It is the Last Day of May

     May has flown by and it has been cool other than 3 days over 80 degrees. Phillip was here for Mother's Day and Jane's birthday, Memorial weekend. Lukas , Jane and I were in Indiana this weekend to visit Silas and spend time with them for Jane's birthday. The weather turned out fine and we had a very good time still having time to get back home to see Phil for a day. On the 7th we went to the Starlight Theatre as saw Man of Lamachia with Gregg, Denise, Jim and Betty. They got back from Florida earlier in the week and Betty had a good check-up in Ann Arbor but Jim is aging and now needs his other shoulder operated on. I've been working daily at Elmwood with a couple of days at the other Waverly schools with just over a week left until summer break.  Lukas is done at Inovolan and is signing up for unemployment while Simon is still working at Watershed often. May passes into June and the world keeps turning despite Trump's tweets and messed up rule. In God we trust cause we can't leave that to man!

April Jury Duty

  Jane got home the 22nd of March from dog sitting at Phil's. She is still waiting for Greyhound to reimburse her for the layover in Detroit caused by a rider complaining about lack of heat on the bus in Cleveland that made the bus late. I was with Rich for his 3 scrutinies during Lent that led to his baptism, confirmation and communion on Holy Saturday at St. Gerard. We had Brad change the lights in the kitchen, hallway, bedroom and bathroom along with switching the connection of the breaker for the range to the dryer's. Simon is working out on Grand River for Water Shed Wellness. He has been there since March 16 and works about 3 days a week. Friday was Lukas' last day at Inovolan as they are closing their office in Lansing. During spring break, the first week of April, I was able to go each day to The Y for Silver Sneakers. Jon, Sharon and Silas came up Friday the 7th for our birthdays. We went out to MSU that Saturday for the Science Day activities and had a beautiful day after Thursday being cold and snowy it was sunny and near 60 degrees. On Monday the 10th I had to report to Eaton County in Charlotte for jury duty. April was the first time I have ever been summoned and when they called the 14 of our large group of people and I was number 5. We sat in the jury box and were questioned by the prosecutor and defendant's lawyer and one person asked to be dismissed because his bad knee would bother him during the trail and Judge Cunningham did. The lawyer asked to dismiss juror number 12 because he was too involved with police officers but she denied him. Then the prosecutor asked to dismiss number 5 and the judge dismissed me. Thank you, I was out by 10 and able to get to school by 11. It must have been my response about following the judges rules for narrow deliberation to which I said I could have a problem if it went against my conscience. Phil was here for Easter with Winston and we had Ya Ya's chicken and Mark was over. Trump has been president for 100 days and we have survived but are watching very closely. I usually work with the first graders at Elmwood and actually only cover classes 2 days a week. I was able to read a 2011 Newbery Award book, Moon Over Manifest, while there were breaks and really found it a very good book for all ages. MSU beat Miami but lost to Kansas in the NCAA's. Our neighbor Ian cut up the tree that fell during the storm as he's been clearing out the overgrowth on his property behind us.

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.