Fall has fell, sort of

1 September 2016, Minneapolis MN USA

A new month with lots of possibilities, including my high school class’ collective 71st birthday celebration mid month.  I really love a chance to go home and see old friends.  And yes, Pittsburgh is home and always will be no matter how long I live in Minnesota or anywhere.

2 September

Well, one of those possibilities is allergies.  My late Peace Corps friend David said many folks acquire pollen allergies just by being in DC because there’s such a huge variety of flowers and greenery.  I think I’m one of those people.  Never had an allergy in my life until I started going to DC when David was ill.  Now … I think all the sneezing, sinus drainage, coughing are from allergies.

4 September

What a lovely way to spend the long Labor Day weekend … in bed with a very bad head cold.  Yep, not allergies as I decided when my temp hit 102 last night.  I had my sister Barbara on alert in case it was still high this morning, but Tylenol and sleep brought it down to just over 99, practically normal.  Now, back to bed.  

5 September, Happy birthday to nephew Craig

Craig was born on my late son Peter’s birthday, so my late husband and I were named his God parents. I like to do something with Craig and his family on this day to reinforce that it’s his day.  He’s working today so we’ll celebrate tomorrow.  And since he requested steak, we’ll go to Outback where an active three-year-old will be welcome.  

Today I continue to recuperate.  My sister Barbara dropped DayQuil and NyQuil outside my door yesterday morning (my request so I didn’t pass this on).  It’s helping.

7 September, Happy birthday friends Marilou and Spike (Larry & Karen’s son)

Had a delightful lunch with Marilou at the restaurant at Nordstrom’s/Ridgedale to celebrate her birthday.  Good food and fun flirting with our old hippy waiter.

I always remember Spike’s birthday because I was in London when he was born. I’d taken his older brother Jonah to Regent’s Park Zoo on Peter and Craig’s birthday.  That was a nice memorial to Peter who had loved the zoo when we visited.

Since I was feeling better today and no longer contagious, I kept my coffee appointment with former colleague Rob.  We were both “enterprise facilitators” (he in Richfield, I in Northeast Minneapolis, four other EFs in city and suburbs) in a unique pilot program to support new and existing entrepreneurs as they wanted.  This was in 1998, right after I returned from Poland the first time.  Our “fearless leader” as EFs was Ernesto, who developed a “hands off” approach to entrepreneurial support which he then tested in rural Australia and applied in rural South Dakota. Ernesto wasn’t terribly happy with how we adapted his model to address our urban setting, but we all had our successes even if funding dried up.  That’s when I started looking for overseas assignments, and Rob eventually went to Minneapolis Consortium of Community Development.

Another highlight of the day was my monthly hair appointment with friend Connie.  I love having someone else deal with my hair.  It was disappointing that we couldn’t have dinner as we often do but fun to see her and hear about her and Tom’s coming trip to Bali.

  Drying old baggies for reuse.
Once a PCV, always a PCV.

10 September

I think I walked 20,000 steps yesterday and that doesn’t include my morning water ex class.  Before meeting friend Susan at her condo to go to a night Twins’ game, I walked from home to Macy’s to pick up some cosmetics on sale.  Then Macy’s to Susan’s, Susan’s to Target Field and back again.  Twins lost, which was disappointing since they were actually winning at one point.  I walked to the bus stop … it was 11 pm and my next bus was due in 30 minutes.  Rather than sit on a bench and wait, I walked home.  I was so keyed up that I watched television for an hour before hitting the sack.

15 September, Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport

SuperShuttle arrived Johnny-on-the-spot at my condo at 4:35 am.  Now I wait for my 6:55 flight to Pittsburgh for my high school class’ joint 71st birthday celebration.  We’re having a picnic in Stahlstown in the mountains on Saturday.  Before and after, I will enjoy being home among old friends.

This has been a busy week over all — book club at Nan’s on Sunday night, dinner here with friend Judi on Monday, coffee with friend/former accountant Karen (preceded by a long walk) and drinks with Northwestern U. rep Rob on Tuesday, lunch with friend/neighbor Maryanne at a new Jamaican restaurant in the neighborhood on Wednesday.  Maryanne and I have coordinated calendars for mail pick up this winter.  Let the travel begin!

Later, Somerset PA

For four years of my corporate life, I flew into far-flung midwestern (Canada to Mexico, Minnesota to Utah) airports and cabbed to my hotels once or twice a month (some weeks I was in a different city every day).  Seeing a friendly face at the airport was a rare treat, including on my return.  I could rarely get my then-husband to pick me up … so when my friend Glenn offered to meet me at PIT today, I was overjoyed. Glenn and I not only graduated from high school together, we started out in the same first grade class.  He had a 75 minute drive just to get to the airport and was sitting at baggage claim when I arrived there.  What a treat.  On top of that, Glenn was willing to stop at Allegheny County Courthouse so I could try to get some documents.  I had to order them since they’re in storage somewhere in the hinterlands.

We stopped for lunch half way to Somerset and arrived at Suzie’s mid afternoon.  Suzie is another friend since grade school.  Her husband Lance, our class president, died of cancer in mid July, so I wanted to spend time with her in addition to the reunion-picnic.  I’m staying in her guest house until Tuesday.

Childhood friends Glenn & Suzie

16 September

Suzie, Glenn and I had a wonderful day playing tourist.  Glenn drove, another treat, and we went to the Flight 93 (9/11) memorial since he hadn’t seen the completed area.  Suzie, Lance and I had done a fund-raising walk there last September, so I’d experienced the entire memorial.  It’s overwhelming.  Afterwards, in discussing where to go next, I learned that one of my childhood landmarks is no more: The Ship Hotel on Route 30.  We drove to the site which still has a spectacular view and I took some pix.  Then on to Bedford for a bit of shopping for Suzie and me (Glenn chose otherwise) and finally dinner at Jean Bonnet Tavern.  The stuffed hot peppers that I ordered were definitely hot in all ways, but very good.  

View from Ship Hotel's location

17 September

High school friend Janet was back “home” (Elizabeth Township) and offered to join Suzie and me for breakfast at Suzie’s even though she couldn’t go to the picnic.  Her energy flags as the day wears on.  Despite all the chemo treatments, Janet looks great and said she feels pretty good too.  She brought fresh muffins which we ate while caught up.  

Glenn said he’d drive me to Linn Run State Park tomorrow on our way to meet our mutual friends Gary and Johanna, so Suzie and I drove straight to the picnic.  Well, after a stop at a grocery to get our contributions to the buffet.  I had baked and brought oatmeal-raisin-chocolate chip bars from MN (yep, put them in my suitcase), but we needed some snacks.  The picnic was at classmate Pinky’s sister’s place — a gorgeous lakeside meadow in a forest.  Her facilities include a huge barn where we set up food and beverages, music, tables, and along with the Class of ’64, had a great time as you can see in the slide show.

Greenock School Alums

18 September

Linn Run is supposed to be about 15 minutes from Somerset … and 45 minutes after leaving Suzie’s, Glenn and I arrived at my favorite spot.  We took the scenic route, rather than Route 30, on purpose.  Then we hit a single lane, dirt path where we were to turn right … but it was closed to traffic. Glenn’s GPS took us back toward Somerset, but eventually between his Garmin and my i-Phone, we found the back way into the park and my favorite spot. The creek had a lot of erosion and wasn’t full, but it’s still “belongs” to the Kanyr family. 

My creek today

The day was fabulous — relaxing and fun.  We tasted some surprisingly good wines at two wineries.  At the first we sat outdoors lakeside and listened to oldies, and at the second, the heavens opened while we sipped on a covered wrap-around.  Then we drove to dinner at an amazing Italian restaurant.  It was in a commercial office park, so we’d’ve never found it without our gustatory leader Glenn.  Great choice, Glenn.  We all had delicious and way-too-big meals.

Johanna & Gary

20  September, Minneapolis MN

Home again.  Suzie and I spent yesterday in Ligonier, wandering this quaint colonial town, checking out shops, having lunch.  Then drove to Mt. Pleasant for dinner with Glenn who took me to the airport this morning.  Took the Light Rail, then a bus home to the condo.  Shortly I have a Friends of the Minneapolis Central Library board meeting.  So off I go — on foot!

21 September

Spent some time today doing follow up for the Center’s trip to Ohio.  The team leaves Sandomierz today for Warsaw and New York.  They’ll spend two days in Upstate New York, then a day in the city before flying to Ohio.  My fingers are crossed that everything goes well.  It was nerve-wracking making arrangements in a places I haven’t been in many decades with people I’ve never met and organizations I’ve never visited.  Trying not to hold my breath.

Lake Harriet

24 September

Saw the Beatles' documentary with niece Michelle.  Could not sit still or stay quiet although I was very restrained in both.

26 September

Finally found and scheduled a painter.  Thank you to Pam from book club for the rec.  Tom the painter arrives Thursday morning — hurray!

30 September

Busy week — Kelly’s “divas” cleaned on Monday, brunch with Jan and Rosie on Tuesday  and dinner and Jungle Theater with Mary that evening, lunch with Sabrina on Wednesday, painting and pre-winter furnace check on Thursday, visit with Lois in Northfield today plus a stop at former client Julie’s Antiquified antique store for the pre-Halloween event.

Two guests at Julie's event

It’s been a good, if often wet, month.  Several awesome thunder-and-lightning storms (love ‘em) and way above average rainfall.  Fantastic time in Pennsylvania.  Lots of good times with friends here, there and everywhere.  What more could a gal want?

  

August:  Hot, wet. ‘Nuff said.

1 August 2016, Minneapolis MN USA

New sliding glass doors and window installed!!! The guys from Wellington arrived at 8 am and by 4:30 pm were done.  The screen slides in its track effortlessly.  There’s an extra security lock on the sliders.  The condo is sooo quiet when everything’s all closed up.  And they did a nice job of cleaning up after themselves.  I am doing my happy dance.  Painter comes next Monday, and I have appointments to order a new shade for the living room and new carpeting.  The ducks are aligning.  Hurray!

3 August

This morning I took friend Susan to her day surgery, then we went to the Galleria in Edina where we could eat at a favorite spot and Susan could exchange something.  Great lunch — incredible gazpacho.  Susan did her exchange at Fawbush … and we both bought something, of course.  I hate — and love — that store because no matter when I go there, virtually always with Susan, I see something that I love and I buy it.  And it’s rarely on sale.  I trust Susan’s taste, and she thought I looked smashing in the outfit, so …  I am going to wear this outfit to the August Birthday Dinner later in the month and will have a photo taken and you can decide for yourself.  I’ve made reservations at Capital Grille to celebrate the birthdays of Jen, Barbara and Tomery.  And I may take it to the EFHS Class of ’63 birthday bash in September.  It’s linen, a good transitional season fabric.

Dinner with Marilou and lunch with Diane on the calendar for this week.  Haven’t seen either of them in a while.  I’ll give Marilou her birthday present early and have something from 

Poland for Diane.

View from my deck

5 August

Early water ex, quick breakfast.  Then Amy arrived from Costco’s flooring vendor.  So many choices, so many alternatives to consider.  But I decided and ordered new carpeting for the living/dining/hallway areas.  The current carpet is 15+ years old and definitely seen better days.  I drove to Northfield to visit Lois, who turned 91 on Monday.  We went out to lunch and ran a few errands.  It was a gorgeous day for that, not as excruciatingly hot as it has been.  Instead of returning home, I drove to St. Paul to have dinner with friend Sabrina. We ate in the garden at WA Frost, a perennial favorite.  Been a while since we managed to connect.  Sabrina, Mark and their son Christopher have been camping a lot, and “the boys” are at camp now for a few days.  Shortly after they return, the whole family takes off for southern Africa.  So I’m glad I could at least connect with Sabrina before that.

6 August

Lots of great exercise today.  Did morning water ex, then nephew Craig and family (April and Alijah) arrived for our afternoon at Minnehaha Falls.  Michelle stopped by to say hello to them, then went up north for the weekend.  We picked up food at the Wedge deli. Amazingly Craig found a free parking place at the park and we had a wonderful afternoon exploring.  I haven’t really spent any time in the park for ages, just a brief stop when Iva and Marija were here in chilly, rainy April.  Alijah had fun wading and splashing in an area below the falls set up for that.  Of course, I forgot my phone and couldn’t take pix, but Craig got a few.

8 August

Today’s Strib (Minneapolis StarTribune) included a piece by Andy, one of my water ex instructors.  On vacation in Munich, he and his husband had been out to dinner during the 22 July shootings.  Here is an excerpt of what he wrote, something to keep in mind during these negative times:

… “Munich had gone into lockdown. All public transportation stopped: buses, subways, trams, taxis. It was night, and raining, and we were a long way from the hotel. (Imagine having had dinner in downtown Minneapolis and finding out that you had to get back to your hotel near the airport on foot — at night, in the rain and in a different language.) So we walked and walked, somewhat aimlessly, for what seemed like hours. Eventually, we stopped at a border guard station and asked for help. The guards tried to call us a taxi and contact our hotel: no luck. Finally, a guard took pity on us and generously brought us back to the hotel. He was a Syrian man working in Germany; he had no reason to help a Jewish/Catholic middle-aged gay American couple, but I am very glad he did. It sticks in my memory that he mentioned that his cellphone was filled with messages from his Syrian family worrying about his safety — striking to me because they were calling from one of the most war-torn countries on the planet….”

Wayne the painter came early and did the living room, dining room and hallway.  I love the colors, and he did a beautiful job although he left his shoulder mark on a wall near one of the vents he put back.  He’ll fix that when he returns to do the bathroom, after nephew John and brother-in-law Steve replace the vanity.

11 August

Mary and I went to see Disgraced at the Guthrie tonight.  I have to find some less serious, thought-provoking theater to see.  On the one hand, it is fantastic to consider the issues in a new format, see different perspectives, hear other voices, etc.  On the other, it doesn’t make for a good night’s sleep when the play is that intense.  To put it succinctly, the play was about the devastating fallout to all involved because of the well-meaning meddling of a privileged white woman, like we are.  

The New York Times has discovered Minneapolis is a nice place to visit.  They ran one of their “36 hours in …” pieces on my city.  Here it is in case you missed today’s edition.  Copy/paste into your browser and see for yourself:

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/08/11/travel/what-to-do-36-hours-in-minneapolis.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Ftravel&action=click&contentCollection=travel&region=rank&module=package&version=highlights&contentPlacement=2&pgtype=sectionfront&_r=0  

12 August

Spent the day in Northfield with Lois, then Marianne and I walked up to the opening day of the annual Polish festival tonight.  Weather didn’t look promising so we took rain gear.  Good thing.  It poured while we noshed on Polish sausages and watched the dancing.  Great combo playing oldies dance music.  By the time we walked homeward, the sun was out of course.

Googling again.  Sometimes I google my birth name to see what I find.  This time I found this one — http://www.kanyrpharma.com  Hmm.  Maybe I should have some stock in this company.

19 August

Busy and fun week of meeting with friends and getting things done. John and Steve arrived early and did a great job replacing the vanity.  Then we went over to check out my sister’s bathtub.  We found there’s no access to the plumbing, a code requirement.  John said once that’s in place, he can fix the tub drain.  He couldn’t do it from the tub side.

This morning I had breakfast with Larry, a friend from my Peace Corps days, who was here for a final job interview.  Before taking him to the airport, we drove around to see some neighborhoods in case he gets the job and they move here.  That would be so cool.

22 August

No Wayne.  Called him twice yesterday before buying the paint, no answer.  Called this morning before going to breakfast with old St. Paul Companies’ friends, Jan and Rosie.  He’s been very reliable — got the referral from Marilyn and he did my sister’s condo.  Oh, well.

24 August

Jen and Chris came over to help me move furniture for the carpet layers, then we had dinner at Nicollet Diner.  I remember Janet had a BLT with avocado there so tried it.  Delicious.

26 August

New carpeting — hurray.  It’s a bit darker than I expected but looks lovely.  And I love the feel under my feet — incredibly soft.  And the two fellows who installed were great.  I was getting really nervous as Amy, the saleswoman, said they’d arrive closer to 8 am than 10; they arrived at 9:30.  Later I learned that someone was to be here at 8 to do the rip-out.  When they didn’t show, the installers did that and did the Kilz.  (I had had a bad cat odor from many years ago and had had Kilz used on the underlayment then.  Figured a re-application might be a good idea just in case.)  Slowly but surely getting things done.  And Wayne called. He had been hospitalized for a severely infected blister that he didn’t even  feel.  We’ll talk next week and settle on a new date.

27 August, Palmer House hotel, Chicago IL USA

A very, very long day.  Janet picked me up at 5 to drive to the airport for my just-before-7am flight to Chicago.  Easy flight, upgrade to first class is nice even if only for an hour.  Friend Aideen and son Mickey arrived from DC shortly after I landed, and we connected in baggage claim.  Then off to the L’s Blue Line and the Palmer House.  Aideen had gotten a good rate at this elegant old Chicago landmark — huge room with two beds and within walking distance of lots to do.  The walk from the L to the hotel was just a couple of blocks. 

I’ve always loved the Chicago L (shorthand for elevated which it originally was; later underground routes were added). When I was a kid and we visited Aunt Bobbie in Oak Park, we kids were sent alone on the L into the Loop for an afternoon’s entertainment!  The Blue Line is actually underground in the Loop.  Don’t know when the lines got color names; I don’t recall those from my college days when I took the L between Evanston and the Loop with some frequency.  I used to be able to recite from memory the train change announcement at the Evanston-Chicago border. College friend Barbara and I often did History of England class research at the Chicago Public Library, then went to Marshall Field’s Oak Room (?) for a treat.  

Back to this trip.  After breakfast near the hotel, we walked over to the Art Institute where I got a duplicate membership card and we entered for free.  Spent a few hours wandering around, saw the new exhibition on American art in the 1930s, interesting era.  Then we walked over to Millennium Park where Mickey enjoyed the cloud sculpture and longed to get wet in the fountain sculptures.  

Headdress fro Guinea

Illustrated Ethiopian Bible

Hat from Cameroon

Using Open Table, I found the Farmhouse up on Chicago Avenue.  We cabbed up but discovered an L stop across the street for the ride back.  The restaurant reminded me of some new one in Minneapolis — lots of good locally sourced food.  I had delicious lamb chops, Aideen a thick steak perfectly cooked.  We stopped at Baskin & Robbins where Mickey and I got ice cream cones for dessert.  

Mickey and the bean (or cloud)

Mickey at the fountain

28 August

Another long but fun day.  The Museum of Science and Industry is my favorite museum in the world.  I was about Mickey’s age the first time I went there, and while much has changed,  a lot is the same.  Mostly it’s become more interactive, even more kid friendly.  And I think more exhibits require a separate fee.  Mickey picked one that he and Aideen visited.  Friend Marija who trained in from the south suburbs and I wandered around the free exhibits.  Marija couldn’t stay for dinner due to the train schedule, but my cousin’s daughter Rachel joined us at Beacon Tavern which she’d recommended.  We cabbed there but walked back after another excellent meal.

Marija at Museum of Science
and Industry

29 August, O’Hare International Airport, Chicago

Took the Blue Line to breakfast with Rachel at a cute outdoor cafe, Lula’s.  I vacation-treated myself and had a bagel and lox, excellent.  Then we walked around that neighborhood a while before I got back on the L to the airport.  I was really early, but it was too hot and muggy to be outdoors too long, dragging my roller bag.  Great to see Rachel who’s interested in a family trip to Scotland which I’d also like to do again.

Sitting near my gate, the rain was so gentle that I didn’t notice it until a crack of thunder and lightning flashed so brightly that it seemed right next to me.  That was almost seven hours ago.  First my flight was diverted to Milwaukee.  After a second storm hit, it was cancelled.  In the meantime, Aideen and Mickey walked over and we had a short walk and visit.   Their flight was later than mine and they’d stayed in the city long enough to do a hop on/hop-off bus tour — and decide they definitely want to return.  Back at my gate, I stood in line with everyone else for rerouting.  So relieved that I got on to a flight tonight, not in the morning as posted.  We’ll board soon … and I’ve been upgraded again.  

Later, Minneapolis MN USA

Home at last.  Took the Light Rail, then a bus and got here at 10 pm.  I am pooped, but a good kind of pooped.  Had a fantastic weekend.  And I returned to a clean condo.  Marianne let Kelly and crew in for my monthly cleaning.  Tomorrow dinner with old friend Randy that I don’t get to see often, and volunteer work at People Serving People (addressing envelopes for their gala is becoming an annual thing).  Busy week and month ahead.

31 August

Breakfast with Sue and Nancy today, and we had a chance to catch up.  They had a relaxing time on Mayne Island, BC.  Nancy’s in a bit of a holding pattern re treatment until test results are available.  Nancy and Sue’s travel blog has morphed and updates what’s happening.  Sandcat33.blogspot.com  

Scotland, Poland, Minnesota — 

A Study in Contrasts

1 July 2016, Białogóra, Poland, on the Baltic Sea

Gorgeous weather, beautiful seaside and white sand beach, fantastic fish dinners.  I’m so glad that I decided to come here with Dorota and Franio.  I’ve even been riding a bicycle for the first time in about 30 years!

Franio in hat and friend
making sandcastle

The night we arrived Dorota insisted I try the fish and chips and compare them with what I’ve had in Scotland.  No comparison.  Sorry, Scottish relatives, but I liked the Białogóra fish better; it was lighter and wasn’t deep-fried so not greasy.  And the chips (French fries for my American friends) were above average although the ketchup came in small packets and I had to get six.  Tonight I tried the baked fish with a leek sauce … delicious.  I had the baked fish because Dorota said THE best ice cream place was opening tonight.  If long lines are any indicator, it definitely must be the best.  And I have to say, from a taste, composition and quantify point of view, it is.  

3 July, EIC Train between Gdynia and Warsaw

Dorota and I were up really early to drive back to Gdynia so I could catch the train back to Warsaw, where I’ll spend the night.  Tomorrow I’ll take a bus to Sandomierz.

Before we left for the seaside, I asked Dorota’s husband Jacek to help me make a train reservation because of the music festival in Gdynia the last couple of days.  It was called “Open-er,” a play on words:  Opener (the first-of-the-season) and Open Air (Polish pronunciation of “er”). I was sure the train would be mobbed on Sunday morning; Jacek thought everyone would sleep in and leave later.  He managed to get me a middle seat in the first class car on the 9:30 am train, which was fine with me.  

Well, when Dorota and I arrived at the train station, it was wall-to-wall slumbering festival goers.  And the corridor of this car is lined with standing-room passengers and a few floor sleepers.

4 July, PolskiBus to Sandomierz, US Independence Day and my brother Dan’s 69th  Birthday

Jacek is a Godsend.  Early this morning he helped me get an 8:30 am reservation on this bus to Sandomierz.  Sent Hala a text message re arrival time.  This is my first trip on this private bus line that leaves from a transportation hub not far from Jacek and Dorota’s apartment.  He and I drove over there last evening to scope it out but didn’t reserve my seat as I wasn’t sure if I could be up and out for the earliest departure.  But as usual, I was awake at 6 am, so plenty of time since I had packed already.  Free wifi, toilet on board that works, comfy seats.  I could get used to this!

Later, Hala’s farm in Czermin

Hala met me at the bus, and we came back to the farm.  I’m staying in the new guest house which is almost complete.  My room has a double bed and a gorgeous yellow bathroom with a window.  Only overhead lights right now, but wi fi that’s as good as at the main house.

8 July, Sandomierz

Relaxing week.  Had a mani-pedi at my favorite spot on Wednesday.  Worked with Hala on the study tour to Ohio that’s planned for September.  Worked on June blog.  Got in a couple of days of lap swimming.  A bit of shopping and lots of walking.  

Today I spent the day rambling around Sandomierz with Amanda, who was in Poland from Queensland, Australia.  Amanda moved to Sandomierz to teach English at the glass factory just after I arrived to work with the Center in ‘94.  We met in an aerobics class and became friends.  She returned to Australia a few years after I returned to the US.  

Old Town Square in Sandomierz, in
contrast to construction site (below)
next to Hotel Basztowy a few blocks away

Hala’s daughter Marta and granddaughter Tosia arrived for some respite away from construction.  An air conditioning unit is being installed in their Warsaw flat.  Unfortunately Tosia isn’t feeling well and is running a temp.  Hala and Marta think it’s a cold.  I suspect teething.   

10 July, Back on the PolskiBus, heading for Warsaw

Hala got up early to drive me to the 6:15 am bus back to Warsaw.  Tonight at the Marriott Courtyard across from the airport and fly out on Monday at the crack of dawn.

Pałac Kultury i Nauki
Always says "Warsaw" to me

Later, Warsaw

Stopped at Dorota’s apartment to pick up clothes, etc. that I’d left.  Got everything repacked, then called Jacek’s mother who came over to get the key.  After settling at the hotel, I bused into town and had an early dinner with Gina.  I’m on the 6 am to AMS … again.

11 July, Minneapolis MN USA

Home sweet home.  Back in my own bed at last.  Whoopee!

12 July

Back to water ex and re-connecting with folks I haven’t seen in six weeks.  My calendar is filling.  One sad item — Roz’s funeral on Thursday.  Roz was a water ex friend who was Polish.  She was in her late 80s and had been in/out of the nursing home for several months.  But she was a feisty lady.  I’ll miss her.

13 July

Got my hair done today.  Connie cut it shorter than it’s been in years.  Will be good for summer, wash-and-wear hair.  Hurray!

Lots of theater scheduled for this month:  Calendar Girls at Park Square Theater with Jan and Marilyn, The Mikado at Lake Harriet Bandshell with water ex friends Cassandra and Marjie, Le Switch at Jungle Theater with lake-walk friend Linda, production of Summer Institute at Penumbra Theater with Mary, friend from TSPC days.

The Mikado at Lake Harriet Bandshell

Tomorrow I have election judge training after Roz’s funeral.  Cassandra sent an email while I was in Poland saying the city needed election judges, so I signed up:  It’s a way to contribute something and a chance to meet more people in my neighborhood.

16 July

St. Paul Saints’ baseball games are always fun.  It’s why I immediately said “yes” to friend/neighbor Maryanne’s suggestion that we go to a game again this summer.  Tonight was the night.  We took the Light Rail, had a great time at the game despite a bit of rain at the end.  We were going to Uber back until I couldn’t access the app … just as it started to rain hard.  We schlepped up to The St. Paul Hotel and got a taxi back to our building.

19 July

Argh!  Why didn’t my laptop Contacts update onto my phone?  I was supposed to call Mary  when I arrived at Moose & Sadie’s for coffee this morning.  (This friend Mary is Ted’s wife, not TSPC days’ Mary.)  Parking’s awful in that area.  I took the first spot I found within walking distance so I wouldn’t be late.  Went to call Mary and no phone number, just email.  Tried Ted and no answer.  Double argh.  Squelched my Contacts panic when I remembered that Mary’s office is in the same building as the coffee shop.  Phew.  We had a nice visit over coffee.  

Tonight I took part in the Friends of the Minneapolis Central Library annual meeting and monthly board meeting, went home for a quick supper, then drove to the airport to pick up niece Michelle who’s in town for the rest of the summer, off and on. Always fun to have her around.  

Walking back from the library meetings I had a almost surrealistic experience.  And while this isn’t an issues discussion blog, I can’t let this go.  It was well after 8 pm, dusk was arriving and I was walking on Nicollet Mall through the ever-present construction. As I wended my way through the hugely messy area in front of the Hyatt Hotel, I noticed a young woman ahead of me, head down and eyes probably on her cell phone, not my favorite public stance anywhere but least of all while walking around in this mess.  Because I walk fast, I had almost caught up with her when I noticed a man coming toward us.  To be honest, what caught my eye was his sweat-slick, shirtless gut actually jiggling over his belt.  He didn’t seem threatening, just funny.  Then, as he passed the young woman, he said loudly, “Black bitch,” and kept walking past her, past me.  I was stunned. I stopped, turned around and said to his back, “What did you say?”   You know my vocal volume so he had to have heard me, but he kept on going.  I wanted to catch up with hie and slug him but thought better of it.  I took a few quick steps to walk beside the young woman and apologized that she had to endure such talk.  She shrugged her shoulders and said, “That’s America today.”   I replied, “Unfortunately that’s true, but it doesn’t make it ok to do what he did. I am so sorry that this happened to you.  I hope the rest of your evening is better”  and moved on.  Perhaps that man would’ve said what he did at any time in his life, maybe he even has.  But when presidential candidates disrespect women, people with disabilities, anyone who’s different from them, many people, especially men, feel they’ve been  given permission to voice and act on their basest instincts.  America is already a great country, but as that kind of incivility spreads, it is becoming a country I don’t recognize anymore.

22 July, “Up north” at Jean’s cabin on Sturgeon Lake

When Janet and I travel, together, we always have an adventure, and this trip was no different.  Her grandson had left his iPad in her car in Minneapolis, so we traveled to Jean’s via Brainerd to return the iPad rather than Janet having to mail it.  The detour wasn’t going to take that much longer than our usual travel time … NOT.

After a brief visit with Janet’s son and grandson, we headed over to Highway 169 which would take us toward Jean’s cabin.  We stopped at a lovely cafe for lunch, I got an iPad question answered at an Apple shop that was adjacent in the same building, we used the facilities and off we went with Janet at the wheel.  An hour-plus later of bumping along Hwy. 169’s patched surface, we’d gone through Grand Rapids and just passed Coleraine when I decided to get my mobile from my purse in the back seat so that I could call Jean and update her on our ETA.  I was un-seat-belted and rummaging in the back seat when Janet said she was pulling over.  Flashing red and blue lights in the rear view mirror.  I figured it was me not being in my seatbelt until the police officer told Janet she had been speeding.  She hadn’t slowed down quickly enough when the speed limit changed (and neither had the five cars in front of us).   After checking her record (spotless, needless to say), he let her go with a warning.  Before we pulled out, I checked again for my mobile.  No luck.  Using Janet’s, I googled the cafe, then called.  Yes!  My phone was there, in a drawer for safe keeping.  I said we’d be back ASAP, then called Jean to tell her we had to make another detour.

Back we went to Aitkin, got my phone and some iced coffees, gave huge thanks to the cafe staff and off we went again.  This time we took a different route that didn’t involve Grand Rapids and Coleraine.  And we managed to find the correct turn off 169 toward the lake (unlike last summer).  However, our four-hour drive took closer to eight.

One of many young deer we saw
while at Jean's cabin

27 July, Minneapolis MN

Delightful and relaxing long weekend at the lake with Jean and Janet.  Decent temperatures, only a bit of rain at night.  We enjoyed Jean’s first venture with a crockpot — short ribs. I made BBQ’d beef for Sunday lunch with the leftovers.  Took a long walk with Jean to get the Sunday paper.  We drove to Cook near the south edge of the Boundary Waters (not much happening there) and to Bear Creek (absolutely nothing there).  I got some post cards for my Kids’ List.  And we did our annual walleye dinner at Gramma’s in Hibbing.  An all ’round lovely weekend.

Today, on the other hand … annual “clean the storage” day with Maryanne and it’s one of the hottest days since I returned.  Christopher and I had breakfast, my treat in exchange for his help moving heavy things out/in, so I got an early start.  We sweated like the proverbial stuffed pigs as he schlepped heavy boxes and the pallets out, helped me Shop Vac the floor, walls, shelves, ceiling and then put the heavy stuff back.  I did some tossing and sorting as Maryanne completed her storage cleaning.  Then we took a break and walked through the Skyway to the Hilton Hotel lounge for relaxation and libations.  Thank God for Skyways!  Lifesavers on hot days like this one, as well as cold winters.

29 July

David, a friend from my Women for Women days, and his wife Nara were in town to visit family and friends, including me. I saw them last a year ago in Paris, where they now live and work.  We walked down to Minneapolis Institute of Art for “Seeing Nature:  Landscape Masterworks from the Collection of the Paul Allen Family,” both extensive and awesome.  Several Monets that, needless to say, I hadn’t see before, including what looked like a dusk-time painting of the water lilies.  And paintings of Venice by many artists.  Lunch at my favorite Thai restaurant and a nice walk back to my place for coffee before we parted.  Next year in Paris?

30 July

Not sure what I can say about tonight’s performance at Penumbra.  It was definitely powerful, sometimes overwhelming, meaningful to contemporary issues, limited in some ways and longer than expected.

Penumbra is an Afro-centric theater where I’ve seen many wonderful August Wilson plays among others focused on Africa-American experiences.  The two-part program tonight was prepared and performed by the graduates of the theater’s Summer Institute, a four- or five-week educational program for young people interested in activist art and theater.  The make up of the students was very diverse.  With all of the police shootings of African-American men in the news, that was a key part of both productions.  The second-year students’ presentation incorporated other experiences, especially women’s issues, which muddied things for me.  I’m not a “dance person” and for me, some of their dance sequences just seemed to lengthen the program taking place in a packed and very warm theater.  On the other hand, the vehicle used by first-year students sharpened the focus, and I connected with it immediately.  They opened with a piece around whom we love and in whose shoes we’d like to follow.  The audience had been given cards to answer those questions on.  The cast members individually identified theirs, then asked the audience to collectively identify their own responses  In the second part of their presentation, they were instructed by their “teacher” to be any item or person involved in the recent police shooting of a black man in St. Paul and write about what that object or person saw and felt.  The bullet, his heart and other objects verbalized their piece of the experience.  Some pretty incredible writing by some of the students.  I would’ve liked to see a little more processing of the issues by both groups. For me, that would have added more breadth and context to the discussion, but it was a valuable experience.

31 July

Preparation for the BIG DAY

Tomorrow’s the big day.  Sliding glass doors and window replacement begins … and ends.  We were told they’d get it done in one day.  Hurray!  As you’ll see from the photos, I’m living in chaos and it’ll be this way at least until the painter is done next week.  Not sure when new carpeting will be installed; meeting with Costco rep on Friday morning.  

   

We'll see what August will bring, right Franio?