Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Tuesday, the 14th day of August, 2012


The XXX Olympiads were magnificent in all respects… London put up a display of originality, innovation, safety and organization second to none. They also did pretty well in their medals count. And the US was the overall champions… again!  I am looking forward to the summer of 2016, to the XXXI Olympiads in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil!

32 years ago this past Wednesday, August 8th, my first born, Clarissa, made me a father; Happy Birthday, my love! She will also make me a grandfather this coming November…!

Someone mowed the entrance to Hawks Bluff, Phase I; I don’t know if it was a paid effort, or by whom, or if it was someone’s personal initiative, and who that someone may be… Regardless, it looks pretty good… THANKS!

…and they’re off! The real race has just begun between the incumbents (Obama/Biden) and the challengers (Romney/Ryan)… The choice seems to be simple and it is also big; and it all has to do with how to move this country forward and continue to be the standard by which all other countries are judged… Unless there is something atrocious/outrageous happening between now and the elections, I will not make any other comments on this subject until then.

Went for a wonderful, and too short, visit to Michigan, Jan’s native land! Landed in Detroit at about 2 PM on Thursday the 9th and spent the afternoon, and had lunch, with Uncle Buck, a 93-years old relative of Jan’s that is as dexterous with the computer as anybody 40 years younger! Lots of old family pictures and films; many memories for Jan. From there we went to Rick’s house (Jan’s brother) in Southfield, a western suburb of Detroit, and spent the evening, overnight and the following morning with Rick & Pam, their pups Brandy & Metro, and cat Bazooka; good family time; too short! On Friday mid-morning we headed up to Gaylord, MI, about 215 miles north on I-75, to Gary & Dawn Hill’s cottage in Michaywe. There we met with the rest of the ‘high school’ gang and spent a wonderful evening and overnight. On Saturday morning we all saddled up for a ride of about 90 miles going East through beautiful country roads, to Greenbush, MI, on the shores of Lake Huron, to Chuck & Nancy Burk’s cottage; weather was a little wet so we played indoor games (Mexican Train) and ate and drank and watched Olympics. Sunday was sunny and crisp, about 75 degrees; so, several brave souls decided to go swimming in the lake… I’ve never been in water so cold in my life! The water was allegedly 62 degrees; I swear to you it felt not a degree warmer than 30! I cannot describe the eternity that it was to walk into the lake and feel that ice cold water inexorably come up your thighs to eventually freeze your soul! More eating, drinking, and playing ensued until exhaustion! On Monday we drove to the airport and, on our way there, I shared with Jan that, for the first time in years, I was not ready to come home; she agreed! Landed in Nashville at about 6:30 PM. Made it home before 9PM on Monday the 13th; all pups were well; another successful trip! Many thanks to all out Michigan hosts for their hospitality and for a great time!

Recommended book: “The art of racing in the rain” by Garth Stein. Enzo, a family dog, tells us his story, and that of his master, as seen through Enzo’s eyes…  This is a must-read for known dog lovers, and also for dog lovers who do not know they are yet…!

And now food for thoughts:
“As human beings, our greatness lays not so much in being able to remake the world... as in being able to remake ourselves.”

So, keep improving, my friends.


2 comments:

gpcharles said...

Felt like 32 degrees? 62 degrees is only about 2.5 on the 4 point "duck" scale (4 ducks being unswimmable). Glad you arrived home safe.

Anonymous said...

Miguel, thinking of moving to Spencer - Hawks Bluff Phase IV - retired. Is there anything important we should know? How is the housing situation looking? We would be investing our nest egg so trying to be very careful.