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?

 

A Drive Down Memory Lane on Milwaukee's Lake Drive

We have been in Milwaukee since Thursday and have had a really nice time visiting neighbors, friends, and colleagues. Today we went to breakfast and decided to take a ride along Lake Drive starting from downtown. We traveled this way so many times in the last thirty years. It was a little cloudy and only in the low 70's in July. That's one reason we moved to a warmer climate. But the ride from the back seat of the car was fun. It started at the Pabst Theatre where we saw The Christmas Carol a few times; past City Hall - still under construction; by the Calatrava and art museum to the beach. A volleyball tournament was going on; the beach goers were having a whack at it; and the coffee lovers had ample opportunity to enjoy it all from several venues. Along Lake Drive are the stately mansions along the north shore; neighborhood parks overlooking Lake Michigan; and a return trip heading back home. The Hoan Bridge is under construction and underneath it is the last day of the famous Summerfest.  The skyline is all too familiar but seems so different now. We moved to DC eight years ago and it's definitely not at all like Milwaukee, which was the reason I started the blog. It's hard to believe we lived here for thirty years. I wish we could transplant all the people we know and grew up with there. That is definitely the one thing we miss the most. 

Reza's in Chicago

We haven't been there in eight years. We used to go to Reza's Persian Restaurant about every two or three months when we lived in Milwaukee over a thirty year period. We are visiting our old homestead in the Midwest for the weekend. It's been so nice seeing neighbors, friends, and colleagues. But tonight our dear friends planned an outing for dinner in Chicago at Reza's. The ride from Milwaukee to Chicago was so familiar as we have taken it so many times before. Every Christmas time we stayed in Chicago for my birthday and ended up at Reza's. We took out of town family members there when they came to visit us. It was a very familiar place. Once inside, the restaurant was the same, and it was packed. There was so much food left over we decided to cancel lunch reservations for tomorrow and try to finish up the kabobs and other tasty items instead. It's not so much the place but the people and times in our life that we spent there. It was such a treat to go once again. This time we were the guests. 

 

Happy 65th Wedding Anniversary

It was July 4, 1949 on a very hot summer day in Fall River, Massachusetts- the day my parents got married. There was no air conditioning but there were big blocks of ice to try to stay cool. Fifteen years ago we all reunited in Boston for a fifty year wedding anniversary party. It's hard to believe all this time has passed and many of the people who attended the event are no longer with us. It's so nice my parents have been together this long. I'm wishing them happy years ahead. 

The Old Homestead

Every year or two we make the pilgrimage to our old town. We lived in Milwaukee thirty years. Unfortunately that means a trip to the airport - not something I like. But once the hassles of getting there are done, it's so nice to see some of our favorite people. We really miss them since we moved to DC. There is something about the Midwest. We stay with our neighbors and this trip we will also be visiting with many friends and past colleagues. It seems a lot of people we know are leaving DC for Arizona and Virginia. I'm not sure when it will be our turn. So until that happens we'll keep making these little trips because I have a feeling we won't ever move back here. We may even end up staying where we are - and I'm not sure how I feel about it. 

The Surprise Package from Las Vegas

We usually know when to expect packages during most of the year because we usually send them to ourselves through Amazon. Yesterday an unusual parcel arrived via UPS. I had a feeling I knew what it was but my husband didn't. It was addressed to him and it originated from Las Vegas. Since we don't know anyone from around there I already jumped to conclusions but kept him guessing. It was about a foot long but very light. It was also labeled with "refrigerate and perishable" - another clue. When I got home I knew before he even opened it what it was. During the summer months his eye medicine needs to be transported in a cool environment. During the rest of the year it comes in the usual white plastic sleeve that all the rest of the medications come in. There is something fun about receiving packages - especially when you are not expecting anything. But I have to say this was a big disappointment. 

Amber Waves of Grain at the US Botanical Garden

Across from the House of Representative Building on Independence Avenue is the US Botanical Garden. We walk through it with great regularity and drive by it even more. The Disabled Veterans Memorial will be dedicated in October - it is being built on Washington Avenue just on the other side of the Botanical Garden. This garden is a great place to see the ever changing flowers as the seasons turn, as well as a rest stop to chat, observe, and even watch the Fourth of July fireworks. Every year is a theme that is incorporated in to the architectural and plant elements.  Last year was a bug theme. This is the year of wheat. Around Bartholdi's fountain, a beautiful array of flowers is generally planted. But this year it is wheat. It is an interesting idea to say the least. Over the last week or two all the annual flowers were planted around the city's landmarks - including wheat. I am curious to see the progress throughout the summer months. It's a cute idea and there is a live exhibit to go along with it. For those who live in the neighborhood and have no green space or patio this is the perfect spot. We had an acre of land in Milwaukee. Luckily we have a small patio here, but we like these spaces all the same.