A Sale, A Farewell, Two Cute Boys and Some Birds!

Well, things have a way of working out, even if it sometimes takes a stupid mistake to facilitate it! Here you see my yard sale!  It was a success, or success enough for stuff that I didn't want anymore. Most of the rest has already been donated to our local community theatre's rummage sale. I was lucky -- Molly came to help and brought things, too, and Rick chipped in. A team effort.

So, what was that stupid mistake that worked out?

Well, in a fit of very bad scheduling, the neighborhood yard sales were set for the day after my colonoscopy. Now for those who haven't had the pleasure of this medical procedure, the day before you are on liquid diet and do a prep which makes one very glad to have remembered to stock the bathroom with interesting reading material. Just sayin'...  Anyway, I got my days mixed up and didn't quit my blood thinners in time so it had to be rescheduled. (I found this out before the prep but after a day of nothing much to eat but liquids.) In the end (no pun intended), a good thing as it bought me another day to prep for the sale (and dig more stuff out of cupboards and beyond.)

Anyone need one or two or a few of these? Pay the postage and it's yours! If you need better photos, let me know!

 We enjoyed Father's Day with Kevin, Molly and the boys. They got a bit more dressed for going out to dinner with freshly combed hair (I almost didn't recognize my Camster!) ....

 ... and a gelled Mohawk! It was such a perfect day -- we loved every minute.

Steve asked an interesting question after my last post about the relaxed gosling -- he was worried it didn't look well. I wondered the same thing from the vantage point of the photo, below. But when I took a step too close, the whole family (there were three goslings and parents) hustled up and scurried down the hill. He seemed fine. 

Things were quiet and I thought Wrennie had disappeared but I am still seeing her as of this writing, bringing food into the B&B. I'd love it if she took up permanent residence. And, I think I saw a wren that was much smaller than she is. Today I saw what I think was a different baby, trying hard to flap his wings. I think he made it! I love that they are still hanging around and I'll sorely miss them when they leave.

I also saw this sweet sight with two sparrows. 

I was surprised that they looked close to the same size -- but, whatever works.

I see the smaller sparrows, flapping their wings in vain, over and over as they sit on the fence. Obviously, they got there, so they know they can do it! Then they take off. And Lizzie's feeder has never been busier! I keep filling and filling -- and it is gone! Time to do it again.

All the good things of the week were tempered by the news that my dear friend, Larry Stone, died after a ten-year battle with Parkinson's. 

Larry's wife, Lin, was my high school drama teacher and he worked closely with her and the students on the technical areas of theatre. (I've written about Lin HERE) And we did good shows back then -- and learned a lot -- not just about theatre, but about working together, being a team.

Cast Party for "Barefoot in the Park," 1969

But perhaps the best thing I learned from Lin and Larry was how adult men and women -- a couple that was not our parents, that is -- can and should treat one another, with respect and appreciation.  (They may have been young adults -- in their 20s -- but we were 16 and 17 and they were a lot closer to our age.) They provided excellent role models for students at my high school, many of whom might not have had those attributes modeled at home.

After graduation we remained good friends -- a friendship lasting more than 50 years. I learned that it was no act for the students -- they were  and remained -- devoted to each other. Larry could offer "husband classes." The way he treated Lin, with such love, consideration, thoughtfulness and more is the way we should all treat one another.

Larry understood both my career and my theatre passion. He worked at WKAR long before I did and met Lin while working tech on a production at MSU. (In fact, I actually saw that show -- and a later one in which their son made his debut as a wee baby -- and at that time had no idea who they were or the impact they would have on my life!) I'm quite sure it was their influence that remained a key part of my decision to attend Michigan State and they both remained very active as U-theatre supporters. He was an MSU fan, a writer and a lover of history (especially World War II) -- an interest we shared.

With then-MSU theatre department chair, Kirk Domer, at MSU's scene shop.

I had many wonderful visits to their home in Columbus. It's hard to believe I babysat their son, Bob, and now he is a doctor (like his mom, who went to med school after teaching) and has a beautiful family of his own, with two college-age children. Lin and Larry loved Christmas as much as I do -- and they had the biggest tree I'd ever seen that wasn't in a mall! It was draped with the original lead tinsel, which Larry saved each year and some of which dated back to his youth.

Larry was honored for his commitment to MSU as an outstanding alumni, recognized for his work in educating judges in Ohio State as first Executive Director/founder of the Ohio Judicial College,  and as a passionate supporter of Honor Flight, making many trips with them. He was a leader in helping develop the Supreme Court of his beloved Ukraine's judicial education program (their home still flies the Ukrainian flag). Perhaps most important to him was using his indefatigable energy to work with Lin's Humanism and Medicine/Medicine and the Arts programs at Ohio State's medical school. Equally important was supporting his grandchildren's activities, helping with Scout projects and sets for school plays. That's just scratching the surface. He received many honors and accolades over time, but most of all, I feel that the honor is all mine -- having had the privilege of knowing him for more than 50 years.

We traveled to Columbus for the funeral this past week and while it was lovely to see the family, it was so sad that the reason we were together was to say goodbye. One less place at the table.

Afterwards, we headed home. I drove, but dropped Rick off in Waldo, Ohio, to make a three-day bike hike home. 

It's how we roll. (And yes, now he's safely at home, eager for the next one!)

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