Heavy Winds Elmwood

   Another lent has begun and last Sunday I was at St. Mary's for Rich's Rite of the Elect.  Monday I began my new job as Elmwood's building sub as they called the Wednesday before to ask if I'd take the position before another school asked for me. I will be there everyday and be paid as a premier sub $115. On Wednesday there was heavy gusts of wind and the school and our home lost power at around 11:30. A dead tree on the border of Dottie's property was blown down pulling up the roots and is now stretched across the backyard beyond the fence. The power stayed off until Thursday morning about 10:20 so there was no school or ability to communicate as the temperature fell to 52 degrees in the house. Also that morning Minky had somehow got into the crawlspace behind the wood wall and Simon had to take the wall down to free her. Jane left for Canton Friday morning and got to Cleveland about 4:30 to help Phil with Winston and his healing from getting fixed. We had Brad, the electrician, fix the stove wiring and replace 4 light fixtures today. Simon has redone the kitchen cabinets painting them white and with new handles.   MSU will play Miami in the NCAA this week.  February was the warmest one on record in Lansing at 35.5 but we are supposed to get some snow tomorrow. So now is the time of reflection and renewal to rise with Him in the new spring of life.

Them Changes

  The last 2 Sundays I've been to St. Gerard's for Rich O'Boyle as we had the signing of the book today at the 11:00 mass. Gramma was over yesterday as she is leaving for Florida tomorrow and we had Delucas pizza. We only found out Saturday morning so there was no time for any fancy dinner but Jane had made peanut butter pies for desert. On Tuesday I was assaulted by an autistic kindergartner at Colt. Zayden had taken a girl's sweater and after getting it back from him I told him to return to his seat as we were on group carpet. Before I could predict his reaction he hit me in the crouch and chest,  so I removed him from the group and called the office. Three days starting last Saturday we had record highs in the 60's but it has cooled back off but still a mild winter will effect the plants spring cycle of development.  Overdoses of Trump have doubled since his election and the Nation is in peril! People are losing their minds but still we stand strong defending Truth. By the way I was told by an East student my hairline looks like a long john which is okay as long as he doesn't eat it. We know the use of ashes to help worship God for the upcoming Lent.

Valentine's Day Trump Card

   Trump is president and he is very active as he promised. Spending a lot for his trips, security, and separate residences. Jane and I saw The Lion today and Hidden Figures a month ago, both good movies. We got a new 17' Equinox as the lease was running out on the old one but did not get as good of a deal and I wish I would have waited 2 more weeks! I attended the service for Gregg Plenar who died in December. He was my first friend on Woodhaven and we hung out a lot for until high school. I substituted for his grandchildren at Waverly and he picked up Cooper at Winan's last year. I'm still busy subbing and except for a snow day the weather has been moderate. Jane and I went to Becca's shower at Gier Center and I talked with Brad's dad who also retired from GM. We all visited Silas in Valparaiso this weekend and had good time seeing how he's grown and talking more. Trump's cabinet is taking shape and he's pushing his agenda mixed with alternative facts and lies. A Ball of Confusion that is what the State of the Union is today.  St. Valentine of Rome died 269 is no longer an official saint but was probably executed for the faith by Claudius 2 and is the patron of Love.  Trump very unpresidential!

The Doors at 50

   Rich Oboyle has asked me to be his sponsor for RCIA and his baptism into the Catholic church. I attended mass with him at the 9 o'clock  mass on December 11th and will be at other services until Holy Saturday evening. It was an honor that he called in November to ask me to be his sponsor. The week of December 5-10, Jane and I helped babysit Silas in Indiana as Sharon's sister was still in Iowa. We made a snowman and though he was sick for a day we had a great bonding week and listened to the Charlie Brown Christmas tree song and dance. On the 12th we had 9" of snow cancelling school my first day back from taking a week off. I am still subbing and got to go see Moana at Celebration Friday the 16th with 17 second graders from Lyons School. Jon and Phillip arrived on the 22nd and we had dinner on the 23rd with Gramma, Mark, Adrianna and April. Jane made 5 pies, ziti and green beans. We had a full house but had a close meaningful Christmas. I was able to go to Silver Sneakers 4 times during winter break and see some of my friends. We went to mass on New Years Eve and woke up just after midnight to the fireworks in Mar-Mor. 2017 will definitely be a year of total change and we may all be lost. Lukas found out his job will end in March as his company is leaving the state. I got a $5 raise for the new school year, isn't it great to have teaching responsibilities for $80 for a full day and $45 for a half? It has been really cold this week but all the snow melted when it warmed up after Christmas. When the music's over turn out the lights, it is your only friend until the end of laughter and soft lies and the days we tried to die. This is the end as The Doors live on open or closed, perceived or imagined!

Against the Gates of Hell

  It has been a long time. The election left me the need to reflect further than a mirror allows. The school year has kept me busy so that the Silver Sneakers class is seldom but much needed. Simon is still living with us but now is in communication with Adrianna and April. We were at her last cheer leading at Waverly High and she was over for Halloween going out with Simon. He has done work inside and outside the house to make improvements. Phillip was up the end of September for Andy Wegener's wedding which was in Lake Fenton. We attended the service and enjoyed the reception at the Fenton Brewery. Jane and I also went to Grace Hoksema's wedding and reception at
Eagle Eye, October 15th. We have had Gramma over twice as well as her brothers when Phillip was here and when Jon's family was here. When Jon was here we went up to Remus to spend the day with Jim and Betty and had a very nice time as Silas liked the leaves and sitting on the boat. St Gerard's had their mission and I went all 3 days with Jesse Manibusen singing. I was able to go to the Home Brew at the Delta Library this year on November 5 and though there was less beer it was worth it. On election day Donald Trump won and now we await what will unfold. He scares the hell out of me and I'll not make judgment until his time comes. But all indications appear to give reason that it could be a weary transition and nothing is certain for anyone or our political system. Silver Bells in the city got stormed out before its end Friday and the tree waits to be officially lite. Jane is in Canton taking the bus there to prepare Thanksgiving at Phillip's. I pray our country does not become the white, christian, male nation that many voters desired with their racist, sexist, isolationist underlying rhetoric through out the campaign of Trumpism. "I go slip, slip,-  you go slip, slip away- we can make if we just don't we our faces". Such is the mirror of life and politics and the stranger we all are.

Summer Wanderings

  On Sunday August 7th Gramma got home from Florida as Mark picked her up in Flint. We had her over for a ziti dinner and Andrew came over. I subbed at Horizon a day before we took 11 days in Grand Haven with Phillip, Winston, Lukas and Simon. Jon, Sharon and Silas came up the 2nd weekend and except for that Saturday afternoon with rain the weather was great. Silas had a great time at the beach Sunday morning and did some walking by the water with Jane. We went to the library daily and watched the Olympics and the musical fountain show twice. We went to 2 concerts and Lukas treated us to dinner at Porto Bellos and a trip to the Lakes Mall one day. I went to Silver Sneakers 3 times at the Grand Haven YMCA. Simon is living with us as April decided she wanted him gone, so we picked up most of his stuff yesterday. We went to see the Obama date movie today at Celebration Cinema and then to Texas Roadhouse for Simon's 36th birthday. We have had 16 days over 90 degrees this summer and have made up the rain deficit this August so the flowers actually looked better when we got back from vacation. Jane had her tooth removed by Dr. Rashid after Midwest Dental tried a root canal that probably was unnecessary.  It was good to get away and be carefree in times as troubled as these with no way to delay the trouble coming everyday.

The Joker Went Wild

    I am a regular at Silver Sneakers now and have made some friends and enjoy the classes. I am going 3 or 4 days a week and have Yoga 2 times a week as well as the whirlpool on Wednesdays.. We went to Remus to visit with Jim and Betty the 26th of June and had a great time. We had to cancel July's visit as Jim had Rotor cuff surgery but is doing well. The 7th of July Jane and I went to Valpo to visit Silas and stayed until the 10th and picked blueberries for the 1st time. On the 16th it was the Alvarado family reunion at Hawk Island without Petra being in charge and it was very enjoyable. Jane left for Canton the next day to help Phillip with his new puppy, Winston. Sunday morning at 9 she left by Greyhound bus and arrived in Cleveland at 4. Phillip picked her up to spend 12 pampered days with them. I picked her up on the 29th in East Lansing at 9:45. While she was gone new french doors replaced the sliding glass door and the family room has improved tenfold, to go along with the front storm door that was replaced in June. I attend some various music and dance shows and a play to keep me busy while Jane was gone.  We went to Olive Garden for Lukas' 28th birthday on Sunday. Jane and I both went for our health fitness appointments and are doing good with some minor changes to my allergy meds and her vitamin D and bone density needing to be checked. The conventions are over and Trump and Clinton leave us our choice for president without any major rioting breaking out. Over, Under, Sideways, Down, when will it end, backwards forward running us around. They are coming to take me away to the funny farm as I revisit this week in 1966 on the 60s Satellite Survey. Cherish is the word but perish more than applies to our dreams. I'm Mr. Dieingly Sad pray tell me to be mystifyingly glad.