Jan
14
2012
Wish we were there! Maybe not! Shirley and I are in Florida! Thanks, Dave Parmentier, for the photo from the ‘Derby”! Rog
Dave and Vicki.
Jan
14
2012
I just came back from the pool and was putting some things away when an SUV rolled up at our curb. A man stepped out, donned a cowboy hat (from the distance he kinda-looked familiar) and started walking my way. The glasses were a clue, but when he started getting closer, the signature cowboy boots, with that signature cowboy hat had solved the riddle… it was Dennis Race and his lovely wife, Kathy, from the Kelly Lake area; known ‘em for years!
Dennis and Kathy are staying in Newport, FL (about a half-hour south) for three months and thought they’d look us up. They drove into our Pescara Lake Community 55+ park and headed for the clubhouse for information when Dennis saw me leaving the pool. He jumped back into his car and they made their way back to our home.
Inviting them in, I introduced them to my mother and we commenced to gab and fill in the details. It was great that they thought of us and took the time to find us; we had a wonderful visit and plan to hook-up with them during their thee months in Florida! What a pleasant surprise! Rog and Shirley
(Click on pic to enlarge)
Jan
14
2012
This time it was Shirley’s birthday,Thursday, January 12th; my mother’s was the 6th. Coincidentally, our long-time Kelly Lake friend, Ruby O’Neil (now living near Del Ray Beach FL on the Atlantic coast) called and said she would be in the Bradenton area, staying at the St. Pete “Trade Winds Sandpiper Resort” (see http://www.tradewindsresort.com/default.aspx?NCK=PPCBG&gclid=CM6Ezp_Dya0CFUmR7QodpnxFhQ) and wondered where we could hook up. We had visited and stayed with Ruby and Bill this last March on our trip to Florida (http://www.kellylake.net)./archives/6421/)—Bill was back home today while Ruby went to a conference with a friend.
Shirley and I thought it would be great to drive up the 45-mile trek to see and celebrate at the Resort; it’s a beautiful drive up and over the Sunshine Skyway Bridge (http://interstate275florida.com/ssb.htm). We arrived about 6 PM where we met Ruby at the front door. Hugs were exchanged and we made our way through the TW Sandpiper; the girls had already agreed on one of the different eateries.
After we dined, it had already begun to grow dark, but what we could see was quite lavish and luxury-ish! We winded around pools, palms, mini-waterways for paddle boats and over mini-bridges to check out the nightlife and find some entertainment. Our final stop was perfect at “Sharktooth Tavern” to imbibe in some libations, as celebrated Shirley’s birthday and a grand get-together with a great long-time friend! Roger and Shirley
(Click 0n pics to enlarge)
Shirley and me at the “Sharktooth Tavern”.
Ruby and me.
A coincidentally pleasant surprise call from Ruby led to a fun celebration for the three of us! Thanks, Ruby!
Jan
13
2012
One week ago today, my mother turned 100—a milestone, to say the least. She was born, Eva Margaret Konitzer, on January 6th, 1912, one of sixteen children on a farm south of Oconto Falls, WI, three months before the sinking of the Titanic. Two years later, WWll broke out, although at age two, she recalls little of it. Then, the “Roaring 20s” (she was still a pre-teen) and the parents’ worry! At 19 she married my dad, Leonard, on June 13th, 1929.
Dad and her lived and made it through the “Crash of 29″, followed by “The Great Depression”. “Oh, the humanities” were words that echoed through the world with the Hindenburg disaster in 37. She saw the onset of WWll in ’39 at the age of 27, and the bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941 that led us out of isolationism—Mom was 29 and witnessed its end May, 8th, 1945 at 33-years-old. The Korean War (the “Silent War”—’50-’53) brought many to their black-and-white round-screen televisions to witness its horror. Of course, there was the Vietnam War from ’56 to ’75; seems no end to the conflicts.
The “Space Race” started with the Russians when they launch the first orbiting satellite, “Sputnik”, in ’57—a 23″ basketball-size marvel that stepped up the “Cold War” with Russia; a race for space-dominance. The U. S. launched “Echo 1″ on August 12th, 1960; all eyes looking skyward at night for the 135′ diameter orbiter’s reflection as it passed overhead; the focus of the first space venture involving cooperation between the U.S.S.R. and the U.S.—she was 48. Then came the landing on the Moon in 1969. I can go on…
I’ve only touched on a few moments through her remarkable tenure, longevity and perseverance! To celebrate her January 6th birthday, Mom wanted a big party. Her children (Ginger, Karen, Kay and me) launched off to have a grand event—under her direction! We decided on Machute’s Supper Club in Two Rivers—one of her favorite places—and made a list to send invitations. Out of the 150 invited, 144 showed up, some driving 60 or more miles to join in and share her life and to pay tribute to a woman and mother who has gone through and done so much in life and for others—there’s not enough room to express the latter.
With that said, life for Mother goes on! With lasting love, we wish her well and the fullest enjoyment of life. She flew back with us to our winter home in Bradenton, FL to spend time away from the cold and snow of Two Rivers. She was exhausted after the grand event and flight here, but is doing well. Presently, after her breakfast, she’s napping (she takes several power-naps a day!). Here are but a few of the 70 photos Shirley took last Sunday at the party. Roger
(Click on pics to enlarge)
Me, Karen Ginger, Kay and Mom.
Serenaded to Happy Birthday by young Sam!
I had to throw these hams in! Ben, Stephenie, Cullen and Brittany Stangel!
Our more immediate family circle!
Jan
11
2012
January 12th is my wife’s (Shirley’s) birthday. I never tell a woman’s age, but at 63, she’s 9 years my junior. We’ve been married going-on 23 years.
Call me schlocky, but those of you who have known us intimately as friends, you know Shirley as a loving, caring, giving, appreciative, hard-working and lovely lady with an unfaltering lifting spirit; brings you up; makes you feel good—she’s always like that, even with me! And, those who have known what we have been through through all these years, know of how she has been my loving and loyal partner; at my side through thick and thin, sickness and health.
Words here or anywhere are difficult to find to express my love for her. Happy birthday, dear, now and forever—I want no other. You haven’t changed a bit through these years! You look marvelous… simply marvelous! Love, Rog
