Scott Earns an A+

Saturday July 30, 2016
This morning we were off early so as to have the time to get Scott's girlfriend, Bella, at her home in Auburn Hills before heading down to Dean and Beth's home where we could all load up in one car to travel down to the New Center area of Detroit.  Scott has been attending a three week college course in Game Art and 3 D Character Design on campus at the Center for Creative Studies and today was our day to bring him home after seeing his work and that of the other 116 students that was displayed in a large hall.

We were treated to drinks, fruit and pastries just outside the display area before going in to check out all of the students work.  WOW!! What an impressive display!!  Several different courses had been offered so the room was divided into sections to show off the course work according to the area of study.  Of course, we had to see everything Scott did before looking at anything else.

This was his hand modeled character

and his sketch work prior to building it

This was his 3 D computer designed character.  Unfortunately I haven't figured out a way to do a video to really show it off but this is one shot of the total revolving display on the computer in his display area.

Bethany was able to get this close up shot to show the tremendous detail of this lizard monster

Scott also had an opportunity to try a little metal design but his work in that area was not on display.

While on campus the students were given tours of a variety of places, treated to lectures by former students who have achieved great success in the work world, provided with a couple of service projects to complete, and kept busy not only with class work but a variety of other fun activities including movies and talent shows.  Scott had a huge corner room that he shared with one other student. 

It provided some great views of the area including a bit of a view of one of their service project murals on several connected buildings

This is the whole group in front of some of that huge long mural that wraps around the buildings

And here he is helping with the painting

After getting all of his belongings and loading up the car we drove a mile or so down to the Wayne State University campus where Bella will attend classes starting in about a month.  There we had lunch at the Traffic Jam to celebrate his completion of his first three credit hours of college work in which he earned an A+.  

We then took Bella to the School of Rock where she is working part time before continuing on home. Once Scott was unpacked and the first load of wash was in the washer, Beth and I headed out to the Nail Place so she could get a pedicure.  We had time to chat while they were working on her feet but then she convinced me to at least have a manicure, something I've never done before.  Since I don't like to put polish on my nails it didn't take very long but it was nice having someone else tackle the job of cutting and shaping my nails and even do a bit of a hand message working in lotion. 

When we returned to the house Beth took a picture of our finished "products"

We left shortly after that so we'd have time to stop at Kroger's for some needed items and also get gas.  Loved the price $1.73.9 cause we'd earned 300 points while shopping over the past couple of weeks.

The weather had cooled down a bit because of the off and on rain we'd had all day so Ken and I set off for a walk before it got dark completing about 7000 steps for today.  Not the full 10,000 but at least it was a bunch.  Neither of us has worked up enough strength to be able to do all 10,000 in one shot.

Finally, A True Michigan Summer Day

Friday, July 29, 2016
Finally the temperatures as well as the humidity dropped a bit and we had what I have always thought of as the perfect summer day.  The day started with temperatures in the high 60s, rose into the mid 80s with puffy white clouds in a blue sky, and ended in the low 70s.  Ken and I could go for our morning and evening walks and not come back sopping wet from sweat, how wonderful is that!  Now if only this would continue instead of what I think of as Florida days with high temps and humidity which is what we've had ever since we've arrived here.

We had the fun, too, watching many come into the campground today and set up for a weekend of fun.  All of the group sites filled up with RVs and tents (there is one reunion group with a huge number of tents and canopy's set up making quite a sight to see), there was a company picnic at one of the private gathering spots on Virgin Island, loads of children were riding their bikes, playing on the various types of equipment and having a ball in the water and on the beach.  Adults sat around picnic tables, walked dogs, and played ball with their kids.  It was truly a wonderful day of fun in the sun here at Groveland Oaks County Park and Campground.

I had originally planned on visiting with a friend today but she had to cancel out at the last minute so Ken and I just enjoyed relaxing together, enjoying our walks and a couple of simple meals, along with a evening drive to Cook Farm Dairy to see the cows and enjoy the best ice cream ever! It is made right there --  from the cow to the freezer and into a dish for us to enjoy.  And it is always fun watching the kids run around feeding the cows hay and petting the calves in their separate cages.

We've just enjoyed the laughter and sounds of joy floating around us all day.

Playing Bridge with Long Time Friends

Thursday, July 28, 2016
We said a very fond farewell to the restaurant, Peabody's, tonight along with our bridge group friends and hundreds of others all flocking in for a last chance meal before the place closes forever on Saturday.  Peabody's has been a favorite meeting place for us for many many years so it is hard to see it come to an end in its existence.  I asked a waiter tonight and he said that some of our favorite recipes, especially the swiss onion au gratin soup, will be posted on their website once the doors close for good on Saturday.  I sure hope they do and I am able to create this fabulous treat we've enjoyed so many times over the years.

Once we finished the meal, the twelve us regathered at John and Vera-Anne Corwin's home in Royal Oak for an evening of conversation and party bridge.  Our group started well over thirty years ago and has seen changes in members over that time but remained a steady and enjoyable group.  We've had fun times away from the bridge table too including a four day trip to Mackinac Island several years ago and a couple of cruises.  Sadly one of our members died earlier this year, Dick Dusenbury. But Helen has found a friend who enjoys the game and our company and she has attended the last few times they've met. It sure was fun getting back together with them.  Tonight, Bill and Elaine Patton, who have often been subs in our group, attended because Steve and Libby Weber were off leading classes and activities at a CFO Camp.

Happy 53rd Anniversary!

Wednesday, July 27, 2016
Ken and I enjoyed a very leisurely breakfast this morning while reminiscing about our wedding day way back in 1963 when the day was equally as hot as this day promises to be.  The high that day was 94 degrees and we were married at 4:00 in the afternoon -- right at the height of that heat!!! If you look closely at our wedding pose you can see the glistening faces and know that everything we had on was damp and sticking to us.  Remember when air conditioning was not a common thing?  Our church certainly did not have it and hardly any homes did either.  How things have changed over the 53 years we've enjoyed together.

Then we drove out to Rosemary DiDomezio's place to pick her up and take her out for lunch.  She introduced us to a new restaurant along M59, Billy's Tip N Inn, that I'm sure we will return to some time in the future. The food was delicious and the atmosphere charming with lots of stained glass hanging in the windows and a huge variety of stained glass hanging lamps providing light  throughout the inside.  It was great visiting with her and reminiscing about our years together singing in the First Presbyterian Church choir.

We, of course, also did our usual walking around the park today in the morning and evening so as to reach 10,000 steps on my FitBit watch enjoying watching others having fun here at Groveland Oaks.
There are so many different things you can do besides just sitting around a campfire so there is much to see.

This and That

Tuesday, July 26, 2016
I just looked back and realize I've not written in a few days.  I guess that is because we've fallen into a very relaxed routine that includes a couple of walks a day to reach our 10,000 steps, reading and playing games on the computer, and enjoying meals together  Last Friday night, Matt and Michelle Reidesel drove out to Wing Lauk's in Waterford where we met them for a great Chinese dinner and plenty of conversation.  It was so good to see them!

Then on Saturday, we enjoyed a good part of the day at Dean and Beth's place in Huntington Woods. Jason was enjoying one last day of total freedom before heading off to camp with his Cross Country Team for a week of team building and lots of running practice so we didn't see much of him.  Beth wanted to make a trip to COSTCO and take advantage of our membership so we had the fun of walking through with her and watching the cart get fuller and fuller.  Now she'll be stocked up till we return with her next season :-)

One thing Dean asked us to get was a fresh fillet of salmon so he could fix that for dinner.  He loves cooking and we enjoy great meals on visits like this.  He went out to his garden and picked lots of fresh basil to make pesto to put on some spaghetti noodles.  That along with a fresh salad that included tomatoes from the garden and brussel sprouts made for a top notch meal.  We had seen a key lime pie while walking through COSTCO so we purchased it and everyone enjoyed a slice for dessert.

While Dean was cooking, Beth and I spent time going through all of our pictures from Branson and figuring out which ones we should try and get into a Shutterfly book of our fun together.  We got them transferred over and now I'll attack putting it together.

Sunday morning Jason was off to camp.  There was a bit of a glitch though.  Just about an hour after they set off, Beth and Dean received a phone call ensuring them the kids were all ok but the bus had broken down and a car had run into it.  Now that is not the kind of call any parent wants to get and certainly didn't make the trip any fun for the kids and coaches either.

Then, today, I had the fun of lunch out with a teacher friend (who also had boys in elementary school classes with our kids), Jeanne Daigle, and one of our students with whom we have spent a good deal of time, Regina Heindryckx.  Regina attended adult education classes for several years at Clinton where we both taught and ultimately received her high school diploma there.  She was originally from Kenya where she met and married a GM executive who was helping create a new factory.  It was fascinating working with her and learning all about her early life living in a hut and cooking over a fire plus walking miles to fill gourds with water and carry them back home on her head.  Today she was telling us it has been 42 years since she and Walter met.  How life has changed for her over the years. Now she has a darling little granddaughter.  Of course, we enjoyed seeing pictures of her during our time together.

Our favorite meeting spot has been Peabody's on Woodward in Birmingham.  It is about equidistant from all our homes  and we've come to enjoy the fantastic Swiss Onion AuGratin soup they serve. We each savored our last bowls of that treat which we've never found anywhere else.  I now have the assigned job of trying to find a new place where we can meet from now on - hopefully at least once more before we move on from here.

Meanwhile, Ken was out and noticed that a ballooner had dropped his hot air balloon in the grassy area just below us so he caught a couple of pictures of it.

I Finally Caught Up!!

Wednesday, July 20, 2016
I accomplished two major tasks today.  Finally!!  I was not able to complete several blogs over the past few weeks because of a lack of time and once a few days go by it gets harder to remember everything and do the entry.  But today I was determined to do it --- and did!!!!!  Hooray!!  The last one I had to do was long.  It was our visit to the Virginia Aquarium with Noelle back in June when we took her on her trip.  I'm so glad all of that is done and now I can concentrate on making a Shutterfly book of that adventure for her for a gift and remembrance of our time together.

Because the high heat has hit again, we got up early and went for our long walk before breakfast this morning.  We were thrilled with a new speed record for ourselves of 18+ minute miles going over two and a half miles following just about every sidewalk in the park - some twice so as to avoid a lot of time on gravel.  I was exhausted but pleased with the accomplishment.

While I was working at completing the blogs, Ken was off to his eye doctor's office over in Sterling Heights (a good hour away) doing his fields of vision test and then stopping at the grocery store to pick up some items we needed.  Meanwhile I did a couple of loads of wash giving me a chance to get up and move away from the computer now and again :-)

The Buck, Thunder or Hay Moon

Tuesday, July 19, 2016
Tonight we had a wonderful view of the full moon right though our front window.  It was beautiful!

This full moon in July has three names other than just the mundane "full" moon.  Some call it the "buck" moon because deer began growing their antlers at this time of the year.  Others refer to it as the "thunder" moon because this is the season of strong storms with lots of thunder.  And yet others refer to it as the "hay" moon because this is the time of the year for haying and often it is a race to get it in before the strong storms (with thunder) can ruin the hay as it will get to wet and mold or be beaten down.  I for one grew up just calling these once a month moons - "full" moon.  But it is fun to hear other possible names.  Meanwhile it is just nice to sit out on a beautiful night like tonight and simply enjoy the beauty God has created for our enjoyment.

This is a picture of that moon that our Hillcrest RV Park friend, Karen Keil, posted on Facebook.  She obviously has a much better camera than I and captured it closer to the ground when it really did look that huge. 

Our day included a bit of shopping for shoes - Ken and I both needed new athletic shoes.  As usual I had to order mine because it is not a "normal" size that is kept in stock (I wear a double E) and the one Ken wanted was on order.  But soon they will be in and we can enjoy the comfort of brand new shoes.

Meanwhile we gave our present shoes a good workout today with two long walks - one in the morning and one after dinner.  Ken turned on his phone app "run keeper" so we could keep track of how far we'd gone and how fast we did it.  We're a long way from being fast but we did over five miles between the two walks.  My goal of course was to get to 10,000 which we did.  He was hoping we'd start getting faster, which we did.  Today we did 19+ minute miles.  That won't win any races but sure is an improvement over the major plodding I have been doing of 23 minute miles.  So yea for us, we had a great day of improvement.

Scott Helping to Make a Splash in Detroit

Monday, July 18, 2016
Our grandson, Scott, is attending a three week art class on the campus of the Center for Creative Studies earning three college credits and getting a taste of advanced education.  One of the projects the students have taken on is creating very colorful sides of old buildings in Detroit.  Below is the group and one of their artistic creations.

Here he is at work - well I think he is strictly posing in this case as I doubt green paint belongs in that spot. :-)

But he is here on the right really working

And below are a couple more creations

Hopefully these bright spots will be resistant to the awful graffiti that seems to cover so many of the buildings and bring some bright hope to those areas.  Thanks Scott and all those attending the session with you.

Friendly Neighbors

Sunday/Monday, July 17/18, 2016
The section of the campground where we are settled for the next two months is filled primarily with long term campers.  Across from us is a single woman who spends the summer here and the winter in Florida. Kitty corner from us is a couple originally from Holly (Gary and Char) who have a home now in New Smyrna Beach, Florida but spend the summers here so they can visit with extended family and enjoy the Michigan summers.  And next to them is a couple from Holly (Bill and Lynn)who use this spot as their "cottage" by parking their 5th wheel here as soon as the park opens and then come out as much as possible.  She still works part time in Holly and her husband just retired a couple of weeks ago. All of them have been quite friendly and given us an opportunity to just relax together and enjoy our lovely view of the lake and share stories.

In the early afternoon yesterday we lost our electricity - actually this whole area of the campground did, so we spent alot of time outside relaxing and catching the light breezes that were helping to keep us comfortable.  The six of us had time to spend together and have the fun of watching a deer moving around in the woods down the hill pretty much hidden by the trees.  They were telling us this is the first time they have ever seen a deer yet apparently there are many on the grounds but choose to stay hidden as long as campers are here.  According to workers who come in before and stay after the campground closes there are many of them and they come out in the open when there are no campers. It was fun just watching this one and knowing we were seeing something few do while staying here.

We ended up running our generator all night and again today as the heat was building in the RV and we needed to be able to run the air conditioning plus we wanted hot water and regular electricity of our refrigerator.  As a result, we didn't even realize that the electricity finally came on in the early afternoon till Gary came across to let us know.  When Ken tried making the change from generator to regular electric he ran into a major problem.  It wouldn't work but thanks to Gary who came back to see what the problem was they were finally able to solve the problem saving us a visit to a repair facility.

Then tonight Char came over with a picture of her Uncle Ed that I had requested.  He just died a couple of months ago but had been a long time resident of Hillcrest, our Florida campground, and we do a memorial service each year.  We had needed a photo to use for the program and she was willing to provide one.  It sure is a small world to discover she was his niece!

A Perfect Summer Day in Michigan

Saturday, July 16, 2016
The rains yesterday helped to bring in a little cooler weather today - high 70s with a slightly lower humidity.  The skies remained overcast in the morning but early in the afternoon the skies cleared and sunshine invited everyone out to enjoy the water, picnics and lots of outdoor fun.  Of course, the overcast skies didn't keep them from having fun either.

The theme this week has been carnival and this morning all of the younger children could be seen having a wonderful time riding ponies, getting faces painted, getting balloon animals created by a clown, playing on special blowup slides, bounce houses and other such offerings.

On our walk this morning we saw a tour type bus come in and lots of orange T-shirted people get off.  It was a family reunion gathering that had rented one of the islands for their use.  There were lots of picnic tables pulled together in different spots on the picnic grounds for other gatherings including an obvious birthday party.  All of the group sites were filled to overflowing with tents, and every kind of RV vehicle you could think of.  Each of them had signs saying this was a family reunion.  Apparently that was also the prevailing theme this weekend.  Next to us and behind us are four sites filled with family members who have been having a wonderful time sharing all kinds of activities.  At one point I saw them all gathered together encouraging each other as they played a game of Family Double Dare (according to the sign they'd hung)

In the morning hours we saw lots of people riding bikes, playing on the playground equipment, gathering to do activities together at campsites, but once that sun came out there was a huge migration to the water activities of swimming, enjoying the water slide, pedaling a boat or skimming the water in canoes and kayaks.

There of course were campfires everywhere so almost a haze from the smoke that rises from them as well as a variety of good smells depending on what they were cooking.  What a marvelous day for hundreds of people either staying here or coming in for a day of fun.  Yet we didn't feel overwhelmed by the sheer numbers despite the fact the campground was full (a sign was posted at the entrance early yesterday saying we're full, come back another day)

There are so many green spots and large camping sites that everyone could have ample space and simply enjoy themselves however they wished.  Ken and I chose to simply hang out here enjoying walks, reading or chatting outside, and just plain relaxing.

On one of my walks today I took a picture of the huge green space and between the water and the top of the hill where we are parked (the tree by the brown RV kind of blocks a view of us).  At one point there was a group playing ball in this spot and closer to the play equipment several men were playing a game of horseshoes.

There truly is something for everyone to do here including motorcross for bikes

and skate boarding

miniature golf

boating and fishing

having private parties like this graduation party

going for a "hay ride"

or simply just enjoying your campsite -- many turn them into beautiful little spots with flowers in pots or hanging from a tree 

And one extra special thing is it is all patroled by friendly local sheriffs some of which ride horses and take time to chat with people and let them pet the horses. (at one point today they stopped to rest under the tree right next to our place)

But whatever they choose today was a day to really soak it up!!!!

And yes, I did get in my 10,000 steps.  In fact, I actually reached over 12,000.

Long Lunch with Friends

Friday, July 16, 2016
Ken was up early and out to get blood work done over in  Lake Orion this morning - a long drive but then most everything around here requires a long drive.  Except for one thing...... a visit with friends from our park in Florida.  Ron and Shirley live just a couple of miles from here and have all of their lives.

 They have seen many changes in Holly but it still is their home a good part of the year.  But like us they want to escape the snow and ice so they head to Florida with their 5th wheel to enjoy time at Hillcrest, just like we do.  Shirley is our choir director during the season.

We arranged to meet them today at their house and then go into the quaint little downtown of Holly for lunch at Avia.  It is just a little place but what an inviting interior with carved tin ceilings.  They had a nice selection of foods and offered Cooks ice cream for dessert which was a real draw.  For years while we lived in Waterford we'd make treks out to Cooks Farm Dairy for the best homemade ice cream with a good selection of flavors so it truly was a treat to enjoy it with friends minus the drive and the cows.

Afterwards, we wandered into the little cupcake shop and got a very special cupcake for Barb Wells another Hillcrest regular who lives just a short distance from Ron and Shirley.  Her husband, Ed, died just a few months ago and they sold their place at Hillcrest this past season.  So it was wonderful to be able to stop in for a visit.  But before we did we also wandered down to the newly opened bread place where they are busily preparing to add tables and soon provide lunches.  They are looking for antique toasters that will be the decoration on each table.  The plan is to bring some of their sliced bread to each table and make the toasters available to toast it and then supply a variety of butters. We're hoping it happens before we leave so we can try it out.

After more visiting with Ron, Shirley and Barb, we returned through the rain drops (it rained off and on all day today) and once the rain quit falling went for a walk carrying our umbrellas.  And yes, I did manage  to get in my 10,000 steps again today despite the weather.  The umbrella helped!!!

A Full Day

Thursday, July 14, 2016

What a beautiful day!!!!  The temperature was in the 80s and the humidity backed off some from what we have been experiencing so it was much more pleasant to be outside.  We've been recovering from all our activity over the past couple of months but simply relaxing and moving at a much slower pace.  Today we actually had time and the weather encouraged us to start working on getting in a bit more walking exercise.  So right after breakfast we did a mile and a half.

By the time we'd cooled down and cleaned up, it was time to leave for the dentist.  We both had cleaning appointments with the same person, Jennifer, so we were there for a couple of hours. But we both came out with a clean bill of health teeth wise.  That is always good.

We drove back north on Telegraph and had a delicious lunch at the Panera near Square Lake Road. Ken still had a birthday treat waiting for him there - his favorite cinnamon roll - which he enjoyed after lunch.

Then we back tracked to COSTCO just to wander the aisles and see what things they carried.  We found several items we'd been watching for and Ken found the newest Clive Cussler book (he LOVES them and has a complete collection of his works).  Another thing we found was a smaller suitcase that we can use easily when traveling on Allegiant Airlines.  They are quite strict and do charge for everything according to size and weight.  This will be perfect for our long weekend in Ohio with all my cousins in October.

On the way back to the RV, Beth contacted us and said Jason's last swim meet would start at 5:30 in Huntington Woods.  We had been planning for a 6:30 start so we had to race back, unload and put things away and quickly jump back in the car and head South again.  BUT we made it in time to see Jason do the 50 backstroke, the 16th event of the night.

Then there was time for a small bite to eat at their concession stand before he swam the 100 free - the 26th event.  He won by a large margin in both of his heats.

What fun to finally see him swim.  He just decided he'd like to try but really has had almost no coaching except since he just started.  With some coaching and practice he could do very well.  As it is he came in 4th in both events overall.

As we were leaving we were struck by the number of people who arrived by bicycle.  This is just one of the racks

We drove back to Beth's place to see her (she was stuck in a board meeting so couldn't make the meet) and pick up our mail that had been sent to her place.

Then we were back off for our RV - another one hour drive.

When we returned, we took advantage of the lower humidity (it was still in the mid 80s) and went for another walk.  I actually hit 10,000 steps on my fitbit which is my goal.  I am hoping to do that daily for as long as we are here.  Just hope the weather cooperates so I can achieve it.  But it did put a big smile on my face as the day was coming to an end.