Friday, 29 January 2021: in the house

USNews ranked Green Bay as safest place to live in US. Madison also made the top ten. Does that mean I want to be here?  No, I still want to be in Mexico.  We read this news right after we read that a big snow storm is headed for the southern part of the state.  We are tucked in safe and warm.

Johnson and Johnson has come out with their version of the vaccine but it has been showing only a 75% efficacy.  Pfizer and Maderna continue to show the most efficacy.  Justin has an appointment for 9 February. I am still nowhere on the list

Biden continues to sign executive orders but most noticeably is the slower pace of news and the sense of almost calm coming out of Washington.

I had a nice long talk with Mary this week.  I so value her friendship and I look forward to a day when we can visit again.  She's up to her gills in a lawsuit back from when she was in Yokosuka (almost twenty years ago).  It was startling how quickly thought so hostile work environment, sexual harassment and unfair labor practice came to mind.  I was relieved to learn that this particular concern has to do with an individual making fraudulent claims for housing allowances rather than being about Mary specifically.  

While we can watch snow mobiles going up and down the river from our kitchen window, I've been busy making babka!  A traditional Eastern European  yeast coffee cake.  Think sweet, buttery yeast bread with swirls of chocolate running throughout, pulling apart into delectable, irresistible layers.  Heaven!  The New York Times recipe had a squillion steps and they gave hints on how to break it up to two days but I did it all in one day.  OMG!!!  There is a cinnamon version I am eager to try next.  

We are continuing our way through Netflix.  Schitt's Creek is on the back burner but we are working our way through 30Rock and we are quite enjoying Last Tango in Halifax and Borgen.  Throw in a movie now and again and we are set.  

Not too long ago we watched a very old Julia Child...French Cook. The part that made this unique was that new chefs were commenting as Julia prepared bread.  They commented as she met with challenges, the dough hook on the kitchen aid mixer was reluctant... she made a mess with her measuring...flour was scattered everywhere...  they explained her procedures.  It was a great blend on old and new and such a touching tribute.

I also tripped across a Sewing with Nancy segment and I was reminded of that old friend.  I got all gung-ho about sewing again, quilting specifically.  I set up the sewing room but I haven’t gotten any farther.  Part of my delay is because there are so many other things I NEED to do and I think that once I start sewing I won’t get back to chores.  So for today I’ll stick with cooking and hangin' out looking at the river.  

Not too many boats will be getting in or out at Chaudoir's dock.  We drove up to Brussels for sunset and took a walk one afternoon.  Yes, we were all bundled up.  

Wednesday, 20 January 2021: in front of the tv---yes, again

 

Happy Inauguration Day!!!  I was content to watch much of the festivities on tv today.  If was quite different from a typical inauguration but that's what happens in the middle of a pandemic.  Now it is up to President Biden to bring together the 70 million who didn't vote for him.  

We went online to try to get Packers tix again... no luck.   Just like last week, I was on line, logged in and waiting in the queue long before the opening bell at 10:00am.  When I did get in though, there were already over 2,000 in front of me.  And then we learned that they'd all sold out within 12-15 minutes.  Oh well, the comfort of our own home will be welcomed especially since it is supposed to snow on Sunday.  

I finished and mailed Zeke's ornament.  It now can join one I made for Magnolia how many years ago/  This year I made one for Gemma too.  We can't have her feeling left out.    Yes, I know it is late, but thankfully Lorayne loves me.  As long as the ornament got to her before she took her treee down, it was still considered on time.  

Saturday, 16 January 2021: in front of the tv

Packers played the LA Rams today for the Division Title.  We enjoyed the win with cold boiled shrimp, artichoke dip, Cheetos, and Justin's famous Bloody Mary’s.

I'd gone online to try to get tickets.  As season ticket holders we were given a chance at about 6,000 tickets.  I went on line and joined the queue but no luck.  We'd decided to take the risk.  Tickets were sold in pods of 2, 4 or 6 for the 80,000 capacity stadium.  No luck though.  But the team had lady luck on their side and came out on top 32-18.  

I thought fondly of Aunt Judy when I was peeling the shrimp.  She taught me to put the shrimp shells in the freezer rather than in the trash can, then throw them away on trash day... no smell.  You just have to remember to throw them away.  So today, I could have easily thrown them in the trash can or I could have even just put them out on the back porch with not too much worry.   

The real test with African violets is keeping them alive long enough to bloom again.  Guess I passed the test!

Saturday , 9 January 2021: in the kitchen

I didn't realize how incomplete my life had been.  Although it is touted to be "southern", I had never heard of a Hot Brown Sandwich.  OMG!!!

This classic open-faced sandwich was created in the 20s at The Brown Hotel in Louisville.  OMG!!!

Thinly sliced turkey breast (real turkey, not lunch meat), a smooth and creamy Mornay sauce, crisp bacon, tomatoes, all on top a slice of toasted bread.  OMG!!!

What an indulgence.  OMG!!!

Wednesday, 6 January 2021: In front of the TV

The end of the world as we know it?  The day American democracy was fractured.  On a day when we should have been celebrating the Epiphany...on a day when we might have been celebrating democratic wins for the runoff elections in Georgia... on the day we should have had the confirmation of electoral votes signifying peaceful transition of power ...  instead, rioters stormed the Capital.  People died.  Why?  How?  President Trump lost the reelection and then egged on a coup.  This blood is on his hands.  Windows were broken. The Confederate Flag flew inside the Capital!!!

I heard a lady on the news, I don't remember who she was.  She was black and very well-spoken.  She led with the statement that she longed for the day when innocent black-men were treated like guilty white men.  One can't help but wonder what would have happened if those who stormed the capital had been black.  

And Ted stinking Cruz!?!?  Leading it all on.  

Instead, these "patriots" had been encouraged by a President who just a couple of months ago had forcibly used pepper spray to disband peaceful BLM protesters so he could stage a photo op in a church -- where he was not able to answer the question of "is that your bible?"

Yes, Colin Kaepernick is still one of my heroes.  He wasn't allowed to take a knee, but good, well-meaning white folks are allowed to break glass and smear feces on the walls of the capital?  Really?

And 70 million + voted for this man?  They are talking a second impeachment trial.  But there is also talk that Trump can't be impeached if he's no longer president.  That makes no sense to me.  If not impeachment, then civil court?  Criminal court?  People died for goodness sakes!

January the 20th. can't come soon enough.  There has to be a better day ahead.

Friday, 1 January 2021: Together at Our House on Hartung

We said Happy Anniversary  yesterday.  We got married in Austin and spent that New Year's with Dellene and Willie Nelson at Austin City Limits.  Year one found us in Paris; year two in Germany with Xavier and Nicole; year three in Padre Island and years four, five and six in Celestun.  Year seven, here we are at Hartung Street.  Happy Anniversary Baby! 

Welcome 2021!  We started the day by reading Dave Barry.  His EOY recaps tend to get a bit long but I always enjoy them.  This year's was particularly poignant; I particularly liked his month of "Marbril" -- yes, it did rather all run together.  Something in his writing reminded me of the artwork on the Houston Yellow Pages when I was growing up. No one will appreciate this reference except Dellene I guess but that too is okay.  

You can bet your sweet patoot we had black-eyed peas and greens.  No way I am leaving that to chance!  Texas Caviar and a spinach dip were followed by a fillet topped with crab stuffed shrimp.  I tried a new recipe for Melting Potatoes -- its  keeper.  Pretty darned good eats!

Erich and his kids came to town.  He stayed with Jordan and his family since they've all had vaccines and or the virus. I made more cinnamon rolls since Erich had missed out on the Christmas baking.  Sadly, these weren't quite done and they sunk in the center.  Very sad.   Justin went over to visit one evening.  Jordan has set up his garage with his kegerator and party lights for appropriately distanced gatherings throughout the winter; I stayed with the all too familiar driveway visits.

                                

I don't typically make resolutions and I certainly don't think anything I write is profound but some day down the road when I go back to read this diary missive, I hope I remember the Heroes for our time -- the health care providers, the police and fire fighters, the grocery store clerks, the garbage collectors -- all the front line workers.  I hope our attempts at wearing masks, trying to stay safe and patiently waiting for the vaccine have payed off.  I hope we are not relegated to drive-way visits and that we can enjoy live music and order a drink at a restaurant.  I haven’t eaten off anyone else’s dishes since March when we were in Mexico.  I don't think I have EVER gone this long without travelling somewhere--anywhere.  Certainly I never stayed in one place this long since I joined DoDDS in 1988.  I hope I still make bread and enjoy putzing around the house and going for walks.  I hope to get back to a day when I can worry about jury duty.  I hope to get back to a day when politics is boring and Black Lives Matter is way of thinking and behaving and so much more than a phrase of the day.  I hope to get back to a day when science matters.  I hope to get back to a day when I can have friends and family over for dinner ... and hug them!

Wednesday, 30 December 2020: in the driveway

Two days of shoveling snow this week.  It might have melted the first time without really getting out the big guns, but it was the first time and it was novel.  Oh, how I do remember Misawa.  I also remember that Stephanie won a snow blower one year as she guessed the day of the first snow fall.  Since we don't own and don't want to own our own equipment, Justin had arrange with Lloyd and Gloria that he'd clear both driveways using their big-boy blower.  I cleared our deck and sidewalks and then I was done.  Justin worked with Lloyd to arrange his garage.  The first time was more involved just getting things all set up.  Today, our second snow, Lloyd went out too with his smaller snow blower while Justin was clearing driveways.  At age 90, it reminded me of my mom using a vacuum cleaner as a walker for stability.  He told Justin he wanted to try his hand with the larger machine -- that lasted about two minutes.  Lloyd then went back inside as he was done.  Gemma is quite happy to bound about in the snow...she is a girl from Sheboygan after all.  

We made a trip to Lambeau field this week.  I wanted to drive through the stadium district.  It is rather sad.  However, I was proud to see Vince Lombardi and Curly Lambeau proudly wearing masks and serving as examples for the community.  

We also made a trip to D and D Glass to get a table top cut for a Japanese silk spool that will now serve as an end table.   After having had five different companies come out to our house to get estimates on window repair and replacement, we found that D&D can do the job.  What a find!

We had a very pleasant and long-overdue chat with Ken and Eileen this week.  One day we might just be able to go visit.  I was reminded of when a colleague commented that Eileen wore pearls so casually.  Me? I've been wearing pearls every day since the election (in a tribute to RBG) even when shoveling snow.  

Friday, 25 December 2020: Living Room

 

Simply Having A Wonderful Christmas Time!

Wednesday, 23 December 2020: Hartung

40 degrees today -- this is unseasonably warm.  I am fine with it.  The river is open at least for the moment.  The temperature is set to plummet -- down to 24' tonight but sliding to 14’ tomorrow night.  A high of 24' is expected for Christmas Day.  It sure des look like winter along the shore line in Brussels.  Ice covers the stones and the bay will soon be solid.  

One month until inauguration.  And it cant happen soon enough for me.  Trump has been almost out of sight since the election.  Meanwhile there is more evidence of a tremendous breach of our computer and security systems.

Thankfully the passing of a second stimulus bill looks promising today as does the passing of a budget.  Meanwhile more and more cases of COVID 19, more hospitalizations and more death.  Yes, the vaccine is being distributed.  

Meanwhile, I am still baking and loving putzing in the kitchen.  I am going to make cinnamon rolls for the kids, Gloria for Christmas so I needed to practice.  Thankfully Justin is an eager guinea pig.  

 

Thursday, 17 December 2020: NorthEast Wisconsin

 We went to Oshkosh yesterday.  It was a big day for us. The venture out was a treat for us. I needed a new coat.  I'd kept a few from Japan and Germany but not a REAL coat.  And, if we are going to be here, I needed the real deal.  We found a new REI along the way so that was an added bonus.  

Gloria’s birthday was this week.  We are so lucky to have she and Lloyd next door.  She and Justin spar over Facebook on politics and that is a little testy from time to time; her Trump/Pence flag is still waving.  She knows everything about the neighborhood and everyone so I am quite pleased to have here next door.  

The river is frozen.  This morning's photo is of geese walking on water.

We got the Kia in the garage!!!  Yes, boats and treasures and trashcans arranged so the car would fit in there too.  This will be critical when winter does truly hit.  In the middle of the conversation Justin said he just wasn’t a "one garage kind of guy. "  I replied that I just wasn’t a Lorrie and Randy Grant type of person since I was happy to have a bag full of wrapping supplies...just for when you need it.  Our friends Lorrie and Randy Grant retired early and got it all down to a backpack and a carry-on.  That's it.  I need more stuff.  

I found a sewing machine table on Facebook Marketplace so we drove to New Franken.  I am going to set up my sewing space in the basement... or maybe upsatirs... I haven't decided yet.