Right there in front of me

I was driving on backroads from Tomahawk to Woodruff on Saturday and saw some beautiful scenery along the way. I was shooting a road and trees when suddenly right in front of me was a small branch of leaves dancing in the wind.

My Mom's Summer Vacation in Wisconsin

My mom sitting on the sofa in my new Wisconsin apartment.

In the summer of 2007 let the records show that for the first time in many years my mom left her comfortable home in Indiana and spent an extended period of time somewhere else. She left the state, slept in a completely different bed, saw new people and places, and enjoyed it all. My Mom came to Wisconsin this summer.

My mom is 83 this year and she still gets around quite well. She's been through many medical esisodes during her life including two C-Section kids, a number of surgeries, a trip to the Mayo Clinic in the 70's for diagnosis and treatment of something the doctors in Indiana couldn't find, two knee replacements, and most recently cataract surgery that led to a serious eye infection and temporary blindness in one eye. But she's back and nothing will keep her down.

My mom grew up on a farm in Indiana during the Great Depression. She was one of 13 children and had brothers and sisters old enough to not only parent her as a child, but to produce their own offspring so that she has nieces and nephews that are almost the same age as she. It was not an easy life and she did not get along well with her father resulting in a decision to leave home at age 16. She grew up fast in the 1940s and married a young man who was called into military service and fought in Europe only to be killed in action. Married only a short time my mother was soon a widow.

A young woman, my mom has most of her life ahead of her when this photo was taken.

She moved on and went to beauty school where she graduated at the top of her class. It was there that she met a woman who was the sister of a fellow she would one day meet. He became my father.

In the 1950s she became a wife and mother to two boys with a husband who wanted to operate a business for himself and soon opened a grocery store in a small Indiana town called Osceola. Having long ago given up the practice of hair styling, she pitched in with Dad and opened the store and helped two little boys grow up and get into school. Within a few years the business prospered to a point where my parents built a new store with the house attached as was relatively common in the days before Jewel, Dominick's, Pick N Save, and other large chains. As a kid growing up I had both my parents there but it was my mom who had milk and cookies for two hungry boys when they got off the bus in the afternoon and could always be counted on for a hot breakfast on cold Indiana winter mornings.

She worked hard in the store, kept house, and still managed to have time for a family. My mom was the mom who picked up kids from practice after school or went to the ballgames or band concerts so that my dad could run the store.

When I went off to college my parents didn't have money to cover costs but my mom would slip a $20 into an occasion letter so that her son could have a few treats and a little spending money. When that boy became a grown up (using that term a bit loosely here) she became Grandma Kay to Sierra and Jourdan and gave a lot of time to help watch the kids after the store closed in the 1980s. In retirment, my mom continued to work in various jobs including a retail/catalogue store, a sewing factory, and convenience market.

Me, Jourdan, and my mom at Jourdan's graduation party in 2005.

When my dad passed away in the late 1990s she stayed in the house and remains there today. Knee and eye problems slowed her down a little but not much.

When I moved to Illinois in 2003 I kept in contact with my mom with regular phone calls but only infrequent visits. One Christmas she came to Crystal Lake with Jourdan and we had a nice visit. My move to Wisconsin this spring seemed like a big mountain to climb but when we both realized she could spend time here and not have to stay in Indiana we started planning her summer vacation.

My mom spent almost six weeks here. I had to spend a lot of time at work but in the free hours in the evenings and week ends we tried to explore Wausau and the surrounding area. We ate dinner in a lot of places, shopped in the stores, and toured the community. She stayed until the last day of June when I drove her back to Indiana. A little sadly too I think for both of us.

It was a good time. It was the first time I'd actually lived under the same roof as my mom in almost thirty years. We ate more meals together that we have in years. And watched a lot of TV too, especially old episodes of I Love Lucy and a fair amount of Lifetime. When she got bored she folded my underwear, cooked dinner, ran the vacuum and became good buddies with Nigel the cat, something I really never expected. She took lots of naps and I hope had a good time. She liked it here in Wisconsin and every time we crested the hill on Volkman Street in sight of Rib Mountain she'd say, "there's OUR mountain!"

I learned a lot about my mom this summer and about myself. This visit reconnected me with a lot of family stories I'd forgotten and probably will forget again. It was also a reminder of how much she cherished my dad. She speaks of him in a friendly sort of awe or reverence though sometimes as I kid all I could recall was the times when they, like most married couples, had disagreements and differences of opinion.

My mom at Jourdan's apartment in Milwaukee on moving day.

My mom's life spans a century and a millennium and in a few years she will reach age 90. She is sharp as a tack and her eyesight puts my own to shame. When her body quits on her (like climbing the 14 steps she counted up to my apartment) her mind never fails. She can recall things that I cannot. She is a child of her age and isn't always completely comfortable with things I take for granted today like seeing multi-racial couples in a Milwaukee restaurant or the somewhat frequent use of the F word by Jourdan or me. But she is my mom and will always be my mom.

Sadly in all the time she spent I barely got any pictures of her but there are a few posted her including one when she was much younger and was photographed in a wedding party. She is Catherine Marie Lewallen Huys, age 83, a long time resident of Osceola, Indiana. She is my mom and I love her.

Getting Settled--My Stuff is Here!

A view of my dining area and the posters I got last summer in San Francisco.

Its been about seven weeks since my arrival in central Wisconsin and I've spent a good part of most days getting into my work and trying to get my arms around my new job. I like it here, here at work, and here in my newly adopted community. People are friendly and welcoming. I've made good connections at work, with the local newspaper people, and in a few of the arts and community organizations. Its all good.

And to make it even better, last week I completed the sale of my condo in Illinois and moved all of my worldly goods to my new apartment. Last Monday and Tuesday movers from Graebel packed my belongings and put them on a truck bound for the northwoods. The actual packing the truck, driving, and unloading took place all in one day and while it was a little hectic it was nice to have everything done in one motion and without losing time away from work.

My furniture was placed in the right rooms and the garage was loaded with the boxes. Slowly but surely I've been making progress unpacking boxes and putting things away. By Sunday I'd made enough headway to get the MINI back indoors at night and when I'm home. There are many more boxes to open but some are going to stay closed up until I get into a permanent residence somewhere down the road when I know the community and the neighborhoods better. Until then life here is pretty good. I have furniture, my own bed, and things where I want them.

Now that helps make life good.

The New Car Bug Bites!

I realized I've been wanting to drive a MINI Cooper since 2001 when I was still living in Indiana and the new version of the cars had just come out. I'd signed up on their website then and as I was checking back there recently I discovered my old address and phone number, evidence of my long held desire for this incredible car.

Last week end my MINI quest was fulfilled at International MINI of Milwaukee. After a brief test drive around West Allis, Wisconsin, I had the feel of the clutch and a sense for the tight steering and incredible power of the car. Desire was fed by a really great lease deal and within an hour Jourdan and I were driving back to Wausau. Well, actually we made a slight detour over to Roots, a great restaurant in MKE and then headed north.

On Sunday I took the MINI up to the top of Rib Mountain for its first pictures. There will be more to come I'm sure. It is a great car, powerful, fun to drive, and on and on. What can I say? I really love it.

Way Up North and the End of US Hwy 45

On the Saturday morning of Easter week end, Jourdan and I decided to wander our way up north to see some of the northwoods and explore a little. We started out in mid morning and made our way up to Rhinelander and Eagle River by lunchtime and had a delicious lunch at the Blue Moon Coffeehouse in Eagle River. It was pretty chilly and with the streets torn up in ER we didn't have much of an opportunity to look around or shop so we opted instead to drive further north to cross over into the UP to see what we could see and also to look for bald eagles.

We're not strangers to the UP but the last time we'd been there was a week during mid-summer in the 1990s and we'd gone up through the Straits of Mackinac and over the big bridge to camp. This time it was sort of like sneaking in the back door. Earlier this week northern Wisconsin had received several inches of snow and we'd actually had a light dusting on Saturday morning here in Wausau. As we drove north, the snow got heavier and in a number of places there were spots where the roads were covered or patchy.

Not long after leaving Eagle River we saw our first bald eagle flying low over our heads along the highway. It was magnificent. We think there might have been a couple more in the area but they were too high up to easily be identified. We crossed over the border into the UP at Land O' Lakes and continued north to Watersmeet, Michigan.

At that point we had a decision to make. Should we turn back or pursue other options. As Jourdan looked at the map and we saw signs, we realized that Ontonagon, Michigan was a mere 48 miles further and there we'd be on the shores of Lake Superior. So onward we drove.

Bruce Crossing was the next town about 20 miles further and there it was time for a pit stop. The snows were much deeper by that time and the parking lot of the IGA/BP gas station was actually packed snow and people were driving up on their snowmobiles to get gas. After a quick stop we kept driving through some beautiful hills passing through Rockland before eventually coming to Ontonagon.

It took a few minutes to get our bearings there but we finally found our way to the country park and lakeshore area. It was simply awesome. The pounding of Lake Superior on the shore there created an environment of ice like we'd never seen before. The sand was semi frozen in places where you could see it and most of the shore was covered in field of ice. The lake was several hundred yards out and to get there we walked on an undulating terrain of very intense ice and actually climbed up to a point where another kind of ice had formed, this time more like round balls that were frozen in place. This was still over a hundred or so yards from open water and as we looked out you could see an expanse of the same kinds of ice balls actually moving and floating against the shore in the water.

To say it was cold is an understatement. The wind was ripping. The ice field we walked on was very slick. Patches of snow helped us get traction but there were some places where my shoes simply would not take me and I had to find alternatives to get to the high point of the ice field to take pictures. After about ten minutes we returned to the car and cranked up the heat full blast to get warm. We hoped for a coffeeshop in Ontonagon but the only one there was closed and our options were a couple of bars so we chose instead to head back.

The trip back seemed to go faster. It wasn't long before we were back in Land O' Lakes for a quick stop and a chance to de-ice the Echo. The roads there were wet and sandy and combined with the cold temperatures caused a very hard crust of ice to form along the bottom of the car and in the wheel wells. On the way back we saw one more bald eagle clearly and that was a nice way to conclude our wanderings.

Its a long way that far north but we are planning a return trip this summer more likely to the Apostle Islands area and the NPS area for camping and exploring. We're going when its a little warmer too. These additional pictures provide a glimpse of how stark and beautiful the shores of Lake Superior can be in winter.



Oh, one more thing, US Hwy 45 goes all the way to Ontonagon. In Illinois we often crossed it in our travels there and in places it was known as Lagrange Road. But way up north its just US 45 and connects places like Bruce Crossing with Rockland and Ontonagon. There is actually a turn around there and you head back south. I don't think I've come to the end of the road very often in my life. But this week end we did.

The Thrill Is Not Gone--BB King Comes to Wausau

Sometimes its just a matter of being in the right place at the right time.

That's about the only way I can summarize a series of events that took place over the past couple of days that led to one very memorable evening. I saw that BB King was coming to Wausau several weeks ago when I was still in the interview process for my new job here. I also saw that the show was sold out. I was happy to see that such a great performer would be here and probably in a small way it contributed to my growing interest in the job and the community.

Sometime on Monday, Tom, one of my team members told me there was an "extra" ticket to see BB King and he asked if I'd like it. Well, an offer like that cannot be turned down. I was all set for an evening of fun with some of my new friends and colleages and the chance to hear BB King for the first time. The night went well. The Grand Theatre is very grand. I met a number of interesing people prior to the concert including the Grand's director who mentioned that we could come back stage and meet Mr. King following the concert. Good idea I thought but it was soon time for the show to start.

I think I can speak for most of us in attendance when I say that we were in awe of BB King. At age 81 the man can play, sing, and tell incredible stories. He and the band played for a solid two hours and when it was over nobody wanted him to go.

We filed our way out and down to the main floor...and then to the back of the theatre area where we were asked to wait in a small room to visit Mr. King for a few minutes in groups of five people. We waited through about three or four groups and finally were on our way in. He sat in the back of his tour bus in a room with very comfortable seating. He invited us all to sit down while he talked to us and continued to tell stories. He graciously signed every piece of paper put in front of him and even granted a very rare interview to the local WPR radio newscaster.

Our few minutes were up soon but nobody moved and BB King just kept on talking to us, listening to our questions, and sharing from his life as a bluesman. Probably twenty or maybe thirty minutes went by and we remained in our seats with him in what was probably one of the most incredible times of my life. Finally we got up to leave and he let us take a few pictures and then shook hands and waved good bye.

I waited a long time to see BB King for the first time and I don't expect I'll ever be as fortunate to see him again in a situation like this. But know this, I'll go a long way out of my way to see him again. He signed a vintage-style poster of this year's tour for me and when the frame gets here it will hold a place of significance in my new Wisconsin home.

BB King sings "The Thrill is Gone," but for me the thrill will last a long, long time.

Evidence of Things Past

Somebody lived here before.

They left evidence of things past literally steps from my apartment door. High on a hill south of Wausau is nestled the little development called Whitespire Grove. From the highest point you can look north along the river valley and see towards downtown Wausau several miles away. A glance west is a great view of Granite Peak (Rib Mountain) which still has snow on all of the runs. Chunks of red granite are everywhere in the fields surrounding where I live.

This was originally farmland. In fact the farmhouse and barn are still situated on a corner not far from my place. But a lot of what looks like a farm is gone, except when you look closer. On a walk this afternoon I discovered a short section of farm fence, complete with barbed wire and remains of insulators suggesting an "electric" fence to keep farm animals in.

I grew up around things like this as a kid. Climbing over barbed wire fences was a common occurance and I'm sure my mom appreciated the holes in my jeans that gave testimony to my climbing abilities. Rotting fence posts, insulators, and an occasional "live" electric fence are things I recall clearly from growing up. And now I find these same things here in my new home.

Its interesting to think about how life sometimes brings you back to things you experienced before. I like that. Its very nice way for God to tell me things are going to be fine here.

Where I Live

Its the end of my first week here in the Wausau area. Actually I live in Schofield, Wisconsin, which is just a few miles down river on the mighty Wisconsin River, not far from Rothschild. My commute to work is 10-12 minutes most mornings and I'm very strategically located near shopping and good places to eat. Mickey's Red Hots is literally a mile from my place and they make a real Chicago Hot Dog!

Only about 5 minutes away is Rib Mountain Drive where many of the places you want to shop are located. My grocery store of choice is Trigs and its wonderful. They have great people, wonderful things to eat, fresh stuff and its a great experience. They don't allow carts in the parking lot so you get to drive up and a nice fellow puts your stuff in the truck and will not accept tips. We have a new Menards, Home Depot, Best Buy, Bed Bath and Beyond....and many local places that add flavor and interest for me.

This is an outside view of my place. I have the top floor and my bedroom is on the left corner in this picture. Spring has settled into north central Wisconsin this week melting the snow and softening the ice on the river and Lake Wausau. There is still snow and skiing on Granite Peak but that won't last much longer.

Anit-war Protest in Wausau

This was one of the nicest ways my daughter and I could have been welcomed to Wausau and central Wisconsin.

Chanting "Not one more dead, not one more dollar," about 125 anti-war protesters from north central Wisconsin turned out for a peace rally and march Saturday in downtown Wausau, marking the fourth anniversary of the war in Iraq.

The protest was one of many coinciding with other rallies across the state and nation this weekend, demanding Congress stop funding the war in Iraq and begin withdrawing U.S. troops.

Congress is debating how much of an approximate $95 billion supplemental spending bill they will fund and whether to specify a date for withdrawing troops.

The war in Iraq has cost more than 3,200 U.S. troops and an estimated $500 billion, according to The Associated Press.

Wayne Koniecki, 60, of Parrish marched with a sign embellished with a red, plastic gas can that read "How many lives per gallon."

During the November elections, Wisconsin voters supported more than two-to-one ballot measures calling for a withdraw of troops from Iraq, he said.

Additionally, last spring "nearly two dozen communities passed nonbinding resolutions at the local level calling for the government to begin removing troops from Iraq," said Jeffrey Ames, chair of Peace North based in Hayward, who spoke at Saturday's rally.

I borrowed heavily from the story written by Tracey Ludvik of the Wausau Daily Herald.

Moving North

Here in northern Illinois they sometimes refer to it as the "Cheddar Curtain." The Wisconsin border looms very close to my home in Crystal Lake but in just a few days I'll be moving north to take a new job in a large healthcare system directing public and community relations. My office location will be Wausau, but I'll be living in Schofield, one of the towns located along the Wisconsin River a few miles south of Wausau.

Actually the nature of my role will involved a fair amount of travel to the hospitals we have that are located throughout central and northern Wisconsin. Its really pretty exciting as I'll be exploring a whole new region of the upper midwest/Great Lakes Region. Wausau is about 240 miles north of Crystal Lake, a drive of approximately three and one half hours. I've made several trips there over the past few weeks and am beginning to know my way around most of the major things in the community. I'm very excited about what lies ahead.

So far on my visits I've not really had time to take pictures so for now this post will feature a picture I found online. Right now I'm spending most of my time preparing for the new job, sorting through what to keep and what to throw away, and starting to sell my townhouse.

A view of Rib Mountain and Lake Wausau

Obama Announcement

Barack Obama represents what may be the best hope for American in many decades.

My Little Town

I live in Crystal Lake, Illinois. Its a town of around 40,000 souls located northwest of Chicago in McHenry County. I live in the downtown area just a block from the Metra Station and about the same distance from Williams Street which is the main street in our town. Many small shops and businesses line this street or are located just off of it. Places like Heisler's Bootery, J. Scott Men's Wear, Le Petit Marche, and the Raue Center for the Arts. There are good places to eat too like the Olympic, Genovese's, Duke O'Brien's, and Christopher's. With the Metra station being so close I never have to find a place to park when I want to head into the city. Life here has many great benefits.

This is a photo taken from the south end of Williams Street looking north during the late afternoon of December 31, 2006. New Year's Eve day. The end of a year for me and the beginning of another.

This has been an interesting year with many good things taking place. Its also been a year where there have been some significant changes in my life including employment. As I look to the days ahead I will be working for a new company soon. One that might allow me to stay here in Crystal Lake or at least the Chicago area. Or perhaps it will take me to a new place, much different that the place I've known the past three and a half years.

It will be interesting to look back on this day a year from now as we prepare to enter into 2008. Many questions will have been answered by then but new ones will remain. As is always the case in life as we move ahead. That's one of the things I like most about it. Life that is. Always different. Always interesting. Full of opportunity, hope and promise.

To everyone who reads this...to anyone who reads this (who am I kidding?) I wish you a happy and prosperous new year. And all the best in the days ahead. From my little town....to you.

Washing the cat

This is probably something that should be titled, "Don't try this at home," but a few days ago when my daughter was home for Christmas break she decided it was time for the cat to have his yearly bath. I'm always supportive of the concept but in the time or two where I've tried it, results were less than successful. Well, actually the cat got cleaned but he got even using back claws and teeth. So in practice I've given up on the process.

But Jourdan is brave and one morning just before Christmas she tossed Nigel Martin into the shower and hopped in right behind him. His experience was similar to those in the past but he was a bit kinder and gentler with her than he'd been with me. After a minute or two of warm water I heard he actually seemed to be warming up to the idea. At least enough to endure the fragrant shampoo and warm water rinse.

When it was over he lept from the tub and ran down the stairs like he could somehow manage to escape the water if his velocity were only high enough. Unfortunately in his case he didn't outrun the wet and had to endure a toweling off followed by a few hours of personal grooming.

Right before that process started I managed a few quick snaps of our regal feline, Nigel Martin. Normally he is a proud and princely feline but when he's wet, he's just a sorry little sack, skinny, scrawny, and not the least regal in stature. But aren't we all like that at some point in our lives. For Nigel's sake, he dried fairly quickly thanks to a small room heater that he got close to and soon he'd returned to his fluffy, furry self. But now his fur is soft and smells so nice. I'm thinking it would be a shame to wait an entire year for this process to take place again. But I'm not brave enough to try it without a full suit of armor.