2012

Easton, MD - June 27

Sitting in Easton in a house we swapped with another couple, overlooking water. Golfed yesterday, kayaking today....and trying to reconcile my complete freedom with no kids around and no job to worry about.   This is an odd sort of reality.  No obligations, no emails, no time crunches, etc.  The scary thing is, I could get used to this, though I know I have to get back into it.

June 28 - Yesterday we went kayaking, drove thru Tilghman Island (nothing much) came back, had lunch, read, and napped.  Then drove down to Oxford (a terminally cute town!), had a drink at a waterside restaurant, came back and grilled shishcabobs.  A delightful day.

July 4 - Nice 4th.  Martha and I took a bike ride, then I messed around with my drums - and Nate's. Then made some headway in figuring out Sonar and BFD.   Leisurely dinner and watched The Artist and a thunderstorm roll in.

Another Day - July 5 - Not particularly productive; though went to the gym, then sweated through practicing "Picnic" songs on Nathan's kit.  Then just puttered on some job applications.   The evening was eventful, though.  Martha and I went to see "13," a Dolly Stevens play, at Franklin Park.   We were pleasantly surprised with it (though shouldn't be). We are amazed, though, at how well she gets these kids to pull these off in just two weeks. Patrick had been in "Guys & Dolls" in the prior production, but since he went off to camp, he couldn't be in this.  Too bad.  He would have really enjoyed it.

Downtown - July 16 - Met with Dan Smith and Tom Sheridan - then lunch with Maureen Lilly and visited with Ellen Riddleburger.  Got to keep working the network.

DC Day - July 20 - Met with Chris Kush, Kevin Brennen over lunch, Alan Segal and Fred Dombo about job prospects and bouncing off the idea of consulting.

On To Michigan - July 25 - Spent the day getting Nate and Patrick up early and making the drive to Castle Park.  Remarkably easy to pack and go with them older and only two.

CP - July 28 - In Michigan - the evening we arrived it was miserably hot and humid, so Martha and I went down and jumped in Lake Michigan and cooled off in the dark waters with sparkles of the moon glistening overhead. On Thursday, the 26th, our first day here, Nathan took of for a fishing trip with the Hibbards, so I took Patrick to Culver's for lunch and then to see Dark Knight Rises.  Wonderful flick. Yesterday, the 27th, I sat in the Castle putting on my personal business project.  After lunch I napped during a thunderstorm (heavenly) then went down to the beach and finally came up to grill a salmon dinner.  Already starting to get into the CP rhythm.  

CP Storm - July 31 - Big storm last night that woke all of us up.  Knocked out the power for seven hours and took down quite a few trees; some into houses.  Cleared up this this morning, though, and the waves on the Lake were great.  Took a nice run to Macatawa this morning and then went in the breakers with Patrick, Nathan and some other kids.

Castle Park - Aug 1 - In Castle Park: worked on some tax filing, a job application then took Nate to Lowes with me to get spray paint for the porch furniture - and did a bench.  Then hung at the beach with Martha.

Castle Park - Aug 5 - On Thursday I took both Nathan &  Patrick to see the Dark Knight Rises (though I'd already done with Patrick).  Went grocery shopping, spray painted some chairs, ran, went to the beach,read a book, etc.   One day seems to blend into another and it's been relaxing, though it's starting to feel mundane.

Castle Park - Aug 6 - Terrible night sleep and got up late.  Took Nathan running down the Macatawa with me.  Afternoon watched the boys take a tennis lesson, went to the beach with them and then to Central Park store to pick up stuff.  The park is emptying out. Nathan's friends are gone and now he has to hang out with his brother, which is why he's decided to come to Chicago with me on Friday.  What a change CP has gone through over the last 30 years.

X-Mas Shopping - Dec. 19 - Xmas shopping part of the day...trucks for Patrick, shoes and slippers for Martha.  Sent fax to get IL title to ACs car.  Now at Valley for Jazz band..Patrick's debut. 

Lake Zurich - December 28 - Arrived last nigh after an all day drive with Chris and his two friends, Alex and Ellis.  14 hour drive, ech!

Staying at Aunties.

The purpose of the trip was really do get my Aunt's car for Chris to drive back, but also to help with the house where needed.   I had the most incredibly productive day today. Having to get Chris' car all set; I glued the side mirror last night,  took it in for heavy detailed cleaning, got a temporary registration from the Secretary of Stat's office , got him gas, enrolled the car insurance, got his exhaust system fixed and a new stereo system installed.  All before 5:00!   Oh, we also stopped to visit my aunt.  Quite a shock for Chris. He seemed a little rattled seeing her in that state.  

He's off tonight with his two buddies to Evanston to see Carolyn and spending the night. I'm a bit worried about him driving a "new" car in a strange city...... But he has to get used to it.