Grand Tour - Missouri, Kansas, Illinois - Day Three

One of my memories of growing up in Kansas City was going downtown to view the American Royal parade.  The American Royal is an eight week long event in Kansas City that celebrates the city as a center of agriculture and all its associated commercial enterprises.  It is a horse and stock show complete with rodeo and cattle shows and sales as well as internationally recognized horse shows.  The parade was a community event to celebrate all that.  It is the same today with some notable changes.  In addition to innumerable equine units, there were biker groups with magnificence machines with their throaty growls and loud rumbles, stepping groups with their unique and now more main stream displays, and African-American horse riding groups.
This year's parade honored American service men and women and so there were a number of military and veteran units.  It was beautiful sunny day with moderate temperatures, perfect for watching an 90 minute parade.  We went with my sister Mary and were joined by my niece Kate and her husband Ryan who cycled down from their house. It was great to see them on this trip.  You can see some photos of the parade here:  https://picasaweb.google.com/111139278872202723241/AmericanRoyalParade  I also took a lot of video which I will get posted on YouTube in the coming days.  For now you can view one of the bike clubs below.

My brother-in-law bob and my sister Louisa joined us for lunch after the parade.  We lingered over lunch out doors and then realized we had to hustle back to Mom's to get ready for Mass and more celebrations at Rockhurst.  I, of course, had to take a little nap which made us a bit late for Mass at St. Francis Xavier Church, the Jesuit parish across the street from the University.  It was celebrated by Fr. Tom Curran, the president of Rockhurst.  It was very moving experience for me being back in that church in which I had spent so much time as an undergraduate:  we had mandatory Mass every Friday there.  I was also moved by Fr. Curran's homily that was Ignatian to the core.  He spoke at length about the instructions Ignatius gave to the Jesuits attending the Council of Trent which are still relevant today.

After Mass, we attended an alumni reception and heard Fr. Curran's excellent report on the state of the university.  It was final chance to be with the members of the class and make our farewells with promises to stay in touch.  We joined Ralph and Buffy Richardson for dinner on the Plaza for some excellent barbeque at Jack Stack's.  While we waited for our table, Marilyn and I walked around a bit and found plenty subjects for our cameras.  That moon was there again and I couldn't resist a shot of it as it rose over the Plaza.
It was a late night and we found that Mom had gone to bed.  I worked on the photos a bit and then hit the sack.  Tomorrow we head to Maize, Kansas for two days with my cousin Andy Sciolaro and his wife Lois.
You can view the updated Rockhurst photo album here: https://picasaweb.google.com/111139278872202723241/RockhurstGoldenHawks2012#

Grand Tour - Missouri, Kansas, Illinois - Day Two

We drove from Terre Haute to Kansas City uneventfully.  At a rest stop, we met Bob, a very interesting person.  Sadly I didn't think to take a photo of him.  He was 83 years old and had lost his wife a couple of years ago.  He had been retired for 20 years.  He and his wife during those years had gone through three motorhomes and 300,000 miles. He was on his way to New Mexico to visit his Zuni friends.  he had driven from Pennsylvania and said this would probably be his last trip to visit them.  He urged us to make good use of our retirement together as he and his wife had done.  He was a wonderful presence.  The three of us held hands and prayed for God's blessing on the three of us and our travels and lives.

Tom Gosebrink, Charlie Braddock, and himself.

Once we got to Mom's, we visited, showered and got ready for the festivities at Rockhurst college (now University.  It was a lovely evening, seeing old friends and classmates, most of whom I had not seen in many, many years.  We had a campus tour.  Much had changed in 50 years and we had fun trying to reconstruct the campus as we remembered it!  After the tour, we gathered for a dinner and our induction into the Golden Hawks.  We told lots of stories including the infamous Robert Frost appearance as a Visiting Scholar.

After dinner, each of us was called forward and presented with a medalion for still being alive 50 years after our graduation.  We were honored at the half time of a men's soccer game.  Well, at least Ralph Richard, Charlie Braddock, and I were since the rest had apparently gone home to get to bed.  We are old, you have to realize.

You can see photos of the evening on my Picasa site:  https://picasaweb.google.com/111139278872202723241/RockhurstGoldenHawks2012

Grand Tour - Missouri, Kansas, and Illinois - Day One

This is our first trip since Marilyn's actual retirement, i.e., since school has started and she isn't getting up and going to work. Needless to say, she is really enjoying this!
We left early Thursday and drove uneventfully through Pennsylvania, Ohio, and spent the night in Terre Haute, Indiana. We drove through a persistent but fairly gentle rain but that should be the last we see for the duration, at least according to the weather forecast. We took her car this time and the Sonata is quite comfortable a bit more fuel efficient than my 2004 CRV.

We treated ourselves to a tasty lunch at a Steak 'n Shake in Mansfield, Ohio. Apparently we are not counting Weight Watcher points on this trip, at least at the beginning.
We will leave early in the morning for the six hour drive to Kansas City where my fiftieth college reunion at Rockhurst University awaits us along with a Saturday morning viewing of the American Royal Parade with my sisters, Mary and Louisa.
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Location:US-41,Terre Haute,United States Starbucks

Trip to Appleton August 2012 - Day Four

Monday was a quiet day.  Meg worked in her office at the University for a few hours in the morning and I enjoyed the pleasant environment of Harmony Cafe, a coffee house and cafe operated by Goodwill Industries.  I continued reading The Cat's Table, Michael Ondaatje's latest novel.  He is the author of The English Patient which was made into an award winning film.  I highly recommend The Cat's Table.

Pelicans and other water fowl waiting for their supper.

We walked back home where I took my daily and always much anticipated nap.  Lynne was working at home today so the three of us prepared for our evening activities.  These began with a trip back to Vulcan Park to view the the feeding aquatic fowl at the base of the dam.  We had been there Sunday, but I only had my little camera and I wanted to get back during evening light with my Canon and a longer lens.  The light was good and, of course, the birds were there.  I got some nice shots.  It appeared that the various types of birds had somehow worked out their positions and territories in a mutually respectful way.  Either that, or the larger birds took the best spots and the smaller ones jockeyed for what was left.  In any case, there seemed to be settled boundaries with no discernible disputes.

Meg and Lynne in their Cooper convertible.

After that, we went to Noodles & Company which was sponsoring a benefit for the Paper Valley Roller Girls.  Twenty-five percent of every check went to the league.  We enjoyed good food and supported a good cause.  Happily enough, this location was close to a Cold Stone Creamery and a Starbucks and so we ended the evening with some nice ice cream and good coffee as we visited and watched a cloud wall with lightning make its way into the area.  All that threat, however, produced no rain.

Take a look at the updated photo album.

Trip to Appleton August 2012 - Day Three

St. Francis courtyard outside St. Joseph's church

I was up early as usual.  Lynne and Meg slept in quite late and I was just able to tell Meg a sleepy "Good Morning" before I left for the 10:00 am Mass at St. Joseph's Parish, a nice 20 minute walk from the house.  On the way I stopped at the Starbucks for some oatmeal and coffee and a quick review of the NY Times digital edition on my phone.  The parish has been staffed by the Capuchins (Franciscans) since 1877.  the church was nicely full and the presider was effective and affirming.  I was especially impressed with the quality and extent of the congregational singing.

The homily was given by a Servite brother as part of an annual mission appeal.  He spoke of the order's work in Zululand, a region of South Africa.  This brought back memories of our time in Denver where we were part of the Servite parish, Assumption.  I especially remember Fr. Frank Christie, OSM, who came to the parish while we were there.  He had spent several years working among the Zulus.

Lynne, George, and Jim on a tour of Appleton

After Mass I returned to the house.  Lynne and Meg both had roller derby league meetings on Sunday; Lynne's was in the afternoon and Meg's, the evening.  But the exciting event was the visit of George and his partner Jim.  George is a friend of Lynne's from Second Life, a virtual on-line community.  It is an interesting site in which nothing is real but everything is created by real people.  George had created a Universalist-Unitarian Church and Lynne joined.  Their friendship got started and continues there as well as Facebook, but they had never met face-to-face.  Lynne prepared a delicious meal of brats, beans, and corn on the cob. When Meg went to her meeting, the four of us went on a tour of Appleton.  We saw many of the places I had already been but several I had never been to as well.  Also i learned more about the ones I had been to already.  Lynne is fountain of information.  We had a great time and topped it off with a visit to Acocoa, a coffee house cum ice cream.

Lynne plays while Jim listens.

When we got back home, Lynne showed Jim, a trumpet player and music teacher in Columbus schools, her vintage trumpets including the one from 1869 which she plays in a Civil War era band.  They had a great time, playing a bit and talking a lot about these instruments.

I guess you never know how these things will work out but George and Jim were just delightful and added so much to my experience.  I know it was special for Lynne and I was happy to see how well it was for all concerned.

You can see photos of our tour of Appleton in this album.

Trip to Appleton August 2012 - Day Two

Meg and Lynne at the Kangaroostaurant.

Saturday was a big day, the day of the BOUT!  However it began is a rather low key way with a walk to downtown--about four blocks--to the Appleton Farmers Market.  Every Saturday it takes over two blocks or more of College Ave, the main drag through town.

It was a beautiful morning, sunny and even a bit cool.  We stopped for a late breakfast at the Kangaroostaurant, cookery on wheels.  It moves is location during the week and provides quite delicious meals.  We visited several of the booths and I got a lot of interesting photos.  The vegetables were displayed with great care.  Typically the onions were peeled and bunched as you can see here.  We stopped at an interesting shop that was selling semi precious stones with healing properties.  It was called Mystical Earth Gallery.  Meg made a purchase and actually kept her cynicism in check.  Maybe this had something to do with the fact that she was wearing her derby jersey and was promoting the evening's final bout of the season.  Who knows?  She did need to stop by one of the stands and make (buy) some fudge for the refreshment sales at the event.  View more photos of the farm market in the photo album.

Meg on the left with the jammer helmet.

We got back to the house and Meg and Lynne had to get ready for the bout.  Actually there were three bouts:  Meg's team, then the All Stars which is rankable team, and the night cap was a men's bout.  Lynne was serving as a NSO (Non Skating Official) for the second bout.  We drove to De Pere, about a half hour from the house.  While meg and Lynne got everything ready, I tooled around DePere in Mini Cooper convertible...the top was up, just before ask.  I got back to the venue for the warm ups and then meg's bout.  It was quite an experience, my first in person roller derby event....ah, I mean, bout.

Unfortunately Meg's team was not able to hold an early lead they built in the first period.  During the second period, I switched to video and got a couple of good clips.  The below is Meg breaking through the jam.  However the other jammer had gotten out first and ended it when Meg got out.  The was that Meg being a much faster skater than the other jammer would be able to pass her and score points.  There is strategy in every sport.


Take a look at the photo album of Meg's final bout.

Take a look at the video of Meg's grand slam.

Oh, and by the way, since everyone in derby seems to have a nickname, I am now known as Rooster since I am the father of Deviled Meg.

Trip to Appleton August 2012 - Day One

I am in Appleton WI visiting our daughter, Meg, and her partner, Lynne. Usually I am here in January when the weather makes it rather inhospitable no matter how gracious and welcoming Lynn and Meg are. When I landed today, the temperature was in the sixties with low humidity. The lawns have begun to green up as they recover from the hot and dry July. This is similar to Rochester.




Meg picked me up in her Mini Cooper convertible and after stopping at the house for a bit we walked the four blocks to campus and her office. She had a commitment to make a presentation to prospective students and their parents about the freshman studies program at Lawrence University which she is directing for the next two years. You can learn about this very impressive program by going to the Lawrence web site. She did a masterful job.
After a late lunch at a Taste of Thai restaurant, we went back to the house where I promptly took a nap. When I woke up, I found that Lynne had returned early from her new job which is in Green Bay about an hour away. It was good to get caught up with her and the fascinating project she is working on. More on that in a later blog.
I should mention that I am here as Meg's guest for her last Roller Derby "bout" of the season. I kid you not, it is not a match but a bout. You can find out more about her team on its web page or its Facebook page.




Although Meg is a tenured associate professor of physics at Lawrence University, perhaps, her Facebook page is heavy with promotion for the final bout. Roller Derby nom de bout, "Deviled Meg."
Meg went up to DePere to work on getting the venue ready for tomorrow's bout. It took her longer than she thought it would. Lynne and I went out for dinner at Serious Burger and Meg joined us. Back home to grab some Ben & Jerry's and then off to bed.
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Location:N Rankin St,Appleton,United States