Whazzup

You know, I have no idea. I have been doing a few things. Wednesday was kind of fun. I went to see a baseball game. I was 9 rows off the field. I brought my camera so I could take pictures. Not just of the game but also of my friend throwing out the ceremonial opening pitch. It turns out there were 7 people all together each doing an opening pitch and I captured the moment for everyone and will give them a CD of all the pictures from the day. Did I tell you I am addicted to my camera and taking pictures. Did I mention I want to get a point and shoot now so I can take it on walks, etc. As if I do not already take to many pictures.

Here are a couple of pictures. The first one is a group picture of the 6 Rotary Club Presidents that I will be giving pictures to.


The next one is what I doctored for each person. It shows them pitching their own opening pitch. It also has a caption and a super imposed head shot in the corner. Now I know this is pretty basic stuff but it took me half a day getting everything together.


So that lost me half of the week. Friday was insane and lost me Friday and the whole weekend. Staying up to 2:00 am on Saturday for work IS INSANE! My body can not take it like it used to.

Before this I had Red Wing parade picture, wedding pictures, and other pictures to get ready. I have been in picture overload for at least 2 weeks. I think it is time to just stop and smell the roses... but wait, lots of opportunities to learn how to take fireworks... I am going to run out of disk space!!!

Since I did not share any of the Red Wings Stanley Cup parade before, let me toss in a couple of quick pictures. Here we have #44 Mark Hartigan with one of our newest fans. The last time we took home the cup was 6 years ago so I can safely say this is her first Red Wings parade.


Ah, Brian my boy. He joined the Red Wings about a year ago. He had a pretty decent year. I would say he is an up and coming player for the team. Although in saying that he already has 2 (I believe) Stanley Cups behind him when he played for New Jersey and now one with the Red Wings. What makes him special??? Well to me it is he was born (I think) and raise in the downriver area of Detroit just like me.


This is what it is all about, Lord Stanley's Cup. I have my picture taken with the cup and some day I may even get that picture. The step daughter of someone I work with even had the Stanley Cup at their house. That just goes to show you it is who you know.


Here is a face that only a Detroit Sports fan can love. The Detroit Tigers (our baseball team) mascot wearing a Detroit Red Wings Jersey (our Hockey Team).

This is a view of the front of Comerica Park showing where the above statue is located.


I am trying to catch up on peoples blogs and put out another post for tomorrow. I am so going to get it done. Yes I am.

Requiem

I had the hardest time getting myself all put together for this past weekend. I had a viewing/mass to attend for my friend, I had golfing with my Dad for a belated Father’s Day, I had a celebration of Father’s Day, I had photos I took of a wedding almost a year ago that I wanted to get out even though I really did not like they way they turned out... For one reason or another I just could not get moving. So that scratched going down on Thursday.

Friday morning and I am still going through the pictures and finally calling it complete. I then burnt 6 copies while getting myself ready. My shoelaces needed changing badly and, amazingly, I had a new pair to work with. Of course who had the time. I packed the clothes, the camera, the golf clubs, phone calls to my parents trying to coordinate as they wanted to attend the mass also...

Somehow I managed to get out the door mucho late but I did make it. I got my bearings and made a guesstimate of how long I thought it would take and called my parents. We were meeting near by at a place they knew how to get to and then going the rest of the way together.

Adjusting my speed here and there I actually made it to the meeting point a few minutes early so I could scope things out. When my parents arrived we got them parked and headed the rest of the way in.

The retirement home community was lovely and oh so quiet. It is funny, the guard at the gate asked if anyone needed to be let off closer. Normally that is not a question someone would ask but I suppose in a retirement community that makes sense. Anyway I let my parents off and parked the car.

The chapel was beautiful and much bigger than I was expecting. The first thing I saw was my friend and his family scattered about. The casket with Ruth in it was open for viewing, her husband was right next to her the whole time.

My friends was very touched my parents came. You see even though I have know Paul and his wife for over 30 years now, my parents had only met Ruth once and Joshua their Son and possibly Paul once. My Mom felt she really wanted to come seeing as how this was my best friends parent and also she was real impressed the one time she met Ruth.

The mass was a Requiem mass. Besides the organist that was part of the chapel we had lots of music. We had Ruth’s Sister who played violin. I later learned she was 93 years old and still teaching music students. She was amazing on the violin. There was her one daughter who played a fantastic Steinway, the same that Ruth had always played. Her husband, the choir director, sang several songs. Her three daughters played the violin, cello, and another stringed instrument that I just do not know the name of. My friends middle son, also a choir director, played the guitar and sang as did his daughter (also studying music). At one point my friend sang one hymn. It was just amazing who much music is part of that family.

The grieving was intense, especially just before the casket was closed. I know I probably should not have looked but I could not help it. I so wanted to be there with my friends to try and comfort them in what ever way possible but some things you just can not do.

The priest was had a thick accent and I worried I might have a hard time hearing what he had to say. My worries were for nothing as I heard his message that he kept putting forth. In the end I thought he did a wonderful job (I know that sounds bad but words escape me at the moment).

Afterwards there was a little luncheon and that was real good. Besides the food I think the part I liked the most is hearing all the people in the background sharing lovely stories with each other and with my friend about Ruth. I think that made the luncheon a huge success. Who could ask for anything more.

My friends Dad actually picked his head up a few times from being all slumped over and at one point I could see his lovely blue eyes. I really like my friends Dad but you know, I had no idea he had blue eyes. Anyway I was happy to see my friends Dad actually respond to some people. I can not even imagine how tough that must be to lose a spouse like that.

We talked with my friends for a while and eventually called it a day after I handed off the pictures I had been working on. I know, not the best timing but I also know I probably would not see them anymore over the weekend.

Over all I hate going to a viewing or a funeral. This was out together so wonderfully. I have to feel that Ruth was smiling down on everyone that day.

I will try and catch things up tomorrow on the rest of the weekend. Sorry this went on so long.

Charles Schultz Philosophy!

I got this in email and just had to share. I especially love the quote toward the very end. I will update about the weekend tomorrow.

Schultz Philosophy

The following is the philosophy of Charles Schultz, the creator of the 'Peanuts' comic strip. You don't have to actually answer the questions. Just read the e-mail straight through, and you'll get the point.

1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.

2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.

3. Name the last five winners of Miss America .

4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.

5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor and actress.

6. Name the last decade's worth of World Series winners.

How did you do?

The point is, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday. These are not second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.

Here's another quiz.. See how you do on this one:

1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.

2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.

3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.

4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.

5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.

Easier?

The lesson:

The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones that care.

Pass this on to those people who have made a difference in your life.

'Don't worry about the world coming to an end today. It's already tomorrow in Australia' (Charles Schultz)

Aren't Friends and Family Great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

55Flash Fiction Friday

A hush fell over the audience
as the first note was played

The orchestra was great
but the featured pianist
was why we were here

Now the piano is silent
and it’s time to say our goodbyes
To Ruth B a concert pianist, mother and wife

Rest in piece and best wishes to your family

I miss my friends Mom but I thought I would add I am not all choked up about this. She lived a long life and I think she had a great life. Lately however things were not as nice and it was just her time. I feel for her husband and her family. This has got to be a very hard time on all. And it is even worse for her son, my friend, and not only did his mom just pass but his mother in law passed Mach 30 of this year. It has been a tough year.

Well I will be heading to the Detroit area for the funeral and spend the weekend there which is part of why I am posting this 55Flash Fiction Friday (which I bent all the rules this week) early. I might be on however as I intend to take my computer with me. I have some photos from a wedding almost a year ago I am trying to get in order so I can give it to my friends.

Have yourself a lovely weekend. Enjoy the last few days of spring (or fall if you are in the southern hemisphere) as summer (or winter) is just about upon us.

Rest in Peace

I have several people I would consider good friends but only two that I would consider best friends. They both live in Kentucky which is a goof thing because they are married to each other coming up on 28 years now. Well this has not been a great year for them. Fist about 3 months ago her Mom passed on. It is sad to see happen. I really liked both sides of their family and I their Mom pass. Everyone took it so well but you know what it does to one inside.

This morning I got another call, this time from Cincinnati. My friends were on their way up from Kentucky as his Mom has passed away in her sleep. Ruth was a fairly well know, very talented musician. Besides playing in many symphonies and teaching at Interlochen Center for the Arts during the summers, she also had many students. She was known and loved by many. She raised three children, one being my best friend. While music is not what he does for a living he has been inspired by it and it has helped shape his life. While his oldest son did not follow the music that seems to be in their blood, his two youngest did. His youngest is in UK now studying vocal and more. His middle child graduated from UK and is now vocal director at a near by high school. Her two daughters both were involved in music with one of them doctoring in it. Her husband and her three children all are involved in music both playing and other ways.

One of my favorite memories of her was when she was in a concert with her two daughters. There were three lovely pianos on stage and an orchestra. It was a wonderful night and meeting back stage afterwards was wonderful cause you see one daughter lived in New York and the other lived down south so they would so rarely get together. Most of the families were there and it was just a magical night.

Besides her wonderful talent, Ruth was always wonderful to me. One time she rented a Santa Suit and had me come over her house and play Santa to her grand child. I am not sure who had more fun, me, my godchild, or her. She has touched many lives. She will be missed. I just hope I can get the time off from work so I can see her one last time and be with my friends.Rest in peace Ruth.

So There You Are

I beat feet down to Detroit Thursday night so I could see the Detroit Red Wings STanley Cup Parade that was scheduled for Friday morning at 11:00 am. I must say it was interesting. There were tons of people everywhere but not so many that it was tough to see.

We arrived about 9:15 and snuck in the back way. We parked about 3 blocks away from the parade route and mosied up to what we would call home for the next several hours. Not bad, we were within a few of the front of the line. Certainly we would get wonderful pictures. Then it happened...

The boys (and girls) in blue stepped in. They told the people that we accross the street that they had to move. Some had been there for 5 or 6 hours at this point. And now there was no where for them to go and get good seats. A few people refused to move and were told move it or get a $500 ticket.

At the same time this debackel was happening they were telling us that we could move up becuase this section of the road we were by was closing and we could be there. We took them up on this. Of course within 30 minutes they were telling us to move back. Then move back 10 feet. Then they told the people they could go back on the other side of the road again. What a total lack of coordination. Either that or they are trying to make sure we got our exercise in.

I got to see the players and coaches and Karen Newman (National singer out of Detroit known for singing the National Anthum before Detroit Red Wings home games), some council people, ad people and much more. Over all it was a nice time and I am so glad I went with the Brother in Law. We had a good time.

Afterwards we made our way home we tackled the swimming pool. It took the whole afternoon and we were tired puppies but we get the cover off and were filling the water (we lost a lot of water to the cover with the leak) when the storm hit. It was not real bad and thank goodness the first storm that came through missed. We only had a little over a foot of water in the pool and would have losed the pool for sure. Saturday was recovery day from Friday and finish getting the pool ready which we used on Sunday. It felt so nice. Then it happened.

A really big storm hit. It hit hard and very fast and ... equally quicly was done except for normal rain. The real bad weather had went through where I live earlier in the day and headed North of Detroit. They got slammed pretty bad. When I got home I discovered my neck of the woods had been hit pretty bad too and ... I HAD NO POWER. After opening the house and hoping for a breeze (which I did not get) I went to sleep. Well to rest would be more accurate. I doubt I slept much at all with how warm it was in the house. I really hate it to be above 70 (72 in a pinch) when I try to sleep. After I made it through the night I ended up noticing a good size tree went down next to me. I also saw the blackout was a bit larger than I realized.

Between work and sleeping (or trying to) I made it through the blackout. I woke up at 4:45 am Tuesday morning to see me touche lamp lit (meaning the 36 hour blackout was over). I am afraid I can not say the same for the food in the fridge and freezer as most of it is spoiled.

I will see if I can add a few pictures after I get things organized. Needless to say I am behind on EVERYTHING!

Lord Stanley's Cup, Home Where it Belongs

I will follow up on this blog post after I go get a copy of several of the local news papers but Yahoo!!! the boys finally pulled it off and are bringing home Lord Stanley's Cup where it belongs. The Penguins fought a hard battle but the wings managed to be just a little tougher in the end. And now I have a new hero.


Number 28 Brian Rafalski. Like me he was born and raise in Downriver only he hails from Dearborn. He was just acquired by the Red Wings on my Birthday last year. See I had another birthday present that I did not even realize from when I turned the big 5 0. Now he did not score the most goals. Of the Stanley Cup finals (6 games) he only scored a goal in each of the last two games. He only had a handful of assists but still I noticed he was around when good things were happening. I think he is going to do real great things for the Wings in the future. I am sure glad he could come home from the NJ Devils where he had been.

Well off to visit a couple more blogs and pick up a few news papers. WooHoo!!!