"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))
how it looks to us as we wander around towards evening
PJ and I started visiting this hotel back in 2010, and have returned most years since. Laguna Beach isn't our (at least my) favorite type of town - but the hotel's positioning atop the Pacific Ocean is nothing short of astonishing, and we've found favorite restaurants, and we much enjoy just wandering around oceanside and up in the neighborhoods.
So we returned for 21-24 March and had our usual delightful time.
Something unusual - rain/temperature conditions have caused pretty much a wildflower explosion in Arizona, and it's incrementally more dramatic in California. Made for great scenery along the I-10.
perhaps this is how the view looks from a cruise ship? when the tide comes in, it is crashing against the base of this building. sounds effects = overwhelming.
evening wandering with a fine traveling companion
and then there's our daily lunch stop at Nick's, where I eat the same thing every single time, perhaps you can see why (also it stands up against beer quite nicely)
The group here has lots of current experience throwing baby showers (see here and here) - and this expertise (accompanied by quite a bit of prep work) was evident in the fine results for the baby shower held for Kerry & Luis here at 11419 on Saturday 9 February.
Per usual I was not invited, but a few photos were gathered nonetheless (not a very representative sample, sorry). And I did get to hang out at a nice after-shower-party, and of course it was quite delightful having everyone here in town for a few days before/after the shower. Also turned out that Charlie and Beth were in town as Charlie was attending some sort of robotics conference at Camelback Inn.
Here's what I have for photos:
the stars of the show!
some of the key attendees/planners (but missing PJ)
meanwhile a few miles away at PJr/Nedda house on Shea - the boys' party gets a little wild
meanwhile across the country in VA, Mae holds court amongst, naturally, her courtiers
the after-shower-party was quite entertaining, including a Sequence battle
also at the shower - an early family photo of this group (hi Xavier!)
meanwhile down at 706, this threesome one last time
I mean . . . can this kid be beat? Photo taken a few hours after Xavier was born.
The best possible news: grandchild #2 arrived safe and sound on Monday 21 January 2019. Congrats and thanks to Chris & Dharma. Xavier Arav Gales weighed 7 lbs 8 oz, measured 21 3/4", and seems quite perfect in all respects.
Mom and Dad were pretty pleased.
C&D went to the hospital (Banner Thunderbird, where Dharma works) around 5a on Sunday morning (we had spent time with them earlier in the day (i.e. Saturday) - lunch, 5 Crowns, Paul Jr. able to join). So it was about a 26-hour process. We stopped by the hospital early Sunday afternoon - before the action picked up - just to check in, bring by sandwiches. Then back on Monday morning to meet Xavier just a couple hours after he was born. The little family was back home by Thursday afternoon. PJ and (to a lesser extent) me were able to spend some time with them Thursday - Sunday (PJ doing yeoman overnight work, me moreso on the "second shift" that wrapped up about 1am).
Grandpa and Grandma are entirely thrilled with Grandson #2.
Xavier arrived with a delightful personality; so well behaved.
These are deeply wonderful things, we feel quite blessed.
C&D settling in on Sunday afternoon. We all just wanted to see Xavier!
3 January 2019: a lovely sunset behind the farm where EMG was born-at-home exactly 90 years prior.
A significant milestone - EMG reaches his 90th birthday. It's great that he's made it to this age in such good shape. And there's no doubt about it: ninety is a genuine accomplishment. Our (my) planning from AZ perhaps a bit haphazard, but we ended up with a very nice representation, and I think that those who were able to attend had a pretty memorable trip.
Ready for take-off! (NRG selfie technique a bit off but she's with us.)
Upon arrival at MSP. This boy has no concerns about his first foray into January weather in Minnesota.
Wednesday Jan 2 - first-wave traveling party consists of PJ and me, plus Paul Jr., Nedda and Romie. Flight is delayed about an hour. Romie (and all of us) behave very well on the plane. We are so lucky throughout the trip - warm January weather. Car rental snag at MSP - no usable car seat. Bloomington hotel near airport works great. Romie to bed; Paul Jr. and I make a pizza run - quite a fine local place named Pizzeria Lola - we return to hotel after some bafflement over local beer retailing laws. After our excellent dinner we make another run, this time to Mega-Target, and do some successful late-night car seat shopping.
Thursday Jan 3 - the five of us (an excellent group by the way) hang out at the hotel breakfast area and have a fine time; then PJr installs the new car seat, and we're off. Easy travels, Romie doing great on a fairly long car trip. Check into AmericInn; PJ goes to grocery store; we head to St. Joe (sans Nedda and Romie); PJ immerses in food prep - after all, it's the actual birthday, and a fine supper is in order! EMG ends up with a really nice crowd - Charlie, Therese and Carol are there when we arrive; Steve and Julia arrive; then Dolores and Joe; PJr picks up Nedda and Romie; then Nicole and POC arrive (from AZ)! - 16 diners in total.
Heck yes it made me really happy that Romie could use the same high chair that I sat in! And who remembered (other than EMG) using a dish towel for diner positional control?
separated a bit by time and geography but not by blood . . . getting acquainted; saying goodnight . . .
I much like this photo of the birthday dinner gathering (3 January 2019). Just missing POC here.
Romie is seated in the high chair that I (and all the siblings) used way back in the day, I liked that. Lovely sunset over the hill farm. Everyone enjoys PJ's lasagna meal, we sing happy b'day to EMG over Carol's wacky cake and Dolores's apple pie; NOC presents a fine photo-book she had coordinated with the grandchildren; then some quite excellent music via Carol, Dolores and Joe (with percussion assist via POC).
Snippets from the delightful music that closed out the 90th "day-of" celebration:
Friday Jan 4 - our group enjoys hanging out over breakfast at the hotel; eventually down to St. Joe where PJr and I help a bit down at school with set-up activities for tomorrow's doings. Much energy is expended throughout the day trying to identify, organize, and arrange proper display for, EMG photos. And also to line up a few mementos or relics (glove with cut-off fingers, for example). The lasagna meal stands us in good stead for both lunch and dinner. In the evening there is a quite-exciting game of Rummy Royal, I'm sure I haven't played it there in 40+ years. Haag family arrives during the game!
Working on the display for the 90th celebration at St. Joe school . . .
. . . while peanut blossoms are prep'd nearby . . . PJ of course a pro at this, but I was really happy that Nedda wanted to put together a batch of Grandma's (perhaps) signature cookies in Grandma's very own kitchen . . .
. . . successfully organizing party decorations
Saturday Jan 5 - another round of hotel breakfast; PJr and I go to HyVee and Baker's to pick up various items for the party; then down to St. Joe where do some final prep at the school after stopping by the house. Party is scheduled for noon-4pm but extends pretty much all the way up to 5pm. Photo display - on EMG's TV - works great. All the arrangements turned out really nicely, and there was a great turnout. Nice opportunity to chat with a bunch of folks; Romie does fine and it was fun to introduce him around. Plus we got the elusive four-generation photo, along with other groupings.
I'm lucky to have these folks.
PJ and clean-up crew doin' some work.
PJ leads a clean-up crew in kitchen and quite a bit is accomplished prior to heading over to 5pm Mass - always nice to make it to the old church. PJr, Nedda, Romie had to go back to hotel for naptime unfortunately. Back to school for additional cleanup and we also make supper out of the leftovers - enjoyed sitting around in the gym and recapping. Then back to hotel - Mark Gaertner had brought some beers down from MSP, and Nick and PJr did a little local shopping, so we were able to have a fine tasting in the hotel lobby (which continued until they kicked us out at midnight). This was a really nice opportunity to catch up with siblings and nieces/nephews, good way to wrap up a fine day.
A little family heads back to Algona hotel for naptime (Romie in PJ's blanket, a good chance to use it).
EMG receiving Communion via Mark Bormann in the old familiar church, surrounded by representatives of three follow-on generations (and with prior generations right up the hill).
Sunday Jan 6 - hotel breakfast and wrap-up - the entire AZ crew (except for me) heads north to the airport fairly early on, sorry to see them go but really grateful they made the trip. A large crew still in St. Joe for lunch (eating party leftovers) - Haags, Therese & Mark, House team, Charlie, Carol - enjoyable to be together, then most head north by say 3pm or so, just Charlie and me with EMG in the evening. We watch Bears lose to Eagles via Cody Parkey biff; EMG doing some napping during this after a pretty busy run of activity. Leftovers for dinner, lots of chatting, somehow it's midnight.
coffee (via Pioneer mug), fresh cookie, that view to the hill farm
Monday Jan 7 - busy morning - Charlie and I return roasters to Eischen's, bun trays to HyVee (run into Bob Capesius), stools to Baker's; we help Daryl take down his Nativity scene; then we meet EMG at seed shed for a quick visit. Charlie heads to airport; EMG and me to a variety of doctor appointments and errands. In the evening we enjoy watching the college football national championship game (Clemson a surprisingly easy win over Alabama).
EMG on a project, he has a knack for fixing things . . .
Tuesday Jan 8 - Saturday Jan 12 - EMG and I settle into a comfortable routine for the week - very enjoyable to hang out in St. Joe. EMG had been going through some cardiac stuff but meds etc. seem to be helping and he seemed to be progressing just fine (not that this won't require some monitoring going forward). I hope to be around and doing so well at 90! On Tuesday the wind switches to the north and is absolutely howling all day; we stay inside; have some visitors (including Dean and Mary Berte); watching some basketball in the evening. Cardiac rehab in Algona on Wednesday and we are taking it easy in St. Joe the rest of the day; enjoyed watching wins by both Marquette and Milwaukee Bucks in the evening. On Thursday we are visited by Mark and Joe Bormann; later there is 6pm Mass followed by KC dinner and meeting (I walk back to the house during the KC meeting) This was another enjoyable day, nice to see folks at the dinner (including an Algona priest hailing from Kerala). On Friday there is 8am Mass followed by the cardiac rehab appointment in Algona; then a bunch of errands before we end up for a long-ish chat at the seed shed, this is always enjoyable.
rent negotiations
Dolores prevails over tree decorations
Dolores arrives in St. Joe which inspires us to get task-y - down comes the Christmas tree for starters, a fun project as it allows , or requires, reviewing the ornament collection. We also work through the entire stack of 90th-b'day cards and gifts and get things categorized. Etc. A bit of a chance to hang out with DC; she eats dinner with us (BTW EMG and I existed almost exclusively for an entire week on leftovers from his birthday party plus the KC meal plus whatever we had for breakfast - which worked great, zero food prep, clean-up or other hassle) before she heads back to Storm Lake. Steve had kindly offered to assist in getting me back to the airport, so EMG and I meet him over in Clear Lake on Saturday, then the three of us drive all the way to MSP where I am dropped off at the door - super courteous/convenient! Not to mention a good chance to chat a bit enroute. After this: easy return trip to Phoenix.
first-class car service to Minneapolis airport
So there were some distinct elements to the trip. How great it was that we could have PJ, NOC, POC, PJr, Nedda, Romie able to attend. Romie's first travel of this type; seeing him in the high chair, getting the four-generation photo; just watching him and EMG size each other up and get along so comfortably. The nice turnout and fine birthday dinner on the "day of". The excellent community party on 5 January, followed by such a nice family get-together at the hotel that evening. A <24 hour window with Charlie, me and EMG. Then nearly a full week where EMG and I just hang around together - some visiting, some errands, but mostly just around the house talking or watching games together - entirely easy, comfortable, interesting - this is a lucky thing for someone as old as me to be able to hang around with a parent.
Long overdue - after way too many years of poor results growing grass but excellent weed growth in that same grass - this - we are quite happy with it.
OK I didn't get to attend . . . but it seems like the baby shower for Dharma (held on 18 November 2018) turned out as nicely as one might expect given all the work that went into it! Here are some photos . . .
