction though of what her family does). She did look good, as the old line goes - my cousin said that the undertaker did a very good job.

At the visitation on Saturday, there was a lot of talking and visiting going on as some of us only see the others at these types of occasions. I wonder if she could hear from where she's at - where is her spirit at?

I wished I would have volunteered speak at her funeral and just say a little bit about my experiences with her over the years, but I didn't think of it soon enough - this came up quickly as she died Wednesday. I spoke at my dad's funeral, although I had to color his picture quite a bit rosier than it really was. I think people understood. Anyway, the Lutheran Church is just a little stodgey, and I don't think the minister would have too excited. Someone should have told some personal anecdotes about her - she would have liked that, I think.