Close Encounters of the Nicest Kind!

I've shared a lot of nature in recent posts, but those visits (and life in general) have included some delightful "close encounters" with some lovely people, a road trip, dining out, and even a critter or two! So, a look at life in general! 

 

Life in general includes blog friends and one real treat for this month of May was a meet-up with blogger Anno, who came to Lansing for lunch. (Do check out her "Artifacts and Annotations" HERE.) We had such a good long talk at lunch and on our walk to the ditch -- and yet, we both realized there was so much we didn't even get to during that time. Another meet-up is definitely in the offing.

 

We also had a couple of lovely sightings (no Harry yet, though). Those red-winged blackbirds can be hard to photograph. They land "high" in the trees and don't stay there long. This one was posing for us!

 

And, there was still a bit of color on the redbud trees. (Sadly, that's gone by now!)

 

A few days later, Rick and I took our road trip to the Erie Marsh nature preserve. (See the last post for more on that.) Since it was a long drive and we had to be there early in the morning, we decided to go the evening before (which was Mother's Day) and spend the night with his stepsister and her husband, who weren't far from the marsh. We decided we'd stop for dinner at a lovely restaurant along the way that we've always loved. What we forgot was that it was Mother's Day and we didn't have a reservation.

 

They told us we could sit at the bar and not knowing other restaurants in the Ann Arbor area (and not having reservations at any of them either) we agreed. I wouldn't say it was awful but it wasn't good. The bartender was working his tail off but he wasn't paying any attention to us, so even getting a glass of wine was slow, taking our order even slower. And when it came, it was beyond disappointing. I love risotto and make excellent risotto (but not often). So I ordered that, which included lump crab (clearly missing in action), asparagus and hot peppers (not a good combo). When it arrived it looked like gruel or cream of wheat or shrimp and grits without the shrimp. Do "real" Italians put risotto in the blender? I'd love to know because that's what it felt like. At $34, not good. 

 

Rick's wasn't much better, just warm and not close to hot. And service was non-existent. No one checking to see if we needed more water or if our dinner was OK. Rick wasn't happy with the $100 bill (tax and tip being part of that) -- and I agreed. And I wasn't happy six hours later when, around midnight, I spent some time on my knees in the bathroom as what was left of it left my system. Paesano's may hear from one or both of us! (Postscript: I took the advice of many of you who commented about letting them know and they have offered a generous make-good. I'll write more about that soon! So, they're back on the A-List.)

But, prior to hurling dinner, we arrived at Kim and John's house. And what a house! Kim (aka Kimberly Arden, a remarkable polymer artist) is the most colorful, creative woman and it shows in the bright colors of her home and her fun and eclectic collections. Check out her fireplace wall. I walked in and that dinner was forgotten and I felt blissfully happy. I'd say that this qualifies for both a Mural Monday and a Sunday in the Art Room post!

 

Her kitchen is wonderful with lots of personal touches, like the polymer squares she has on the cupboard molding.

 

Here is a slightly fuzzier shot but one showing more detail. Can you imagine doing that -- each and every little square all around the kitchen? (Not to mention actually making those canes and little squares.)

 

And I was charmed by her canister set! (Not to mention all the colorful accessories and art.

 

We stayed up probably far too late talking (given that both of us had early and full days coming up). And I throttled myself for not getting a photo of, if not the four of us, at least Rick and Kim together. So, here's one from a few years ago!

 

But I did get one of sweet Cherry, who can twirl around on her hind legs and hop several "steps" (or hops). 

 

Another close encounter of the friendship kind came when my friend Judy and her husband Dick were in town. We had a late lunch (well, lunch for them, beverages for Rick and me). It was wonderful to have some time and to talk in person, not on Zoom!

 Two more critter pix, because I'm not quite sure where else to put them. Here's a little ground hog (are ground hogs and wood chucks the same thing?) We spotted this one when we left Erie Marsh preserve.

 

And Mr. Chips, who probably accounts for the lion's share of devouring bird seed, but he's so cute and so tenacious, I don't mind. 

 

Life is good. Friendships and fun are even better!

Sharing with:   Talking About It Tuesday  / Friday Face-Off   /  Saturday's Critters  /  Sunday in the Art Room (SITAR)  /  Love Your Creativity  /  Share Your Style