Coffee Time Musings

Another fabulous indian summer day, and I have ridden into town to spend some time at my favorite coffee shop, Cafe Milano. I'm the only one in here right now.

I dropped my old Subaru off at the car mechanic this morning, hoping they can tell me why the check engine light is on and it's having trouble accelerating, stuttering a bit. The check engine light has been on for quite a while but now it's actually flashing at me so maybe it's serious.

I while back I bought one of those electronic picture contraptions that will show an ongoing slide show, thinking my dad might enjoy seeing old pictures. I loaded it up with all of the old Whittington and Hagley pictures I could find. Still I was a bit worried that he would reject it, being one of those new-fangled things that he doesn't understand. But all he has to do is plug it in, and.... he loves it! He comments over and over about some of the old pictures.... mom and him on their first date, on their honeymoon, his dogs Rascal and Skipper, Fuddy Cat, Buckshot ("my" horse that he took care of). It has sparked a few stories I hadn't heard before. I am so glad I got this for him!

I did a 32 mile bike ride on Saturday and then was so tired the next day I spent it watching TV with my dad, which I know he appreciates. Jaws 2, Jaws 3, Hee-Haw. Lawrence Welk. Marty Stuart. The Porter Waggoner show.

It's hard to believe, but a restaurant that has been here nearly all my life has gone out of business. I will always think of it as "Tony's" but it's been through several name changes and in recent years I think it was The Texan. I have so many fond memories of going there with my mom; we'd always find some excuse to go there when we went to town, and we always saw someone we knew. And in more recent years, it was the place my dad and I went for breakfast. A year or so ago I talked to a waitress who said she'd worked there for more than 30 years. Sad to see it go.

Here are a few pictures from the bike ride

Dow Chemical Founders Garden, with Dow in the background

Pretty purple flowers by the downtown boat launch.

Michigan Again

Back in Michigan again for a month. Fabulous early fall weather, 70's and sunshine, with a little bit of color showing up in the trees already.

This morning I took my dad into town for his coumadin check (OK, although he is having a lot of bruising on his arms) and lunch at BK. Then back home to inventory the cooking supplies and plan some meals, now at the coffee shop prior to heading to the grocery store. I ordered a small Milano's Addiction (10 oz latte with 2 shots) but he gave me a large instead (16 oz with omg FOUR shots) and of course I have to drink all of it. I may be up late tonight.

Dad seems about the same although he says he is he is having more trouble getting around. I suppose I will have to have the assisted living talk with him pretty soon. But his mind is still good and he can still take care of himself and his cats.

Which he now has four of, one of them a kitten who was born feral, and who's mom has now disappeared. "Buffy" is very fuzzy, probably going to have long-ish hair. It's hard to say how tame he/she (don't know yet) will become but at least he will come in the same room with us to eat, although if I make any move or sound at all he will run. But that's pretty much the way Tiger used to be, and he now will let me pet him as long as I don't make any sudden moves. The eldest, Snoopy, is 15 and has apparently stopped grooming himself since I was here last, so I don't expect him to be around too many more years.

I got the new customized stem for my Bike Friday, which will make it much more comfortable. The color really doesn't match... lemon yellow stem with more of a gold for the rest of the bike.... but I don't care enough about it to complain. One of these years I'm going to send the whole bike in for repainting anyway.

I was wondering how I would get from Flint to Midland for my trip here, and had sent out a plea to just about the only 4 people I know here anymore (2 cousins, my old HS math teacher, and a HS friend), asking if they would consider picking me up. And every one of them said yes, bless their hearts, although there were a couple of schedule conflicts. Then I found out I could rent a car one way for less than $40, which is about what it would cost in gas for a round trip to Flint anyway, so that's what I did. Took it back to the local airport the next day and cousin Pat met me there and took me back to dad's house.  Cannot seem to find a deal like that for the way home but my high school friend Donna said she would be happy to drive me back. Nice people, gives me a nice warm feeling.