The sun is back!

Yay! I feel the warmth of sunshine on my face and shoulder, making me squint a bit, but happily so! It is glimmering on the river, there is blue sky, only a bit of clouds layered here and there, and no wind. We woke to wind but that has since ended and it seems quite still. All is right with the world! Afternoon and evening yesterday around here was quite different---often I could not see across the river, or even to the palm trees in the basin. When Emily, my friend, was on her way toward home, she called to ask me if I had seen any water spouts on the river, as she was about to cross on the Buckmann Bridge. Oh my! Because I was listening/watching my radio program, not live feed, I had no idea that there were tornado watches and warnings around the area. Immediately I turned on the TV and gave Emily the reports as she drove along. I also gave her the go-ahead to drive across the bridge, as she suffers from periodic anxiety attacks when it comes to the bridge. She said she was doing fine, but just wanted to make sure---some help I am! She knew more about it than I did and I live right here!

Various areas that often flood did, and folks with rain gauges will have their own measurements, but I did hear reports of up to 2” of rain in places. A house in Mandarin, across the river from me, was reportedly struck by lightning and had slight damage, found only after the firemen chopped through the roof---that is pretty scary, if you ask me. Only smoke at first, but then they found the smoldering fire. I am glad they are trained so well. Further south from my county, a funnel cloud was observed but did not touch down, thank the Lord. The rain was coming down so heavily that I could not, did not, care to venture to the car to get my 12-packs of soda. Instead, I called Ming Moon, ordered some dinner, and oh yes, please bring me Diet Pepsi while you're at it! Mom laughed when I told her about it later, accusing me of making that poor delivery man go out in the rain. That is what delivery people do, and he assured me he did not mind, found it invigorating! He was a Caucasian, so his name likely was not Ping, like on "Seinfeld"!!!

Oooh, I am so excited because Twila just called about lunch!! We are going to The Red Elephant, the same place Emily and Paul took me during “Timmy Week”, where I poured soda down my front! I have my free appetizer card and Twila will get her free elephant ear for dessert for being a first-timer. I hope it is not too busy when we get there, perhaps I shall drive slowly across the river so the noon rush is easing a bit. Twila reported that the lake, the same one I used to live on, was choppy yet after the winds we had earlier today. Quite different than the smoothness of the water here.

When I am out, later on, I must stop at Publix for a few things before Hal and Rosalie arrive. They will be here for breakfast on Monday and I would like to make a casserole to serve them before they head for home. For one thing I need trash can liners. The 20-count box does not seem to last as long as I think it should yet something prevents me from buying the next sized box. We always make our own trouble, doing stuff like that! On Sunday my plans are not to serve an official meal but do want to have some snacks around for folks to enjoy. For drinks I will have some wine and beer, plus soft drinks, tea, and lemonade. Hal is a Michigander, so will enjoy some of the hot dogs that Judy J. brought back for me on her last trip north, natural casing Kogel’s, hence, the need for buns, chopped onions, relish, and other condiments. Since we are meeting here after first attending Fellowship Sunday, where refreshments will be served, plus some time in between for folks to grab a bite before coming over, I think light snacks will be fine. My mouth, though, is watering for one of those hot dogs! Also, my freezer holds some Newton hot dogs which were carried home from WI this last trip as well as the Boar’s Head brand of natural casing dogs which have been in there awhile. Perhaps one of my neighbors with a grille would be so kind as to cook them up for me some day….

Speaking of Newton hot dogs, today PresBO is visiting my hometown of Manitowoc, touring some manufacturing plants on the somewhat outskirts of town. I hope the weather is decent so that the lake is presentable for the press visiting with the dignitaries. It could be like when the blimp comes to a football city, showing the spectacular sites visible from above, like the sky lines or boats sitting on shimmering water. How cool it would be to see the S.S. Badger entering or leaving the port when the press is around to capture!!! Who needs high-speed rail when you have da’ Badger???