Book Club on Eagle Springs Lake

On the next to last day of our month-long stay at the John Day home on Eagle Springs Lake, we had the gang out for lunch and a discussion of the book, "The Invisible Wall," by Harry Bernstein. It is the story of his childhood growing up in poverty in England on a street where Jews lived on one side and Christians on the other.

It was the start of his success as an author at the age of 96 and was written to help him overcome his grief at the loss of Ruby, his wife of 67 years. He went on to write two more books, "The Dream" and "The Golden Willow."





Harry is sitting on the lap of his mother. Lilly is on the right and Rose on the left. Saul is left front and Joe on the right.




     Ruby and Harry in the early 40's in New York.





    Harry at 98 enjoying the adulation of a book club gathering.

Our book club on the front porch on Eagle Springs Lake. Still getting together after 38 years.
We said our goodbyes as we leave beautiful Wisconsin for a drive back to Sun City Vistoso in Tucson, AZ after being gone for three months.

Location:Lake Dr,Eagle,United States

Old World Wisconsin

After the Fay's arrived from Baltimore, the fun began. Since our summer home is only 3 miles from Old World Wisconsin, we took a day to explore.

A tornado leveled over 2,500 trees in OWW in June. But they missed all the historic buildings and they were back in business. It is really a marvelous historic experience to visit working farms from over 150 years ago. The grandkids really enjoyed it.

Lots of hands on experiences for kids. Here is Ceci playing with a toy.





The old fashioned wooden tops were fun to learn how to operate.



Owen, Katherine, Laura





I tried this puzzle and worked on it for a long time. Christopher solved it in about 5 minutes. And I thought I was good at this stuff.




Owen showed us how to play checkers.






Using a slate in the school room was fun. It was about the size of an iPad.
A slate marker is used to write on a slate tablet.




Guess what the girls wanted from the gift shop.

It was really fun to have the Miller's and Fay's for five days.




Linda, Christopher, Karen, and Jeannine

Miller Clan Arrives

This last Saturday, the Miller Clan came up for a day at the lake. This was the first time they had come to see us in our new rental home for the month of August. We are very happy in our peaceful lake home with no TV. We often eat out on the screened porch overlooking the lake.










When the Miller's arrived we had lunch ready on the BBQ. For the afternoon we all went swimming in nearby Mukwonago county park.









The water was clean and warm. Ceci and Christopher enjoyed playing with Jeff.









Katherine is growing up and will be in the 3rd grade this year.









Ceci will enter preschool this year.








Christopher is taking after granddad Miller -- he has grown to be a big boy. He is 5' 1" and 95 pounds and will be going into the 6th grade. He will be 12 in October.











But still they are no match for papa Jeff. But they never stop trying. They will be coming back in a week when the Fay's arrive from Baltimore. Then so long to peace and quiet.

Eagle Springs Lake Home

We arrived August 1st for a month long stay at our rental home on Eagle Springs Lake-- just south of the town of Eagle and west of Mukwonago.






Each evening we go down to the dock and take the canoe out for a paddle to various parts of the lake and into the connecting Lulu Lake.





Linda sits in front and I sit in back to paddle and steer.





We watch the sun set over the trees along the shore and then head home.









To get here, take County Rd Lo out of Mukwonago going west. In about 6 miles you will come to county road E. Go straight on Lo for about one mile. Turn left onto Lake Dr which is just before the road to Eagle Springs Golf Resort. Go until you see a fork in the road. Go left down the road past a pond and drive to the end. You have arrived. The address is W351 S10298 Lake Drive Eagle 53119.










See you soon.

Vernon Farm Weekend

When we moved to Racine Wisconsin, 40 years ago, and joined a couples bookclub soon thereafter, we certainly didn't expect it would last this long. But it did. On our return to Racine this summer, we were able to be present for several gatherings of the group. This past weekend it was at the annual Vernon Farm in Spring Green Wi. We attended our usual matinee at the American Players Summer Theater. This year the play was "As You Like It."









But most of the time, we sit on the porch and recall the 'good old days' and bemoan the present state of affairs.








Lucky for us, we are mostly bleeding heart liberals, so we reaffirm each other's positions rather than argue. There was a crack in the Obama armour for the first time.








We take turns preparing meals for all. This gives Morris a chance to show off his special culinary skill -- making pancakes.







On the Sunday, we depart back to our busy retirement lives filled up with food and memories for another year.

Location:Spring Green Wi

Linda's 69th Birthday

We had some visitors at our Bong State Park campsite in Wisconsin. Karen brought up Katherine and Ceci for the day. We went swimming.






Then Katherine stayed the night and we played poker. She loves this game and usually takes all our chips. But this time she had a streak of bad luck and went bankrupt.

We celebrated Linda's 69th Birthday with dinner out at BJ Wentker's in Burlington. She got a surprise present.





We've shared many things,
in the life we have had.
But wouldn't it be nice,
to have your own iPad.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEETHEART!

International Native American Flute Festival

We arrived in Eau Claire and located our campsite in Wissota State Park, north of town. Drove back to the Haas Music Center for the first of four nightly concerts with some of the world's top native american flute performers.




Linda discovered she had a bad bruise to her bottom from a fall at Jeannine's house. It was not healing as expected, probably due to the blood thinning medication she takes. She saw a doctor at the Marshfield clinic to make sure there were no broken bones. It appears that a full recovery will take up to three weeks. A real pain in the butt. No physical activity.

On Friday night, Rhonda Larson, a professional classical flutist who is breaking out into new forms of expression, including the native american flute, put on a remarkable performance. I had attended her class during the day on the "Art of the Performance," and she followed her own advice to the tee and won over the audience with grace and skill.




She began playing the flute at the age of 10 and she estimates she has spent half of her life in practice rooms. And it payed off -- she made it to Carnegie Hall. I bought her CD.

On Friday, I decided to bike the 32 miles on back roads to the campus. On the way, I met a fellow biker, Karen, who helped me find a bike path into the campus once close to town. She told me about the fabulous farmer's market which we visited today and bought fresh vegetables, cheese, and organic blueberries. Like Madison, Eau Claire is a bike friendly town with bike paths though out.





We visited the infamous Water Street which looks very nice these days. I'm sure both Karen and Jeannine remember it well from their college days here.

Back in Wisconsin

Just got back to Wisconsin after a 12 day visit with Jeannine's family in Baltimore. Got to know our two wonderful grandkids Owen and Laura a bit more. The Fay's took off for Australia for a few weeks just after we left.

Took three easy days coming back staying is state parks along the way. Today we are at Capitol Spring SP just 4 miles outside Madison. I went for a bike ride while Linda went to town to get a hair cut. Dinned out tonight a Bahn Thai for dinner -- a good meal.

Tomorrow we are off to Eau Claire and the International Native American Flute Festival. Be there until Sunday, then back to Book Club on Wednesday.

On my ride today, I ran into Daisy on the bike path in Madison. Ah cows and bikes, what could be better!!!!!

Norman Rockwell Exhibit in Washington DC

Today we braved the 105 degree heat to board the train for the Smithsonian’s American Art Museum in Washington DC and view “Telling Stories: Norman Rockwell From the Collections of George Lucas and Steven Spielberg."





Made up of 57 Rockwell paintings and drawings — 34 from Lucas’ collection and 23 from Spielberg’s — the exhibition offers Rockwell’s idealized view of America through a series of magazine covers in Saturday Evening Post and Look.

Of course we all remember many of the Saturday Evening Post's when they first arrived at home in the mail. The museum did a great job putting the collection of original works on display. There was also a 20 minute introduction from Spielberg and Lucas. Turns out that many of these pieces were inspirational to both film makers. Each cover told a story with a single frame -- something they both strived to do the same with more frames in film.

If you can't make it to Washington, here is the link to the exhibit to view online.

http://americanart.si.edu/exhibitions/archive/2010/rockwell/

And my photo's for the day

http://picasaweb.google.com/dpiele/TripToWashingtonDCJuly62010#

4th of July in Baltimore

Spent the 4th in Baltimore with Michael, Jeannine, Laura and Owen.






Drums and bells and bugles
marching down the street,
pounding out the rhythm
for a hundred tired feet.

Here come the dancing girls
swaying to and fro,
costumes fitting snuggly
(with zero room to grow).

The old cars passing slowly,
proud drivers at the wheel;
they've spent a thousand hours
adding luster to old steel.

Here come the horses prancing
with saddles that amaze,
on top each horse's rider
in colors all ablaze.

Here come the politicians
looking for your vote;
they offer hugs and kisses,
throw candy off the float.

Then comes the corp of this parade,
marching down the street;
when at last the veterans pass,
all rise to their feet.

The sun shines brightly on the flag
bringing up the rear;
we left for home so thankful
for the parade again this year.


Photos at

http://picasaweb.google.com/dpiele/4thOfJulyParadeInBaltimore

Patopsco Valley State Park

On the road ---

We found a park near Baltimore called Patapsco Valley State Park where we parked the RV for a few days. It has a warm, slow moving river for swimming where we took Laura and Owen Fay yesterday. Both grandkids knew how to float on their backs and let the current take them down stream. The weather this week is ideal -- 80+ degrees and no humidity. But looks like it may heat up by the 4th.

Here are the photos, best viewed as a slide show.

http://picasaweb.google.com/dpiele/PatapscoRiverMD#

Don

PS

A link that combines a couple of my favorite sports (tennis and verse)

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/01/sports/tennis/01wimbledonpoet.html?src=mv

Firebaugh 50th Wedding Anniversary

Our good friends, Joyce and Morris Firebaugh, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at the Racine Yacht Club tonight. For many years, starting in 1979, our two families shared many biking and hiking vacations together. I created an album of photos called "50th Tour de Firebaugh". Included was a verse which I wrote for the occasion.









Good Memories

Mounting up on bikes we rambled,
Over hill and over dale.
Biking roads with bends and windings
Going deep into the vale.
Passing farms with cows a grazing,
Stopping when a pies for sale.
Cooling off in waters rushing,
Praying that our legs don't fail.

Gearing up with packs we rambled,
Over trails and mountain tops.
Hiking ever on and upward,
When it's cool and when it's not.
Passing fields of wild flowers,
Stopping often for the view.
Pitching tents near cool waters,
Sleeping soundly to renew.

Many highs and sure some lows,
We never ever came to blows.
The young ones followed as they must,
With maybe just a little fuss.
We swam, we fished, washed our hair,
Our needs so simple, food and air.
Looking back it was so sweet,
Our kids impression, we're just cheap.

In route we had some famous spills,
Going fast down winding hills.
Gravel caused one fateful crash,
Susie's side picked up road rash.
But all our kids turned out OK,
Did we help them find their way?
Good memories for a lifetime last,
With the Firebaugh's, it was a blast.
____________________________________
Photos of the evening event can be viewed at

http://picasaweb.google.com/dpiele/Firebaugh50thWeddingAnniversary#

Father's Day

On Father's Day, Linda took us all out for breakfast at the Blind Faith Cafe in Evanston. We came back to the Miller home and I got treated to a swing with granddaughter Ceci.

Afterwards the Miller's decided to come out to see our camping spot at Illinois Beach State Park near Zion, Il. It's on five miles of prime Lake Michigan shoreline with miles of hiking and biking trails. We played at the beach, took a walk in the park, and had lunch served to us. Jeff and I didn't have to raise a finger. It was a relaxing Father's Day.

47th Wedding Anniversary

47th Anniversary -- June 15

It was hot in the desert, the day we were wed,
Two score and seven years past.
With little idea of the road up ahead,
We packed up and stepped on the gas.

We raised our two daughters, in the Midwest,
Two careers and a meal each day.
Now they have a nest, we're taking a rest,
Moving on in our RV to play.

We settled in Tucson, friends and new faces,
Returning home to the West.
Now looking back, over all of the places,
Our hot desert start was the best.

Bozeman, Montana

Friday, around 5 pm, we pulled off I-90 into the Walmart parking lot in Bozeman, Montana. This was our first stop at 'Camp Walmart' and we joined several other rigs parked for the night. Yep!, an Ipad app, recommended the Naked Noodle for dinner so we unhooked the tow car and drove to town. Downtown was packed with "Art Walk" walkers hopping in and out of the galleries lining Main street. It was about 50 degrees outside but I has dressed in shorts as if I was back in Tucson.



Bozeman is a small college town with a major research university - Montana State U. We entered the Naked Noodle and it felt like being on State St in Madison. Linda got in line to order off the menu on the wall and I headed for the one remaining table. No sooner than I sat down and pulled out my Ipad than this guy comes over and wants a demonstration. So of course I oblige. I always start with the NY Times app since we use it constantly to keep up with what's happening in the world. Next he wants to see how to read and listen to books, so I demo those apps. Then he asks about Pandora. "Sure, let's take a look."




Up comes Pandora with my list of radio stations that play, Patsy Cline, Nate King Cole, Billie Holiday, and Bob Dylan. He clicks on Bob Dylan and within seconds over the speaker comes, "Like a Rolling Stone." He motions to his girl friend to come hear this. "You know I met this gal on the Internet and in courting her I recited, from memory, The Love Song of J Alfred Prufrock, by T. S. Eliot. In response, she recited 'Subterranean Homesick Blues' by Bob Dylan. BAM! that did it, a perfect fit."



After dinner we walked around town peeking in on one of the galleries before heading back to Walmart. When we arrived, I discovered we had left the headlights on the RV on for about 3 hours. Tried to start it and couldn't get it to crank over. Luckily, Walmart sells batteries and will charge any battery for free. I took my dead battery out, put it in a grocery cart, and wheeled it to the battery center. Next morning it was charged and ready to go. I installed it and we were off.

The Real McCoys

My cousin Miles McCoy was raised in Seattle, where his family were avid sailors. As a young man, he crewed on racing boats to the Hawaiian Islands. He eventually sailed all over the world, sometimes on the sail boat his dad bought when Miles was fourteen, often sailing swank sailboats for others. If you would like to hear a great story about the New York Yacht Club, then Miles is your man. Boats have been his life.




He has lived on Orcas island for over 50 years. Forty-nine years ago he married Louellen and brought her to his small homemade abode on the water. Together they carved out a life on the island. Enlarging their home by hand, raising two children, growing their own food, cutting and splitting the wood needed for warmth, and generally living close to the earth.





Living on an Island year around requires a good dose of self reliance. While he earned money by sailing boats for others, he found he needed a more reliable way to put groceries on the table, so he took an upholstery class, built his own shop out back and bought a heavy-duty sewing machine made in 1929. He became an expert upholstery maker specializing in canvas cushions for boats. Louellen also worked in this business. Documenting her many other endeavors is beyond the scope of this blog; she could and should write a book. For starters, she played the piano for the island choral society for 29 years and continues to practice and perform with a trio. She had been interested in horses from an early age, so she acquired a horse and a buggy, took classes, trained, and competed in all sorts of events. Last year she was asked to mount an exhibition of her photographs and sold a good number. You get the picture.




Both volunteered their time for various boards and events on the island. Among other things, Miles was a volunteer fireman for many years.

Next year Miles will turn 80, having outlived most of his friends on the island. He still enjoys splitting and stacking all of his wood and building three fires daily and excels at telling tales about places and people. We especially delighted in his pungent characterizations of character. Louellen keeps busy with her music and supporting many island activities. Their large vegetable garden provides lots of the groceries they need. They buy raw milk, fresh eggs, and island-raised lamb and beef, make their own bread, set traps for crabs and shrimp... Water comes from a well, black water goes into a septic tank.

Their home is built on large pilings. Inside, it is both elegant and cozy, and everything, starting with the book cases made from driftwood that was floating by, has a story. Their view of the water is 180 degrees, but they have a 360 degree take on life. Miles believes fervently that the cause of the Gulf Oil spill is "Us," including himself, because he continues to drive the VW beetle he bought more than 50 years ago.






Linda and I explored the trails in Moran State Park on the island, went sailing with Miles, and Louellen served two marvelous dinners. Our RV was parked on their property and one night we had them over for spaghetti. We spent hours catching up on family stories and even opened up some of his mother's photo albums (Don's aunt). She was the best family record keeper and always had a verse or two to share.





This was the first opportunity we have had to spend any time with Miles and Louellen. We are so happy we did. It was a 2,000 mile trip from Tucson to get here and worth every mile. They are a special couple, as warm as apple pie. They are truly the real McCoy's





-----------------------------------


Off to Orcas, with his bride,
Built a home by the sea.
Up on stilts so not to hide,
A beautiful view you'll agree.

Working together, they built their nest
Out popped a girl and a boy.
Now they are happy to take a rest,
Hats off to the real McCoy.

Pure treasure for us, our visit with you,
Now watch the ads for a coupon.
If winter's cold, makes you blue,
Come visit us down in Tucson.

--------------------------------------------






All of the photos can be viewed at:

http://picasaweb.google.com/dpiele/OrcasIslandWithMilesAndLouellen#

Best viewed as a slide show.




















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