Just thinking...

It's an absolutely beautiful Saturday afternoon and I'm just thinking.

Just thinking about how lucky I am. I had kind of a rough week, with work and not sleeping well, but today I am rested and feeling content. I was thinking about what to do today and then started feeling grateful that I had so many options to choose from. I'm thinking there are people in this world who's options are limited.

I'm thinking how cool and amazing it is to be married to someone that I not only love, I genuinely like and want to be around all the time. In fact, I think there is not another person on this earth that I'd rather spend time with. I think that's special. I think there are people out there struggling with their relationships and I think I'm blessed for mine.

I'm thinking that I'm hungry. I just said it out loud and then followed it with, "There's really nothing to eat here." I think that's a lie. I think we have ample food and it's just a matter of me deciding what to make. I think there are people who don't have enough to eat on a daily basis and I think we need to do better to feed them.

I'm thinking there is so much to do today and it's all mine for the choosing. There's a Pike River Rendezvous right up the street from me. Reenactors dressed as traders and Native Americans gather on the shores of Lake Michigan to show how life was back in the fur trader era. It's a good event! I'm also thinking of going to the Racine County Zoo. This little zoo is a short drive from our house and it's such a great little place. They've done wonders giving the animals more realistic enclosures and creating an educational setting for zoo visitors. I think my vote is still out on the efficacy of zoos in general because I believe that animals should be in the wild. But I think I would never get the chance to actually see a giraffe or lion or baboon if zoos didn't exist. I think I am selfish at the expense of the animals.

I'm thinking I've already taken up too much of this beautiful day writing this blog. I think it's time for me to make some decisions and head out! So, I think I'll say good bye now!

Summer fun...

I'm sure I'm not the only one thinking that this summer is just flying by! I feel like it's getting away from me in some aspects. I've spent some time swimming but not nearly as much as I would like. If I had my way, I'd hit the pool every day.

There's still some very fun things waiting to happen this summer. Next Friday my sweet niece Kennedy turns 16! That's a monumental birthday for sure. You see, Kennedy has Angelman's Syndrome. It's a severe developmental disability that causes her to be in need of total care. She cannot speak or walk without assistance. She cannot feed herself. She's not able to use a toilet or bathe herself. But she is a delight that touches your heart with her enormous baby blue eyes, porcelain skin and lightening flash smile. When she smiles at you, you know true love. And now she's going to be sixteen! Seems impossible! We're going to have a small family pool party at my sister's home next Friday. Kennedy, AKA Boogie, also loves to swim.

Also next week, my siblings and I are going out to dinner at the Breakwater Grill. We used to get together every Friday night at my mom's house. Then, when she was living with my sister, we would go there each weekend. Now, Mom's in a nursing home so we keep it together by meeting up out for dinner once a month. Each month one of us chooses the spot. This month it's my sister Kathy's turn and she chose Breakwater. Should be fun!

Also, next week is Taste of Wisconsin. This is a huge food festival at the Harbor Park Celebration Place. We try to go every year and I'm sure we'll get down there this year too. Probably on Sunday, if we're not too broke.

Next month, my nephew is marrying the love of his life and the soon-to-be mother of his first child. Abby and Ryan are getting married at the Southport Beach House. I've already got a new dress and I'm all set! That will take us to the end of summer! In September, I'm taking another week off from work just to chill and maybe swim the last warm days away.

It's been a nice season. Next year, I hope we can get up north some where.

Summer heat....

I can't believe that it's already the middle of July! It seems that we here in Wisconsin spend all winter waiting and hoping and praying for warmer weather and once it comes - it goes so quickly! I love summer and all that it brings. Living so close to Lake Michigan, there is a certain fresh smell in my neighborhood brought about by lake water, freshly mowed grass, people grilling out, and sunscreen. These are the smells of summer to me!

So far this summer, we've celebrated the solstice with our traditional Swedish midsommar party. We watched our city's Veteran's Parade (though don't get me started...this year's parade was not something to be desired...) and we had our annual July Fourth shindig ending with a spectacular fireworks show. I've only been swimming twice though which is something of a thorn because though it's been warm this week, last week it was still a wee bit chilly and we've had quite a lot of rain.

I had last week off from work. Paid vacation days are great, especially when I don't really go anywhere! Just staying home, doing what I want and getting paid. Awesome! Next year though, my sisters, Alex and I are planning to go up to a cabin in Hayward, WI. It's the place my family has gone to for years and I'm looking forward to introducing Alex to the great northern Wisconsin forests. Maybe we'll even see some bears!

There's one other thing that will happen this summer. I have to lose some weight. Since it's warm and I can get out to walk or swim, there is really no excuse for me to be so sedentary. I have to do it. I've already been revising our usual menu and making smaller portions. So that's good. I'm not going to cut out the things I love because I know that will never work for me but I will take them in moderation and sparingly. I can enjoy them just not in gargantuan portions! I will do this for me.

Since it's mid-July, I better get a move on! Summer goes way too quickly when you're a grown up. I remember as a kid, summer vacation seemed to drag on and on. I couldn't wait for it to start because there would be no school but by mid-August I was more than ready to go back. Now I wish these lazy hazy days could go on forever. With pay! :)

Crazy from the heat...

It's hot here. Seriously, ungodly hot. I keep watching the weather just to see if and when we can expect some relief but it never comes. I keep looking at the sky hoping that haze is really a cloud formation that might, just might, drop some cooling rain but it never does. It's horribly, miserably, disgustingly hot.

Yesterday, when we were getting in my non-air conditioned car, Alex asked, "What kind of weather is this???" My sentiments exactly.

When it gets like this people get crazy. Oh not right away, no. First, they get lethargic then the crazy sets in. It's a quiet sort of brain boiling crazy that makes people snap at a moments notice for no real reason except that it's hot. Yesterday at work, people were snapping all day long. There was no predicting it either. Some of the quietest, nicest, most unassuming people just went off and it can only be attributed to this heat.

When you work with people with mental illness, there are things you have to remind them of. One, dress for the weather. Medications make people's body temps go kerflooey and we get a lot of people walknig around in 90+ temps with sweatshirts and ski caps. Two, drink water. Lots of it. We try to have water here by the case on days like this so we can give them all some when they stop in. Three, GO HOME! Why people want to be out and about in this crap is beyond me but I swear I shooed more people out of here yesterday and told them to go home to sit in their AC.

I'm not immune to the heat. I hate it. I get cranky and know I am usually on the verge of my own snap. Today it's hot again and I hope I can hold it together.

Because I hate this. Have I said that? Well, I do. I like warm summer weather but this humidity has to go. I'm gonna go out and look at the clouds. Hoping...

July already?

It seems this summer is passing me by! I can't believe it's already the Fourth of July weekend! I confess this is my favorite time of the year and this weekend is probably my second favorite holiday. The first is Christmas, of course.

What's to like about this holiday?

1. The Kenosha Civic Vets Parade - I have attended this parade every year since I was born. There've been some good years and some not so good year, in terms of parade attractions. There used to be way more clowns...which I hate. But they were also kind of fun...especially the one in the bathtub that rode around and would douse us with cold water. That was refreshing after sitting out in the hot sun all day waiting for the parade to start. I love the bands. When I was a kid I had friends who marched in the local bands. Now I have nieces and nephews who march in them. I always make a fool out of myself screaming their names as they march past. There used to be those great Kiwanis peanuts but they don't sell those anymore. But there are still cool and useless things to buy and I always do! Last year, it was a funny hat. The year before it was a blow up Superman thing. We get out there early, about 8am, and sit there all day until the parade starts at 2pm. We get McDonald's food and eat Twizzlers and drink copious amounts of water and slather on layers of sunscreen and we laugh and have a great time. I highly recommend it.

2. Our annual July Fourth back yard party. For the past couple of years it's been at my niece's home across the street from mine. We all bring food, sit around, do crazy things, play silly games, drink loads of beer and just generally have a good time. It ends with us walking up the street to sit on the rocky shore of Lake Michigan to watch the fireworks. That brings me to...

3. The fireworks - Now when I was a kid our fireworks used to be down on Simmons Island. We'd stake a spot on the grassy hill and ooh and awww as they shot out bursts of spectacular light over the lake. We'd listen to patriotic music as played by the Kenosha Pops and there was always some chick twirling flaming batons just before they started the big show. Then one year there was a terrible accident. The stand the fireworks were connected to tipped over toward the crowd just as they went off and those beautiful bursts of sparkly light became horrible shots of hot sparkling flames that shot directly into the crowd! That was the end of that. Now they shoot them off the North pier, far away from crowds. We can still see them and ooh and awww but it's never really been the same.

4. Sparklers and snakes - As a kid, we always had sparklers for after the fireworks. And snakes, those little pellets you light that cause an acrid stench of yellow smoke but squirm out into a long, black snake pattern before going out. These were the only two things we ever got. Now, in my neighborhood, there is a constant blast of bottle rockets and M-80s long after the "official" fireworks are over. Supposedly it's illegal to have this stuff in Kenosha but the police mostly turn a blind eye and it goes on all night.

The sad part comes in knowing that once it's all over the summer is waning and the end is near. But I won't think about that now. For now, I'm thinking about funnel cakes, brats, and beers! Happy Fourth everyone!

Having a perfect day...

Today was an absolutely gorgeous day here in Kenosha, WI. And, as luck would have it, there was a festival going on right down the street from where I live. It's called The Outta Sight Kite Flight and Kenosha has this one every year. This year, I think, was the first time they actually had almost perfect weather for it. There was music, food and, of course, kites! The Chicago Fire Kite Ballet Team performed which was pretty spectacular. They use "fighting" kites to perform synchronized routines set to music. There were gigantic kites, like the red octopus, and a HUGE wind sock shaped kite which never managed to make it off the ground. Too heavy for the lighter winds but still it was a sight to see! The sun was warm, the people friendly, the kites were beautiful. Who could ask for more?

Well, it got even better when we had dinner at Big Star. Big Star is a drive in place in Kenosha - one of two that exists and in this town it is a hot topic during the summer as to which of those two you prefer. I like them both but Big Star is only open for the summer months where The Spot is open all year round. So, better get to Big Star while it's open! It was delicious, as always.

I've decided to try to enter this local contest that the Kenosha Area Convention and Visitors Bureau is having. It's called Be A Tourist in Your Town. The idea is to take part in as many local events, take photos and submit them. I've got a good start so far and summer is just getting going! Who knows? Maybe I'll get lucky and win something!

In the meantime, get out and enjoy your town. Wherever that may be!

Yearning for change but appreciating where I am...

I remember when I was a teen ager. I kept thinking the only way to get anywhere in this life was going to be by getting the hell outta Kenosha. K-bomb, K-nowhere....we used to call it. And so I left. For four years plus, I lived in Chicago and, quite frankly, I loved every blessed minute of it. But, when the time came, I came home to Kenosha.

As I've grown up (and I'm still growing up in many ways!) I learned that there are some really cool things about this town that I grew up (and am growing up) in. First, the lake. Yes, it's the same lake that I frequented in Chicago but no where along this great lake is access to the lake shore more open and free to the public than right here in Kenosha. Not in Chicago...though there is access, and certainly not in Racine where they've mucked up their lake front with far too many buildings. Ours is open for a long way. And, it's a mere stroll away from my house. I've said it before but I love this lake.

There's also quite alot of park space in Kenosha. I mean, seriously, in the neighborhoods there are these little green spaces that just pop up out of nowhere. All free. And all being used.

Another cool thing is there is a lot of stuff to do in Kenosha, especially at this time of year. This weekend alone there are two free events happening. The Outta Site Kite Flight right up the street from me and the Summertime Art Show at the Civic Center Park. Both really fun events and, again, they're free.

We have an honest to goodness drive in theatre here that plays first run movies. It always means summer when the "out door" opens.

We have FOUR museums. Yes, they are small but they are also interesting and a good way to spend an afternoon.

We have THREE colleges/universities which all offer great opportunities for education and entertainment throughout the year. And there are a slew of other charter universities around town too.

We are an hour away from Milwaukee. I plan to take advantage of that and go to Summerfest this year. Lots of great music on the free stages. (Paulie...Dropkick Murphys...for FREE...July 8 or 9th!) Not to mention some great talent at the Marcus. Would love to see Peter Gabriel and Florence and the Machine.

We're also a short train ride from Chicago. I'm planning a day trip down there this summer. The Art Institute is free on Wednesdays! Sounds like a good day to go! I love the Art Institute. When I lived in Chi-town, I would spend those days when I didn't really have any plans at the Art Institute immersed in Jackson Pollock and Dekooning. So many great works of art just an arm's length away.

And, of course, Kenosha is where my family lives. That's important to me. Still...
I have that yearning feeling. As much as I love it here I would move in a heart beat if I could move to the right place at the right time. And, for me, that would be Sweden. Until then, I plan to take advantage of all that Kenosha is serving up this summer. I'ma gonna have FUN!! Hope you all do too!!

Take me out to the ballgame!

Today, as a way to say thanks for a job well done, the agency I work for took us to Miller Park to see the Milwaukee Brewers tromp all over the Minnesota Twins. It was good to be out of the office!







By the way, Bernie the Brewer got to slide into the Splash Zone when Prince Fielder hit a great home run! The Bratwurst won the sausage race after narrowly easing past the Chorizo! And the Brewers beat the Twins 5-0! I ate a hot pretzel with cheese, had a Mountain Dew and a bottle of water. After paying for parking and the snacks I was done $37! Sheesh! Still, it wasn't a bad way to spend the day. It would have been better if the Cubs were playing! hehehe....

Where do they go?

So, the summer heat is on here in Wisconsin. I really don't mind it...except for the humidity. But what I can't figure out is where did all my summer clothes go? I mean, last year I clearly remember having summer shirts and light weight clothing that I wore to work. Where in the blue hell did I put that stuff?

While I'm on the subject, where in the blue hell is my swim suit? I have two of them...can't find either one. I'm hoping I've left it at my sister's house. She has a pool and it's likely to be the last place I wore. Still, where the hell...

And flip flops...I had at least three pair of them. Where the crap are they now? Are there flip flop fairies in my house? Did I have some weird episode of sleep walk/cleaning/purging of my things one night that I'm totally unaware of?

I want my stuff, damn it.

The tools of summer...

An ice cold lemonade and some sunscreen....no...make that a couple of pina coladas and...wait...no...let's go for an entire pitcher of pina coladas and a beautiful pool...yep, that'll do it!

Sunshine and laziness equal ahhhh....

No. really...this is me...really..


I went swimming today at my sister's house. She has a pool in her yard. It was great. Sun was warm and the sky was blue and I swam and floated and swam for 4 hours straight. I felt a bit like a relaxed noodle when I got out but it was just what I needed. A day of lazing around in the sun. I have pictures but if you think there will ever be a picture of me in a bathing suit on the Internet...well, HAHAHAHAHAHA!!! The Internet is NOT ready for that.

A Perfect Day...

We had a near perfect day. We walked around down by the harbor and beach and took a look at the new Civil War Museum. Alex called it a "Truman Show" kind of day.




This is the North Pier at the Kenosha Harbor. That light house is for sale, by the way. Just in case you're in the market for a light house!



This is Simmon's Island Beach taken from the North Pier. This is pretty far to the south end of the beach area so there are barely any people there.



Alexander on the North Pier on the way to light house.



Alex on the terrace of the Civil War Museum.



Here's a view from the terrace of the museum. The museum is new and isn't really finished yet so there aren't many exhibits to see there. But the building is beautiful and the lake view from the terrace is really nice! We ended the day with ice cream. How perfect is that!