Mid-Week Post.

I blog so infrequently these days, that it bothers me when I spend an entire blog post ranting against kids. (Was it a rant?   I didn't really mean for it to come off that way.)  But sometimes inspirations simply take over and I have to write about something that I observe, instead of the boring, everyday commotions that happen to me routinely.    So... That is what this post is for.   To catch up on all the "boring stuff."   (Because what would life be like without a little "boring?" ) 

It is currently raining outside.    Complete with all of the trimmings of lightning and thunder.   

And I love it! 

Who does not love the rain?   (Fishermen, perhaps.   Or anyone working outside...  Homeless people?)   Whatever!    I like the rain.   Especially when I am warm and dry and can enjoy the sounds and the cool breeze while sipping a warm beverage.  I guess, given those conditions,  anyone would enjoy a little sprinkle.  

But this rain is a little more symbolic of something bigger.   Spring!  I know it is not the "first rain" of the year...   But I think this will be the first one of Spring, as the temps should be warm enough to keep any freak snow storms away.   Last week,  I think Monday started off with snow again.   It did not last long.   But that kind of ruins the "Spring experience"  for many of us.   "I guess Winter is not done yet...."  Are the thoughts...

But a little rain,  a LOT of Thunder.   And a flash of lightning seems to act as the herald for Spring's final  Arrival.   

And I welcome it. 

There were smaller preliminary signs last week... If you bothered to notice  them.  

Crocuses!   During one of my walks, I noticed a splash of color on an otherwise brown lawn.  Crocuses peeking up and flashing a bit of purple to show that the season was about to change.  

Yesterday,   I saw the first Daffodils.   I'm sure, in a week or two,  the first Tulips will start popping up. Tulips have the honor of being announced by everyone in the form of a festival.  (Those Dutch people LOVE their Tulips....)  By that time,  it is fairly obvious that Spring is now here.   

In the mean time,  I will enjoy the sounds of the rain hitting the roof.  And the cool of the damp breeze as it seeps through the cracks in the windows of the porch.   I know the traditional saying is "April Showers bring May Flowers..."   But the Spring also offers the start of the Mushroom Season.   Even though there are mushrooms you can find during the winter,  I did not go out looking for any this year.    (And besides,  most of those are not edible.)  So I am looking forward to the beginning of another Mushroom Season.   Let the Hunt begin!

The cat does not seem to know what to do with the rain and thunder.   She likes looking outside, but perhaps it is the chill or sound that bothers her.   She is currently curled up next to me.   At least she is not under the couch, hiding.  

Another day at Haribo!   Last night, the three Material handlers in the back had a good game.  (Alex and Tino helped out where they could.)   We cleared the floor of materials and cleaned up the back so third shift had an easier time of it.  First shift always seems to leave us a disaster during the shift change.  I'm sure it is not intentional .  But that means we have to spend the first three hours just trying to stay above water and figure things out.   Well last night,   we not only managed to get the lines all of their materials, but we also were able to wrap and send all of those pallets that were on the floor to the warehouse.   An achievement worth noting!

I like that the days are finally getting a little longer.   I can enjoy the sunset before my first break is over.  I like watching the sun set... even when it is not over the waters of Lake Michigan.   There is something romantic about a red sky at night....   Like a warm embrace before the darkness envelopes you.  

Time waits for no one.   And I had better wrap this up before I head to work.  Another nice thing about the rain is there is an excuse to stay indoors and write instead of doing something "active."   Hurray for the couch potato!  (Not that I'm totally lazy... But I do have my moments.  And Sometimes I enjoy them!)   So I shall end this post and get ready for another day at the Haribo.   And try to make every second count. 

Happy Palm Sunday!

 Today was Palm Sunday!   I know, I know... An odd use of a present noun followed by a passive verb.  And Technically,  it is still Palm Sunday.   But I have to be unique, otherwise people will think AI writes this blog.   And I pride myself in not using the Grammar Crutches that AI provides.  ( Except Spell Check...   I still lean heavily on that stupid Spell check.)   But I Digress!

We had the Big Unity Sunday at the East Campus ( Kenosha Lutheran Academy.) And it was packed!  I was forced to sit in the back...  Shoulder to shoulder with a bunch of families.  

Normally,  I enjoy a little more elbow room so I can sing off key during an unfamiliar song and not feel self-conscious about it.  Also, I like to fold paper during the readings....(and sometimes... the Sermon.) 

The Sermon was ironically about Kids!   Pastor Prange showed a gif about the Origin of "Kid"  with a bunch of little goats jumping around.   Someone must have looked at a bunch of children running around and jumping and got the  inspiration to refer to them as rambunctious  tiny goats  causing mischief and trouble for all those around them.    

And the name Stuck!

I rarely call kids "Children"   ( It sounds so formal....) And to me,  I think the name is the perfect embodiment of the young.  Young creatures running around and frolicing without a care  or worry in the world.   But what is "cute" in Animals...   It can be rather annoying in Humans. 

And that was kind of what the Sermon was about.   How the children flooded poor Jesus and danced around him while the "Old" people tried to "Shush" them and shoo them away from the teacher.  I have heard the story many times before.   And it was made VERY real for me as I was literally surrounded with kids in the back  of the church today.   And I realized....  I'm one of those "old" people.  

To be honest, I never really liked kids.  (Humans, that is...  I find the Tiny Goats adorable!)  The very thought of raising kids seems impossible and terrifying.   How do parents put up with them and not go crazy with embarrassment or rage?  I have heard people say "it is different when they are yours."   I personally think the opposite!  Mine would probably be demons!  Not the evil kind,  but the ones that do over the top embarrassing things.   

Forget those first years of poopy diapers and fire-hose vomit sessions.  (Ugh!   Puke!   the absolute worst!)  I would never make it to the "run around until you fall and then start crying." moments. I honestly think the whole parenting thing is "genetic".  ( Pun intended...)   Like there is a Gene somewhere in the DNA of humanity....  And I did not get it.  ( And STILL don't get it.)  

Maybe  that is why I am fascinated with fish more than any other animal.  Most are the WORST parents. Choosing to  abandoning them while they are still in the "egg" phase.  ( I know a lot of humans are the same way....  But that is not what I mean)   

It got me thinking.   Why do I not like kids very much?   I mean,   I didn't mind fishing with them.   Or flying kites or Blowing Giant Bubbles!   As long as I can send them home to someone else when it is all over or they start getting fussy.   

Or perhaps it is because I am still a Kid!   I mean,   What kind of adult likes to play with bubbles?   Fly Kites?   Build Model airplanes?   

Maybe Grandparents!   Grandparents have the sweet deal in that they can play with the kids and do kid things and then toss them back to the Parents when they are done.  The only problem is... You have to be a parent for 18+ years first!  (In some cases,   30+ years) And as mentioned before....  I want to skip that part. 

So...  after a long tangent from the topic of the sermon.  (I'm actually impressed I remembered that much from the sermon with all the kids crying and squirming around me today.) I will end on a positive note:   Hurray for the Parents!   Whether by accident or intent,  you have chosen a path that I have never wanted to travel.   I will choose  having a pet over attempting to raise a kid.  That is not really a boast either.... (Or something to be proud of....)  I would not want to raise a dog, because they are only slightly less involved than a kid.   

And Fish?  I have had fish before and all I ever do is kill them!   (Usually because I over dote on them and screw up the delicate balance of PH in the water.   Or overfeed them.

I'll stick with cats.    Currently, the one that I inherited seems to be doing fine without any help from me.  And she has not run away despite me leaving the door open on a nice day.   Cats have something about them that seems to gel with my theory of freedom and self reliance.  I will leave it at that. (Instead of making this blog any longer by trying to explain the nuances.... )  

In the mean time...  I get to start another week all over again.   With only Sunday off,  I have been limited to working on making my Chili for the week and writing this blog.  I also got to unload a bunch of Gummies onto one of the Shoreland Folks this morning.   At least I will not have to work this coming Saturday...   So I should be able to catch a few things up and make every second count.  

More Wild Weather.

 Whew!  that week flew by!   And I even worked Saturday!  Funny how working at a Candy Factory makes the time fly.  So fast, in fact,  that I hardly remember what happened this week.   Mostly because I simply slept and worked.   But one thing of Note:   The Weather!

Monday it was WARM!   A Beautiful day!  I actually considered calling in just to enjoy it. (Just kidding.   I love the Haribo!   And besides,  what else would I be doing?)   I had thoughts that the rest of the week would be similar to that Monday.  

But then...  SNOW!   What?  Snow?   How?     Well,  just a dusting, right?   

Nope!   A full on "Blizzard!"   With school closings and everything.   Wind.  Freezing Temps!   Black ICE!   Snow Drifts!  

 

YETIS!!

Ok, I made that last part up.  But it was a bit of a shock that the snow would stay for several days and that there were school closings this late in the year.   I guess it was more because of the Ice and less about the snow.   The Plows had most of the storm under control by the time I woke up for work. But for the folks who live out in the country or had a longer commute,  they were understandably absent that first day. 

By Friday,  the weather had wormed up and by Saturday,  it was back up on the 60's with plenty of Sun.  

You would think that would make for a pleasant Sunday afternoon... But currently it is overcast and there is the threat of rain.  

No matter....  I'm inside with the Cat.   And I have a bunch of things I had to do so going "outside" would only distract from what  needs to be done.  

I am ready for Spring, though.  I don't really care about the bugs that much.   ( Except Ticks! )  And the call of  Mushroom hunting and fishing is intoxicating!   Pretty much any outdoor activity would be welcome at this point.   

So Hurry Up Spring! 

Until then,  I'll curl up with the Cat and put another log on the fire.   Maybe have a bowl of Chili or Stew.    And Make Every Second count....  Even the ones leading up to Spring.  

The Pub Crawl!

 I'll be honest,  I only followed the pipers to one Pub yesterday.   And I left the Clubhouse before they arrived, so technically,   I went to two bars.   And I did not get to enjoy any of the green beer...  Unless you count the Goose Island IPA.   Which is my usual choice at the Clubhouse.   

In fact,  I didn't even have a beer at Mason's.    The place was busy and I learned last year that buying a beer before the show was nearly impossible unless you already had a table.   So I simply took in the Show and tried to nap a few pics and shoot some video.  

That being said, it was still an experience.   And I do Enjoy the Bagpipes.    Even though three of the songs sounded very similar.   ( I must have left before they played "Scotland The Brave".)  They DID play "Amazing Grace."  Which is always beautiful.   Except they throw cold water on the song by telling you a sad story about someone dying.  (No,  It was not Jesus!)    We had to "lift a glass, Remove our hats, and pay our respects to nameless, faceless person/soldier/ law enforcement/ firemen guy who died somewhere around here. 

 I know I'm a little cold and callused about overly dramatic things like this.   Perhaps they were doing it for the ladies.  ( Chicks dig sad stories like that...)   But  people die in the line of duty all the time.    We have funerals for them.    So they can be surrounded by people who know them.   Rather than using their name to  ruin an otherwise festive party for a bunch of strangers.  

But I digress....

A bit of a rant there.   I'm not hip on Drama.   And I will refrain from launching into my theories about the Purpose of Funerals and "Thanking People for their Service."  And try to bring the focus back on the Day...

After Masons,  I went to the Clubhouse for Lunch.   I knew that by going there early, I would most likely not catch the Pipers aas they arrived at 7.    As it was,  the Clubhouse was already packed pretty full.   So I pretty much just ate a Rueben Sandwich with a beer and headed out.   I was pretty tired after the early wake up anyway.   So getting back home was more desirable than hanging out and hearing another speech about a lost Service Member.  

By the way,  Today is Lydia's Birthday.    I wished her happy birthday before I left and folded  an Origami Owl.  I don't think she noticed much as she was pretty busy with the high volume of people. Dez came in just before I left to help out, in prep for the Piper's arrival.  I can only imagine what the scene was after that.  

Other than that,  I have been spending my Sunday making two large Crockpots of Chili for the week's Lunches.   I also have to work this next Saturday, so that means I will probably have less time to do any errands or catch up anything.   If the weather holds out like it did yesterday. ( It snowed!  Again!)   I probably will not be missing much.   Currently, it is raining.   And there are storms coming later.   Good times.  

Well,  I have the rest of the day to Make every second count.   So that is what I plan on doing.   Cheer!   And Happy Patty's Day!   I'll leave you with one last song.   Enjoy!  

Kenosha St. Patrick's Day Parade.

 I thought about titling this post "Men in Skirts!"  But that joke has probably been used so many times since Braveheart and Rob Roy came out, that there is no point going for a cheap laugh.  Still... I couldn't resist. 

Anyway!   On a Chilly Saturday Morning, I woke up early and  froze my butt off so I could hear the Pipers!   And any other marching band that joined in.   Nothing makes a Parade better than a good drumline. It does not have to be an Irish or Scottish Pipers Group.   It could be a amature Highschool marching band or a College Marching band.   Heck!  Even a group of Taiko drums!   I'll take the rhythm and beat of the drum sets to match the cadence to the marchers.  No wonder I liked the Army parades so much.  (My platoon won the marching competition in Basic.) 

In traditional fashion,   The city of Kenosha dyed the Bay Green for the event (Typical Wisconsin...  Making the Bay Green....   Get it?   Green Bay....    Packers?   Hello?   Is this on.....?)  A bunch of Germans and Mexicans trying to be Irish... I LOVE America!  Every culture has their day.  ( Even the Swedes!   Although we usually have to share it with the Norwegians...  Because no one can tell the difference.)  But instead of focusing on their differences,   I think it brings us together as a nation when we focus on the similarities. 

Like BEER!   Everyone loves beer!  Am I right?  (Can I get an "AMEN!")    And nothing says Irish better than Green beer.   Which I plan on Having at least once today...  as I follow the Pipers through their Pub Crawl. 

  They are going to several Bars and Pubs today.   including the Clubhouse!    It will be later though,  and probably crowded.  ( And by that time, I'm sure the Pipers will be thoroughly sauced up... so their playing will be top notch!)  I'll see if I can blog about that later. 

In the mean time,   This week was crazy!  Monday started out in the 70's!   Then dropped down to freezing mid week.   Then warmed back up on Thursday.. Only to drop back down and with snow on Friday!   And I always thought March Madness only referred to Basketball.  (And I don't like Basketball very much.)   Turns out, the weather simply has not made up its mind if it will allow Spring to start yet. 

 I forgot to mention the WIND!  Yesterday,  the wind was so strong and crazy that Trucks were tipping over on the Highway.  A common thing in Iowa and North Dakota.   But kind of rare here. (from my experience.)  The wind was rattling all of the Windows and doors of this place like I was under threat by an Army of Zombies trying to break in.   (My "Zombie Apocalypse" scenario.)  

I did manage to catalog my first Robin sighting this week.   Monday I believe... I saw this guy in a tree above me.   It was the first one of the year.   But soon after,  the Robins started popping up all around.   I remember in Iowa,  the Robins would show up in February!   And clean all of the crab apples off of the trees as they waited for the snow to melt.  We are not that much farther north from there... but it seems to take an additional month to get them to come this far.  

As I watched the rest of the Parade pass by,  I took a few pics of the other bands and Dance schools.  I did not stay long after that.  

 Especially when the sirens  and horns  were bursting my eardrums.  By the time I made it back to my Subie,   the field where I had parked had become a Mud bog!  

 I watched as a Muscle Car was being pulled out by a 4x4 truck.   All that was happening was the path was getting more and more tore up!    I remember those early days of my Jeep experience.... I would get that poor Comanche stuck in mud and have to be rescued.   I was young,   DUMB!  And did not have the experience or skill to get myself out of those situations.  (But still found my confidence level high enough to try!)  

Now I have a Subaru!   AWD and traction control!   And I'm  Older and just a little bit wiser (I think...)   So I did the "smart" move... And pulled forward  over the curb... between two parked cars. 

  Yeah, it was a cheat.  And a bit Cowardly...   But I discovered the Graveyards are filled with "Brave" Soldiers.  And "Cowards"  seem to live longer.  (Murphies Law of War:  Never share a foxhole with someone braver than you.)  Translation:  Reckless bravery often leads to dangerous situations.

Maybe that is why I got a Green Lucky Duck today.   It (The Silver Eagle Subie) is not a Jeep,   But I still like the reputation of a Subaru and its ability to handle most driving situations with control and handling.  And avoiding unnecessary Muddy Situations helps.  

So now I'm off!  To see if I can grab a Beer at the Clubhouse and wait for the Pipers to arrive.   I'm not sure if I will stay long or how the crowd situation will pan out, but I have been in the Clubhouse when there was a party going on and it was tight.  Hopefully I will find it all blog worthy for a future posting.  

In the mean time...  I'll try to make every second count.