Southern Hospitality

We're back from the home of the Kringle! Had a fun-filled weekend in the southeast corner of Wisconsin! I would say "action packed" but at our age, our version of "action" probably differs from yours!

And we're fine with that.

Our friends Louie and Jeanne picked us up after work Friday, we swung by the Fox Cities to pick up Jeanne's son Korey on the way and got to the Greater Racine Area around 8 p.m.

Our first evening's entertainment could not even be described in a way that would do it justice. In a nutshell, we went to a bowling alley/bar and grill a few blocks from where our friends Mike and Christine live. Dinner was a disaster thanks to a clueless waitress but the karaoke participants soon made us forget that. Wow. I wish I had the self-confidence some people (who shouldn't) have. Funny stuff from no melody man to the "high" guy and a woman with a great voice who really went beyond the raunchy scale. Of course, the evening was capped off with a brilliant "Friends in Low Places" performance by Christine, Korey and backup singer Jeanne. I video recorded it but am holding it for a future blackmail opportunity. Ha.

Saturday was a game day. We had tickets to see Marquette University hosting Providence at the Bradley Center. Stopped off at a place called Sobelman's for pre-game lunch. Great food. They must be famous for their Bloody Mary selection because we saw somebody order one that had an entire fried chicken on top of it! I stuck with Diet Coke, trust me.

Had a great time at the game. I borrowed some Marquette gear from Christine so I would fit in!

Marquette was coming off of a huge upset win over Villanova on Tuesday. So people were pretty excited. But they ended up losing to Providence by one point. Still just fun to be part of the atmosphere!

We knew a few people, too. Jim's cousin Jeff (in blue above) was at the game. As a graduate and former Marquette employee, he has season tickets. Didn't get to see him in person, but we knew where he was sitting. Also ran into a girl friend of Carter's while I was in line at the restroom. Small world!

After the game, we headed back to Racine for some entertainment. Not sure how I noticed it, but when we parked at a saloon, I saw this ice sculpture across the street about half a block away.

Leave it to me to find a lighthouse anywhere! Pretty cool, eh?

Stayed downtown there for a few hours before heading "home" to Mount Pleasant for pizza and visiting. After getting home after midnight on Friday, we were all sacked out by 11 p.m. last night. Yup, we were living it up!

Today was pretty low-key. There is a "Kringle store" nearby so we had some yummy breakfast and even brought a Wisconsin Flavored Kringle home with us.... cranberries, cherries and cream cheese. Yum.

Korey was the man of the morning helping our hosts mount their big TVs on the wall in their living room and basement. Basically one worker, three helpers and three supervisors! Got it done and we were on the road in the early afternoon, with hugs goodbye and promises to get together again soon.

Got home to Rapids about 4:30 p.m. I am already ready for bed. Non-stop socializing can take a lot out of a person.

Of a certain age, that is. And I'm fine with that.