Cyclocross

Every time I go to see a 'cross race I get to jonesing for a cross bike. It is so cool and it'd be d-y-n-o-mite to have a cross bike for ripping around town. Perhaps I'll set up over the Winter.

I missed a slug of mountain bike races this year too, so it was good to bump into some ski and MTB buddies at the race. Not sure how many more races I've got in my old carcass, but if these fossils can do it...

The Tribe

Also spent the weekend touching base with the old tribe, University of Wisconsin Badgers. While in school there, I had season football and hockey tickets. So we splurged on football tix, scrimped on hockey and caught three Badger games in two days. Homecoming parade, beers at the Rathskeller, walking State Street. And the Band, man. The Band.

I’m happy to report the rituals remain alive and well. Chants, cheers, polkas, rattling keys and pointing at that sieve goalie. The students have carried on better than I ever could. Is a house party a ritual? Enough choruses of Varsity to keep me stocked up for a few years. And the band is under official sanction for lewd behavior.

The hockey Badgers performed well in two contests versus the powerhouse Fighting Sioux. The football Badgers did fine against a Gopher team that failed to mount a respectable performance. But the perfect football weather practically overshadowed activity on the field. We just basked in the atmosphere of the place. In all, you couldn’t script it better.

You Never Know

I was really happy to meet Isabel Raether. She’s a lively, active and alert 80-year-old in Columbus, Wisconsin. Just a fine person. Lifelong nurse.

She went to high school with my father, Jack. They continued good buddies and he wrote her often from his travels to Germany as an enlisted soldier (1946 or so). So she shared some pictures of my dad as a teenager and early 20-something. Cool. We also went by the two places they lived in Columbus. It was precious to have her show us around.

Isabel also went to nursing school at Madison General Hospital with my Mom, Jean. Three years of school and then they and two others rented a place in Chicago while interning at various hospitals. Great to see pictures of my carefree, single Mom belting out show tunes with Isabel.

So, of course, Isabel introduced Jean to Jack. Without Isabel, my little corner of existence would be … well I don’t know. I’m just happy things worked out just this way. And grateful to have spent a little time with Isabel, to have gotten a bit more family history and to have made a small connection. After all, those small connections can turn out to be important.

Road Trip!

Been home a few weeks, so good time for a road trip. Blasted out of Minnie yesterday. Day two breakfast and tour with Milwaukee mother-in-law. Tour included the new Whole Foods Coop near downtown. Quite an attractive place and it certainly is meeting some needs. But it points out clearly that "organic" is not be end point for where we need to get. Food is generally highly processed, highly packaged and highly priced. Guess there's more than one way to skin a potato.

Nephew played football tonight and winter is definately on the way. WINDY, cold and a few passing flurries. Damn, that was a quick fall! Unfortunately New Berlin-Eisenhower does every bit as good as Tosa' East under these conditions. Lions defeat Trojans 33-8. Great to break bread with all the homies. Off to Madison tomorrow.

Fall, literally

A gorgeous evening to get out the grill. A rare warm, dry and calm October night. The green and golden leaves shine with the unique glow of autumn. We set out the chairs and tuck into our favorite readings while the coals fire up.

Whack! Thwop! Our bumper crop of black walnuts is being harvested by every squirrel in the neighborhood. They drop them to the driveway, pick them up and scatter to their respective home territories. After a few close calls we move our chairs out from under the production line.