Delicioso!

Nearly a decade has passed since I’ve worked downtown, but back then the iconic restaurant located on the corner of Bridge Street and Stocking Avenue was one of my favorite haunts for lunch. Even after I no longer traveled through the neighborhood on a daily basis, I’d make sure to frequently visit for dinner or drinks. Needless to say, I was just as devastated as other loyal patrons when the building was destroyed by fire in September 2008. Fortunately, its owners vowed to rebuild and the landmark has returned to the city’s West Side.

I love Mexican food (though it doesn’t always love me, if ya know what I mean) and finally had a chance to return to Little Mexico Café. It officially reopened in February, and still has the same great food and the same great service. The new interior seems much brighter and more spacious, and the beautiful Rolando Mancera murals depicting Aztec traditions of growing corn and sacrifices to the gods add to the ambiance. It’s great to reconnect with my long-lost friend!

Camarero, mas sangria por favor!

Little Mexico Café

401 Stocking Avenue, N.W.

616.456.0517

Lovely Lily

The modest Rose puts forth a thorn,

The humble sheep a threat’ning horn:

While the Lily white shall in love delight,

Nor a thorn nor a threat stain her beauty bright.

~ William Blake

Though it’s usually difficult to do so, I love it when someone surprises me. I received the loveliest—and the most fragrant—Easter lily. Totally unexpected, very much appreciated.

Thanks Mikey!

Where in the World?

Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness.

~ Mark Twain

It’s a given that travel provides an escape for fun and adventure. Yet when we visit other places around the world, we also gain a better understanding of the people living there. We learn their culture and history. We notice the things we have in common, as well as our differences. When we encounter diverse backgrounds, it increases our knowledge and widens our perspective.

Wanderlust has long been in my blood and I can’t imagine an existence without the chance to journey and explore and discover and grow. I’ve been fortunate in the opportunities presented to me to date. While most of my ventures have taken me from the east to the left coast of the United States (though there is obviously a serious lack of pins sprouting from the wild, wild west), the world map hanging in my office sports a marker in the middle of the Pacific Ocean (Oahu), in Europe (Italy) and in Asia (China) as well.

I’d be hard-pressed to pick a favorite experience for each is uniquely fascinating with its offerings. And, as is typically the case with anything I do, they all impart great memories and stories. But if I must cite just one, it would have to be my first trip abroad (not to be confused with my first trip as a broad!) when I traveled to Italy in April 2004.

My cousin Rachel was on sabbatical in Florence for a year and had extended an invitation to anyone who was inclined to visit. So I bought an airline ticket and journeyed solo across the pond for two weeks. I set foot on Italian soil and sort of freaked out after making my connection in London with literally three minutes to spare (have you ever seen a cute blonde girl on a mission run through an airport in high-heeled boots?), being awake for nearly 24 hours and battling jetlag while still fighting a horrible cold, not being able to figure out how the phone in my hotel room worked or immediately locating an internet café, misunderstanding even those who did speak English, discovering no iron in my hotel room (the horror!), and learning how to flush the toilet. Okay, I totally freaked out. I started questioning everything I had done in my life for the last six months, including making the trip alone. In two words: culture shock. I was a fish out of water, but eventually learned how to swim. That experience was good for me even though I was out of my element; I learned much and grew from it. I went on to spend three days alone in Venice, took a train to Rome where I met Rachel, and then spent the remainder of the time with her in Florence for the Easter holiday. What an amazing introduction to international travel (not to mention great photo ops!). It only whetted my appetite for more, and I vowed to take advantage of every opportunity which would thereafter cross my path.

That world map is still just as inviting, but there are not nearly enough pins in it. It’s on days like today, when the weather is warm and the sun shining, that I long to grab a toothbrush, a change of underwear and go. But Rome wasn’t built in a day (I’ve been there; I know!) nor will I accomplish traveling the world in one fell swoop. I do have to work on occasion to fund these endeavors!

If I can’t embark upon a voyage myself, the next best thing is to travel vicariously through my family and friends. I’m one of those people who will actually look at every one of your 650 photos and enjoys hearing all about your (mis)adventures without having to feign interest. That being said, what is your most memorable travel experience? You don’t need to have been to a far flung corner of the globe (the last marker added to my map was placed at Toledo!), but we’ve all got pearls of wisdom to share. Where did you go?  Who did you meet?  What did you discover?

I’m staring at a pile of files which need my attention, but would love to journey elsewhere today, even if I have to settle for doing so via armchair travel.  Do tell!

Color!

You know the best thing about spring?

No more dull black, white, gray, or brown. After what seems like never-ending blah, we've finally got a swirl of vividly saturated hues.  Red, orange, yellow, blue, green and purple.

Can I get a round of applause for color?

GRAM

It’s not that we’re on an art museum kick as of late, but it just happened to be Business Partner Dollar Day. As a supporter of the arts and the Grand Rapids Art Museum, GFS’s partnership afforded its employees (that would be Mark) and his guests (that would be me and Faith) admission for only $1 per person. How could we pass up an opportunity like that?

We had taken advantage of the same invitation last year (my first visit to the museum’s new building) and thoroughly perused the permanent collection then. This time around, however, we had just two missions: to view the winning entry from ArtPrize 2009 and to check out the temporary exhibit.

Unfortunately, I didn’t see Ran Ortner’s Open Water No. 24 during the ArtPrize 2009 event. I was pleased to discover, however, that the 6-foot by 19-foot painting will remain on temporary loan to GRAM; contest organizers hope to build and maintain a permanent collection of the top ArtPrize entries. Even though Ortner’s piece was not the one which ultimately received my vote during last year’s competition, it is an amazing work of art. I’m glad I finally had a chance to see it in person.

And sure, I knew Alexander Calder was a sculptor, painter, and artist well-known for inventing the mobile; his La Grande Vitesse resides in my own backyard. Yet I had no idea he also designed and created jewelry.

By using scraps of copper wire he found in the streets, Calder first began making jewelry for his sister’s dolls. As an adult, he made hundreds of gifts for his wife, Louisa, the first of which he crafted after the couple met on a cruise ship. She had unruly hair and he fashioned for her a bracelet which read, “Medusa.” (I love that story!) He also created other wearable art for friends such as Peggy Guggenheim and Georgia O’Keeff, and went on to produce more than 1,800 pieces of jewelry during his lifetime. Each was designed in the same free-flowing form as his other works, and constructed by hand from brass, silver or steel.

The collection on display consisted of an array of items: necklaces, earrings, rings, bracelets, belts and tiaras. Like his sculptures, they ranged from the delicate and fragile to the weighty and bold. I had to chuckle at Faith’s comment, “Oooooooooh … that looks painful!” as she inspected the exotic pieces. She loves museums, really pays attention to detail and reads the placards. Every. Single. One. Nevertheless, I think it’s great that art is already having such an impact on her as it fosters an appreciation and understanding of various cultures. Still, she often shakes her head and states, “Some art I just don’t get!”

Don’t worry, Faith. Neither do we!

Moon Moon Moon

Moon moon moon, shining bright

Moon moon moon, my nightlight

Moon moon moon, I can see

Moon moon moon, you’re taking care of me

Look up, it’s the moon

Look up, it’s the moon

Look up it’s the moon up in the sky

It’s big and round and I have found

That it looks just like a pizza pie (lemon pie)!

Though it hasn’t been a particularly busy week, I’m pooped and don’t feel especially creative.  I was drawing a major blank as to what today’s post would be all about. But when I saw this in the early evening sky as I headed for home, it reminded me of my nephew. Although vocalist Laurie Berkner drives me insane (remind me to tell you sometime about how she traveled with us through China), Kaden loves her.

I know it hasn’t quite been a month since I last posted a lunar photo, and agree I should have waited another four days for a full moon instead of settling for a waxing gibbous. But you know me … patience has never been one of my better points and I was in the mood for something quick yet different. Short, sweet, beautiful; I like it! 

Who knew a children's musical artist would be so inspirational?

Trixie Strikes Again!

My Grandma belonged to a league for years, as did my Dad. And when Mark and I were married we took up the sport as well. You might say that bowling was right up my alley. Unfortunately, I really didn’t have any natural talent. I threw a hook, usually nowhere near the pocket, and could only boast an average of 125. Though I had matching powder blue ball, bag and shoes and looked like I knew what I was doing, the real key to my “success” was in the name posted on the auto scorer: Trixie! I may not have been able to bowl worth a crap, but certainly knew how to have a good time!

I can’t tell you when I last rolled a ball down a lane, but eagerly accepted my sister’s invitation to join them for Kaden’s school outing. It was his first time bowling and he caught on quickly.  His style is laid-back ...

while Zhak is a bit more excited ...

but a good time was had by all!

The event only consisted of one game, but after all these years that was more than enough for me.  Thanks to a strike and a couple of spares, I managed a 104.  Bumper bowling is the way to go!

Going to the Mattresses

There are advantages and disadvantages to being a single woman, but for the most part I have no qualms about flying solo.

I’m learning to scale down recipes and cook for one instead of four. I can drink directly out of the milk carton or dominate the TV remote. If I go to the movies or dine out alone, I don’t have to share my popcorn or dessert. And I can sleep smack dab in the middle of the bed and hog all the blankets. It’s that bed, however, that causes me grief in my state of oneness.

It is recommended that you flip your mattress every six months in February and August, which should not be confused with the rotating done in May and November. Flipping is turning the mattress over so the top surface becomes the bottom surface, while rotating is merely spinning it 180° so the head ends up at the foot of the bed. Both help to prolong the life of your mattress by allowing it to recoup from the constant pressure of your body and prevent creating a groove which can be uncomfortable to sleep on (in?). But enough hints from Heloise.

I don’t always adhere to proper flipping/rotating protocol, but when craters start to form I know it’s time to take action. Rotating I can handle with ease, but I have a king-size bed and am a wimpy girl. It’s quite the challenge to flip my Sealy Posturepedic by my lonesome. Sometimes I’ll corral assistance from whoever happens to be in the vicinity: my dad, my sister, my ex, my neighbor, the pizza delivery boy. Other times I just have to tackle it alone. Think Sumo wrestling. It usually takes a lot of pushing and heave-ho-ing and grunting (and swearing) until it is successfully repositioned. Needless to say, I can typically skip my workout that day.

The thing I religiously attend to on a semi-annual basis, however, is a trip to the laundromat. Yes, I have a high tech, state-of-the-art, front-load washer and dryer, but they don’t easily accommodate the bulky stuff. With the heavy duty equipment at my local Suds-O-Rama and a handful of quarters, I can tackle all the comforters at once and be on my merry way in an hour. I can’t imagine having to utilize this for my laundry needs on a regular basis, but it’s really not so bad … especially when a quarter gets stuck in the dryer and eventually spits out 55 cents. It's better than playing the slots in Vegas!

Ahhhhh … a comfy mattress sporting clean, lavender-scented bedding. I think I’m going to call it an early night!

Relax!

Low-key night at home with a book and a glass of wine. And candles. I’m all about ambiance.

When I got up for a refill, I noticed patterns in the flames and shadows they were creating. I’ve wanted to experiment more with low light conditions and knew a photo was in order. Set up the tripod, fire off a shot or 50, and delve back into the story. I’m determined to finish A Passage to India before the end of the month.

My Peeps

I love spending time with family and friends during the holidays, but admittedly come March there are other peeps with whom I’d rather be chillin’. 

Hello. My name is Lynn and I am a Peep-a-holic.

While the brightly-colored, sugar-coated confections now come in a variety of colors and seasonal shapes to commemorate all the holidays, the only time I overindulge is when consuming yellow chicks in celebration of Easter. But there’s no need to worry about how chubby I’m going to get.  As long as I don’t eat 600 million of them in one sitting, I’ll be fine. A single Peep contains 32 calories and is fat-free, which makes a box of five only 160 calories!

And do you know the proper way to inhale them? No, you just can’t rip open the cellophane and pop one (or the entire package) into your mouth. You have to let them stale-ize. (Okay, maybe that one isn’t really in Webster’s, but feel free to check.)  Peeps are like fine wine and must be allowed to breathe. Extra crunch on the outside is just the right complement to the marshmallowyness (I’m pretty sure that one’s not in the dictionary) on the inside.  Mine will be perfectly aged by the time Easter arrives; I’ll ignore those cute little faces and enjoy every bite.

And then I’ll eat the ears off a chocolate bunny …

TMA

Because Mark had been so successful in his house hunting endeavor the day before, what we anticipated to be a weekend of work gave way to a day of play. Boasting a diverse collection of art with an emphasis on 19th and 20th century European and American paintings, as well as free admission (we like free!), the Toledo Museum of Art was our destination of choice.

The TMA was established in 1901 by Edward Drummond Libbey, the founder of Libbey Glass, and his wife Florence. The first museum was located in downtown Toledo, but moved to the city’s Old West End neighborhood in 1909. The Classical Revival building in which it is still housed was designed by Toledo architects Edward Green and Harry W. Wachter, and constructed on land donated by Mrs. Libbey.

We knew the few hours we had to spend in the museum would not give us enough time to do it justice, so we decided to start with the temporary exhibitions. Our first stop was Whistler: Influences, Friends and the Not-So-Friendly.

Featuring works on paper from the museum’s own collection, the display highlighted the talents of American artist James Abbott McNeill Whistler (1834-1903). Although he is more popularly known today as a painter, Whistler instead etched when his finances were in trouble since he was more successful in selling what he produced from engraved metal plates. His name as a printmaker is often linked with Rembrandt’s as the artist who, 200 years later, further explored and refined the beauty of the etched line. I also learned that Whistler was quite the rebel and a character as colorful as his works. My kind of guy!  Hmmmm … I wonder if he ever used the line, “Want to come up and see my etchings?” But enough pondering; there was another exhibit I was just dying to check out.

Bare Witness: Photographs by Gordon Parks featured some of the powerful images captured from the 1940s to the 1970s by the late African-American photographer (1912-2006). Parks, best known for his photo essays in Life magazine and as the director of the 1971 film Shaft, began his groundbreaking career by photographically documenting crime, poverty, civil rights, and the contrasting world of celebrity and glamour. The 73 works contained in the exhibit were specifically selected by him, and included examples of his early works from the Farm Security Administration, to the Black Panther’s headquarters, to segregation in Birmingham, Alabama, to intimate photos of the de Silva family living in the slums of Rio de Janeiro. Taking pictures of people is not my strong suit, and I was in total awe of Parks’ ability to create hauntingly beautiful photographs while revealing unjust circumstances.

It was then across the street to the Glass Pavilion, home of the TMA’s signature glass collection. Opened in August 2006, the 76,000-square foot building was designed by Japanese architects Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa; all of the structure’s exterior walls—and many of the interior walls—are made of glass. We arrived just in time to give our barking dogs a break by pulling up a chair and viewing the 60-minute glass blowing presentation offered in the demonstration gallery.

The TMA had so much to see and do that we only were able to give its permanent collection a cursory glance. We could just as easily spend another day or two with an entirely different focus and have an equally good time. We’ll definitely file this plan away for future reference!

Success!

After spending the entire day with Mark house hunting in Ohio, I’d have to liken the experience to dating. With the latter you’ve got to kiss a lot of frogs before you find your prince. Similarly, when looking for a new place to live in an unfamiliar city, you’ve got to tour a lot of dumps before you find just the right abode about which you can excitedly declare, “This is the one!” Of course, had we started our search on the opposite side of town, he would have found the perfect place to hang his hat at the beginning of the day instead of when the sun was going down. But it all worked out in the end.

His new home, a lge 2br/2ba upper w/ appl, c/a, w/d and gar, will be in the Toledo suburb of Perrysburg just down the street from the stylish urban village of Levis Commons. What a great area!

I’m excited for him as he begins this new chapter of his life, but it is also bittersweet as I hate to see him go. Nonetheless, I’m sure I’ll visit often. Not only is there upscale shopping, dining and entertainment right around the corner, but a whole new neighborhood just waiting to be explored. And even better with a great place to stay!

Good Times, Great Food

Whenever I travel I like to steer clear of chain restaurants and instead prefer to indulge in the local flavor. Our recent jaunt to Ohio provided us with an opportunity to experience a Toledo tradition.

Tony Packo’s Café was opened in the Hungarian community of Birmingham in East Toledo in 1932 and soon thereafter became a city hot spot. The great ethnic food created then by Tony Packo, Sr. is still today offered by his son and grandson. The eatery is not only patronized by locals, but by celebrities as well. Former Toledoan Jamie Farr liked it so much that his character in the M*A*S*H* television series, Corporal Max Klinger, mentioned it during several episodes. Hot dog buns autographed by him and other famous personalities who have stopped by over the years line the walls of the café.

During our visit we were treated to some of the best the restaurant has to offer. The Hungarian hot dog covered with mustard, diced onion and a delicious secret sauce; chicken chili; stuffed cabbage; paprika dumplings; sausage; and apple strudel. In a word: Yum!

If you ever find yourself in the Packos’ neighborhood, checking out their restaurant is a must!

Tony Packo’s Café

1902 Front Street

419.691.6054

TGIT!

It may only be Thursday, but today is my Friday. It’s been pretty crazy trying to fit a week’s worth of work into four, one of which begged cause for pause to indulge in a green beer or six. But amazingly I am ahead of the game for once and have accomplished everything I needed to do before taking to the road again this weekend. I captured this gorgeous sunset with not a moment to spare and am off to hit the sack.  7:30 a.m. is going to come far too early for this night owl.

Green

Happy St. Patty’s Day!

My intention was to blog about our celebratory impromptu pub crawl. Unfortunately, after tossing back several glasses of ale and a shot of Irish whiskey for good luck, the photos (and details) are fuzzy if not, um, a bit incriminating.  In honor of the holiday, this post is instead brought to you by the color green:

Aliens
Appletinis
Boogers (sorry; just keepin' it real!)
Chartreuse
Chlorophyll

Emeralds
Envy
Eyes
Frogs
Grapes

Green eggs and ham (Would you, could you with a fox?)
Ivy
Jade
Kermit

Leprechauns
Limes
Mint
Mold
Peter Pan

Pistachio ice cream
Shamrocks
Turtles
Verde
Vulcan blood (the things you learn in dive bars!)

Spring is in the Air Ground

When I surfaced (late) this morning, the skies were blue and looked promising. I stuck a toe out the front door and couldn’t believe how warm it was! Officially we were sunny and unseasonably mild with temps into the mid 60s. You know what that means … open all the windows then head outside to embrace that fresh air!

The signs of spring were not only discovered in gentle breezes and sounds of birds drifting through the skies, but in the color poking through the last of winter’s drabness as well. I’ve been keeping such horrendous hours lately that I haven’t taken the time to survey my yard for signs of life. Boy have I been out of the loop. The flowerbeds are in resurrection mode! The day lilies, hydrangeas, lamium and autumn joy sedum are emerging. And as I was clearing away all the dead and brown, I spotted a ladybug!  It was on a mission and movin', but I had time to fire off (count ‘em) one shot before it flew away. Since I'm so full of it today (spring ... whadda think I meant?) and couldn’t decide on just one photo, you get three.  Talk about good fortune!

I remain optimistic that spring is here to stay. In fact, call me crazy if you must, but I’ve pulled and pitched my snowplowing stakes. If March’s lion lets out one final roar, you can blame me.

Pretty Ponies

My recent visit to the Van Andel Museum generated many great memories from my own childhood when I was just about my niece’s age. Though my recollections don’t date back as far as the re-created streets of 1890s Grand Rapids, the Voight-Herpolsheimer Department Store window displays do remind me of time I spent with my great-aunt. The details are a bit fuzzy some forty years later, but I recall taking the bus into the city to shop for dresses at Herp’s and having lunch at the Tea Room where another aunt worked.

But the antique carousel housed in the Cook Carousel Pavilion which extends over the Grand River is my favorite place for reminiscing. This classic wooden beauty was manufactured by the Spillman Engineering Company in 1928 and is one of only three of this style known to have been produced. Originally part of Lakewood Amusement Park in Barnesville, Pennsylvania, it ultimately found its way to Grand Rapids in 1982.

Its ornately jeweled, hand-carved wooden figures include 40 jumping horses, 4 standing horses and 6 menagerie animals (a giraffe, lion, deer, goat, tiger and camel), all of which have been fully restored to their previous color and design with enameled acrylic paints. In addition to the original ticket booth, the carousel also features Art Nouveau painted panels, carved frieze, brass poles, 1,200 lights, and music to which one can merrily go round and round provided by a 1908 Wurlitzer band organ.  Not only does the carousel cater to the child in me, but its colorful horses are very camera-friendly.

Tell me though … is it just me or are they indeed sporting Dad’s “diarrhea look”?

Spring Forward

First the recent Chilean earthquake knocks the earth off its axis and the length of our day is shortened by 1.26 microseconds. Then Daylight Saving Time kicks in and we have to push our clocks ahead. I don’t have enough time in my day as it is. And you want me to drag my butt out of bed an hour earlier, too?!?!?

I know there’s split decision on whether the time change gets a yay or a nay. Remembering to reset all the clocks can indeed be a hassle. Not everything is as self-sufficient as my laptop, cell phone and cable box which automatically update for me. But aside from precariously balancing over the sink to attend to the kitchen timekeeper (though I admittedly sometimes don’t even bother since I’m just going to have to climb back up there in another six months), I really don’t mind moving an hour of sunlight from the morning to the evening. I’m usually in the dark until noon anyway!

Day at the Museum

Though the mercury was pushing 50, the skies were threatening to spit. An indoor activity was definitely in order, as was a partner in crime.

Faith is my favorite niece. This is in no way related to the fact that she’s my only niece. At the age of 12 going on 32, she’s got just the right combo of things that makes her fun to hang out with. She’s wise beyond her years yet still enjoys being a kid. She’s adventurous and willing to do just about anything, including pose for silly photos. In fact, she’s already developing a photographic eye herself and is right there with me taking 47 shots of the same subject. And, most importantly, she also has a museum pass which afforded us free parking and carousel rides, as well as museum, planetarium and special exhibit admissions!

We decided to first check out the temporary exhibit Big, BIG BUGS! Though neither of us is really fond of anything creepy crawly, we had fun getting up close and personal with the larger-than-life displays and learning about the world of bugs through hands-on activities. Did you know the praying mantis is the only insect that can turn its head 180 degrees and female crickets can tell how big a male is by his chirping? (Evidently size matters in the insect world!) Whether magnified hundreds of times or of normal dimensions, insects are disturbingly fascinating. Nonetheless, we drew the line at touching anything actually breathing.

We next took in the Under Starlit Skies planetarium show and a spin on the carousel, and then set off to explore the rest of the Van Andel. Though it has been a while since I last toured it, Faith definitely knows her way around and led me through all of her favorite exhibits. It was like having my own mini tour guide!

A great day with a great kid!

Bless Me Father For I Have Sinned

I was raised in a devote Catholic family which religiously (pun intended!) followed the Big Ten (commandments, not college sports teams). Not only did we go to church every Sunday, but on all those other holy days of obligation as well. I also attended parochial school through the fourth grade until we moved to the other side of town.

St. Isidore's ... now there’s a walk down memory lane! It was acceptable back then to say the Pledge of Allegiance and pray in school. I wore Hushpuppies, white knee socks and a plaid uniform complete with matching beanie. (Should I be worried that a former boyfriend found that intriguing?) And we adhered to the canons laid down by 107-year-old nuns with names like Sister Octavia who reigned over their elementary classrooms with the whack of a ruler and the hurl of a blackboard eraser.

As I came into my own, I began to question which faith was right for me. Lest you think I’ve become a total non-believer and am going straight to Hell in a handbasket, I still accept as true the notion of a higher power though I no longer necessarily subscribe to all the principles of Catholicism. Yet many of the things instilled in me during those years of sit-stand-kneel still surface every now and then.

While I didn’t mean for this post to go off on some tangent about religious convictions, that thought came into play when making plans for dinner. In the yards of Catholic churches all over the city are signs touting Lenten fish fries and it seemed like a good idea—both literally and figuratively. We’d hit the church right around the corner to indulge in fried perch and other meatless offerings, and then head back to my house to catch up on life and contemplate future travel ideas.

A little background on Tracey is in order. I met her while doing a part-time employment stint several years ago and we immediately clicked. Though she is 12 years my junior, we share a passion for photography, travel and Starbucks, among other things, and are cut from the same cloth. Little did we know how literal that would prove to be. Incredibly, during an early conversation in which we were getting to know each other, we discovered our great-grandmothers were sisters and we are actually third cousins! Blood is indeed thicker than water; no wonder we became such fast friends. It never ceases to amaze me what a small world it is.

And both of us can talk non-stop for hours on end. Is it any wonder why we always manage to close down a joint whenever we get together?  Why would tonight be any different? Imagine our surprise when we came up for air after being engrossed in conversation to discover parishoners folding up tables and sweeping the floor around us!  How many people do you know who have been kicked out of a church fish fry?

As usual, good times and great stories. But I wonder ... should I go to confession?

Bucket-O-Ideas

Admittedly I had an “Oh shit!” moment when I crossed the threshold into my 40th year, but that notion only lasted for 3.74 seconds before I remembered age is really only a number.  I was young at heart and still had plenty of years ahead of me.  Isn’t attitude much more important? Thus was born my “list of things to do before I die,” which was later shortened to “life list” and finally dubbed “bucket list” with the release of the movie in 2007. But where to go, what to do, who to see?

I started contemplating all those “some day I’d like to …” ideas and jotted them down.  I was shooting for 100 goals, but since I’ve never been one to do anything in moderation, the number eventually doubled. Some things are silly (No. 32: Milk a cow), some adventurous (No. 4: Skydive), some educational (No. 20: Read the 100 best novels of the 20th century), and some will simply require me to be in the right place at the right time (No. 39: View a total solar eclipse). There are a lot of travel-related aspirations and unfortunately even a few which are no longer possible (No. 72: Fly on the Concorde). Suffice it to say that, much like me, my bucket list is a work in progress, ever-changing and still growing.

I tend to accomplish more with a checklist in hand, so for the past decade it has remained the method to my madness on most days. I also find in those “woe is me” moments when I reflect upon the things I’ve accomplished thus far, there is much I would otherwise not have done. Somehow my life doesn’t really seem to suck so much after all. (Remind me I said that, will you, because Lord knows I’ve got a loooooooonnnnnnnnnnggggggggggg way to go). Not sure who said it, but I have to agree … “Life’s journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well-preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting ‘Holy shit, what a ride!’” Indeed, what a long, strange trip it’s been!

That being said, and since I still have many places to go, things to do and people to see, I thought I’d share my list. Who knows … you (or someone you know) may have the means to assist me in tackling my objectives. Got a koala to cuddle?  An extra airline ticket to the other side of the globe? A hankering to go spelunking? In need of a partner in crime?  If so, I’m your girl! More importantly, however, I hope it inspires you to think about what you’d like to accomplish during your lifetime. If you’ve ever thought about generating your own bucket list, my words of advice are simple: Just do it! (Wouldn’t that make a great advertising campaign?!?) You’ll find once you get your ideas on paper, you’ll make a ton of progress and have a blast in the process.

A word of advice though. If you’re in the housewares department of your local supermarket photographing buckets and hear a store-wide announcement declaring “Clean up in Aisle 3 … customer with camera in Aisle 7,” the first thing on your list should be to hightail it outta there!

***

1. Forget how old I am and remember how young I am

2. Ride in a hot-air balloon

3. Own a passport

4. Skydive

5. Snorkel Australia’s Great Barrier Reef

6. Attend an Indianapolis 500 race

7. Tour Australia

8. Cruise the Nile in a felucca

9. Ride a camel

10. Tour the capitol building of all 50 states [19 to date!]

11. Walk the Mackinac Bridge on Labor Day

12. Attend a Super Bowl game

13. Visit the Eiffel Tower

14. Celebrate New Year’s Eve in Times Square

15. Learn to downhill ski

16. Run in a 5K race

17. View Christ the Redeemer on Corcovado in Rio de Janero

18. Learn to play Chopsticks on the piano

19. Pamper myself with the works at a luxury spa

20. Read the 100 best novels of the 20th century [22 to date!]

21. Celebrate Mardi Gras in New Orleans

22. Attend the Olympics

23. Whitewater raft

24. Celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary

25. Obtain my associate, bachelor and master degrees

26. Go on an Alaskan cruise

27. Float on the Great Salt Lake

28. Ride an elephant

29. Visit the Great Wall of China

30. Attend a Broadway show in New York City

31. Own a fire-engine-red convertible

32. Milk a cow

33. Meet Rod Stewart

34. Join the Mile High Club

35. Visit the Temple of the Inscriptions of Palenque, Mexico

36. Ride a Harley-Davidson

37. Be published

38. Speak fluent Spanish

39. View a total solar eclipse

40. Climb Ayers Rock in Australia

41. Attend the Tournament of Roses parade

42. Visit the Taj Mahal

43. Stay at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island

44. Ride a burro in the Grand Canyon

45. Walk down London’s Abbey Road in homage to the Beatles

46. Learn sign language

47. Volunteer at the Special Olympics

48. Drink mint juleps at the Kentucky Derby

49. Reread the original Nancy Drew mysteries [here's the story on this one]

50. Ride a fire engine ... with a Dalmatian

51. Witness the change of a century

52. Drink tequila on a beach in Mexico ... and swallow the worm

53. Give money and muscle to Habitat for Humanity

54. Go behind the scenes at Disneyworld

55. Fly in a helicopter

56. Bid at an auction

57. Visit Frank Lloyd Wright’s Falling Water

58. Participate in an archeological dig

59. Visit the Leaning Tower of Pisa

60. Attend the final game at Tiger Stadium

61. Paddle a canoe

62. Get a tattoo

63. Roller blade

64. Skinny dip

65. Take a child to the circus

66. Make love in a limousine

67. Pay off my credit cards and go an entire year without accruing interest charges

68. Work the phones at a charity telethon

69. Shop along Rodeo Drive

70. Pay off my mortgage

71. Go from London to Paris via the Chunnel

72. Fly on the Concorde

73. Ride a horse on the beach

74. Visit the Great Pyramid at Giza

75. Stay at a dude ranch

76. Attend a NASA launch

77. Eat sushi

78. Learn to juggle

79. Go on an African safari

80. Cut down my own Christmas tree

81. Attend the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade

82. Ride through Central Park in a horse-drawn carriage

83. Make love in the ocean

84. Renew my wedding vows at an Elvis chapel in Vegas

85. Attend the Tulip Festival in Holland, Michigan

86. Fly a kite

87. Watch all the Oscar-winning Best Picture movies

88. Walk behind a waterfall

89. Go backstage to meet the band after a concert

90. Learn to use chopsticks [disclaimer: I learned HOW to use them, but still haven't mastered this!]

91. Drive I-5 from Bellingham, Washington to San Diego, California

92. Ride the Ferris wheel on Navy Pier in Chicago

93. Ride in a gondola along the Grand Canal of Venice

94. Learn to say “I love you” in ten different languages

95. Eat lobster in Maine

96. Scuba dive

97. Visit the Sydney Opera House

98. Own a vanity license plate

99. Drink Dom Pérignon

100. Parasail

101. Stand in the torch of the Statue of Liberty [they only allowed us to climb to the crown]

102. Ride a cable car in San Francisco

103. Win a hula hoop contest

104. Visit Stonehenge

105. Vacation on Martha’s Vineyard

106. Stand atop Hoover Dam

107. Have a walk in closet

108. Ice skate at Rockefeller Center in New York City

109. Swim in all five Great Lakes [one down, four to go!]

110. Stay at a bed and breakfast

111. View Old Faithful in action

112. Visit Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany

113. Tour California’s wine country

114. Make a gingerbread house

115. Cuddle a koala

116. View the sun rise at Haleakala Crater on Maui

117. Dine aboard the Queen Mary

118. Explore the Florida Everglades by airboat

119. Visit the Alamo

120. Have my handwriting analyzed

121. Ride a double-decker bus in London

122. Live to celebrate my 100th birthday

123. Receive two dozen roses from an admirer [if you're a potential suitor, feel free to repeat this one!]

124. Stand beneath a redwood tree

125. View a moose in the wild

126. Get “lei’d” in Hawaii

127. Attend the Monterey Jazz Festival

128. Make love on a bearskin rug in front of a roaring fire

129. Find a four-leaf clover

130. Travel on a Mississippi riverboat

131. Meet a Beatle

132. Ride the Orient Express

133. Visit Mount Rushmore

134. Purchase season tickets to both a sporting event and the theater

135. Sample Beluga caviar

136. View Angel Falls in Venezuela

137. Attend a Michigan-Michigan State football game

138. Kiss the Blarney Stone

139. Visit a nude beach

140. View a meteor shower

141. View the Chicago skyline from the top of the Sears Tower

142. Stand in the center of the Roman Coliseum

143. Mow the lawn

144. Attend a Cubs game at Wrigley Field

145. Visit the Imperial Palace in China

146. Visit the Guggenheim Museum in New York City

147. Attend Mass at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris

148. Drink a bottle of wine that is older than I am

149. Shear a sheep

150. Be an extra in a movie

151. Keep the key to the first house I ever own [well, techinically it still belongs to the bank ...]

152. Learn to make pierogi

153. Ride in an Amish horse-drawn buggy

154. Receive a happy birthday message on the scoreboard at a baseball stadium

155. Drink cocktails in the Polo Lounge of the Beverly Hills Hotel

156. Visit the Parthenon

157. Float on the Dead Sea

158. Deep-sea fish

159. Invest in the stock market

160. Fire a gun

161. Slide down the pole in a firehouse

162. Ride in a hovercraft

163. View the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace

164. Tour a coal mine

165. Drive on the German autobahn

166. Attend a luau

167. Knit an afghan

168. Take the tram to the top of St. Louis’ Gateway Arch

169. Own diamond earrings

170. Attend a sunrise service on Easter Sunday

171. Own a typewriter, a vestige of bygone era [here’s the story on this one]

172. Ride all 13 roller coasters at Cedar Point

173. Experience childbirth

174. Have a recipe published in the newspaper

175. Smoke a cigar

176. Cross the International Date Line

177. Ride in a horse-drawn sleigh

178. Take a Dale Carnegie course

179. Eat escargot

180. Sit in the front row at a concert

181. Soak in a natural hot spring

182. Stay awake for 24 hours

183. Donate blood

184. View the seven natural wonders of the world

185. Put a message on a billboard

186. Receive a scholarship to help pay for my education

187. Pose for a boudoir photograph

188. Cruise the Greek Islands

189. Take a mud bath

190. Go to the top of Toronto’s CN Tower

191. Have business cards

192. Eat oysters

193. Bake a pie from scratch

194. Return to the House on the Rock and actually walk to the end of the Infinity Room

195. Enjoy the view from the top of the World Trade Center

196. Explore Mammoth Cave National Park

197. Read the Little House books of Laura Ingalls Wilder

198. Win more than $100 in the lottery

199. Compile a list of all the airports I arrive in or depart from

200. Attend a Shakespearean performance at the Globe Theatre in London

201. Drive Route 66 from Chicago to LA

202. Live my life with few regrets

Don't Try This While Driving

Mother Nature, bless her heart, responded to my recent plea.

Warm temps?  Check.

Melting snow?  Check.

Sun?  Hmmmmmmm … looks like she missed the memo on that one.

No worries, though. A rain-spattered windshield allowed me to forego froggin’ around with Photoshop effects and instead provided me with a natural filter. I wonder if Monet started this way ...

And yes, I was behind the wheel, but made sure to pull over and put my car in park before fiddling with my camera. It’s hard enough for me to walk and chew gum at the same time; I don’t think simultaneously driving and taking pictures would have been a good idea.

... in bed!

Despite the beautiful weather, I fought the urge to play hooky and instead attended to two rush files. I knew, though, I’d kick myself later if I didn’t roam for a bit before the sun went down. So I decided on take-out for dinner and headed there via the scenic route. My “neighbors” were already well into their main course by the time I passed, yet were kind enough to offer a great photo op. But enough horsing around; I was starving. 

I love Stir Fry Express. Offering much more than oats/barley/hay, I think they happen to have the best Chinese in the area. (Does it mean I’m a creature of habit if, when upon entering their restaurant, I’m greeted with, “Hello! Crab cheese?”) In addition to delish food and friendly service, wanna know the best thing about this place? They give you not one but two fortune cookies. Though thought-provoking in their own right, mine read especially interestingly after playing the fortune cookie game:

All the effort you are making will ultimately pay off … in bed!

A person is never too old to learn … in bed!

Obviously a horse of a different color.

See Spot!

I received fan mail in response to my Do You See What I See? post.  It was way too entertaining not to share, and may also prove enlightening for Deni and others who are cloud spotting challenged.

But, um, should I be worried about who is following this blog?

Celebrate!

Little Kobi is three today!

Well, maybe I should rephrase. There’s nothing petite about this kid. He has sprouted faster than a weed since I last saw him, and already towers over one cousin six months his senior and nearly as tall as another twice his age.  As his Mom so aptly pointed out, three years ago we didn’t even know he had been born, yet everything thereafter quickly changed. Kevin and Jenni returned with him from South Korea on Thanksgiving Day when he was just eight months old. Needless to say, that year there was much for which my family was grateful.

Though I’d love to relay it has been all grins and giggles since, things haven’t quite gone according to plan. Then again, what really does? While the word “autism” has been tossed around, Kobi is still too young to be diagnosed. But because he displays signs of developmental delay, he’s been attending a program designed to address special learning needs. It was evident today that he has not only grown leaps and bounds in stature, but in cognitive ability as well. 

Kev and Jen have been blessed with a beautiful son and I an amazing nephew.  Happy birthday you little … er, big … cutie! You and your special day are celebrated with much love!