Care Package from Milwaukee

We lived in the Midwest for thirty years. We moved to DC twelve years ago when I got a job at the Library of Congress. Since then I have kept in touch with several folks I worked with, but also developed closer friendships with others. Whenever we visit Milwaukee there are certain people we always contact and visit. Some of them have come to visit us here in DC, and that happened a few weeks back when a colleague/friend stayed with us a couple of days while on business for Marquette. We worked together in a very large health care system, and I happened to get my master in nursing degree from Marquette. So yesterday when I went to pick up the mail there was an unexpected package waiting for us on the shelf. I knew who it was from right away and both my husband and I were curious to uncover the contents - because Paul has a very unique personality and we knew it would be thoughtfully put together. And wouldn’t you know we were not surprised by what we found - the interesting chocolates, Werther’s Original caramel hard candies, beer nuts, a beer salami, and a Marquette T-shirt. Along with it came a very heartwarming and funny letter that had both my husband and I laughing - and thinking about how nice it is to know someone like Paul. He’s the kind of guy who is uplifting and very nice to know. My husband is now composing a note to rival the one we received. Some of the finest people we know live in Milwaukee. We think about them often and always appreciate their friendship. 

 

Last Day in Milwaukee

On the way to the airport we had a lunch date at Blue's in West Allis. We passed by the Calatrava downtown, and Marquette University where I spent a lot of time getting my masters in nursing a long time ago. The Potawatomi Hotel just opened and we sailed by Miller Park with the retractable roof open. We had to wait half an hour at the restaurant before we sat down to order - the place was packed. If construction is bad in DC it was dreadful in Milwaukee. Every freeway going in any direction was lined with orange barrels. After brunch we passed by the Olympic ice skating rink where the likes of Dan Jansen became a well known figure. Then we saw State Fair  Park! We loved going there almost every year to see the animals, pig races, and admire the cream puffs. We finally arrived at our destination at Mitchell Field and had an uneventful flight back to DC just in time to hit rush hour traffic. Most of the people we saw are now retired. I am not. So we unpacked all our junk and I'm the only one who had to prepare clothes for work tomorrow. I wonder how long this is going to last?