Happenings

So last week, my niece, MoHiggins, came to visit us in Michigan. We were thrilled to have family come and see us and to show off our little town. After picking up some famous Chicago dogs at Portillos, we zoomed home and began our week.

Downtown Grand Rapids is only a minute big with fascinating buildings. Reminds me of Old Sacramento but with more sizable and useable buildings.

We planned on walking through it but it was late. Instead we just started the tours over the course of the week. We showed her Lake Michigan. Where we learned that we actually like the lake in the fall. It was a beautiful but cool day. We forgot blanket and a picnic basket but still it was fun.

The next day we headed to Meijer's Garden and chased chipmunks and odd birds while looking at different sculptures. We walked trails, climbed tree houses, played in log cabins, lied to koi fish and got lost in a maze. But it was fun! We didn't get to see the whole thing as it is huge and would take 2 days to all of it, but totally worth our time. 

After hanging out until the early morning hours we made our way to Saugatuck, Mi to check out the yachts, chase black squirrels and shop in eclectic shops. We managed to stop at a bar & grill and get lamb sliders. Yum!

Between all the running around, walking trails, music exchange and movie watching the week ended too fast and we were back in Chicago saying our goodbyes. I had forgotten how much i miss normal people to talk to and realize I need to get back to West Coast. Maybe I just need to create some sort of village here. Maybe I should just work at moving back harder.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Musings

Sometimes it’s good not to talk to family. It’s safer not knowing what is going on.  The 608ers are still doing 608er things which include nothing to scheming on people. Our Sister of Perpetual Pity was in the Midwest recently and everyone at 608 was broke and confused about where their money went. I suggest they should check in Ohio.

My children are still acting like children even though they are both very grown. I still support their need to be independent while paying for certain bills and sending groceries. Not that I mind cause its cheaper than having them live with us. Besides this way I can date my husband without getting a baby sitter.

The 5 children my brother, Crackhead Preacher, sold for drugs are growing well and seemly happy in their adopted of some strangers that my other brother, the Miserable Minister, set up for them. Although we have no contact with them I do try to keep up with their doings by way of various websites. Mostly I just judge by the pictures posted of them that they are ok.

Grand Rapids continuously makes miss Seattle and yet appreciate the quietness that comes with living in a small town. The activities are much more on a smaller scale and happenings far and few, but interesting. We had the enjoyment of having our niece come visit our small world last week. Although we managed activities for the week (museums, parks, shopping) we mainly watched television and movies at home. The most exciting was Bob burning two pots of popcorn leaving us with fire alarms blaring and a smoky night inside. But though the haze we managed to have a really good time plus we got a delicious pork chop dinner out of it.

My favorite time of the year is upon us as the NFL & College football is back on and I am one happy chick. It’s the only reality shows I watch faithfully and the only sport I watch until Spring when NBA and NCAA basketball is on. Mostly I love it because it finally cool enough to go outside and enjoy the world without overheating and dealing with tremors and spasms. I almost feel normal at this time and can get my exercise regimen on regularly until my MS decides to visit again.

Spoke to my Grandmother the other day. She is 92 and still sharp as a tack. Even though I didn’t have much of a relationship with her, I realized how much I am like her. We both like homemade things from food to clothing and blankets. We both like our own space and world. I can see myself upset (like her) about having to live in a nursing home and not with my children although I would feel in the way if I had to live with my kids. We both demand much out of children and expect much more than most people could handle. I think it might be time to make a trip to Virginia to visit for a couple of days. I have many questions about my history I need to ask and a sewing lesson I need from her. 

Ok so I am off to knit my fall lolipop covers for sons. More musing later.

Missing Kenny

I haven’t blogged in awhile. Instead I have been watching television and reading novels.

It’s funny how time passes so quickly. One day you’re here then the next, your there. Just today, I put something in the microwave then proceeded to look for my slippers under the chair less than five feet away. By the time I bent down to grab said slippers my thirty seconds were up and the microwave beeped three reminders that scone was hot and ready.

Today is Kenny’s Birthday, my brother who died 23 years ago. He would have been 51. Seems time flies so slowly until you look up and things change so swiftly that 23 years are gone and children are grown and Kenny is still missed. When he died I lost my big brother and a friend. Mostly I lost my favorite guru.

My older siblings will have a totally different view and memories of Kenny than I do, but that is the thing. I have my relationship with Kenny and they have theirs. For me, he was my big brother who read to me and Brother Crackhead Preacher at night. He taught us our ABCs and how to count. I grew to love Dr. Seuss because Kenny read it to us, over and over again. He taught us how to climb trees, ride bikes and roller skate.

It was Kenny who convinced Brother Crackhead Preacher & I to jump from the roof of the front yard to the front porch while we were on restriction. Unluckily, Mom was in the front yard talking to the neighbors and caught us before we had a chance to follow completely though. He did bring us PB&J’s after we got our whooping and sent back upstairs for another day. I think he laughed at us too.

He was the one who convinced Mom to allow me to attend my eight grade school dance with the promise that he would be my chaperone and stay the whole time. Of course he lied and left me. That event led to me dancing with my then crush, Jose Hugo Ruiz, and getting a great first kiss. I broke up with Jose Hugo Ruiz the next day because he became annoying, but still memorable.

Kenny was the one Mom assigned to explain birds and bees to me. He was 15 and I was 10. When my monthly cycle came along it was Kenny who gave me Tylenol and heating pad when he found me on bathroom floor bent with pain.

He was the first person I told I was pregnant the first time, even before I told Bob. He was naturally worried about me being young but promised he would be there for me. And he was. He would come all the way to Davis from Sacramento to pick up Alexander, even when he was sick.

I once went to see him in hospital with Alexander to tell him about baby number two and somehow we got to talking about baby names and he came up with Adam Jordan. It totally worked out that Adam is a boy and Bob agreed even if I was not fond of it.

I didn’t know his every thought or his feelings. Those things I never really ever thought about. I do know that he was my big brother. I miss him.

You were a souped-up car in our rent-a-go-cart town and I miss you, big brother.