Author Archives: rike52

Kathy and are in the midst of our annual Chicago Christmas jaunt, taking in music and all the other wonders that make up Christmas in Chicago (1).  This afternoon, after a Chicago Architecture Center tour on the origins of the EL, we took in a matinee at Orchestra Hall.  These are great bargains, as theyContinue reading “oh, CSO!”

…amoenam circumspice.  That’s the motto of my home state of Michigan, where I’ve lived for all but 9 of my 70 years.  I never want to leave.  In English, it’s “If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look about you.”   Indeed.  Actually, we’ve got two, and they’re both pretty damned pleasant.  From trapping to logging toContinue reading “si quaeris peninsulam …”

I always wondered what I’d do with those two labels I’d so carefully soaked off a couple of magnificent bottles of booze from many Christmases ago.  They rested in a plastic basket next to my blue recliner amongst all the other stuff I didn’t know what to do with.  With my unexpected but wonderful reacquaintanceContinue reading “skōl!”

When dear Darai, my double classmate (Vicksburg High, U of M) couldn’t remember ‘em, I knew I had to act.  She long ago moved to the land of fruit and nuts, and after Saturday’s joyous spectacle, got her family properly decked out to go to the boardwalk. Seeing her little Max, I recommended she showContinue reading “little dogs”

In May 2020, I submitted a formal nomination for Commander Cody (born George W. Frayne IV) to receive an honorary doctorate from his alma mater, the University of Michigan.  I was instructed to keep all things confidential, in part to protect the nominee who might not react well to not being chosen.  Well, George didContinue reading “Dr. Frayne?”

As I just wrote to many dozens of my dear friends: I hope you and yours had a joyful and bounteous Thanksgiving.  With the large avian consumed, what can it mean but It’s Christmas!  Kathy and I invite you to review some of our adventures of 2022 in our attached Christmas letter. Yes, it’s ChristmasContinue reading “’tis the season”

No, this isn’t an announcement for a pop Zoom.  We’ll still wait till next year for the next one.  With this email I just want to give you all a little present for the Season about to unfold.  Every year about this time, Gary, the guy who rebuilt my house in ’04-5, sends me aContinue reading “zoom tunes for TG”

I spent a good part of Tuesday morning before last in Kalamazoo looking at a big computer screen where passed over 268 shots Linda Hoard had taken of my sweetheart in various comely poses.  The issue came to the fore because of a birthday present.  In June’s South County News, the monthly paper that servesContinue reading “glamour”

Thanksgiving is a week and a half away.  It’s my favorite holiday (1).  Maybe some of you obsess over it, but my worry is usually confined to getting the bird bought or thawed.  I had to jump start my focus this year as we’re headed to Santa Fe Wednesday morning, not to return till 1Continue reading “The Day”

My good friend and Barnes buddy Stick commandeers an email network of disgruntled misfits who try to amuse ourselves with observations on the sorry world scene and also music.   The YouTubes have been hot and heavy lately. So, as I sat in the stands prior to today’s Wolverines’ game, I knew there was something heContinue reading “Darth Blue”