Mind and spirit whipped.  Took some time off from work to start sorting out my head.  :)

At a friend's bonfire late (I am a bonfire junkie) last night and then wide awake until mid-morning.  I cannot figure out why this bod never just sleeps in!  Wonder if I'll be able to catch the Madagascar Penguins on Nick?  Yes, I watch that cartoon whenever possible.  Just add that to the strangeness of my life.

Party at the neighbors today.  They are absolutely wonderful people.  I'm bringing grilled vegetables in balsamic, and I think I'll try Tiramisu.  I haven't used the trifle bowl yet so by happenstance I spotted ladyfingers at the grocery store.  Couldn't pass up one of those little Oberon party kegs.  Really - just for the picture on the outside.  ha!

Fireworks tonight.

I'll fit it all in one way or another.

Windows are open - there's a breeze through the freshly cleaned house.  Happy summer everyone.

Look at the time!  Nope - not at Starbucks.  I found a temperamental, new sweet spot in the house!

I got burned today.  No, not literally - although that would make sense on this kind of holiday.  Actually last year this time I was doing everything I could to stop a person from burning himself along with calming their enraged neighbor.  Beverages and fireworks just don't mix.  Back to present time, I made plans to do things today and was thinking how cool finally a holiday that would be fun!  Rather excited that it was going to be a day that I enjoyed instead of always doing for others. Well, that fell apart.   Anti-climatic, I ate some chips and a few smoked oysters tonight.  Not even any beer in the house to go with!   Then fell asleep to the drone of a 24/7 jewelry sales tv channel.  Listened to the distant booms of fireworks earlier and I'm wide awake now - figures.

The bright spot of the day was being allowed to make lemonade from lemons as I borrowed Cash-Man-Du for the Dog Dash run/walk.  Look at me - do you honestly think I "dash" anywhere?  Apparently, Cash sees the world through pink-colored lenses because we did 2.5 miles in 34 minutes including two stops for him to do a little business.  Considering that I did some light jogging the morning previous (before 7am, I will add!), this fast walk escapade wasn't all that hip - though, that is what was the sorest.  There was a lot of commotion, other dogs, kids and more.  My gut said he wouldn't have an issue with any of that as he knows better than to try more than a sniff with me.  But just in case, we started last.  He motored right through them all with no hesitation and he made it crystal clear that he's not used to being last.  What a ham at the finish - his schmoozing surprised me!  We met a visitor to the area whose sister breeds Vizslas in New Jersey, including grand champions that she named.  Their family has always taken the ones her sister has not been able to immediately place.  She remarked on Cash's great looks and temperament and wanted to know where I got him....ahhh, I stole him.  :)  A very nice conversation about the breed ensued and then upon leaving she said thanks for bringing him, he enjoyed what you did.  What a kind gesture.

Now if I could get some zzz's, I might be able to get a brisk walk in tomorrow morning.  Tomorrow afternoon I have to work the rescue truck again at a local celebration.  Bringing a chair and there should be good live music.  Hopefully no lost children.  They always seem to find me.

Hope your summer celebration was a sweet one for you!

There are users and givers in this world.  Teeter-totter. 

Somewhere in between is the person who gives, yet is attempting to understand there are personal needs and maybe those have to be filled or nurtured by others.  That kind of person isn't "using" others.   It's not greed-based or materialistic, as it truly is attempting self-care from within and in assistance from a support system.

It's been a stressful week that has provided many challenges to me.  The wanting to give while walking the fine line of enabling.  Being totally used and allowing myself to because I see a bigger picture amongst many walking veneers.  Supporting people, yet not their actions (talk about poke my ethics!).   And finally, as though that was not enough, providing literal life and death compassion to strangers.

I testify to you that you can, yes, you can, endure all that is handed or displayed before you...and with divine assistance, it can even be done with grace.

I have to go pick up some Lions Club chickie BBQ and then staff the rescue truck at a show.  Cutting cars - fabulous stress reliever.

Have a great week everyone.

Happy Father's Day.

The disaster exercise wasn't a disaster!  WOOOO~WHOOOO!!!

When I was growing up - yes, yes, many still think I'm still attempting that - ANYWAY, coffee was not something kids enjoyed.  Can I tell you how many young kids are splaying cool cash for Starbucks?  A whole new generation of addicts.

Grandpa and I hit Forestville yesterday.  B-Utiful!  The sun was shining, a breeze filtered easily through the trees, and we took our time capturing the moment.  Grandpa gave me stories about the current road that was built by Roosevelt's WPA in the 30s and where the rut road remains are, along with where each overgrown trail leads.  He told me stories about certain trees up there.  Amazing memory, amazing man.  He found the spot of where an apple tree used to stand as he recalled the time a black bear, whose back stood above the ferns, came too close to the camp.  The black bear met its fate and was found later that year.  Hemlocks - pointed one of those out and said that was the main building timber, along with some white pine, for the houses he built in Marquette.  He said they're soft, perhaps too soft, but that's what people used.

We walked up Reiny Creek, felt its chillness, and searched for brook trout under the bridges.  I took pictures of Forget-Me-Nots and Buttercups.  At the top of the hill where Reiny joins with the river, we tromped around the "camp" where my grandparents and Mom lived for a couple of years.  The old stove, frying pan, and sink remain along with pieces of brick from the chimney that my uncle built for them.  He showed me where he would park their Model T.

The terracing by the house was built by Grandpa and one of his brothers because they wanted to drive and hauling the rocks gave them a perfect excuse.  I learned how tightly I held him as he would carry me across the main bridge because of the gaps in between to the river, and come to find out I didn't relish the sound of the hydro plant.   That surprised me since Mom talks about how I would sleep on the starting line during Dad's races.  Grandpa says his hearing isn't what it used to be.  This coming from the man who wouldn't wear hearing protection in the hydro plants.  He knew everything by its exact sound and could tell immediately if there was a problem and where.  When he brought up flying, I said, "you kept one ear uncovered to hear the plane, didn't you?"  Yes was the reply with a cheshire smile.

We found thimble and raspberry bushes just starting to bloom.  I ate a little carton of raspberries for dinner the other night.  Here's a quick and easy tip:  marscapone cheese on plain toast chips, topped with a raspberry.  Yummy and it looks fabulous.

It is another absolutely gorgeous day here.  Time to close my chat with you and sail around out there.

It's a Frappuccino Caramel Light Day and you know what that means?  The sun is shining!

I made it out to St. Louis this morning and listened to Father Ben.  He just completed fire II class with the rest of us.  That church sure underwent a transformational change years ago, not only in structure but also in total feeling.  The old portion, which is now a gathering hall, is where my parents were married and where I was baptized and also received First Communion.  Mom made my First Communion dress of white eyelet fabric over a light blue sheath.  Since I stopped growing in 4th grade, you can only imagine that traditional little, poofy First Communion dresses - well, they weren't made for me.  Veil?  No freakin' way!  Ahead of my time with flowers.

So anyway, St. Louis is styled in a contemporary fashion now as it is in a round with natural wood beams and neutral colors interlaced with free design stained glass.  It has a down to earth, relaxed attitude about it and each time I pick up this unpretentious feeling from its parishioners.  

It's Chicken BBQ day and that means Grandpa bought tickets from Dr. Peura for a gathering at my parents' home.  I'm going to approach Grandpa about another trek through the Forestville woods as we did one last fall.  He's 90.  I want to capture his knowledge of the area again and jot it all down.  I'm not sure if going up the falls will be too much for him.  I'll make sure friends are in town should we get in trouble.  Knowing him, he's the mountain goat and I'll be the one sliding down a ravine.  With that in mind, I'll have to choose my friends wisely that day.  :)

Tomorrow is a large emergency exercise in Marquette that I hesitantly say I'm spearheading.  Core to my being is bringing people together of differing perspectives and this certainly has been a test.  It is tomorrow - tomorrow! - and here I sit with not enough victims.  Everyone could get people - yet, it's now Sunday and I'm trying to figure out how to pick up the pieces and make it work for everyone.  I yip at myself saying keep looking at the good!  There has been a plethora of discoveries along the way and we have already made great progress in changing things that make us more prepared for community emergencies.  It's all about the next patient, not one agency versus another, not existing polices and procedures, not the way it's always been done so that's why - period.

Gathered some agates yesterday with Cash-Man-Du.  He smiled.  I laughed.

Seize the moment.  I'm off...

Years ago when my office was a jail cell (complete with a big Folger keyed door that I would decorate with abstract paper cutouts and bars on a huge window with a view of a gorgeous pin cherry tree), I sat one rainy day and thought of this phrase:

Life is an orchestra.
Play on.

It's another challenging rainy day.

The sun will shine again.

The week was quick and punctuated with a few experiences.

Sault Ste Marie, Menominee, Iron Mountain, Escanaba - amongst real work.  Bring it on!  The more I ride with others, the more I understand that perhaps I am a little bit of a speed demon.  See - you grow up in my family and you'd think I was slow.  Ahhh no.  Is that not just a prime example that you are a product, somewhat, of your environment where your perceptions of reality and opinions are molded?  Major life changing events are fertile ground for recasts, though.  Strong spirits constantly seeking betterment are like foundries with a variety of casts on the shelves and more being created.

I reflect upon my life and see so many traditional steps missing.  I wonder why I have been gifted to not experience the joy and tragedy of them for there is a reason.  I must not be ready to know.

So how 'bout those Wings?  While I don't have a "team" - I do appreciate downright good hockey.  Smooth, pretty passes followed by incredible saves and an occasional goal.  Yes, to me, that is the game.  Since a rather small child, I have been enamored by the person that stands in front of the goal.  It's the collection of traits the person must possess in order to exist there that just strikes me as they are found few and far between...when mixed with passion...a deep seated awareness of what is really important...and there, there you have a person that walks to the edge and lives.

It will be another hectic week...but, I say, only as hectic as I will allow.  Later.