I would be remiss if I didn't comment on the Year 2005. Life's journey continues and it was full of change and surprises.
First, Margaret told me I could continue to blog "free". It has been one year of blogging. I am now attached to some superblog system managed by Margaret. She creates all the parameters of how I can blog, she edits all my responses and she can send it at will around "her network". How sick is that! I am totally controlled by Margaret. Actually, the blog has been an interesting journey.
The year 2005 will be remembered for natural disasters. Katrina! Sunami! A record number of hurricanes.
The spring season included a trip to Las Vegas. I call it "Celine Quest". It almost didn't happen because of illness to Celine. But, it did happen and a good time was had by all. Actually, the highlight of the trip was a visit with the Dyers and a Barry Manilow show. Barry Manilow?
The summer was marked by the passing of John Hollander but guess what? Grant and Mitchell are enrolled in a new school and flourishing and everybody is moving to a new home in January. The world adjusts.
On a personal note, Paul and I played Whispering Springs golf course in Fond du lac on July 12, and I had my only hole-in-one golf shot. It is of course a statistical freak occurance. It is bizarre to see the golf ball hit the green and roll in a straight line toward the hole and disappear (maybe John Hollander had something to do with it). Ooooooo! When a hole in one is the highlight of my summer, I may need to get a life.
The fall consumes mom and I with Badger football. This was the end of the Barry Alverez era. The game of the season was a Saturday night encounter with Michigan and we won 23-20 in the last few seconds. Paul and Jenny witnessed the occasion. Somehow Paul's name keeps popping up?
The Badger season involved 6 weekends with family and friends. There were no repeats of participants and each outing was special. New-comers this year include Tom, Bill and JoAnn and I think Jenny.
The biggest financial transition was to Medicare Insurance because Shelby and I both turned 65. Believe it or not, affordable health insurance is probably the biggest deal in retirement because the body starts "leaking oil". I love that discription because when machinery gets old it "leaks oil". It still works but it leaks. Wouldn't you know that the only thing that wasn't covered by Medicare is dental insurance and 2005 included 3 root canals and 2 crowns.
The year ended with a new kitchen hardwood floor complete with a dust blizzard. The result was pretty neat.
Mom and I got to witness Paul's graduation from UW-Milwaukee and participate fully with cell phones. We got to see Debs get engaged over Christmas and Dano got her GED.
There will be no New Year's resolutions from me. I'm smarter than that. Why set myself up to fail?
So the journey continues. We go into 2006 with lots of optimism. The nature of a "journey" is that it subject to continued surprises and amazing things. May all your dreams come true. HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL.
Love,
Chas.