Mom Vibes

Before I get into my blog ... I picked up these unusual and gorgeous roses after work for a friend who's had some rough emotional times over the past several days. If you love them like I do, get to Metro Market in Plover. I don't do endorsements, but I'm just sharing because I couldn't stop staring. So pretty!

I did have flowers on the mind already today because we're closing in on the anniversary death of my mother, who loved flowers – and could keep them alive!

So today I dressed in homage to Mom. Purple shirt (her favorite color) and my "new" floral pants from Goodwill! The crocheted necklace I'm wearing is one I found in her jewelry box while we were cleaning out her apartment. 10-to-1 odds it was something she got at a thrift store or garage sale! Oh, I am my mother's daughter, ha. 

Still, it worked.

(Sorry I took it in a restroom at work. Needed a full-length mirror!)

Two years ago today was a Monday. I had spent the weekend Up North visiting Mom in the hospital and had no idea when she beat me at cards that it would be the last time she'd be the winner. And the last time I'd get an "I love you" and hug goodbye.

She was 100% interactive and alert. 

Three days later, though, when I raced back up there on May 22, she was unresponsive and my "I love you" and hug goodbye were one-sided. She passed away by the time I got back to Wisconsin Rapids that evening.

May and June are tough. Because sandwiched in between Mother's Day and Father's Day are the anniversaries of my parents' deaths. Then throw in Memorial Day. I recently mentioned Dad was quite a patriot and respected the flag so much... and he actually died on a Memorial Day. 

Uff da. 

Just reminds me that Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas aren't the only holidays that can hit hard for those who grieve. 

If you're not an adult orphan yet (and lucky you), please don't waste time on grudges or silly misunderstandings that might come between you and your parents. Embrace them, treasure them, and thank them for being there.

So many of us wish we could do the same!

And We All Fall Down

After getting delayed on my commute by at least 20 minutes today just trying to navigate through Plover, I was reminded in the back of mind about a Michael Douglas movie where he totally lost it in a traffic jam. I get you, man.

With some quick research, thank you Google, I realized it was called Falling Down and released in 1993. They labeled it "The adventures of an ordinary man at war with the everyday world." That's most of us every day, isn't it?

I'm not sure why I went to see it in the theater other than there were few entertainment options then. Plus I was single and some guy probably promised me popcorn. Ha.

In the movie, his character is desperately trying to get to the birthday party of his daughter (living with his ex-wife) and basically has a breakdown and leaves his car in a traffic jam in Los Angeles and decides to walk. 

While I do need my steps, I was in no mood to get out and walk – first it was still 10 miles to work. And secondly, the temps dropped down to just a high of like 52 today. I will cope with my impatience in my heated driver's seat, thank you.

But it probably did fuel my attitude for day where I was pretty impatient with some people who had no time to acknowledge or appreciate my offer to help, etc. Some days are like that. Are our mid-50s the age we lose our filter to NOT get defensive about things like that? I think so. 

And I hate that and I regret that.

But am I ready (well, mature enough) to extend an olive branch? Knowing my luck, it would blow away in these cold spring winds.

Lord, help me!

WWW (What's With the Wind)?

I haven't been living under a rock. Though I try to most of time. But what's with the wind? I swear it's been like windy all the time going on 3+ years.

I just stumbled across a forecast for "marginal" (thankfully) chances of hail and strong wind tonight. Can I just go to bed one night safe in the knowledge I'll have electricity in the morning? No one wants to see me in the office without my hair curled. It was bad enough I showed up at Book Club tonight with my Monday work-from-home unwashed and randomly braided hair!

I didn't even know how to apologize.

But since our book was about witches, I sort of fit in. Yep from wind to brooms and witches, I guess it all ties together.

This month's discussion was on How to Kill a Witch: The Patriarchy's Guide to Silencing Women by Zoe Venditozzi and Claire Mitchell, hosts of the popular Witches of Scotland podcast. I've told you several times our books run quite the gamut. We rotate who chooses the book each month so it often is something we'd never personally choose – but also opens our eyes and minds to subjects we didn't know we'd benefit from learning about.

In this book, which I considered a little more like a history book than a novel, the authors unravel the grim yet absurdly bureaucratic process of identifying, accusing, trying, and executing women as witches. There was possibly a little too much detail for this "fainting goat" about how they were burned at the stake and what happened to their bodies in the process. But otherwise, interesting! If that's an area of interest for you, check it out!

Of course, as we cackled in our coven we call a book club, I think we were in agreement not to let any of our husbands or kids read this.

Like the weatherman says: Safety first!

Be careful out there!

Soggy Sunday

Today was the extreme opposite of our sunny and 85-degree Saturday. It was rain all day and maybe a high of 55. Welcome to "spring" in Wisconsin!

So we did indoor things. Went to church. And I plunked down on the recliner under a fuzzy blanket and watched golf and the Twins-Brewers game (yay, Twins)... and perhaps napped here and there. Not a bad life. Ha.

Tonight we went to a meeting at TriCity golf course for our upcoming couples league. That should be fun again this summer as long as it's nothing like today's weather!

Now I have time to watch at least one mindless rom-com before going to bed. Look at me being so agile with Mother Nature's moods! Hope we all can do the same in the coming days!

Happy Satur-Dane

I don't know my father's thoughts on Danes. His only remark one time (as a 50/50 Swede and Norwegian) was about "goofy Finlanders."

Today I spent the day in a historic building called Danes Hall in Waupaca. Apparently lots of Danes settled in this town 45 minutes away. First time at the hall. An impressive facility that can accommodate a ceremony and reception on the third floor, an area to relax for appetizers on the second floor, and a popular bar in the bottom floor known as The Cellar. 

Every time I swear off shooting wedding photos, I cave to another request. This time to one of hubby's cousin's kids who lives on the East Coast but wanted something close to the bride's hometown in Waupaca.

Today was sunny and 84 degrees – the warmest day this year – but sun is not always a photographer's friend. So I did take most of the pictures inside the nice venue but took a few dozen outside with the couple. 

Although I am the cheapest photographer around, I still want to prove my worth and deliver good photos.

What I liked about this one is that I framed an angel on their shoulders to represent Grandma Batch, who is my mother-in-law's sister. Both are gone now. For the bride, I think/hope this picture means a lot! I know it will to Uncle Richard, who tearfully hugged me while commenting, "This is so hard to experience without Batch. She'd be so happy."

Sometimes in the chaos of all things weddings, we might forget how much the occasion means beyond the immediate family and friends. It's good to remember the feelings of grandparents who were overjoyed for the first times to be called Grandpa and Grandma. These "young people" are the world to them! 

Just pointing that out since I have several brides planning in 2026 and 2027 and I knew your grandparents who have gone. Also, I know for 99.9% certainty that y'all have better things to do than read my blog! LOL. Well, I did my part!

#hugyourfamily

A Patriotic PTO

Some of us of a certain age can appreciate the 250th "birthday of the USA" because we there to celebrate the 200th... the Bicentennial!

This picture may appear again this year... but my twin and I sang some song related to the Christian flag rather than the USA flag that day, and I have no idea. Other than.... look how cute we were!

First on my agenda today... I had to participate in America's REAL favorite pastime. Sorry, not baseball, but golf!

I took the day off and my friend and neighbor Marigene and I took our "pets" for a walk! That worked out great! #SoMuchRustToShakeOff

Afterward, I headed to my destination of flower shopping. My hair artist clued me into a place last week that was amazing. An Amish farm/greenhouse that no only had impressive blooming flowers, but special displays and very helpful staff.

I did have a few other stops, but I think I was privileged to finally get everything to present a nice 'Merica front deck presence.... 

For now, just know 'Lene and I are not going to perform any songs about it!

Hidden Talents

My first hidden talent today was learning that I am a "good bleeder"... this is after a simple finger prick that turned into a good half hour of "bleeding out" (in my dramatic opinion) and hoping not to faint just to test our cholesterol and all that jazz for a work health program.

Thankfully some old friends had my back and I survived mostly unscathed except for a little down time on a couch in a lactation room (all these things exist in today's corporate America) and some stomach upheaval. 

Still waiting for my gold star for being such a great and generous bleeder!

After work, it was a bee line to Robinson Park for Senior Night for our Lady Royals. Every time I think I'm 100% aging out of this school, I think of the current squad that moves my heart with their hearts of dedication and hard work for Assumption. Congrats, Ari and my R sister. I will miss the heck out of you!

After that, I was able to finally stop at soccer a bit so I could get some pictures to Mr. Yearbook. That was a little bit more affirming that we are getting old and don't know most of these "young kids" anymore. Still, was fun to see.

Then, while I was editing and uploading photos tonight I hear some very young voices and realize we are watching our youngest next-door neighbors for a spell because of a sort of family emergency. Their hidden talents: Endless energy!

I realize we really don't have any toys around here any more. But we may have turned them into zombies by the time they left. Side note: I'd give anything for the energy of a 3-year-old. Wow. 

Good thing I don't have to set an alarm tomorrow!