Lost in My Own Life...

I've spent the last 10 years and 6 months in a committed relationship with a wonderful partner. Among other things, we've shared homes, dogs, travels, families, $$, cars, friends, life, death, career changes, daily ups and downs, and of course, our children. Since July, we've been apart (by choice) and trying to find our way out of darkness, not knowing if we'd find each other when we reached the light. Two months has seemed like an eternity, and we agreed that this would be a work in progress that would take many months. Unfortunately, they don't make very good road maps for this sort of trip, and we seem to have lost our way. Not sure if it's just because we are taking the same journey down different paths or because we are using so many different modes of transportation (some days it's horse and buggy, others it's space shuttle). Regardless, I feel a litte lost in my own life right now, and that is a scary feeling.

Lucky Me

I had the opportunity this week to connect with 2 dear friends from my not so distant past. Dana and Shereen - my fellow sisters (Halloween that year was one for the ages), partners in crime, hijinks, deep thought and contemplation, and some good old fashioned fun. Our paths always manage to cross at just the right moment, and this seems to be one of those times. Miles separate us, but the bond that we share remains. Everyone should be blessed with people in their lives who can simultaneously make them laugh, cry and think a little deeper. I feel fortunate to have many friends, near and far. No matter how much time passes, it's always as if we just spoke yesterday, and the conversation picks up right where we left off. And it's real conversation, not small talk. Politics, literature, family, entertainment, crude humor, raw emotional reality, sex, love, death, life. These are the things we share with no boundaries, no rules, and no expectations, other than being present in the moment.

Everyone deserves at least one. I managed to stumble upon two. Lucky Me.

Potato, potato, potato..

The roar of Harley Davidson's 105th anniversary fills the air here in the Milwaukee area this week, bringing in the sights and sounds of summer from a unique perspective. I don't own a Harley, or any other motorized 2-wheel vehicle, but I sure would like to. Whether it's on a boat, jet ski, or just riding in the car with the windows rolled down, I have always loved the feel of the cool breeze blowing. It's hard to believe that it has been 5 years since the last big celebration, but it's true, and they're arriving, and the party has started. Happy Anniversary HD - I may not be a HOG member, but I'm enjoying the ride!

Summer Cruisin'

It just doesn't get much better than this...

Biker Boy

It took a while to get him interested, but now we can't get Charlie off his Spiderman wheels! Oh, to be young again. It's hard to believe this is the same boy who just 2 summers ago hated the feel of grass under his feet and beach sand between his toes. Now, he is the ultimate outdoorsman - baseball, fishing, kayaking, hitting a golf ball, running at top speed, all with energy that knows no end. And I wouldn't have it any other way.

Frost Warnings

Only in Wisconsin. Watching the weather forecast tonite, which calls for possible frost 200 miles north of here for the weekend. Let me remind you, it's August 23rd. It was 84 degrees here today. Yes, 84 degrees. And people wonder why we drink a lot in this state.

Happy Days are Here Again...

Let's here it for the Fonz....30 years later, Milwaukee has decided that Fonzie is an icon worthy of immortal adoration, so we now have a bronze statue to honor him. That's right, Fonzie. Bring the kids, walk along the riverfront, take a pic of yourself with the man himself. And while you're here, spend some money and spread the word about how progressive and energizing our fine city has become. Please, spare me.

And while I'm at it - Mark Spitz, please get over yourself and move on. It seems that Mark's feelings are hurt because he wasn't invited to the Olympics, to "pass the torch" to Michael Phelps. It's not the Master's Tournament - you don't get to pass the green jacket to the next winner. Your moment in the spotlight. Move over, it's the 21st century and life goes on.

Go Brewers!

I've always been a baseball fan, but this summer has really been special. The Milwaukee Brewers continue to convert fair weather fans into genuine followers/believers, and it has been great fun for the entire city. If nothing else, it's been a nice way to avoid the Brett Favre drama that played out in Green Bay all summer - we are all still in shock, I think, and don't know what to expect this season from our Packers. But the Brewers...a mix of seasoned veterans, solid journeymen and exciting young players, all combined in a great ballpark, enjoying perfect baseball weather for most of the summer, with the hope that the Cubs will falter before the end. I can't think of a better way to spend a lazy summer day. As my little guy, Charlie, regularly says, "swing batter, batter - swing!