"In his domestic administration my father had this system . . . to keep a journal and insert in it all occurrences of any note . . . A record very pleasant to look at when time begins to efface the memory of events, and very well suited to get us out of perplexity: When was such and such a thing begun? When completed? What retinues came? How long did they stay? Our trips, our absences; marriages; deaths; the receipt of happy or unhappy news . . . An ancient custom, which I think it would be good to revive, each man in each man's home. And I think I am a fool to have neglected it." (Montaigne, Book I, Essay 35 (publ. 1580))
I can scarcely believe it. On 10 August 2018 we return from a trip to Arizona Wilderness to discover in our mailbox the envelope with Luxembourg citizenship designations for Nicole, Patrick and me!! (And there still is time for others to join in!)
Practical value appears nil. But the process was easy thanks to Carol et al. Quite a few other family members are completing the process (including the fine group mentioned here). And the symbolic value is entirely excellent - my mom and Claude Lanners must be smiling down at us with our little dual citizenship achievement here. I like having that connection even more than I had anticipated.
Due to some administrative changes we were not required to travel to Luxembourg for the in-person interview. Which is convenient. But we are disappointed not to have that focal point for a visit. (To be sure we shall find other reasons to visit, hopefully sooner than later.)
As the years pass, I find that I like baseball more and more. This despite pace-of-play issues. Positive changes: "statcast" information is amazing; the super-slo-motion cameras let us see things previously unseen.
The fun has been much enhanced by POC's connection to the D'backs, and POC & NOC living right by the stadium. Super-convenient (and cost-effective) for tickets, parking, fun before and after. Works great.
NOC had a fine pre-game party for us.
2017 expectations for D'backs were low, but the team got off to a fast start, navigated some ups and downs, and eventually clinched a wild-card spot - meaning a one-game playoff with the Colorado Rockies.
most of our crew . . .
Via POC, a group of us bought tickets for the wild-card game - held October 4, 2017. Not that I've attended many high-profile sporting events - but I'm quite sure this was the most fun we've ever had a live sporting event. D'backs won - which was important - but (per line score below) - while they always maintained a lead, they never could quite put away the game. Long game, exciting throughout. The single-elimination format certainly puts the pressure on both teams. Large/lively crowd; our group was fun per usual.
our vantage point . . . full house
Within a couple days we were traveling to visit Kerry & Luis, so we missed the championship series games v. Dodgers; that didn't go so well. But a fun year.
Not surprisingly, we were heading back to St. Joe for trip #4 only three weeks after the prior visit. Reviewing the arc of our four trips: Grandma was doing really well on trip #1 and trip #2; noticeably weaker on trip #3; then obviously near the end on this trip #4. Wonderfully alert and positive, yet not in denial. Just a lot less energy, and the jaundice etc. had really kicked in. She was impressive, and it was another visit that we won’t forget.
On arrival at Mulligan Stew. Was amazed at the number of cars - this is a huge local event.
Fortunately, we arrived in time to catch up with this fine crew. Missing Carol!
Wednesday, August 19
Patricia and I flew into MSP with Chris, where we met Kerry and headed south. (Great, and greatly appreciated, that they traveled, again; Nicole also (she arrived on Friday).) Our goal was to reach St. Joe in time for the “Mulligan Stew” – doubtless the single largest event on the St. Joe parish calendar. The idea was that we could catch up with many family members who were visiting (some leaving shortly after), also catch up with parish/community types, also hang out with Grandma there if she was up to it (she wasn’t), also let PJ, C and K see the Stew event.
Lots of conversation and sipping with all sorts of folks - delightful evening.
PJ had stayed with Grandma; they had a fine chat. On our return - we are looking over some Mulligan Stew photos EMG had located from the 1970s. And had some rhubarb pie!
I don’t recall being at the Stew since sometime in the mid-1970s. Though the parish is smaller, the Stew has grown larger – draws folks from all around the area. Big crowd; cold/windy August evening; highly enjoyable. C, K and I went down to the parish grounds; PJ stayed with Grandma. All of the siblings were there except Carol (per photo), plus many of the next-gen types. Some were leaving during/after the Stew, so focused initially on chatting up that group, including EMG. To the point where the stew was gone by the time we went into the line – had a hot dog! Spoke with various parish folks, then settled into a conversational circle with Charlie, C, K and a smattering of Romie-Capesius-Lane cousins, Joe Illg, etc., for a couple hours, a few beers, and limitless reminiscing and laughter. All this quite delightful, glad K and C had a chance to see what it's like. Back to the St. Joe house – reviewed the day with Grandma, went through some pictures of old-days Stew events, microwaved some stew that had made it back to the fridge. Not bad. But not great. A fun evening.
Thursday, August 20
Pat and Thom Roe visited during breakfast. Lots of chatting throughout the morning. Grandma napped during noontime; I wandered up to hill farm with EMG, Charlie and Houlahan family – tractor rides, climbed a bin, lovely day for all this. All the Minnesota folks left; down to just Charlie, Beth and the four of us. A few tasks in the afternoon – trip to Algona recycling center; gathering even more branches for burn pile on hill farm; supper; dice game; high anticipation for Doc Martin episode only to realize it was preempted by State Fair programming. Oh well. Quiet day, took our opportunities to spend time with Grandma and EMG etc.
Landscaping crew.
Supervisors of landscaping crew.
Friday, August 21
PJ, Beth and K accompanied Grandma to her morning hair appointment in Algona. Charlie, C and I went to Algona – some chatting at Capesius seed shed, then grocery store visit (key task: pick up ingredients to make ham balls). On return – taking advantage of favorable winds (strong from the south) – EMG wanted to light up the humungous burn pile up on the hill farm. So we (EMG, Charlie, C, me) did just that. Some theorizing required getting the blaze going (including gas-soaked carpet strip); no one was singed; big fires are always impressive. So we watched, took photos/video, etc.
Sure, why not toss on some gasoline from an open can? At the 0:40 mark of the video - even with
the wind - things were getting plenty hot near the pickup. Definitely was time to move it
and its collection of flammable cargo.
PJ and K visited the firebugs up on hill farm. Then went to pick up N at Ft. Dodge.
The combination of tractor (F-20) and operator - both are well-seasoned, let's say!
More task-stuff after noon meal. I drove the 4020 to our “home place”. Haven’t had a long-ish tractor ride like that in many decades – it remains a fine way to see the countryside. Charlie and I weed whacked around bins, house and machine shed while EMG mowed with 4020. He gets around great on that machinery. Beth, Patricia, Nicole (picked up by Patricia and Kerry earlier in Ft. Dodge), Chris and Kerry brought lunch over about 5:15. We toured what is left of the house and visited Joe Boy's grave.
Lunch providers showed up just in time.
This interlude at the home place was really nice for me, for a few reasons. One being that EMG seemed to have in mind that we would get the place really cleaned up so that he or we could bring Grandma out to see it for what probably would be one last time. (That was a nice thought on his part; unfortunately, that one last trip didn’t happen. But the place did look nice!) Another neat aspect – we grew up with the tradition, or regular practice, of “men working out in the field, women bringing lunch to them” – let me tell you, it was a memory-stirrer to have this particular group bring lunch to this particular set of workers at that particular site on that particular day. OK, not identical to occurrences of 40+ years ago – but close enough to be very evocative. Plus it was just a sunny, lovely late afternoon – enough wind to keep away mosquitoes, not so much as to be annoying. I had a lot to think about.
I really like this photo.
Back to St. Joe for conversation and general fun; K was able to get Luis on the phone (Facetime!) so he could speak again with Grandma (nice). Dinner was ham balls and dessert! Full day, all tired. And perhaps a bit overfed, though quite enjoyably (and deliberately) so.
"Face-time" with Luis - we had had such a nice visit to Iowa just three weeks prior.
Saturday, August 22
Celebrating Caroline's birthday. And being together.
CCG and I enjoy EMG's theorizing.
Busy day. Connie and Caroline stopped by in the morning; they stayed for noon meal and we observed Caroline’s birthday. Further clean-up efforts at the home place – that took up a chunk of the afternoon. Steve & Liz came over from Mason City; PJ, K and C went with them and Beth to Train Wreck in Algona for a bit in the afternoon (amidst grocery shopping and nonstop cooking/clean-up!)
Pretty sure this was the last birthday card written by Grandma. After so, so many . . .
Train Wreck.
More Train Wreck-ers.
Charlie and I went with EMG to hill farm for more fussing with burn pile remnants. F-20 – truly a historic vehicle – having carburetor problems or something in the fuel line – towed it with EMG’s beat-up pickup so that we could get it in the shed before a respectable rainstorm hit. These activities of course stir up all sorts of memories from decades ago of working with those two, and others, on machinery tasks up in the shed on the hill farm – so many hours back then. Tom and Kieran came by.
Gales children relatives cleaning sweet corn (somewhat reprising photo appearing in St. Joe history book).
Early 1970s photo, with conscripted workers display varying levels of enthusiasm.
The cooking crew came up with an amazing dinner – sweet corn, various pork presentations, freshly-made peach pie. And we of course talked well into the evening.
The peach pie was a SUCCESS.
Ach.
Sunday, August 23
Charlie & Beth had a pretty early flight so they went to mass in Algona, then stopped in St. Joe for breakfast and we said goodbye to them We all went to 10a Mass in St. Joe. It was nice sitting with Grandma there in the old church where so much has happened – except the part about thinking it was the last time. Another windy/cold morning, so Grandpa and Grandma went straight to the house after Mass. Our group-of-five spent a little time at the cemetery – stopped by Mary’s grave – in an email sent on August 24 I wrote “Dramatic-blustery atmosphere, crystal-clear views, tall corn on all sides, the church nestled below – quite a setting.” It really is. Grandpa came by to join us and we spent some time walking around the family gravestones, hearing some of the stories, talking about what style of tombstone he and Grandma would like, looking at a Kaiser sample, etc.
Pretty much immediately after that, it was time for us to head to the airport. We knew there was some tiny chance that – depending on how things played out and how long Grandma lingered – we might make a quick trip back to St. Joe before she died. But that seemed unlikely and we considered this to be our last chance to say good bye. Which is rather a remarkable thing to think about. Here’s how I described it in an email written the next day:
“We had talked about how we wanted to handle our goodbyes – looking at Mom for several days, we of course fear (actually, believe) that this in all likelihood will be our last time seeing her alive – anyway we decided we’d just see how things shaped up in those last moments before we head to the airport. And we were gifted with a truly beautiful experience. Marie Laubenthal had shown up to visit at pretty much the last minute, and EMG drew her off into the computer-picture zone, we think intentionally. That left the five of us in the living room with Grandma, in her chair. One by one, we hugged her and basically told her how much we loved her, and goodbye. Occasional tears, but it most definitely was not a weeping exercise, or an emotion-for-emotion’s sake kind of thing, or even nothing-but-sadness – a nice mix of happy memories was mentioned also. It was neither rushed nor dragged-out. Grandma was absolutely magnificent with each of us – just so impressive. It was absolutely unforgettable. We were, and are, lucky in so many ways. Sad, and so overwhelmingly grateful to have had her, and for these opportunities to visit.”
The car was pretty quiet for quite a while as we drove towards the airport.
Another quite fine charity event. The previous event we recently attended was put on by a group to which Chris belongs; this event was put on by an anti-domestic violence group that Nicole helps out. She became involved via her and POC's friendship with Laura and Mark Teahen; he had played a while with the White Sox and they now are lead sponsors for this charity event. They apparently maintain good relationships with a bunch of current and former professional athletes, because the event certainly drew a large turnout of those folks.
We had a sparkling turnout ourselves, with some of we locals augmented by Patrick and Kerry - both in AZ for fine (and somewhat overlapping) visits, and POC's brother Mike and GF Lisa - also in AZ for a visit, timed in part for the next day's ASU-ND game in Tempe.
We wandered around the concourse at Salt River Fields all evening and much enjoyed. Perfect weather. Met a number of the folks POC (and Nicole) know from Diamondbacks. Fun.
Nicole and POC are traveling with the Arizona Diamondbacks - the team opens the season in Australia this weekend with two games against the Dodgers. So that's a pretty unique experience.
Anyway - they went along with some of the team members on a climb of the famous harbor bridge. Our heroes get a smidgen of video-time starting around 1:10.
Wishing Nicole a happy birthday today . . . she is observing the date over in San Diego courtesy of POC (with celebratory support from CPG and EPG). Diamondbacks have a three-game weekend series over there.
Photo is from her fourth birthday - May 5, 1985 - taken in upstairs bedroom in our house in Roseville, Minnesota.
"Care Bears" apparently were the rage, including the jammies and the watch (among the cards atop the bookshelf).
Here's hoping they had at least as much fun in San Diego as we did in Roseville that year . . .
We enjoyed a quick holiday visit from Nicole and POC - they arrived Thursday evening (fortunately for them, in time for a wondrous chicken saltimbocca meal courtesy of PJ). They brought some Christmas gifts along (and all in all the gift-giving process was more exciting than anticipated); some gifts were from their South African honeymoon, including a "cape of good hope" t-shirt for me (which is quite fine since I do like to think about that particular spot).
Friday evening they treated us (including Nedda and MB) to dinner at a place we've been wanting to try - Beckett's Table - this was a delightful experience. Also the only point during the weekend during which we took photos. Highlights included watching a hobo get disavowed by POC and chucked out the door; best-in-show meal = pork osso bucco; good AZ IPA; s'mores ("deconstructed") for dessert featuring bacon dipped in chocolate (as our spokesmodels display in photo). Nice!
Saturday was a nice day - looked at South Africa photos and videos; visitors showed up for lunch (and the picture show); Saeed and Mina stopped over in early evening for an enjoyable session with drinks and snacks; then went to the annual Steiner Christmas party.
Sunday - NFL red zone; some errands; some zoning out; PJ came up with a delightful pork roast dish with a tomatillo or whatever sauce that needs to get into our regular rotation, it was so good it may take over my birthday menu.
Then an airport run, and we'll look forward to the next visit.
I'm told (and believe) that there are lots of great photos from various photographers taken at the NMG-POC wedding back on March 25.
I'm also grateful to have picked up photos from my dad and brother (Charlie) on March 27, or I might still be waiting to see any photos at all.
So - while I wait for more - here is a set of photos, with captions, that walks through at least part of the story. For full-screen viewing, click on any photo, click "slideshow" in upper left, then hit F11 . . .
Among so many excellent elements - one of the finest things about the NMG-POC wedding was the music at the ceremony.
Much of this was due to the efforts of one David Clarke Isele - who authored some original music for the processional, assisted with music selection, performed before and during the ceremony, etc. Linda Prideaux did a bunch of work on this also; led the Panis Angelicus choir, played piano on a Biebl "Ave Maria" arrangement. Anne Koehler accompanied on piano. A group of folks participated in the Panis Angelicus choir (Kerry, Chris, Patrick, Paul Jr; Carol, Dolores, Nedda, Pat H., Charlie, Nicole L., Danny L., Dave K).
On my cellphone I grabbed two short videos. Above is the choir (minus Dave Kollar, who was on a plane or at the hotel bar or something) rehearsing "Panis Angelicus" on the day before the wedding. Second video is a snippet (<25 seconds) from the Biebl "Ave Maria" (DCI and LP practicing before the ceremony on 3/25).
The other day we received the invitations for the Nicole-POC wedding (click to enlarge).
Prepared by my sister Dolores, who continues to be quite good at this sort of thing. I like all the representations of Arizona-in-general, ASU campus, Chicago, White Sox baseball, frosting snitcher, etc. (I only had one question, POC's right hand seems to be in the wrong place.)
And then there's the RSVP card for wedding guests to fill out; it features the old ring-in-an egg trick that I understand worked semi-effectively in the hands of a semi-awake recipient. (But now that I think of it: if POC had had this kind of RSVP card available at the time, he could have handed it to Nicole and just had her fill out her response; could have skipped the whole ring thingy.)
Anyway, we're looking forward to everyone arriving here in AZ pretty soon. In the meantime, we will be seeing Nicole, Kerry and POC in about a week as planning progresses. Fun.
Short/fun visit by Nicole and POC the weekend of October 28 - November 1.
On Thursday arrival most of the group had lunch at House of Tricks in Tempe (where this photo was taken by PJ).
Had a v. nice gathering at the house on Friday evening, then the group went to the Homecoming football game at ASU on Saturday. Complete with another ASU loss, and an appearance by Meghan Stern as part of the homecoming court.
Our visitors left on Sunday just before our Choral Union concert, described here. It was nice to have 'em in town.
This quite probably was the social event of the season - my baby sister Therese married Mark Gaertner on May 8.
Continuing our recent bad habits, we didn't take much for photos. Hoping to receive from others, eventually. (That's you, Nicole.) So I'll add a few later.
Anyway, Patricia and I flew into Minneapolis on Thursday May 7. Met Kerry right after landing. Checked into hotel (Hampton Inn up by New Brighton). Basically headed right back to the airport to pick up Nicole, then onto the rehearsal. All seemed to go well. I was playing a few things on piano, which worked well enough (dropping out the tough notes really helps). And it was fun to play with some of the Cullen family musicians. Also fun hanging around the church getting caught up with all the arrivals.
Rehearsal dinner had walleye and Summit Pale Ale, quite good. Very nice spot for this event. Had a chance to talk to Mark's family a bit, we much enjoyed that group all weekend. Back to the hotel and some further chit chat at the Green Mill, and that was it for the day.
On Friday - hung out with Jim Dory for coffee at Bread and Chocolate; we were shunned by the female types, who were holding a "bride's breakfast" or somesuch in the other half of the restaurant. Did a couple errands: picked up cakes and flowers and delivered. Fun driving around with PJ, N, K. Stopped at WA Frost for lunch per our usual, we always enjoy. Then to Rosedale Mall where Cecilia and Therese were having the makeup done. It was fun to see them go through their paces. (This was the one place where we had the camera.)
Wedding at 6p; photos before; the ceremony was very nice, music went well. Reception at Germanic-American Institute on Summit Ave; interesting place complete with Rathskeller; enjoyed beverages, food, toasts, music, chatter. Kid's room a bit unruly. Talked a bit after in the breakfast room at the hotel, where most of the group had gathered.
Saturday - lightly scheduled, everyone was pretty tired. Got a chance to see Mark Gales's presentation on Monte Cassino in the breakfast room at the hotel, the report was really nicely done (I need a copy). Made our way to House house in afternoon. Golf ball game; big crew; dinner; some to Twins' game; others talked; dysfunctionals helped take us down some unanticipated conversational avenues. A fun day.
Sunday - checked out of hotel after breakfast; Mass with quite a few in attendance; back to House house for more conversation and lunch, saw various folks off as the day wore on; played a board game; Nick took N&K to airport; tried to go to BarleyJohn's with Steve & Cecilia but it was closed went to a plan B that still was fun; hurried to airport and back home.
The wedding actually was an awfully nice event. Fun to go 'round with my traveling buddy. Also very fun to have the girls there. Nice all around.
It's been nice that our out-of-town daughters have been around Arizona some lately. This started with Kerry on a work-related trip that had her here in Phoenix the last two weekends of January. This even included Super Bowl Sunday (February 1) which, shockingly enough, included the Arizona Cardinals. It was fun having her around.
Nicole was in town the first weekend of March, which also was v. fun. POC has been around since White Sox hit town for spring training. Patrick is an "intern" with the White Sox for spring training (working for POC) and has been traveling far and wide going to spring training games.
The two Patricks hosted us (Patricia, Chris, Nicole and me) for a game at the new White Sox spring training facility (Camelback Ranch, shared with the Dodgers) on Friday, March 6. Perfect weather. Longish trip out there. Somewhat amateurish competition - it was the Australian national team (trying to prep for the World Baseball Classic). But a classically delightful spring training experience. We were able to tour the facilities after the game (not to mention a press box tour during the game. (The press box tour was complete with a Bud Selig sighting - he was touring the new stadium, just like us! If only we had a picture.)
Per our recent and thoroughly unsatisfactory habit, we are failing to take photos of much of anything that goes on. That's why this post only includes shots of our Camelback Ranch hosts. Just look what passes for a "desk" if you're an intern.
An accomplished, or perhaps aspiring, videographer (Mr. Patrick O'Connell) submitted this clip showing some fun from way back during the Easter weekend. Going back to the March 25 post (via this link, then scroll down to 3/25), you will recall that we went to a spring training game and otherwise had a fine time with guests etc. back then.
I had mentioned that folks had fun with Wii video games. As illustrated by the video clip below. NMG here displays something. It could be called skill with Wii boxing. It looks fatiguing yet somehow effective. Note how the boxer picks up significant hand speed as the bout progresses.
Speaking of Wii, I might note that a series of Wii bowling matches known only as "POD v. POC" took place during that same weekend. No video exists, which probably is a good thing. A rematch, sort of a Rumble in the Jungle II, is inevitable, and it can only be hoped that the rematch offers a fraction of the action that has been burned on trash talking, trash text messaging, trash scoreboard messaging, etc.
I wanted to mention some of the fun that we had in St. Paul during our visit for the big wedding celebration last month up in Minnesota (wedding is described here).
We spent four overnights in the twin cities, and the first two were at Therese's eminently fine condo. On the first evening, we just checked in, changed clothes and headed up to the opening night party at the home of dysfunctionals #1. They served up a pretty fine fajitas dinner, but after the party we were still hungry. (Because with the time change we normally eat dinner about four hours later.)
So after getting back to the condo we got up our courage and went walking through the neighborhood. It was cold, windy, and late. My wife alternated between insisting she was fine with the temps, and insisting that we eat at whatever was the first place we ran into. She may have been right on both counts. (At any rate, this was our last time out walking for the duration of the trip.)
This method of restaurant location led us to a fine local place called "The Muddy Pig." We split a chicken sandwich and some appetizer I don't recall, and I was impressed that the place had about 27 different beers on tap. The kind of place I wish we had more of here in Phoenix. We walked back through the wind and cold, and my wife stole Therese's sweater and two of her comforters. Then we were warm enough for a good night's sleep.
Therese had been kind enough to scout out in advance some good pastry for us, so the next morning we drove (no more walking) over for coffee, raspberry cream cheese pastry, chocolate croissant. Her field research paid off, it was fine stuff. Then after a bunch of errands we went to lunch at some place called W.A. Frost. The interior was gorgeous - lots of interesting rooms. Sweet menu, and interesting local beer on tap. Yum. Then off to join the crew and rehearsal dinner fun. By this time we had picked up Nicole from the airport for even better times. Very late night snack thereafter: a nice Chilean wine plus fruit plus some chocolate Therese had stashed (we knew it was good when the label reported that tribes used to go to war over this chocolate, and we have reason to believe the label). So it was another 1:30a bedtime.
Why mess with a winning formula? The next morning the three of us repeated the breakfast, then got ourselves organized and dressed for the wedding, then stopped back at old reliable W.A. Frost for another delightful lunch. All the places mentioned here were within a stone's throw of the condo, assuming a really strong throwing arm.
Then onto the wedding ceremony for the rest of the fun described in the previous post.
February 19 (Monday) was the genuine 55th anniversary. Also our return travel date. We had a fine breakfast together.
The weather had warmed considerably. The grandchildren still present (Nicole, 25; Patrick, 20; Emily, 6; and Allison, 3) wanted to go out in the snow. So outfits were put on. Patrick had the chance to put on a pair of five-bucklers. They went down to the hill by St. Joe church and had a fine time.
Grandma served a v. good lunch complete with apple pie, then made up bags of cookies for the travelers. Said goodbyes around 12:30p. Cecilia drove us to the airport; easy trip and we made our flight easily. Landed in a rainstorm in Phoenix around 7:30p.
So this was a fine trip all around. Busy but not rushed. We had the chance to see lots of relatives. We ate ridiculous amounts of wonderful baked goods. And we were present for a 55th wedding anniversary for two fine folks.
P.S. My parents really seem to be doing great. How many folks celebrate their 55th by sledding down a hill (check out the video of EMG and his cheering grandchildren). And my mother hauled off to Algona for the concert board meeting or somesuch community event that very evening. Good for them!
We slept in pretty late on party day (Sunday, February 18). Those who are good at this sort of thing were very efficient in setting up the house for a big party. Others played toys with small children.
While a few invitees couldn't make it due to illness or iffy driving conditions, we ended up with a great turnout. We ate around 1:30p or so; filled two large tables. Good food and conversation all around. I must recognize Barb's cake-baking skills - some kind of raspberry cheesecake plus a chocolate-caramel-pecan wonder.
After eating, more talking. Watched the highly-excellent video from the 50th wedding anniversary (note the rapt attention of the viewers).
I include three photos showing the representation from the three generations present. First photo includes Clarence, Irene, Kathy & Daryl; with honorees in front row plus Mary Lou. Second photo shows children present (Barb, Dolores, Therese, Cecilia, me). Third photo shows grandchildren present: Joe, Kieran, Tom, Nicole, Patrick, Allison, Angie; Clare, Julia, Emily, Margaret, Jenna. I think those photos pick up everyone except Art (but he's in a photo above).
Mark & Sue Bormann stopped by, also Sherry with daughter.
Some of the guests drifted off as evening neared; then the card-players got started. Those who are good at this sort of thing then pulled off dinner for 18 pretty effortlessly (you can see the fine gathering below). The Cullen family needed to leave, but fortunately not until after they played a few songs for us. They played some sort of wistful Irish tune followed immediately by "Turkey in the Straw," which certainly made us think back many years to Mike Bormann (and made me feel kind of wistful myself, actually). They also did a fine rendition of my third-grade recital piece, the "St. Paul Waltz." Which I appreciated hearing.
Then the remnants of the party sat around the kitchen table well into the night talking over many things and finding ourselves hugely entertaining for the most part. This part of the day was quite enjoyable. Spoke to Carol in Nome and had a discussion about the 55th honorees' visit for the Iditarod planned for next month. Dad showed some of his winter gear, but I think Mom may need to borrow a thing or two. More chatting. Among other important topics, we covered the distinctions between Ken G., Kenny G., and Ken E.
End of a fine day - and we weren't even up to the actual anniversary date as yet. Will discuss that next.
