August Recap

 RIGHT NOW-

I'm listening to...the silence of a Sunday morning.

Yes- I know that technically, there are still 5+ days left in the month-but it's quiet right now, I am sitting here at the desktop cleaning up some digital chaos (which feels like one step forward, two steps backwards) and figured now is a great time to just reflect on the month.

I'm loving that now that I am retired-

 Sundays no longer are filled with dread 

instead- they can be fun days- 

where I meet up with a friend for some music 

and some fresh peach pie!

 Brew-Ability in Englewood- check it out-it's a great way to support our disability community members!

Mondays may still include some time hitting the books...

Only now I get to decide what I want to read- and where.  

I am proud to report that I've read 57 books so far this year- well on track to exceed previous years results.   Always grateful to Goodreads that provides me with a platform to record what I have read (the brain needs all the supports it can find the older I get! 

Tuesdays...I may find myself thirsty..

And because it's not a school night for me- I can fill up my cup with a lovely cocktail.

Which I am enjoying lakeside at West Lake-at Red Feather Lakes.  And, where  yes- the blanket came in handy with a steady breeze creating a slight chill in the air.  

Wednesdays- may involve some work...

All part of our combined efforts to reduce the clutter within our house. 

  This treadmill was not seeing the love it desired, and while we tried to re-home it- the folks at Play It Again sports laughed, the Marketplace was filled with free competition and the Junk Man offered to lighten our burden for $250

We continued on by clearing out some other rarely used items such as this canopy.  

Without a doubt- it's a process- but slow and steady should still win the race, right? 

Thursdays can now be used as a jump start to the weekend

With maybe "jump-start" being the operative word?   The Honda-CRV made her first tow adventure up to Wyoming.   All went well with the tow process, but  Hubby identified some concerns regarding the alternator.    Oh well- that's why we do a "shake-down" cruise- even if the issues identified were in no way related to the towing process.

The camp hosts wandered by to say Hi

but for some reason decided to pass on our offer to share our dinner

Beef- it's what's for dinner!

Grateful for our new gazebo-as  one soon is quickly reminded about the classic Wyoming wind-

Fridays can be perfect for hiding out in the forest

Well, at least until the rest of the campers started to arrive.  

 We enjoyed a couple nights up near Deadman Hill and Fire tower.   

Saturdays will still be for shenanigans

as the BAGS and the BAG-BOYS welcomed me into the tribe of retirees.

Missing Miss JW who was out with a tummy bug...

can't wait until the other ladies join me in 

this wonderful life called Retirement!  

I'm feeling like retirement clearly agrees with me. 

 I had a few missteps- like when I found myself at the Grocery store on a Monday evening- but I completed a course correction and stayed up past my bedtime (reading of course)

and slept in the next morning.

Until next time...

May you find peace...

laughter

and love in change!

July Recap- Home to Wisconsin

 Right Now- July Recap

I'm listening to a song...with the lyrics seeming a perfect fit for this recap...

These are the days I will remember These are the faces I want close (faces I want close)

If everythin' changes and we're not together

These days I will remember, these days I will remember

Ensuring  that I remember days and stories is what prompted me to start this blog so many years ago...so please bear with me as I reflect on this one last trip

"Home to Wisconsin"

When my father passed away in September 2022- we decided to hold off on the committal of his ashes until a later date.  My sister and I were spent- and the cemetery where dad's ashes would be placed- was several hours from where he had been living.   Clearly too much to do in one day- and for sure, more than we were ready to take on at the time.

1989- when the family marker was first unveiled

As winter approached, my sister and I started to talk about when to place his ashes.  We were both feeling weary but knew it was that final step in the process.   It was at this time, that my nephew chimed in- "Of course, you do it July 15th".   Happy to have someone willing to make this decision- we started to plan for this event.

A Glacier Birthday-July 2011

Why July 15th?   Well, July 16th would have been my dad's 90th birthday- and so it seemed rather appropriate to have one last celebration in his honor just prior to his birthday.   

With the "when" decided, we quickly moved on to the where and the what of this final tribute.   

Where- was an easy answer...The Wolf River Cemetery...

Located right next to the Little Church in the Pines..

just south of Fremont, WI...in the area that my maternal relatives settled and farmed..

and where my parents got married...on August 22, 1959

We'd be fortunate to be joined by  two of my mom's bridal attendants

 and her flower girl on this sunny Saturday morning... 

Connie Basseuner...went to great lengths to ensure she could make it...

And Flower Girl Lynn would lead us all in song...

And Aunt Birdie would show us all how it's done- living a vibrant independent life at age 90!  

This celebration all came together perfectly...

My sister lead us through the service...

and I had figured out a solution to my dad's request for a 

"and in the end, a Jazz Parade"...

and together we'd soak in the love shared by so many 

 as family...

and friends...

ensured my dad's final party was a success! 

There would be other days to remember during this trip

After a day running around West Bend- 

enjoying Matt's paella-expertly crafted on the Big Green Egg

A day spent sitting on the pontoon-enjoying the company of 

forever friends...

A day spent hitting the trail (no not really- more like an hour tops...)

A day spent trying my hand at paddle boarding

(another false truth- more like minutes of "snap the picture before I fall off this thing)

A drive day...where we'd question what's going on here...

with a lunch break with the folks that call this place home!

Una- we can't let another 10 years pass before we see each other!

A day spent exploring the delights of Eagle River...

and finding time for a quick cruise along the lake

Thank you to Mr. and Mrs. Priefer...

You have a lovely home on Stormy Lake...

Another day of driving..

with a brief stop for Ice cream...where yep-

the cows were headed off for milking..

During these 12 days- I found myself being at peace 

with a strong sense of closure settling in.

For this trip closed out the obligation of visiting Wisconsin..and I see myself shifting gears..

While I will always remember the days of "going home" to Wisconsin...

I am going to  pair it with the reality...that it is time for me to head home

To  Colorado 

For this place is indeed my home...

Where my circle of friends has grown through the years...

and the setting sun..

along with the sitting son...

makes me smile!

Until next time...may you too remember the days...

and the stories...