tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350880692024-03-07T23:03:40.882-05:00Eats Nothing with EyeballsMusings of a Vegetarian Insomniac.Jan Schollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15774293019956518597noreply@blogger.comBlogger278125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35088069.post-91378811820054938482013-11-22T07:00:00.000-05:002013-11-22T07:00:02.154-05:00All Those Years Ago<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I am gonna bake a cake. I hope I don't screw up the icing this time because last year, I did. Last year, I used regular granulated sugar. I thought sugar was sugar! And I wanted it to be a surprise, so I didn't ask for help. I was eight then. Now I am nine. Almost all growed up, right? So I think I will try again, only this time, my sister will help me and we will surprise Gramma and Grampa.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Today is their anniversary. They were married in a little town in Ontario called Thessalon. There was no big wedding, just a priest and a couple of friends. Probably in the library at the Rectory. It was a Wednesday, such an odd day for a wedding, but probably the only day they had free. I know what dress Gramma wore. It had tiny blue and white dots. She had a hat with a veil that grazed her eyebrows. Grampa wore a suit; probably the only suit he owned . After all, who needs fancy clothes when you work in a lumber mill. Gramma was the cook/housekeeper there. Grampa worked hard (even with a bad heart).</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">For some reason, I am home from school today-maybe chicken pocks recovery. So mom has me go to the grocery store with her. It is on Clio Road in Flint. We get there about 11 o'clock in the morning, dad driving us so we could be done before he goes off to work 2nd shift at 3. I select the cake mix and the sugar-the right kind of sugar this time. I am so excited and I get one of those little tubes of icing to write Happy Annivesary on the icing. I selected red, of course. Only I never get to make the cake. We never get to celebrate Gramma and Grampa's special day. </span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">We are in the checkout lane when someone starts to cry, and then more and more do the same. My little baby brother is in the buggy seat and it upsets him to see mommy crying. I didn't understand, "Mom, what is going on"? Over the loud speaker, the store manager announces something that sounds garbled to me but everyone goes silent. The president is dead, he says. His voice crumbles. And he says it again. Then the wailing rolls out from the back of the store to the magic-open doors in the front. They need to close the store for the rest of the day, so please make your purchases and thank you for shopping with us.</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Dad (who always stays outside in the car listening to the radio until mom is done shopping) comes in and pays for the bags of food and we leave. We go home to a small black and white TV to see Uncle Walter as we call him, talking and trying not to cry. I still didn't understand what has happened. Who would want to kill the president and take away the daddy to those two cutie pie kids we always see in Life Magazine? WHY would anyone do that? The TV is barely off for the next 4 days, school is cancelled and we all spend a lot of time in church, praying, comforting and trying to understand.</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Gramma asks to be taken to St. Mike's church and she prays her rosary for hours, Grampa later joins her from his job at AC Spark Plug. He gets off the bus at the corner of Saginaw and 5th Avenue and goes inside to sit with her. They light some candles and then slowly walk the 3 blocks home together. It is their 41st anniversary and they would do no celebrating. </span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">And I would bake no cake ever again for them. They never celebrate publicly their special day again. Two and a half years later, Gramma dies on Good Friday just a year after we move to a new house Grampa has used his retirement savings to buy, so us kids could be safer and we could all live together under the same roof. </span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I can close my eyes today and remember all the sights, smells and sounds of that day in November 1963. For some reason, good or bad, I have etchings inside my brain that are permanent snapshots of everything that happened that day and could draw them out for you. I think this day is my first step to no longer being a child, learning of adult events that make life not so nice. The saddest part was knowing no one could fix it. Like we depend on our parents or grand parents to kiss a boo boo and it won't hurt anymore, or glue the dolly and she will blink and cry her tears again. Only, the hurt will come again and the dolly ends up in the garbage can and a few years pass, to more whys and pain and anger. </span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">We try to protect our children from similar events but they WILL happen. I remember going thru some with my kids, such as Challenger, wars, 9/11 and family deaths. The best we can do is tell them the truth suitable for their ages but most of all, love them and assure them, that love will never go away. Even if I never got to make that cake for my Gramma and Grampa, I was assured of one thing....that they loved me. That is what I want to pass on. So all those years ago, even in a sad, dark time of my life, I learned something worth celebrating. It may not be with a cake or gifts or a party. It is actually very quiet. But it's there.</span></div>
Jan Schollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15774293019956518597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35088069.post-7163982416753652692012-11-15T06:00:00.000-05:002013-01-15T03:19:51.455-05:00The Heat Of The Matter<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I hate the cold. I don't think I have ever met anyone that that piece of news hasn't come up in about the first 10 minutes of conversation. It may be the only thing anyone takes away from the encounter-this freak woman is paranoid about turning blue from the temperatures falling under 80F. I wear long pants and sweat shirts year round with layers of tshirts under it. I hate air conditioning. I use the heater in my car even in summertime. There is always tissue in my pockets to deal with the constant drip I get when my nose gets too much iciness, which for Michigan is pretty much all but 6 weeks out of the year.</span></div>
</div>
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">So why do I wait so long to turn the heat on in my home each year and turn if off probably too early? Some say it's because I am cheap (I prefer frugal). I don't want to make the energy company (and their monopoly) any richer than need be and I don't own any stock in it, either. The game starts pretty much the end of August or Labor Day weekend to see how quickly others brag of putting the heat ON and I just add another shirt layer.</span></div>
</div>
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL9qlR3cw_2bnCN4kTUNzQvshcBx9MdXWZD09IQdkqR9cC998FcoafFjqhtjLv9uw88FYsyAdwE9jo7a6mLr9vK8E_IJDQ0s7acJM__SZPj_5T9bP3bIjmD2YrjZrm8rouECCQ/s1600/burner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL9qlR3cw_2bnCN4kTUNzQvshcBx9MdXWZD09IQdkqR9cC998FcoafFjqhtjLv9uw88FYsyAdwE9jo7a6mLr9vK8E_IJDQ0s7acJM__SZPj_5T9bP3bIjmD2YrjZrm8rouECCQ/s320/burner.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">October 1 was the cut off for years, as the kids were still here but I just knocked down the temp from 68F to 66F to lower. Soon those wonderful programmable thermostats came out and jeepers, the contraption did its thing after just a few seconds of me bossing somebody around to plug some data in. Worked for me! If by chance the cold got here before it should, I sometimes let it run for a few hours, but not the full cycle that we normally did. I was doing this to save money but I also did this to put myself in a position of knowing what if felt like to be cold. Bone cold. </span></div>
</div>
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large; text-align: justify;">I pushed the boundaries until I was into November at times. Hubby was working all the time, I turned off the heat in the unused bedrooms upstairs and just kept the family room and kitchen areas going open vent. At night, when I would use my four hours of dial up Internet, I often could not bend my fingers as I neared my last half hour of time at my desk tucked in an unheated bedroom, looking at the blue splotches on my legs and waiting to crawl into the spot of bed when hubby rose up for work and the furnace was programmed to come on just enough to heat the chill off and tone back for daylight as if by itself in a world of winter dreams. I would later leave for the gym, and the house would be warmed again in time for my return to start the cycle over and turn off at 11, when droopy eyes and early alarms mandate.</span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large; text-align: justify;">The farthest I ever got was November 15 about 7 years ago. Last year, it was November 11. This year, tonight, November 14, I gave in. I wanted to keep going but it was for other reasons,as something changed 4 years ago. It wasn't any longer a contest just to push the date farther and farther but to experience what many others do on a daily basis in many parts of this country because they can't afford to heat their homes or they have no homes. What started out as a cheap game (frugal) became an act of empathy. And it hit very close to home. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large; text-align: justify;">I found out after the death of my sister that there was no heat in the house she lived in. There was no running water. The electricity was still on because the electric company has a rule they won't cut all utilities in the winter for the elderly. My mom had died the previous winter and no one informed the local power company, so when they cut the gas for non-payment, they left the one that was most usable on, thinking mom was still in there and alive. By having electricity, my sister had a space heater in the living room. Nothing else. No gas to cook with (only a microwave), not water to flush the toilets with, nor to take a bath or shower. She had had bypass surgery and the powers that be decided she could go "home" without the normal check from social services. Had they done the jobs we pay them to, maybe she would still be alive. I think in part she froze to death. It's not a pretty picture and the guilt I take with me the rest of my life is something I wish on no one. Sadly, I had no contact with her the last 10 years of her life because of a controlling brother. Shortly after her death, the house caught fire and that brother nearly died. The fire was concentrated around that space heater. To this day, there is no admission of what really was going on and never will be.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNKWjAX4lbseg7v1X97fMxt2hVNYqVZV-sZYpJxbxRK988Ptcs2TqssjuRja_rBPFaDsIgNRTfeycFVBENZ8wc1k0v4_TjdYu4LdgToVYnP9kRnWK2gIHU30FMg0zSFXbRCSkJ/s1600/spaceheater.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNKWjAX4lbseg7v1X97fMxt2hVNYqVZV-sZYpJxbxRK988Ptcs2TqssjuRja_rBPFaDsIgNRTfeycFVBENZ8wc1k0v4_TjdYu4LdgToVYnP9kRnWK2gIHU30FMg0zSFXbRCSkJ/s1600/spaceheater.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I realize how lucky I am to have ready available heat, running water and electricity. Many people struggle to keep just one of them on, often using an electric oven or gas stove to heat their homes at night, giving up one to keep another. Water can be bought in grocery stores or borrowed from neighbors in buckets. Gas for heat isn't so easy, only those with fireplaces maybe have a third option-they might even burn their own belongings simply to keep the winter creep from their bones and spend many more hours bundled in beds or sofas just to while the time away. This could be your own family. It was mine.</span></div>
</div>
</div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large; text-align: justify;">As I said, guilt has a lot to do with this heat issue, even if I could do nothing about it all. I can't fix what I didn't know about. Plus being brought up Catholic sure adds fuel to the fire! I lived in a household where the winter temperatures as a child were kept at 80F. That is just plain not healthy and when I saw that still happening after I became an adult and learned more, I tried to let my family know, but turning back to 72F would only last an hour and the heat and humidity inside the home led to mold, peeling paint and lots of lung issues from cigarettes, dust and lead paint over the decades. Plus lots of heating bills not being paid. Thousands of dollars.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large; text-align: justify;">Last year in Michigan was pretty mild. I saved half what I normally would have paid to heat the house in dead of winter to 68F and nighttime 60F. This year went cold very fast and we sit at below normal temps other than an occasional out of sync 70F. I still did not turn the heat on, running an occasional space heater if it became unbearable. I vowed I would not turn the heat on until the people on the East Coast had their electricity back after Hurricane Sandy. Since I could do nothing else for them other than be with them in heart, I wanted to do something, even if they would never know. I wanted to feel what they were feeling, to be thankful for what I have and to remind me of what I could have done had I known. </span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large; text-align: justify;">Guilt is a very powerful thing. I am trying to make it positive by turning it to empathy. I just get carried away sometimes and really, that is okay. As I sit here battling a horrible cold (not from being cold but from daycare germs), I find myself "with" many families who tonight have no heat, are wrapped in blankets by fireplaces (assuming they have a home left standing) yet they are trying to stay positive, even with no turn on date after many promises. I hope the end of the week brings some relief for them.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Vyl5xqdst30WxkZymvQmmKMhFrvzetfiqHClndYvCmjUL5kfCAuBJ2qCrE9m6JVCmv6XWOGmF4Acgum01-0wqRUkbQIWXqHcab5ibhl7ziNCdkn1_aAX03Ly1gtXM_NT9fCE/s1600/warm-hands-to-play-piano1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Vyl5xqdst30WxkZymvQmmKMhFrvzetfiqHClndYvCmjUL5kfCAuBJ2qCrE9m6JVCmv6XWOGmF4Acgum01-0wqRUkbQIWXqHcab5ibhl7ziNCdkn1_aAX03Ly1gtXM_NT9fCE/s1600/warm-hands-to-play-piano1.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large; text-align: justify;">My house is currently reading 60F at the desk near the kitchen, where it will sit until 8 AM when it heats to 68F. This morning the inside temp in the kitchen was 51F with 22F outside. I said enough, not so much for me but I did worry about pipes. I hear a warming trend is coming. I look forward to the day when no one need worry about being so cold their bones hurt and tears freeze on their faces. Until then, I share some empathy with them. And hope the day comes when the guilt leaves my soul.</span>Jan Schollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15774293019956518597noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35088069.post-64098724407022877182012-02-22T00:54:00.000-05:002012-02-22T01:00:10.528-05:00Bread!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">The things I do at 1 AM!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0C83qFg6FTWf6-2APmkMRDFnlHiStGVN18UTP8kPhuPFeXQjILNYkiwEuj4raD9iWtT5Qij0wXtKj8gTJv44XUP3fcx0-XbOTDUUp4R0FIcwjaeFX5qXYRcd260wNVaq9QWMF/s1600/boule.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0C83qFg6FTWf6-2APmkMRDFnlHiStGVN18UTP8kPhuPFeXQjILNYkiwEuj4raD9iWtT5Qij0wXtKj8gTJv44XUP3fcx0-XbOTDUUp4R0FIcwjaeFX5qXYRcd260wNVaq9QWMF/s400/boule.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUFSEHdr7WCVt-zrNw8I68nikyt0QRa4EIllu-244upO_1d5paT3xcRFri0r1wiqgkis_SredBo7d9F7fieBGRpe_E2USTenOAxYzjV8L3zP43vuU1TcxFkVyKKCOaEu6qbSwP/s1600/blow+up.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUFSEHdr7WCVt-zrNw8I68nikyt0QRa4EIllu-244upO_1d5paT3xcRFri0r1wiqgkis_SredBo7d9F7fieBGRpe_E2USTenOAxYzjV8L3zP43vuU1TcxFkVyKKCOaEu6qbSwP/s400/blow+up.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAjdE73FrZlPIdQbHzI32TfV74qIIgkdGUMMxdF2T25S4V7E1QNmygTiewThV-sOynk-avz181lMOjM8JEHCtj1Y3rst6SF4bmv8gAUuYjpalzhmplWsRNgUhKCCJZEFBiaifZ/s1600/boule+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAjdE73FrZlPIdQbHzI32TfV74qIIgkdGUMMxdF2T25S4V7E1QNmygTiewThV-sOynk-avz181lMOjM8JEHCtj1Y3rst6SF4bmv8gAUuYjpalzhmplWsRNgUhKCCJZEFBiaifZ/s400/boule+2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPPVwAjnO0YCTJdyfilJNGiThbVr8fn4sH-KVgVeIA4vRz3texnNHxTwwoX2bnjqMHKpSVVSYfeEPeJX-YjtC-qd7BS-jwZqlwTIV46hZhlfsVJwScdrO-KloNdXd8iY6uvFaZ/s1600/bread+one.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPPVwAjnO0YCTJdyfilJNGiThbVr8fn4sH-KVgVeIA4vRz3texnNHxTwwoX2bnjqMHKpSVVSYfeEPeJX-YjtC-qd7BS-jwZqlwTIV46hZhlfsVJwScdrO-KloNdXd8iY6uvFaZ/s400/bread+one.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitvj8c5cU79fEUYPeehy1QOjloWfvQr1woQo-b-Dcdi8t9g4QiS8MO-j_0TWTXxnnJspEtXP9nY5YU7h1H6WTdI3CrOaAT2k24g2ZyEaMdhxiqzcSeagUXRoa5hIm0EBQyqGSU/s1600/bread.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitvj8c5cU79fEUYPeehy1QOjloWfvQr1woQo-b-Dcdi8t9g4QiS8MO-j_0TWTXxnnJspEtXP9nY5YU7h1H6WTdI3CrOaAT2k24g2ZyEaMdhxiqzcSeagUXRoa5hIm0EBQyqGSU/s400/bread.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Jan Schollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15774293019956518597noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35088069.post-4212425214494882072011-10-01T02:00:00.000-04:002011-10-01T02:00:01.809-04:00Just Because I Am One.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Lucky you! My cute little face will be up here for a while as gramma writes other stuff to publish. Could be a day or a year. No matter what, she can't beat this for cuteness!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG50XDdPdjjbxpPFdZKglw4lwgKqnxfRVVKEw8LoueXlQLCi-xkMfXb6jX9DC3oSyKA1FTmR4dqy55Gy3ZeY1Xa8-UrQ4INb6o1Sqr9SpwJ-PMeVVyP4hNnzY6zsELVtNE7jPg/s1600/avanelle+park.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG50XDdPdjjbxpPFdZKglw4lwgKqnxfRVVKEw8LoueXlQLCi-xkMfXb6jX9DC3oSyKA1FTmR4dqy55Gy3ZeY1Xa8-UrQ4INb6o1Sqr9SpwJ-PMeVVyP4hNnzY6zsELVtNE7jPg/s320/avanelle+park.JPG" width="231" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">It's my day and I am gonna party! Just because I am one!</span></div>
Jan Schollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15774293019956518597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35088069.post-39031019791036726782011-09-30T18:53:00.001-04:002011-09-30T18:53:14.953-04:00How to Peel a Head of Garlic in Less Than 10 Seconds<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">My only question-does it have to be metal bowls? </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="225" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/29605182?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="400"></iframe></div>
<br />Jan Schollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15774293019956518597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35088069.post-89636910677771168302011-08-27T08:00:00.002-04:002011-08-27T08:00:05.599-04:00The Magical Crazy Time<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">It's 8 AM on the last Saturday in August. For thirty straight years this was a magical, crazy time in my life. I would get up very early, before the sun rose to blind me from my bedroom window and start a ritual. The normal routine of most days like teeth brushing and hair combing was interspersed with once-a-year procedures. From the precisely laid out ritual offering of the night before, I draped myself in silken shorts, a sleeveless top and well worn shoes. That could have been nothing special but the labels on the clothing were a little off the normal brands I wore, which were usually store branded. These items for the magical time bore the monikers of New Balance, Asics and Bill Rogers. </span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">I then would tie my hair up, somehow getting it under a hat or in a braid. I didn't want to deal with it for a few hours. As I donned my shoes, I made sure to dab bits of emollient between my toes, pulling my socks tight and double tying the laces. In later years, I also added a plastic tag to the shoe, so someone somewhere might keep the numbers straight. At least I thought that was part of the fee I paid to be a part of this magical time. The last part of the early morning ritual was the adding of the paper bib to my chest. I now was really a number! 4 safety pins, one per corner (one always with a dollar bill poked thru as a safety net). </span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">I set off for the 15 mile drive, sometimes thru extreme fog and redirects thru town for parking. The magical time originally started on the main road leading into the local community college. Over the years, it became so crowded, it was moved</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">into the downtown area for both the beginning and the end of the magic. The bright blue line that guided hundreds and then thousands of locals, all 50 state visitors and Olympian internationals of all colors and talents, was a year round presence for us, and a stepping stone to conversations for anyone who inquired of it.</span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9uKJXYmeXW-BxKAtqubP0L7lgycUNZi9dvt7GHMkV_R_PquKv1Lxo9TYDrCiHbmRRfCvCb6VKStsplj0utBseF4yC4Ujv-nyuwj7xptlYw7fQAbal-qts1tJ818LmABosYypA/s1600-h/hit+the+bricks.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238307971531664786" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9uKJXYmeXW-BxKAtqubP0L7lgycUNZi9dvt7GHMkV_R_PquKv1Lxo9TYDrCiHbmRRfCvCb6VKStsplj0utBseF4yC4Ujv-nyuwj7xptlYw7fQAbal-qts1tJ818LmABosYypA/s400/hit+the+bricks.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">This was the quest. The red bricks of Saginaw Street was the end of a long and winding road thru Flint. Nearly every economic level of life in the area had a neighborhood that correlated to the paychecks and you would run, walk, crawl and dance thru each one. 10 miles. Never one step less. The magical time was 8 AM on the last Saturday in August. The event was the Bobby Crim 10 Mile Road Race. The prize (at least originally) was a wooden Popsicle stick, handed to you as you crossed the last painted wedge at the end of the blue line. In later years, you were handed a metallic amulet on a bright ribbon. You had earned the right to wear the totems of the magical time, including a brightly embossed shirt, and the metal totem. You also earned the blisters and the bruises and sometimes, even a trip to the local medical tents and forced fluids by IV.</span></div><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZeOlsnsPgVxo1ZpJqNLzjL3c1geX8zsf9b0-Rp7xotoQ7Yv0B8Ty0hnvR5Fp8PuiLhzBV6HKPuwQ7GP4jVlfeMIdtDKJEKOv-5KFoc897j5-f5s9oNYcD-fSe1DY8McpbntKz/s1600-h/crim+blister.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238315425191054978" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZeOlsnsPgVxo1ZpJqNLzjL3c1geX8zsf9b0-Rp7xotoQ7Yv0B8Ty0hnvR5Fp8PuiLhzBV6HKPuwQ7GP4jVlfeMIdtDKJEKOv-5KFoc897j5-f5s9oNYcD-fSe1DY8McpbntKz/s400/crim+blister.JPG" style="display: block; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Many would plan for months for this magical time, spending hours a week getting faster and thinner by running in neighborhoods in their own cities and towns. Some ran on tracks at high schools, some ran on trails along the river or local wooded areas. Many took to marking the sides of their local blacktopped roads as they made each foot plant count toward a weekly total that climbed as the months passed. Some who had to deal with detrimental weather like heat and ice, ran indoors at the local gym or high schools, keeping track of each mile, along with the temperatures, what they ate before running, even what music they had on cassette players, which segwayed into Cd's, and later iPod. There were many rituals for each participant. </span></div><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNsKrd4xqstXfFM_VNouF_x2no2GZJEqPkUHtU9d1p6UT3hiwn4AGpbaYIX1ZVKV4pwmdmEXN3kX_tJmJ0gWynwvbj6GjiBsWG9R0OG5BaslHRDD6Ji8az35DOc47nUUtD5ROH/s1600-h/crim+o8+toe+the+line.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238303011738443938" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNsKrd4xqstXfFM_VNouF_x2no2GZJEqPkUHtU9d1p6UT3hiwn4AGpbaYIX1ZVKV4pwmdmEXN3kX_tJmJ0gWynwvbj6GjiBsWG9R0OG5BaslHRDD6Ji8az35DOc47nUUtD5ROH/s400/crim+o8+toe+the+line.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">One of the rituals was to NOT have new shoes the day of the magical event. You had to have the shoes broken it, with hard earned asphalt miles making tiny cracks in the bottom, which made for better gripping should the day be hot and humid, or in one case, turn into a monsoon, where rain fell by the inches per hour, and everyone was glad for a dry towel at the end.</span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisOz26R-x1mm-gT66Dc7E85YSLEfC5b5kBlNGhdhxewu3R3GmqplJOYNKr94sawkibn46ecgVge99KZh3wCxai0saqg6v42_hTGcPKiYXEAgC8U9kRdvf__dZuxmTqQYrb9wRY/s1600-h/800o+waiting.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238303012972265106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisOz26R-x1mm-gT66Dc7E85YSLEfC5b5kBlNGhdhxewu3R3GmqplJOYNKr94sawkibn46ecgVge99KZh3wCxai0saqg6v42_hTGcPKiYXEAgC8U9kRdvf__dZuxmTqQYrb9wRY/s400/800o+waiting.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">The anticipations of the participants each year were quite unique. Some were looking for glory , often coming thousands of miles for the chance to set a world record for time, and in the process picked up thousands of dollars in prize money along with the cover of Running Times or Runner's World. Some used this as a warm up for a fall marathon or "light" training for the next year Olympics. Quite often the challenge was just to finish, STANDING UP and being able to talk about it after the fact. In between were dares, celebrations and tears.</span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsJ2st_T_Gc5jJZnh_STNm2Kr5z5ncCvAGSm8RQAMdft6ZHbK6ZjEQOmTEs1p7jvZkM9qAGJFRQsG7kEbScWnGFeDvCIJUzi-9W1jRpRKsu93cc-oyyQyxIZG7-Om0NX2_Jr5l/s1600-h/crowds.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238303025132099730" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsJ2st_T_Gc5jJZnh_STNm2Kr5z5ncCvAGSm8RQAMdft6ZHbK6ZjEQOmTEs1p7jvZkM9qAGJFRQsG7kEbScWnGFeDvCIJUzi-9W1jRpRKsu93cc-oyyQyxIZG7-Om0NX2_Jr5l/s400/crowds.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">My first year of participating in the magical crazy time in August 1981, I told no one. I snuck out of the house before sunrise, entering the challenge only the day before, when I had seen an ad in the local paper and wondered what it was. I had only run one 10 K before that, (and promised myself I would never run one again!), but something drew me to this event. In part, it was the fact it was a fundraiser for Special Olympics. I have always felt blessed I had healthy kids both mentally and physically, so I emptied my pop bottle cash jar, tore off a check and entered the unknown. Pure guts got me thru it, even though I had been running for quite some time.</span></div><div><div><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCS8JA19G_m92d29XFaYcoA6MOPWryp10LLzola3aXGDtWm9GNlYw4rtlEivZv1EeVDFDR-rYFcAynQ-TqDfog8sJIHj2UXK0Rd3fkk_YmfbsC756-sNNmzt96HevDs0UZNAy0/s1600-h/waiting+to+start.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238309725936645298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCS8JA19G_m92d29XFaYcoA6MOPWryp10LLzola3aXGDtWm9GNlYw4rtlEivZv1EeVDFDR-rYFcAynQ-TqDfog8sJIHj2UXK0Rd3fkk_YmfbsC756-sNNmzt96HevDs0UZNAy0/s400/waiting+to+start.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">I sit here at my desk, with tears in my eyes as I type this. The magical crazy time is not on my calender this year. I decided that 30 years of toeing the starting line was enough. I have been dealing with a knee problem for awhile but I could have toughed it out, even if I did more damage to it, eventually the darn thing will need to be replaced, as I have fallen so many times on it. I have been thru much worse, including a trip to the hospital after one event. The decision to stay home came not by my body giving me a challenge but from the loss of what should have been a small recognition last year. I don't ask for much. I don't like anyone citing me for something I have done that is positive for them. If I gift, a quiet thank you and smile work for me. I even am accepting of hugs, but really I don't need much. </span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">The decision to give up the magical crazy time, started a few years ago. At that time, I came across a newspaper memo, asking that those who had participated in 25 years or more of the magical toeing of the line, contact a person to get their name and years of participation. I did this and at that time, I was informed that at least 4 of the years I did run, they had no record of. These included the first two years of my participation (long before electronic mats and beaming of info from a chip on your shoe or embedded tags sent times at various check in points along the route). Everyone originally got the same start time, even in years when the participants took up to 8 minutes to cross the line on the bricks. Popsicle sticks and later tear off tags were the only way to keep you in order as a giant clock ticked off the seconds over your head. </span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">The hardest to deal with were the missing participation of one, the year I had my second best running time and the tear off tag was handed to a person at the finish line who did not like me. Sounds petty but my finish never even showed in the local paper, and I knew from instinct, she disposed of the tag. I never thought it would matter. I knew I had run, I had my finish medal/certificate and I was off to see dad, who always called me his wet rat after being doused with sprinklers for 10 miles. But the most hurtful run, 1995, was the last time I saw my dad. I stopped over after finishing the race, showed him my medal and never saw him alive again. He didn't call me his wet rat. And I turned and said "Bye Dad", as I left the kitchen at my childhood home. I knew.</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Somehow I still kept up my streak, thinking it was still a streak. Thru a two year illness with multiple hospitalizations, loss of friends, lingering lung and pain issues, I kept ticking off the years, dedicating each magical crazy time to those who were no longer with me, either at the start or the finish. But I was heartbroken when my participation could not be verified, as this was such a personal achievement for me. I did this for me! So last year as the names were called, and mine was not one of them, I decided that along with the fact hubby was no longer working and I was unable to make my normal large donation to Special Olympics due to medical expenses, I was done. The last Saturday in August was no longer mine to anticipate and the magical crazy time was history. I was at the mercy of the keeper of the records. No amount of cancelled checks, credit card slips, t shirts (now being made into a quilt), finish certificates and medals can find the missing and restore the official. For me, it was like going thru school and getting set for graduation and they say you can't, because they can't find your records. So no diploma. It hurt and still does. So I decided to end the run on my terms. </span></div><div><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG3fjjcAVBRDSaaX2Tp4Gq4W0KH13zJdR1ay4ggf77oNNI0mRMNIRYIGlW0qlw3krenxiL4S6vYMajDXI32doaSRtTk04hA5hCiASz4rxBUe0DckRaEPmoD6TLGO0Pu8XnHosX/s1600-h/hippieman.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238307973644444898" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG3fjjcAVBRDSaaX2Tp4Gq4W0KH13zJdR1ay4ggf77oNNI0mRMNIRYIGlW0qlw3krenxiL4S6vYMajDXI32doaSRtTk04hA5hCiASz4rxBUe0DckRaEPmoD6TLGO0Pu8XnHosX/s400/hippieman.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">There will be no more laughing thru painful hills at the sideshow of humanity, who show up each year, and cheer us on or are puzzled by the craziness of the day (or the ordinary of the day).</span></div><br />
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWYfhNn-MhHzLyE-ttsOlxvWozM3-vXlPhfIrv5qGOwRPDxB64M01SovNQEdi_RPcHb5ndiB6sA_ObEVD_lLp__idOJZXhOd6FN6PC9Xh3xr09kQHolGxAa-aBbkQQThzal1Up/s1600-h/water+station.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238313820586746866" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWYfhNn-MhHzLyE-ttsOlxvWozM3-vXlPhfIrv5qGOwRPDxB64M01SovNQEdi_RPcHb5ndiB6sA_ObEVD_lLp__idOJZXhOd6FN6PC9Xh3xr09kQHolGxAa-aBbkQQThzal1Up/s400/water+station.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">There will be no more piles of cups from lukewarm water that tastes as if it comes straight from the Flint River which is dispensed by volleyball playing frat brothers from GMI/Kettering.</span></div><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoWps0pP57erM11ERtSfWKs_0uDrwwt37phhCJRkIguhR5mCcRNVxPC_gg3ubyZppWDVKlk3_rHNwMdw7kBQtMAkPFdD99CHw6uKpaLLnL3XN_llFyBYyoOEiLRiyA0KC3BjN9/s1600-h/beer.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238313830516616482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoWps0pP57erM11ERtSfWKs_0uDrwwt37phhCJRkIguhR5mCcRNVxPC_gg3ubyZppWDVKlk3_rHNwMdw7kBQtMAkPFdD99CHw6uKpaLLnL3XN_llFyBYyoOEiLRiyA0KC3BjN9/s400/beer.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">There will be no more dispensing of the beer at 8AM at the Peanut Gallery, a large group of obnoxious drunken friends (I don't say this with affection, as they are very hurtful verbally to those who are struggling), and the cloud of smoke won't be missed one bit.</span><br />
<div><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi4exS71qyeMMvo3pQVmPTlFRiwWxYRQCIXU5xKEy_nNFyGpVBFElmqayoX8srzzTlzyEc_9_rTDCU_OuzhMpJsKsIIvTNKkw2nQYCLqnsAKthAiO9SwD0ooAYjvLM0215zkkT/s1600-h/last+hill.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238315408566193410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi4exS71qyeMMvo3pQVmPTlFRiwWxYRQCIXU5xKEy_nNFyGpVBFElmqayoX8srzzTlzyEc_9_rTDCU_OuzhMpJsKsIIvTNKkw2nQYCLqnsAKthAiO9SwD0ooAYjvLM0215zkkT/s400/last+hill.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Altho I may still have to occasionally drive this road known as the Bradley Hills or a trip into Hell-this is just the first of the three hills rising up toward the halfway mark of the race-I will not miss the debilitating pain in my quads and being forced to run backwards to get the cramps out of them.</span></div><br />
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeJoASVQBbVOPOAe_BBU4N45xqQdLNVOgk9wv3K2RFxXHL4qlhxYUqCMv8up-SQAGt2k7vQapjHGidYF89KbitdetlVX1S58bsbjzS816lD_EUxmBLFRPYf2u26mGuz4ZfSj0Z/s1600-h/5+miles.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238304939611339874" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeJoASVQBbVOPOAe_BBU4N45xqQdLNVOgk9wv3K2RFxXHL4qlhxYUqCMv8up-SQAGt2k7vQapjHGidYF89KbitdetlVX1S58bsbjzS816lD_EUxmBLFRPYf2u26mGuz4ZfSj0Z/s400/5+miles.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">This sign that marks the halfway point of the race, on the west side of the city, was always a topic of theft. There were years when my friends David Jones and Bryan Coleman conspired with me to steal it. We could not finalized cutting it down or unbolting it, and seeing as Bryan was a city cop, well, I don't think I would have gone thru with it and ruin his career. But it was great conversation and at least you felt sort of grand knowing you got halfway thru the race and it was all downhill from there (a lie! a big fat lie!).</span></div><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ5nYANTPLTFMad6XIFwJl5hmN_JCX7YOTXGYD08uQ1EQmtyryMjjrmUhosiuIG9u5lu5Vz2LD0hzUhAKA2mg0UzPVf5VIef8jxHuHkEHsG4gTwMGAQvoIs4troiWAc57svS3i/s1600-h/5+mile.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238304941508118210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ5nYANTPLTFMad6XIFwJl5hmN_JCX7YOTXGYD08uQ1EQmtyryMjjrmUhosiuIG9u5lu5Vz2LD0hzUhAKA2mg0UzPVf5VIef8jxHuHkEHsG4gTwMGAQvoIs4troiWAc57svS3i/s400/5+mile.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">The mass of humanity, both from those participating and those who volunteered hours and days to help us achieve our day of magical crazy spread over the city, singing, preaching, dancing, banging drums and spraying you with water from hoses and buckets of ice cold Gatorade. It would not be the success it is, without all of them. </span></div><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJk6NiPLi9NWXR-xbji1XFLyvqAyG9QCVF7-VWm3z1MUKqf0u4tTXn0kP8ipmiQh7RZJSG1Iu3jld-1wON5vj63ECr9mb67UoQuGS9VRjtdM-ESxRUqcePvQXA41lqlJOWCaim/s1600-h/08+medal.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238304957019306994" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJk6NiPLi9NWXR-xbji1XFLyvqAyG9QCVF7-VWm3z1MUKqf0u4tTXn0kP8ipmiQh7RZJSG1Iu3jld-1wON5vj63ECr9mb67UoQuGS9VRjtdM-ESxRUqcePvQXA41lqlJOWCaim/s400/08+medal.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">And it was all done to get one of these. A cheap piece of metal with a colorful ribbon, a totem to display around your neck as you puked in a bucket at the finish, or stood under a shower in the middle of the brick road. Sometimes you found a cold beer or a melting Popsicle to share with others who had the same quest of the magical day. Just to finish and have a good time. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">The day of magical crazy will go on for others and perhaps there is another streak to be had for me in another town on another day on another last Saturday but today I call it a wrap. The wet rat will be dry but the memories linger. I would not have had the times of my life without so many wonderful people. My kids Courtney and Ben started doing shorter fun runs to later accompanying me on the crazy, even doing one year on a dare for a hundred bucks with no training (I still have the photo on the mantel Ben). The entire Bentley family Jennifer, Michael, Jamie and Amanda (the above twins) and big sis Jessica who could not be seen with us stragglers were always just plain fun, but mostly mom Karen, the person of courage with the Crim on her bucket list that I was a witness to and thru the next 12 years, I carried a yellow rose in my pocket in her memory as I dedicated the race to her. The photo of her family and mine crossing the finish line in 1998 is still on my mantel. Then we have Jim Blackhurst, a participant of many years who let the entire clan invade his yard and pool post race along with his wife Karen, the keeper of the kidlets while we ran, and let them all swim in the Flint River with the carp! I certainly will not forget the pasta dinners the night before the race, imbibing a bit too much and having hangovers at the start line. All those strangers along the race route, the silly conversations with old, young and the littlest ones shoving cups of water and high fiving-and really, who had the biggest grins, them or me? How about Earl from Hurley Fitness barking his Marine commands for me to get my ass in gear at the 6 mile mark after he could not run anymore because of health reasons. Of course, the Shriner's clown who saw me struggle only to pull a trophy out of his pants and pass it to me as I ran the last half mile would know it's now a 20 year dust collector on my bedside dresser along with a running shoe dipped in plaster holding all the medals received. All the crazy weather, the time I lost my shoe, the frat boys with the beer wagon and the Marines in cadence with full gear. The guy dribbling the basketball for charity and the former soldier who carries the POW flag for every DAY he runs and every MILE he runs. These people and events never leave my mind.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Mostly, there was hubby, who made me do the last two miles one year even when I begged him to go get the car. He was a spectator that year, hanging out in front of the School for the Deaf, and telling me it was far easier for me to finish (it was all downhill from there -more lies!) but that kept the streak going past 15 years, and later he joined me when I feared to do it alone, as I recovered from illness. He had the nerve to say hi to Don Williamsom! The nerve! But I got to 30 because of him, so I guess I will forgive him. </span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWc2drPQoC1xaLHtlFnGbNJqiKi28Qw9yyOxv3a8dYxBEFckHbTK9g2erF8FR8Hq4HQLNafp5Hw_A-IsGDji77VLSk5xDuIRBZQ1qlnQZETKBC7GtuKQH8XrE65o2VF8ALTwdg/s1600-h/bandage.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238315423720080354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWc2drPQoC1xaLHtlFnGbNJqiKi28Qw9yyOxv3a8dYxBEFckHbTK9g2erF8FR8Hq4HQLNafp5Hw_A-IsGDji77VLSk5xDuIRBZQ1qlnQZETKBC7GtuKQH8XrE65o2VF8ALTwdg/s400/bandage.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">This band aid will be used someday, should I have another foot blister as I know it WILL occur. I will keep looking for more magic and fun somewhere on the roads or streets of Michigan or wherever I hang my stinky shorts. The magical crazy of the Crim is worth your dedication should you so choose it, just think of me at the five mile mark-as it's all downhill from there (lies, lies lies!).</span></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div><br />
</div>Jan Schollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15774293019956518597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35088069.post-20392302481431077872011-07-24T10:56:00.001-04:002011-07-24T10:56:00.451-04:00Imagine<div style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #213a5b; font-family: Cambria, 'Hoefler Text', Utopia, 'Liberation Serif', 'Nimbus Roman No9 L Regular', Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 26px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0.5em; text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Imagine there’s no heaven</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">It’s easy if you try</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">No hell below us</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Above us only sky</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Imagine all the people</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Living for today…</span></div><br />
<div style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #213a5b; font-family: Cambria, 'Hoefler Text', Utopia, 'Liberation Serif', 'Nimbus Roman No9 L Regular', Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 26px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0.5em; text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Imagine there’s no countries</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">It isn’t hard to do</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Nothing to kill or die for</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">And no religion too</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Imagine all the people</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Living life in peace…</span></div><br />
<div style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #213a5b; font-family: Cambria, 'Hoefler Text', Utopia, 'Liberation Serif', 'Nimbus Roman No9 L Regular', Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 26px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0.5em; text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">You may say I’m a dreamer</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">But I’m not the only one</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">I hope someday you’ll join us</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">And the world will be as one</span></div><br />
<div style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #213a5b; font-family: Cambria, 'Hoefler Text', Utopia, 'Liberation Serif', 'Nimbus Roman No9 L Regular', Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 26px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0.5em; text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Imagine no possessions</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">I wonder if you can</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">No need for greed or hunger</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">A brotherhood of man</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Imagine all the people</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Sharing all the world…</span></div><br />
<div style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #213a5b; font-family: Cambria, 'Hoefler Text', Utopia, 'Liberation Serif', 'Nimbus Roman No9 L Regular', Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 26px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0.5em; text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">You may say I’m a dreamer</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">But I’m not the only one</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">I hope someday you’ll join us</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">And the world will live as one</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">For the kids of Norway and everywhere . </span></div>Jan Schollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15774293019956518597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35088069.post-44486459865682824052011-07-24T01:30:00.000-04:002011-07-24T01:30:23.580-04:00Help! I NEED These Lights For My Kitchen!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I am looking for strings of lights like these. The larger of the flower is maybe the size of a softball. The smaller flower is maybe the size of a baseball. I don't care what the colors are at this point but these would be perfect. These are strung at a hole-in-the-wall restaurant on the west side of Flint called <a href="http://pestos.com/">Pesto's</a>. I would love these in my kitchen when I finally get it finished, but like I said, color at this point doesn't matter. Just this style or something really close. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQfZy0iQZbmoWJcNmbzj1VJ2OBEAPxg2RRdptJG3-GcZYftx7aRah55T9SJpwCYZfnV3uGe-itIE8drqB7GzYJSlAnMMTsvliVcaZ7bPnsgcfSUPH-TVxcBlbb336PWEmBaxBA/s1600/061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQfZy0iQZbmoWJcNmbzj1VJ2OBEAPxg2RRdptJG3-GcZYftx7aRah55T9SJpwCYZfnV3uGe-itIE8drqB7GzYJSlAnMMTsvliVcaZ7bPnsgcfSUPH-TVxcBlbb336PWEmBaxBA/s320/061.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdDdvUuA5T2zI1wK5NdhdY8dh07otCN1_5IMBLuXf2xAPGJgnULkWpvTP9cKwc8dM87txQpzD0-Iu-9r0_Jv5BTVEAAVpFFf06RRnqOi3kxt7A0ZY_GWP7L6TdtJE_wXZhUdfF/s1600/063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdDdvUuA5T2zI1wK5NdhdY8dh07otCN1_5IMBLuXf2xAPGJgnULkWpvTP9cKwc8dM87txQpzD0-Iu-9r0_Jv5BTVEAAVpFFf06RRnqOi3kxt7A0ZY_GWP7L6TdtJE_wXZhUdfF/s320/063.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia-oFn4_jUaeOfB3d9iUXPKozO4BxpoduIg2ih55XV3VwF78jo6zqDZ0sTQ2GpGQp7-Bskj-Qbw9Ru0nuC-021uhhUCq4if7wdiq_h6FquEOAP53UF929pxvSzD2lHJCNYgIk3/s1600/city+lights.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia-oFn4_jUaeOfB3d9iUXPKozO4BxpoduIg2ih55XV3VwF78jo6zqDZ0sTQ2GpGQp7-Bskj-Qbw9Ru0nuC-021uhhUCq4if7wdiq_h6FquEOAP53UF929pxvSzD2lHJCNYgIk3/s320/city+lights.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">My son-in-law Chris also thought they were pretty neat and even better, he liked the eatery! I wish we had more places locally where the food was this good and you want to steal the scenery!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Jan Schollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15774293019956518597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35088069.post-66236399514385159182011-05-20T16:13:00.000-04:002011-05-20T16:13:56.930-04:00Flooding In Downtown Area Flushing, MI May 2011<span style="font-size: large;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/xns3Z1a1J9A?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/3ZLq2GKGWsA?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/v7mH5rhEtos?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/I13h0f4iTMc?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div></span>Jan Schollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15774293019956518597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35088069.post-41454023606384944872011-05-20T06:01:00.002-04:002011-05-20T06:01:01.211-04:00The Flood Flushing, MI 2011<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Random photos of the flooding in Flushing, Mi on May 19, 2011. I found it particularly funny that the local outdoor pool had little water and a sump pump attached, and the parking lot to the pool had more water than the pool itself. I tried to chase down the duckie, but hubby got there first. No close up. :( The river thru Flushing is usually pretty laid back and the River Walk follows along the meander of water. Old man Flint River had a mind of his own this spring day. Flood stage is expected to crest sometime Saturday night. All the trees in the "river" are usually on land. Some dry summers an island appears in the middle and kids boat or swim out to it. Not today!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ylrs-v0hZ_DHKjJ_hCkEa91zEOuvuV6boGYYc4ehGCP83rWE-TM_wfBE2g87bccujZWuFU6660wGSj5DG9jtJ8Dhup17JcUL0w0br5OFjQqjvegxXt3RpdamlAoiWRRqPxDI/s1600/Flushing+path.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ylrs-v0hZ_DHKjJ_hCkEa91zEOuvuV6boGYYc4ehGCP83rWE-TM_wfBE2g87bccujZWuFU6660wGSj5DG9jtJ8Dhup17JcUL0w0br5OFjQqjvegxXt3RpdamlAoiWRRqPxDI/s400/Flushing+path.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZLoymO9KBBlxQY6kQuZrO_ik1TFmmtfY9pfZiKi1judn1pIoeC559MuTiSJGDk1u8HFerxp_YbS8Hna9wlqK94xwWODv1T7RqlbIkntLkDfVqYTjp2dpB2r0PkxK5KmuXxt-e/s1600/Flushing+waves.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZLoymO9KBBlxQY6kQuZrO_ik1TFmmtfY9pfZiKi1judn1pIoeC559MuTiSJGDk1u8HFerxp_YbS8Hna9wlqK94xwWODv1T7RqlbIkntLkDfVqYTjp2dpB2r0PkxK5KmuXxt-e/s400/Flushing+waves.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjenVYzjNmg4KsqXT2g9h5VqNrOCG_OzbXKCXVHkzI7k_PoeUb_2jqOTcEgeUYjrIzRHVlV_sNOrL6yN8pbE0DvnGCJJvU0beKOcO1pN_hNfIKYWMlwKNM69YjMrk4_L3E6UQnb/s1600/Flushing+other+side+of+walk+way.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjenVYzjNmg4KsqXT2g9h5VqNrOCG_OzbXKCXVHkzI7k_PoeUb_2jqOTcEgeUYjrIzRHVlV_sNOrL6yN8pbE0DvnGCJJvU0beKOcO1pN_hNfIKYWMlwKNM69YjMrk4_L3E6UQnb/s400/Flushing+other+side+of+walk+way.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh22QY08VIDVdCiedY_r1oEajokgLrrNcI5pglLBZT45dVshdMkGhZDxik-O36szn9e3Wx9OXfOEhhdXPVFBv7tyFURzVGeV_1DKhdVguPxDuqYdnMzBKtXtrkY8IfyaYQTACQI/s1600/Flushing+over+look.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh22QY08VIDVdCiedY_r1oEajokgLrrNcI5pglLBZT45dVshdMkGhZDxik-O36szn9e3Wx9OXfOEhhdXPVFBv7tyFURzVGeV_1DKhdVguPxDuqYdnMzBKtXtrkY8IfyaYQTACQI/s400/Flushing+over+look.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKL4I1JQcx-feWxy80hGpwVgEDDE7RUfwu73bHQHJ7lL5f39BG-KcQrZAw3E4pxa17gTRFNI8lgVaGb0CPbU2gF2QL3dNlhsNm0v9crXLnfdK4goY46k9iKpkDp5jV6wxcoRzp/s1600/Flushing+overlook+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKL4I1JQcx-feWxy80hGpwVgEDDE7RUfwu73bHQHJ7lL5f39BG-KcQrZAw3E4pxa17gTRFNI8lgVaGb0CPbU2gF2QL3dNlhsNm0v9crXLnfdK4goY46k9iKpkDp5jV6wxcoRzp/s400/Flushing+overlook+2.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3wmLi4Tauo5o8jKdhtCG2L7mauMJwSIqhZIVtZSkFQfyWETL1rGhyfy3tmjXTR9H74zHXUXQImxOMIbr0kz2k1JKGmLSfJOpQQwvwFUXeYYMoZHaMWWaMtlwWP5rZgBDdoDFH/s1600/Flushing+parking+lot.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3wmLi4Tauo5o8jKdhtCG2L7mauMJwSIqhZIVtZSkFQfyWETL1rGhyfy3tmjXTR9H74zHXUXQImxOMIbr0kz2k1JKGmLSfJOpQQwvwFUXeYYMoZHaMWWaMtlwWP5rZgBDdoDFH/s400/Flushing+parking+lot.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVfFW_LOsQ70nmGguzYego8LiGMl9xgtqwOnC-ZOGtjg4Zo9VtdX6v02H1gb82QCr1ZknH1QR0dido3QfFdnG2gVf27DTraujIQbwluuYTmNFhBMmN8jH0J4sfqcsPVYzSkJPs/s1600/Flushing+pool+empty.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVfFW_LOsQ70nmGguzYego8LiGMl9xgtqwOnC-ZOGtjg4Zo9VtdX6v02H1gb82QCr1ZknH1QR0dido3QfFdnG2gVf27DTraujIQbwluuYTmNFhBMmN8jH0J4sfqcsPVYzSkJPs/s400/Flushing+pool+empty.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3agCbylWMqE71Za21U-Eh962ua9Ad4YEAdWU0rSfih4TXgvj362hcGxwPkyVIXlq1cziDg9PA6VJcn19Ul8ANxC-NFXI2Vcu4w-f7Pm-v_HRw7J383qcP6wGcVgCfUe6xAnzj/s1600/Flushing+rapid+water.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3agCbylWMqE71Za21U-Eh962ua9Ad4YEAdWU0rSfih4TXgvj362hcGxwPkyVIXlq1cziDg9PA6VJcn19Ul8ANxC-NFXI2Vcu4w-f7Pm-v_HRw7J383qcP6wGcVgCfUe6xAnzj/s400/Flushing+rapid+water.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii-yIlLDn7KwZiHPwOthO-_k9f0npAPpRC10vgSmbf5ZCK-snGD1tbml81z0kKkKFgzI24w5pH9NYO-cQlZZMfB_hSuXykWI2E2pcd53tlyfqPUoOvf9oVu8i42oNcWISWWTQ7/s1600/Flushing+rapids.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii-yIlLDn7KwZiHPwOthO-_k9f0npAPpRC10vgSmbf5ZCK-snGD1tbml81z0kKkKFgzI24w5pH9NYO-cQlZZMfB_hSuXykWI2E2pcd53tlyfqPUoOvf9oVu8i42oNcWISWWTQ7/s400/Flushing+rapids.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9iP6vP8do8io6j79YFxBSIUU22kO7_d7O6Eb-KU3Xjg6st7_AKBzdnm4iUSv0vYnwlBt5fB2H3QgMOMPOt6X2gYDuXrNDpNec6bFobsXkGj97nugFeSN9v7Vi5ZtBJhdl3gjt/s1600/Flushing+rapids+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9iP6vP8do8io6j79YFxBSIUU22kO7_d7O6Eb-KU3Xjg6st7_AKBzdnm4iUSv0vYnwlBt5fB2H3QgMOMPOt6X2gYDuXrNDpNec6bFobsXkGj97nugFeSN9v7Vi5ZtBJhdl3gjt/s400/Flushing+rapids+3.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXFgfK58J0uju7wGBmev-TWZSmocKj6eCj2xWi69eXuapq2u5FOI4wta1R1fhAlu01W90O0_ZqZLZTKUyM1y13NSWH4ZJQxvAcnq4QxGWB6e_xO2l4btqDIH6yYy8X8EQ396OW/s1600/Flushing+tree+dry+land.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXFgfK58J0uju7wGBmev-TWZSmocKj6eCj2xWi69eXuapq2u5FOI4wta1R1fhAlu01W90O0_ZqZLZTKUyM1y13NSWH4ZJQxvAcnq4QxGWB6e_xO2l4btqDIH6yYy8X8EQ396OW/s400/Flushing+tree+dry+land.JPG" width="300px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUkGBMh6EVYTv5qPLTxUjFczO06vXaSFYQeRyLh12Xa7_2KfRtfoUCxS3Lfb4xmHdeDeEH8xl9uYArwLaEYQjfozb-MhpFOvTC0ojIPlQ2zJh9OYTykfctwZfSeVYSeSJJLSPM/s1600/Flushing+dark.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUkGBMh6EVYTv5qPLTxUjFczO06vXaSFYQeRyLh12Xa7_2KfRtfoUCxS3Lfb4xmHdeDeEH8xl9uYArwLaEYQjfozb-MhpFOvTC0ojIPlQ2zJh9OYTykfctwZfSeVYSeSJJLSPM/s400/Flushing+dark.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgklfMguLTbMoKUEBVbH4RLGgbbtaf3M1mynK8O64uLHHwyGdNlXQBN4STH9UBNIZYBTky10KbYoHHXT-lBjNe-ZDRxEC03tKYR_vm8p9cQzm9-_8FBJiJiP56mn_v4tW0cWSeI/s1600/Flushing+dry+gone+wet.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgklfMguLTbMoKUEBVbH4RLGgbbtaf3M1mynK8O64uLHHwyGdNlXQBN4STH9UBNIZYBTky10KbYoHHXT-lBjNe-ZDRxEC03tKYR_vm8p9cQzm9-_8FBJiJiP56mn_v4tW0cWSeI/s400/Flushing+dry+gone+wet.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdPkMQuv4a8RgGWuUtCOBpDRldsiza7iWkCD0gK6WIVSbNs8FmeQc1OcsDw41gxirFqG5HH2IaXKXn1akEPDBELYi7w2EdGkZGmaK4ciy3BFGlDAWFWqlF_PyNDEPJ3V43P0AC/s1600/Flushing+dry+no+no.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdPkMQuv4a8RgGWuUtCOBpDRldsiza7iWkCD0gK6WIVSbNs8FmeQc1OcsDw41gxirFqG5HH2IaXKXn1akEPDBELYi7w2EdGkZGmaK4ciy3BFGlDAWFWqlF_PyNDEPJ3V43P0AC/s400/Flushing+dry+no+no.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjASGg-vIIdPcftMfxwzCOyobpbS9NqqIV0cANRjxV1_Vl7T21v8IjORaQv0l_Rd3elsml2AsqsLZJiDRqIcvGebb4F_PkZgN_23E0WPS6dgJeG5W689BCbdUpsB_rLHBJwNCRv/s1600/Flushing+flooded+path.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjASGg-vIIdPcftMfxwzCOyobpbS9NqqIV0cANRjxV1_Vl7T21v8IjORaQv0l_Rd3elsml2AsqsLZJiDRqIcvGebb4F_PkZgN_23E0WPS6dgJeG5W689BCbdUpsB_rLHBJwNCRv/s400/Flushing+flooded+path.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhecVxFyfU0ts-809ykgpWuxa3HYWS0BQVfKI-rIfth5Dx6K8Wq2yl7D8VYEtQMHKJowIDOR0kQ9lMQ5N_CBpMU7_kgVLFXbqBm8rnommzuz4jestN-YoxLhdrfElik6Hke9380/s1600/Flushing+Follow+the+brick+road.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhecVxFyfU0ts-809ykgpWuxa3HYWS0BQVfKI-rIfth5Dx6K8Wq2yl7D8VYEtQMHKJowIDOR0kQ9lMQ5N_CBpMU7_kgVLFXbqBm8rnommzuz4jestN-YoxLhdrfElik6Hke9380/s400/Flushing+Follow+the+brick+road.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ-sQm3yxfYTmw4vnRlFZssisIuq498Mj5nE9iJFpZ8W44ATBtWPEkpF0Iign9mgHZdbBcukrGTw-JpEyvAt32LA_a2Ieb39eFArEt_qove5cGWQYHbaPpo5pMF4gwAVVnR7Um/s1600/Flushing+from+east+side.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ-sQm3yxfYTmw4vnRlFZssisIuq498Mj5nE9iJFpZ8W44ATBtWPEkpF0Iign9mgHZdbBcukrGTw-JpEyvAt32LA_a2Ieb39eFArEt_qove5cGWQYHbaPpo5pMF4gwAVVnR7Um/s400/Flushing+from+east+side.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9emCiIVfFYxlh3ExBmTRvXmTG43QJXaMoB9441jhl0a5NZmiaCdgk08b26DbQG2i3TP3mzgPYt_me2LIc7QCI_BOin7AKHwUOklnti3d9uURPvADP54ZjwCCEVJv0eO2TXLpY/s1600/Flushing+long+walk.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9emCiIVfFYxlh3ExBmTRvXmTG43QJXaMoB9441jhl0a5NZmiaCdgk08b26DbQG2i3TP3mzgPYt_me2LIc7QCI_BOin7AKHwUOklnti3d9uURPvADP54ZjwCCEVJv0eO2TXLpY/s400/Flushing+long+walk.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVOLcKXGQyAzjxkynp4skCk4LlMYTgYELTq9KmbejCvYCg6N3SCUsHvXjNaAENmZntUR3X2MkAQEpplidH805ME3D1jI4mqJ2KlqCmBl415VnxIlgxWY8r4i_LfVIQDVkzH12f/s1600/Flushing+looking+north.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVOLcKXGQyAzjxkynp4skCk4LlMYTgYELTq9KmbejCvYCg6N3SCUsHvXjNaAENmZntUR3X2MkAQEpplidH805ME3D1jI4mqJ2KlqCmBl415VnxIlgxWY8r4i_LfVIQDVkzH12f/s400/Flushing+looking+north.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhGhcArk9GUL31wlEYa1VQm6v_DD4K-zO1_fkYxfvxPLfkdaT8AHTBdjBojNwaAcEHgd_fBriPtN8v4qUc_nMtGo8DMtyXaFSB9JOxSoa_znr5n7L101_2BwTnGWk0H8_j3XWE/s1600/Flushing+no+dry+land.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhGhcArk9GUL31wlEYa1VQm6v_DD4K-zO1_fkYxfvxPLfkdaT8AHTBdjBojNwaAcEHgd_fBriPtN8v4qUc_nMtGo8DMtyXaFSB9JOxSoa_znr5n7L101_2BwTnGWk0H8_j3XWE/s400/Flushing+no+dry+land.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXtURHF0y4It7veMQFp7esZkzSroWR43zBkgnZ7FrmbOB4l8VroklfG-Rdlv81Qoji2EYpDacpkd4Erl-HcKqhLAW6n1jOs4RSbZC52_29jVYMKDTZ1Kx4VCbONOXiO7-lIF9T/s1600/Flushing+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXtURHF0y4It7veMQFp7esZkzSroWR43zBkgnZ7FrmbOB4l8VroklfG-Rdlv81Qoji2EYpDacpkd4Erl-HcKqhLAW6n1jOs4RSbZC52_29jVYMKDTZ1Kx4VCbONOXiO7-lIF9T/s400/Flushing+2.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigJHEj3QPVyDRmEC0f8E4RWt1YYqkHxcGCQ0DodUyeyfHEYkiJUPWHihK5VEnn7PV969ZbbZ9bmyespzi84VlXjM-ijhDh9M-Ks9ez8r_JNG9K_gj0g0OYMjKXf3VSeMFSb5rZ/s1600/Flushing+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigJHEj3QPVyDRmEC0f8E4RWt1YYqkHxcGCQ0DodUyeyfHEYkiJUPWHihK5VEnn7PV969ZbbZ9bmyespzi84VlXjM-ijhDh9M-Ks9ez8r_JNG9K_gj0g0OYMjKXf3VSeMFSb5rZ/s400/Flushing+3.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoj6K2ostafIFKZrgjK0s5YIBxSNF1VqR_4p9C23_O7VCxlrXwCHuGBSMmtf7XfxIeIjEWsFgUbq4QzozUUu5JvYZDIg0AFPG3FwRzudyu7sUSmqknyra7ERMTsjjMmY7dBUoe/s1600/Flushing++normall+dry+land.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoj6K2ostafIFKZrgjK0s5YIBxSNF1VqR_4p9C23_O7VCxlrXwCHuGBSMmtf7XfxIeIjEWsFgUbq4QzozUUu5JvYZDIg0AFPG3FwRzudyu7sUSmqknyra7ERMTsjjMmY7dBUoe/s400/Flushing++normall+dry+land.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5CkEgqM3jDo7AV9RTcfX-GiKy2VoCIqZn6EdouZ2JcUHLxXkCRNA62_EqZVKLhftDwx4FRQpJC6dqwc2k1158ANngfnzxvyD21vGrEtbhN98t1naTMlw4ilqsyU-Vr38Z9XZj/s1600/Flushing+across+the+river.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5CkEgqM3jDo7AV9RTcfX-GiKy2VoCIqZn6EdouZ2JcUHLxXkCRNA62_EqZVKLhftDwx4FRQpJC6dqwc2k1158ANngfnzxvyD21vGrEtbhN98t1naTMlw4ilqsyU-Vr38Z9XZj/s400/Flushing+across+the+river.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI5hWKZGGN6QPBJ2AfNaEzB6ABQoenfAtX_QmA8TB1yN_mf-yc4GV0gGlW-3lgLAAgHmWb67KQcJCLUVwhLIRLPZK167R4fujY0KNdClH75QRw3Ldy9K_iDID1FmfCy2bVJhL1/s1600/Flushing+beauty+at+dusk.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI5hWKZGGN6QPBJ2AfNaEzB6ABQoenfAtX_QmA8TB1yN_mf-yc4GV0gGlW-3lgLAAgHmWb67KQcJCLUVwhLIRLPZK167R4fujY0KNdClH75QRw3Ldy9K_iDID1FmfCy2bVJhL1/s400/Flushing+beauty+at+dusk.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJlNOXdOdSNFIASzcomV0ewtp45juaOKy9cox6SgTKhyphenhyphenai51pIhcOIiesguPwyWFVEBXWQDDJ7hNuWDgAUpVeqmYow63WKLpq5KAaoy_lwFEgQufjc8i7qq04-18aUfE3wAqYh/s1600/Flushing+brick.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJlNOXdOdSNFIASzcomV0ewtp45juaOKy9cox6SgTKhyphenhyphenai51pIhcOIiesguPwyWFVEBXWQDDJ7hNuWDgAUpVeqmYow63WKLpq5KAaoy_lwFEgQufjc8i7qq04-18aUfE3wAqYh/s400/Flushing+brick.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF9srluOT_n_xdUEwLZ8k_Oljo8g21TCRGKHOAYxowaK4SQhIzUIA7E8CZg_cbDNvXp6TQC1ywj_T7-H1ThimAR5Tp22KDFsDbyF05C5ufvRYOASkeMzMMVFtxhP4bxO_Hkrdb/s1600/Flushing+brick+road.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF9srluOT_n_xdUEwLZ8k_Oljo8g21TCRGKHOAYxowaK4SQhIzUIA7E8CZg_cbDNvXp6TQC1ywj_T7-H1ThimAR5Tp22KDFsDbyF05C5ufvRYOASkeMzMMVFtxhP4bxO_Hkrdb/s400/Flushing+brick+road.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTRUlihTlXFD6ahJ858MQoaKCBHzx-vMoodSISeaES-sfF-p1DNa9NuK03z6x0SLUmYpC8yVhwNue6hYdjg-e9bGOyhTCRHHN-nxlSYr8vlb07aPfBn1Ns9k_-wYU5uRyAHsKU/s1600/Flushing+bridge+close.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTRUlihTlXFD6ahJ858MQoaKCBHzx-vMoodSISeaES-sfF-p1DNa9NuK03z6x0SLUmYpC8yVhwNue6hYdjg-e9bGOyhTCRHHN-nxlSYr8vlb07aPfBn1Ns9k_-wYU5uRyAHsKU/s400/Flushing+bridge+close.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsiAqvskpp3MpFdZWD-mC0Ah7y4dA0k0oeeSt4VsYh32JAuwbz-ITuP_ke5wFqDv9yTqh2fXlHg3rkAjtTPE97hRXloeB4wPWc767biVke_oWLZLJb5L4-sYjtAaHjKTkNhEV8/s1600/Flushing+bridge+to+store.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsiAqvskpp3MpFdZWD-mC0Ah7y4dA0k0oeeSt4VsYh32JAuwbz-ITuP_ke5wFqDv9yTqh2fXlHg3rkAjtTPE97hRXloeB4wPWc767biVke_oWLZLJb5L4-sYjtAaHjKTkNhEV8/s400/Flushing+bridge+to+store.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div>Jan Schollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15774293019956518597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35088069.post-24338715213549505982011-05-19T23:21:00.001-04:002011-05-19T23:21:58.730-04:00The Flood Flint MI 2011<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">These photos were taken at Mott Golf Course in Flint, Michigan just west of Kettering University (formally General Motors Institute). Taken from a vantage point west of Bradley (the Hills so many of us moan and groan about during the Crim 10 Mile Road Race each August) and on dryer ground, there were many still trodding the walking path that lines the flooded areas.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZpc5FRBUY2MtqUhCuU_6LVskeQkw5QDLjFyuJ_x6M417ljo0p1tCk0INc0QgfIuQh6hZFciPR-Kvo6-RKJRTRoT_Aw6MuQKiDpTNtMgt6_PbxEzUl25F77u7tQK_cBtdWOOeT/s1600/Mott+GC.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZpc5FRBUY2MtqUhCuU_6LVskeQkw5QDLjFyuJ_x6M417ljo0p1tCk0INc0QgfIuQh6hZFciPR-Kvo6-RKJRTRoT_Aw6MuQKiDpTNtMgt6_PbxEzUl25F77u7tQK_cBtdWOOeT/s400/Mott+GC.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Since I only WATCH golf and don't actually play, I can't tell you where you would be on the course at this point. The river itself is not that wide. The course is not open because of budget problems in the city but it is the 5 mile mark of the Crim, so you think you are almost done. You just forgot the hills come next!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimtlMfzhUiFnIdnD_5dUYYj7wuwB66dI9a103HZWbljRPDL3qzJLyy7-eiw00JmGCQ1EuExDEOc574ar_54DJef4dqjw0tPWR6N-Q3Sd8GAeAhUCyBolAYekdAFd941SRiJ0HX/s1600/Mott+GC+close.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimtlMfzhUiFnIdnD_5dUYYj7wuwB66dI9a103HZWbljRPDL3qzJLyy7-eiw00JmGCQ1EuExDEOc574ar_54DJef4dqjw0tPWR6N-Q3Sd8GAeAhUCyBolAYekdAFd941SRiJ0HX/s400/Mott+GC+close.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The bridge to where?</span></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh5x4sculxrhSDcRXC1z-YybvKQ12ge9KgkcOup00TwvRAY-F2euMiiYsjgQaFk5OVkOU-W-ndM4pw_3zhVztZhd56eVB285t6ZJpIJRUq5JZiw-3hsOlKPcSbqqBWUCRSzQgC/s1600/Mott+GC+University+Drive.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh5x4sculxrhSDcRXC1z-YybvKQ12ge9KgkcOup00TwvRAY-F2euMiiYsjgQaFk5OVkOU-W-ndM4pw_3zhVztZhd56eVB285t6ZJpIJRUq5JZiw-3hsOlKPcSbqqBWUCRSzQgC/s400/Mott+GC+University+Drive.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Many years ago, this point of view (the actual street) was underwater, so this is NOT the worst flooding I have seen in this area. There wasn't a walking path at that time. </span></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd2Ut8cNR10FjbRUhkSA9DBKrRBknt85YX0PhKD1iCKHobxR6Fo-TbhbyFQ-tRf618PslMdjC085rdTLNcO2SxVdIcjJUKHdNqQHAzCN7xGg4HEaCGVufEnbKawiiFmGIddE4a/s1600/Mott+Golf+Course+Sunset+and+Bradley.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd2Ut8cNR10FjbRUhkSA9DBKrRBknt85YX0PhKD1iCKHobxR6Fo-TbhbyFQ-tRf618PslMdjC085rdTLNcO2SxVdIcjJUKHdNqQHAzCN7xGg4HEaCGVufEnbKawiiFmGIddE4a/s400/Mott+Golf+Course+Sunset+and+Bradley.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">This is actually a replacement bridge from a years ago rotted away span. The water at this point was pretty calm compared to what I saw in Flushing later in the day.</span></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgovVeFncdpOk2dq9wrUmzYl1KNY9FhyphenhyphenA9XMtHbHgyymA54rA_ltNSTZDzpIGj691pQD758O7b7EpgHjCV60o-lUZSUUrlc3-l2xiNqrEIdJ-zc85af2s7YVcRbADCDDTJBWLrg/s1600/Mott+no+par.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgovVeFncdpOk2dq9wrUmzYl1KNY9FhyphenhyphenA9XMtHbHgyymA54rA_ltNSTZDzpIGj691pQD758O7b7EpgHjCV60o-lUZSUUrlc3-l2xiNqrEIdJ-zc85af2s7YVcRbADCDDTJBWLrg/s400/Mott+no+par.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Everything sure greened up with all this rain. This was about 7PM so the sun came out a bit to help show off the beautiful trees. If I were a golfer, I would have probably hit my balls many times into these beauties.</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbI8IM7u8D7wr486h547BO77Eua-ozVMmHvYu43diiQqkmWvf-kneToEW3un0hhP64JJU3pQ25wTkYPiEMrXmG4GQ7YDneySnhzztnYnBj5-V4S_NrsOVyp3XbUr4gVtDedxXI/s1600/Mott+with+ducks.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbI8IM7u8D7wr486h547BO77Eua-ozVMmHvYu43diiQqkmWvf-kneToEW3un0hhP64JJU3pQ25wTkYPiEMrXmG4GQ7YDneySnhzztnYnBj5-V4S_NrsOVyp3XbUr4gVtDedxXI/s400/Mott+with+ducks.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div>Jan Schollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15774293019956518597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35088069.post-24545160354349928422011-05-17T07:00:00.004-04:002011-05-17T07:00:09.121-04:00Mama Bird And Her Brood Still Believe In Michigan!<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">A mamma robin made her nest on the gas meter of the Detroit Tv station WXYZ. Stop back and see them thrive and learn to fly!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" height="386" width="480"> <param name="flashvars" value="cid=8212114&autoplay=false"/><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"/><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"/><param name="src" value="http://www.ustream.tv/flash/viewer.swf"/><embed flashvars="cid=8212114&autoplay=false" width="480" height="386" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" src="http://www.ustream.tv/flash/viewer.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed> </object></div><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.ustream.tv/" style="background: #ffffff; color: black; display: block; font-size: 10px; font-weight: normal; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 2px; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; width: 400px;" target="_blank">Free live streaming by Ustream</a>Jan Schollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15774293019956518597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35088069.post-26059975219930428292011-05-07T06:38:00.003-04:002011-05-07T06:38:00.268-04:00Phone Phobia<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">I have had the same phone number since I moved into this home in 1978. I still have a home phone. However, I don't use it . The biggest reason I still have the phone is for Internet. I recently found out I don't need to have a home phone for Internet and will be cancelling it. But the biggest of the big reasons I don't use my home phone is it rings night and day, with telemarketers, bill collectors, and for a while, relatives who left nasties as messages. I used to just turn it off and leave the machine on to pick up the messages, but after one fitful night of constant clicking on for every message, I just unplugged it. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd6FjOlQJVNeUXUojivEA1K8POtIHxud8AM6x77EW34TLYH75xBT0iwPGUL3PcR6EUzuz6g3JBl7h2MNrNnumC2_3YbQCi-an5mHA_n2k0SorSdp8O8obaTsCIvtVp_Pp2m-gK/s1600/home+phone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd6FjOlQJVNeUXUojivEA1K8POtIHxud8AM6x77EW34TLYH75xBT0iwPGUL3PcR6EUzuz6g3JBl7h2MNrNnumC2_3YbQCi-an5mHA_n2k0SorSdp8O8obaTsCIvtVp_Pp2m-gK/s400/home+phone.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Those bill collectors are not calling for me. I have always paid my bills on time and if I had a problem, I would call the business or company reps and explain to them what was holding me back and work something out. No, these collectors and scammers and spammers and even legit companies, are calling for my brother, my sister (dead), my mom (dead), and my dad (dead). My family and death is in reverse order by age and demise. My brother is still alive and probably working on some scheme to finagle money or some service out of someone, just as he did to the three who died. The companies he screwed over can figure it out for themselves. I did report him to several and still the lies and cheating went on. They all deserve each other. Sadly we, as consumers get this passed down to us in higher fees. I could write a book on my family and in fact am, for another day.</span></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">But my brother gave MY phone number as the contact number. He gave MY address as the contact address. Thank god he didn't have access to my social security number</span>. <span style="font-size: large;">I got to the point where my phone ringing put a huge knot in my stomach. I don't even want to keep my cell phone and get that same feeling when it rings. Then that pit in the stomach also comes about when my door bell rings, or a knock tap tap tap on the front glass. Process servers were coming to my home looking for the three dead or the one living. No amount of telling them to go away or explanation on phone or at the door changes anything. The phone still rings, the doorbell still chimes and the letters still pile into my mailbox. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">I am registered at the Do Not Call lists, I have returned the letters to the Post Office marked "no such person lives here", I leave a note on the door to leave packages but don't ring the bell, and still it goes on and on. I even went so far as to contact one of the lawyers who was sending mail to my sister and told him to cease and desist...guess what? I got a letter in the box last week that my sister is part of a class action-now get this-for a lawsuit against a phone solicitor! Bwa ha ha! Should that not be ME as the recipient?</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">So the reason I am writing this tonight is I came across this excellent script for when a telemarketer won't give up and what YOU should do....<a href="http://www.telemarketingwatch.org/script.htm">PRINT THIS OUT</a> and read it and keep it by your phone. Keep a pen and write all the info down with dates etc. Be calm when speaking to the offenders-and don't let them do to you what this whole 2 decade long oppression has done to me.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvRNS_94jlfKQ5pS9zcqhZpSfSi5T52bkCuJiyH1QIFoeN7EBSlPYLGNhWQvVljp5UIWgOaRAlMNtWS0lipMDTN6fgHpY9f_5F-fq8iPX2FEaVyiOQQRT4q5cjPt6vIjHorXf8/s320/face+to+face.jpg" width="302px" /></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">I never liked phones-growing up I would just as soon have written a letter or made a quick date and hung up. Maybe it's because my sister beat on me for "hogging" the phone for 30 seconds. Maybe it's because the phone always brought bad or sad news. I'd rather talk to people in person so I can see their faces. Nothing has changed in my 50 plus years. I just wish I had parts of MY life back.</span></div><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div>Jan Schollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15774293019956518597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35088069.post-8594367515697563702011-03-25T09:10:00.001-04:002011-03-25T09:10:00.454-04:00Dine the Windy City At Uno's<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">It's been over thirty years since I had my first taste of deep dish Chicago style pizza-in Chicago. Hubby was on a business trip and I tagged along, leaving two wild kidlets with frazzled grandparents while I tramped thru all the historic haunts of the "Windy City". Two things I brought away with me: a early morning waterfront run as the sun came up was breathtaking and reflective AND you won't find better pizza anywhere, at anytime, ever!</span></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="285" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2KwJJ_CMKRs7JMK8z4Dsgj9dh2mBYM5sDEfINGGQXLYilxD2oBJJ5PYdAPAuq4twjFXDvISTNMevoluluf3M_OZtI_WsyoHy4TGV6iA9w2jynpQxlLTeaz4zYHdv2C9Y1SejH/s400/cheese+dippers+unos.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Cheese Dippers </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sadly Chicago is half a day away by car, so that is a bit far for a sunrise run or a pizza run . So I have spent many a weekend trying to find a perfect pie that would make me forget Chicago deep dish. I think I lucked out. One place isn't all that close-altho if you are in Oakland County or south into the Detroit limits and don't visit a <a href="http://www.buddyspizza.com/">Buddy's</a>, shame on you! But if you want a closer dining experience, look no farther than Birch Run Outlets at exit 136 off I75 . <a href="http://www.unos.com/">Uno's</a>, (all the way towards the back of the mall complex-map at site) now with locations in at least 22 states and Puerto Rico-most east of the Mississippi and into the Northeast, has managed to satisfy many with both deep dish and thin crusted pizzas for almost 70 years. I am delighted to say vegetarians and vegans can find something delicious to dine on while enjoying the family friendly atmosphere. </span></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb8VDPDrDwHgV7ZvLSpa3-_dXDVtN10OlwfshvByQ0tliP5k0W5dHEudgDf4pwbSzcX1A4F_hhUpYYT2p8HSiGDhb7ih-NOv43jZ5kl_7OJLyfSTgqSHNoCbqx9zGvGCJm4Zfg/s1600/Veggie+Farmers+Market+Uno%2527s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="245" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb8VDPDrDwHgV7ZvLSpa3-_dXDVtN10OlwfshvByQ0tliP5k0W5dHEudgDf4pwbSzcX1A4F_hhUpYYT2p8HSiGDhb7ih-NOv43jZ5kl_7OJLyfSTgqSHNoCbqx9zGvGCJm4Zfg/s400/Veggie+Farmers+Market+Uno%2527s.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Farmer's Market Deep Dish</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">On a recent visit, my entree was a Farmer's Market Deep Dish style pie, with caramelized onions, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, pesto and a combo of three cheeses, including Feta. But what sets this pizza off is the addition of eggplant! I know of no other pizza joint near Flint offering eggplant as a topping. There is a smokiness to this particular pie that is so enjoyable. I have the chef go very light on the cheese-I am only using it for the glue to hold the veggies to the crust. But you can go sans cheese as I have seen others do this. The deep dish pies come in single serving and full size. The single was more than enough, when accompanied by a salad or appetizer, for a shared dish. I took half home and it's wonderful cold for breakfast. The crust is, well..crusty! Crunchy on the outside and almost bread-like on the inside. This may be my favorite part of the dish! Options for deep dish include construct your own pie-perfect for vegans and those who want something more traditional.</span></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">The pizza crusts can be made with 5 grain crust or traditional. I prefer the deep dish but many like the thinner, local style of crust so I would recommend the 5 grain as a nutty flavored and more healthy selection. I also believe a gluten free crust is available upon request.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaQM7_3wxp89SRUZZT6WGRJhIFbcOti4A-DquU1bisHHe9Yo9pNU_yTsC68jMsdIfPHYF5_saNsnQV_VcmcIt1kkTiVlHb0bW9yqMjV7JT1aHvtdbWcLyXwIPuGjHO5wouCUCK/s1600/pizza+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaQM7_3wxp89SRUZZT6WGRJhIFbcOti4A-DquU1bisHHe9Yo9pNU_yTsC68jMsdIfPHYF5_saNsnQV_VcmcIt1kkTiVlHb0bW9yqMjV7JT1aHvtdbWcLyXwIPuGjHO5wouCUCK/s400/pizza+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Deep Dish Serving for One</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">There are many side dishes available at Uno's that go from healthy to indulgent. Hubby ordered a selection from the sea and added skinless baked potatoes topped with several items-all that is missing is skin. The skin is my favorite part of a potato, especially if it's crusty from an olive oil and salt rub. I wish Uno's offered plain baked simply because the health factor is something we all should consider, but if you leave off the toppings, a dish of smashed taters is not the worst choice-there is a side of red skins mashed to lumpiness that I have enjoyed. But they have better choices at Uno's such as steamed broccoli, steamed or roasted veggies in season (zucchini, red peppers, yellow squash and cauliflower) a dish I have to fight to keep to myself, brown rice with sweetened cranberries (one of my favorites), rice pilaf, and what has turned out to be my all time favorite in recent years-farro salad. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJT1xLcmj2RlEhTVnLo9YEsvnya-1DWBPQ8bC68J6tGgWPQfhW9u8NJXe_hpY8gzGgi1vNRhqJKYMpvw204F0LZN5DiZQ1P3KHXbU06y7Gc062vojdPwJkod08HF1-4gWNYrHZ/s1600/skinless+bake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="217" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJT1xLcmj2RlEhTVnLo9YEsvnya-1DWBPQ8bC68J6tGgWPQfhW9u8NJXe_hpY8gzGgi1vNRhqJKYMpvw204F0LZN5DiZQ1P3KHXbU06y7Gc062vojdPwJkod08HF1-4gWNYrHZ/s400/skinless+bake.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Skinless Bake </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguh_ud40uvYKj_e9btyCm4MaCtPctMk9pQgvSwj0BmXT6uAOHIDKIGdt40u8mzefhjIvG8Qg2F75yJEmQiZdLHCnoo_IChxmb7J6Pf-A1vAlU9RXnN1zeSdZpzGWewA-d22gVY/s1600/mashed+cauliflower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="258" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguh_ud40uvYKj_e9btyCm4MaCtPctMk9pQgvSwj0BmXT6uAOHIDKIGdt40u8mzefhjIvG8Qg2F75yJEmQiZdLHCnoo_IChxmb7J6Pf-A1vAlU9RXnN1zeSdZpzGWewA-d22gVY/s400/mashed+cauliflower.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Mashed Cauliflower</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj52sSVPgQ3_x_4tmqk8lmicEgFhkECJ7CvZysuUsqfFtJ6S4euySiWb06vAJFiyzpUrCQyYrpabM-uJsMp_iV9_yugM7iKjYWkIMW4Qpp1KRzqIcwx8m0HBzcuYk3u-THSdwwb/s1600/farro+salad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="306" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj52sSVPgQ3_x_4tmqk8lmicEgFhkECJ7CvZysuUsqfFtJ6S4euySiWb06vAJFiyzpUrCQyYrpabM-uJsMp_iV9_yugM7iKjYWkIMW4Qpp1KRzqIcwx8m0HBzcuYk3u-THSdwwb/s400/farro+salad.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Farro Salad</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">When I ordered this side dish, I expected it to be warm like the other sides I had previously enjoyed. All the other grain based side dishes are served hot or warm. But </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emmer"><span style="font-size: large;">farro</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> salad, which is also known in the US as spelt or emmer wheat, is served chilled with diced tomatoes, diced cucumbers and a hint of balsamic vinegar. These items are inside the molded farro and are there for a pleasant discovery both when you find the salad is chilled and when your fork breaks the mold. I certainly know what my go-to dish will be on subsequent visits!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Other sides I have ordered in recent months include vegetarian veggie soup of which I wasn't particularly impressed. I felt it was canned flavored-almost a metallic taste and much too salty for my taste buds. Avocado egg rolls are a good "share" appetizer or when paired with a larger salad, could be an excellent vegan meal along with the cashew/tamarind dipping sauce for a tangy and salty addition to the flavorful finger food. The egg rolls were a "test" dish last year, something Uno's does seasonally. Obviously, the test went well as they made the main menu. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx8KeJino2ZGT_QXhpt5AID7_WrE2ODLmOJzrskVzVLOWfW7xJbqv5GzoFfXHPF-6ZDuN5UOam0csY9FvLQj6jTKsLTdLsQ6IkctPwgrwAncQWuj-nw4pl9ZNv1OIdpeLHqrfB/s1600/uno%2527s+dessert.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="348" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx8KeJino2ZGT_QXhpt5AID7_WrE2ODLmOJzrskVzVLOWfW7xJbqv5GzoFfXHPF-6ZDuN5UOam0csY9FvLQj6jTKsLTdLsQ6IkctPwgrwAncQWuj-nw4pl9ZNv1OIdpeLHqrfB/s400/uno%2527s+dessert.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Uno's has a diverse selection of entrees to please all paletes. A complete bar is available, and drinks can be served in the bar with large screen televisions or in the dining area. Desserts are sharable and often include chocolate but new to the menu is bread pudding so I certainly know what my next sweet dish will be. A children's menu is available, and one item lets kids build their own pizza, completed at the table with an apron to bring smiles to the little chefs. Healthy sides are available for kids, too. </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: large;">I do wish Uno's would try to regulate the temperature of the dining room better. A big complaint for me is how cold it is year round. The air conditioning is brutal in the summer, and maybe that is what shoppers like. But the winter temps inside, no matter where I have sat, are too cold. So much heat escapes out the front entrance due to no buffer zone between the door and waiting area. It then pushes right to the back and it can be painfully cold. </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Be sure to sign up for email announcements from Uno's. This can be done either in the restaurant or online. Recent coupons have been for a free entree with purchase, $10 dollars off your final bill over $25 and tastings of new menu items before they hit the public announcment boards or new menus. Uno's can be very crowded on weekends especially during high shopping times like summer, back to school and pre-holiday, so prepare for a wait during those times.</span></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Jan Schollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15774293019956518597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35088069.post-64099591552545440182011-03-24T07:33:00.006-04:002011-03-24T07:33:00.530-04:00Red Eyes and Guilt<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Something smelled horrible in my refrigerator. This was a new odor, as I had previously cleaned out the entire cooling side when I returned from Iowa a few weeks ago in early March . The necessity of the clean out and scrub down was a container of apple/cherry cider that exploded inside, spraying fermented sticky juice all over the inside, down the door and then what had nowhere to run, out the bottom of the door. As I entered the kitchen from the 11 hour road trip home, it was dark. I flipped the lights on (fluorescent take their good time warming up to brightness) and little by little I saw something on the floor and at first I panicked and thought it was dried blood! I immediately went looking to make sure I still had a cat, who proceeded to cuss me out, berate me and I think I learned a few feral words from her! It took her another week to forgive me for going away and she having to sleep alone, but granddaughter is growing too fast and I wanted to see some of those changes. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">The fridge clean-out from exploding cider forced me to sort thru the sauces, jellies, mustard and other condiments I so readily collect and spring on the hub, so anything that was a total bomb, went thru the composter and the bottles were recycled last night. Anything remotely fresh when I left was covered in sticky residue and either had to be immediately cooked or washed to preserve it. I managed to cut up celery, carrots and placed those in containers of water that hubby could munch on instead of his usual granola bars. He is the kind of retiree who grabs what is in front of his face, not what might need a bit of prep. That makes for a junk type diet at times, so I do try to have something he only has to reheat as prepared and frozen or ready to eat in the fridge.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Stupidly, I forgot I had purchased large bulk bags of broccoli, red potatoes and spinach, which if I had thought about it, I could have taken to Iowa and shared. I did remember the cashews and jelly beans, however. I guess somewhere someone is making a fabulous trail mix! But the potato bag was staring me in the face all this week, so tonight I said I would make some smashed taters and freeze them up for a hunger pang that was sure to come some night at 2AM. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCoCDT85Eh8AZXGxS9Vu4uHfxy0vCUkPab7ISoan5b9FtqS65BerW1ShdWDmqWzLF0pMta3kr7MUACYRSc-RCqb6QQR1me2H2moB60SdVtM-dOJXx-KF6dLALSP8_Ww4sj4Sd1/s1600/red+taters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCoCDT85Eh8AZXGxS9Vu4uHfxy0vCUkPab7ISoan5b9FtqS65BerW1ShdWDmqWzLF0pMta3kr7MUACYRSc-RCqb6QQR1me2H2moB60SdVtM-dOJXx-KF6dLALSP8_Ww4sj4Sd1/s400/red+taters.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">I suppose when I purchased my yummy reds in late February from Costco (bulk crack for me), my taters looked healthy and ready to be sliced, diced and sauteed with garlic, skins included (like above). But in reality, several weeks later they now look like those below. Most of you would do what? Throw them away, right? A few might look thru and poke and squeeze to salvage a panful for a quick veggie stir fry? What if they looked worse than this? To the composter, maybe down the garbage disposal and for some, slopped out to pigs, horses, other farm critters? I didn't do that. And some of mine looked far worse than these below.</span><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW8-Lu4RQXmQA5AV7YJZJG7KS_2vTitTChpKFBHOLWY9i4eBUC9bcyBsT9d-XTCZPfvOrnYoV3sD9UK4q8Y08UO7peHX6NuKGvSJ85ZRxwsebSpr7LnDOVeA5HwUAQRr9xNgXm/s1600/red+potato+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="342" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW8-Lu4RQXmQA5AV7YJZJG7KS_2vTitTChpKFBHOLWY9i4eBUC9bcyBsT9d-XTCZPfvOrnYoV3sD9UK4q8Y08UO7peHX6NuKGvSJ85ZRxwsebSpr7LnDOVeA5HwUAQRr9xNgXm/s400/red+potato+3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Tossing them would have been so easy as a bag of 10 pounds of these redskins runs about 6 or 7 dollars. Not the end of the world for most of us here in the States or other so-called Westernized countries where veggies are easy to obtain year round, often organic and just trucked in straight from the farms. We don't know what it is to be hungry and I mean the painful gnawing hunger that comes from going without palpable food for days or even weeks at a time. The pain of hunger where your brain no longer can make decisions, your body no longer instinctively knows what to do. The kind of hunger where you might want to kill for something to eat. I personally went without any substantial solid food for 5 months due to an illness but once in a while I got something solid down and when I couldn't, I lived on Gatorade. At least I had some calories but my entire body was sent on a strange journey , and I suffer the repercussions of that illness even today, 13 years later. </span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Americans waste so much, myself included. What we throw away in food alone in one week would sustain a refugee and family for a month. Have you ever looked back at the table before leaving a restaurant and felt guilty because you didn't take a "doggie bag"? You could take it home for the dog and he would greatly love you for about 3 minute but you might be able to construct a light lunch the next day from the leftovers. Do you order more than you can possibly eat and feel uncomfortable upon leaving or do you suffer pain and hate yourself for gorging or over-indulging? W</span><span style="font-size: large;">e all do that, either when dining out, at holiday reunions with family or to impress others with us. </span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Tonight as I peeled those ugly and almost non-salvageable redskins, I thought of my grandparents during the Depression of the 1930's, going without so much so they could feed and clothe their tiny sole surviving daughter. I heard many a story of rationing during the War that shook the world and today is a popular topic for movies, books and discussions as we see many who served, both men and women turning old, losing their ability to remember and dying while we, the baby boomers and X generations and whatever moniker the press puts on us, act as if we are entitled to whatever we had yesterday and today, that is should always be as we want it, even to the point of waste. </span></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">I have read two books recently that had passages of desperation for food that you and I and everyone I have personally met would not survive. </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Unbroken-World-Survival-Resilience-Redemption/dp/1400064163/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1300943409&sr=8-1"><span style="font-size: large;">Unbroken </span></a><span style="font-size: large;">, a story of survival and redemption during World War II and the years and life that bookend a young Olympic caliber athlete's capture and torture in a Japanese war camp, often reflects on food as entitlement and as lifesaving. The chapters of giving up your soul to have a rotten scrap of maggot covered potato often made me close the book and cry myself to sleep, only to churn back into that abyss the next day as I hoped for prisoners' </span><span style="font-size: large;">survival and berated myself for complaining about soggy pizza. The other book, </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Nureyev-Life-Vintage-Julie-Kavanagh/dp/0375704728/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1300943936&sr=1-1"><span style="font-size: large;">Nureyev</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> recounts a desperate mother walking 5 hours ONE WAY in the Siberian cold of January Russia during WW2, and digging in fields, often stealing rotten potatoes and turnips so her children could eat. Often her only son would turn his nose up at the meager spread accompanied by stale flour and water flatten bread while he, showing signs of incredible talent would push himself into families where food was a more normal and tasteful part of the family day. </span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghCWY5FNI6qDrQKDRyndOWF8Q2kNmRLaul_ofe0sqmH76bVHVFEeWxtoypnipm-1Jdp0ZJkdR7ccEiT7jWaA9F2bg8t1jN7pq6kkb4mBH3GhEWamsecOkBc7ALZX2lxlT6w-d9/s1600/smashed+reds+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghCWY5FNI6qDrQKDRyndOWF8Q2kNmRLaul_ofe0sqmH76bVHVFEeWxtoypnipm-1Jdp0ZJkdR7ccEiT7jWaA9F2bg8t1jN7pq6kkb4mBH3GhEWamsecOkBc7ALZX2lxlT6w-d9/s400/smashed+reds+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">The peelings I left behind as I salvaged some of the potatoes were far better than anything either person portrayed in the books above ate during the durations of desperation they faced as young children and young adults. I will compost those peels and in a few months, the fermented remains will have decomposed enough to nourish what I will plant in my garden or pots to supply my family with healthy organically grown veggies and grace my deck with bursts of colorful blooms. Yet for some, those scraps would be a meal even today, as we watch the world and the travesties that nature and humans do to each other and so many go hungry and search for what little sustenance can be found. They would gladly take the doggie bags. They would gladly take the scraps. They would gladly take the garbage. But would you? </span></div>Jan Schollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15774293019956518597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35088069.post-89160896561658996802011-02-28T07:08:00.005-05:002011-03-01T04:52:09.187-05:00Let "Uncle" Leo Cook For You!<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Once upon a time, I would have some eats at a place called <a href="http://www.moes.com/">Moe's</a> Southwest Grill. Located at <a href="http://www.leosconeyisland.com/Locations/tabid/59/Default.aspx?udt_386_param_detail=67">4151 Miller Road</a> in Flint Township between the freeway and the mall, it was a great stopping off place after the gym, with wifi (one of the earliest to offer it locally and free!). They did something really dumb. They decided to upscale themselves with beer and margaritas altho they really were only slightly more than fast food. The good thing was I could get anything vegetarian and the spicy tofu salad called the Close Talker was my fav. Sadly the lights went out and they closed in 2007 . </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Then I saw construction and had the normal contest between family members trying to guess what it was going to be. With a burger joint next door, another southwest menu next to that and a stir fry on the other side, I was resigned to a coney island and not much more. I was right on the coney island but it turned out to be <a href="http://www.leosconeyisland.com/">Leo's</a>! I had eaten at a couple in the Detroit area when either dropping off or picking up hubby at the airport but not enough times to really give them a try out. Until they came to Flint.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ZhnAwsty_PF7E6pkm5CFb6_D1xxbyjm69HRP262s1zXp-JAchcTZQM1qUNVUdHcFA0v84H2XQQiDQLX1Gcj89DplYK8FYNcZBtviRgZBrGkzIkYun1ZuzlWXF96EmFTaLDpB/s1600/baked+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="351" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ZhnAwsty_PF7E6pkm5CFb6_D1xxbyjm69HRP262s1zXp-JAchcTZQM1qUNVUdHcFA0v84H2XQQiDQLX1Gcj89DplYK8FYNcZBtviRgZBrGkzIkYun1ZuzlWXF96EmFTaLDpB/s400/baked+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">And yes, they are very veg friendly! On recent trips to the Flint location I have been able to select a variety of vegetarian items and usually have something left over to take home without breaking the bank. Many of the sides or appetizers are suitable for vegetarians and with tweaks, also vegan diets. Everyone loves baked potatoes, right? I just leave off the sour cream and request margarine or go bare. They really bake the potatoes here! There is nothing worse than a microwaved jacketed spud.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsLnyTFF21acGPJ7rTo8CUVHSkn23oUhSTL0dlvX0_TBCChwnGQ45KOfJgj1qn1wiPb5GEGFH7U7wa1neJXZzB_bZv0HhoB_Kcq3esfcZJ7Eq6_9qTM5yvyhUnWFokKvAt1q0z/s1600/spinach+pie+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsLnyTFF21acGPJ7rTo8CUVHSkn23oUhSTL0dlvX0_TBCChwnGQ45KOfJgj1qn1wiPb5GEGFH7U7wa1neJXZzB_bZv0HhoB_Kcq3esfcZJ7Eq6_9qTM5yvyhUnWFokKvAt1q0z/s400/spinach+pie+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">On an occasion where I was really hungry, I ordered spinach pie (<strong><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanakopita">Spanakopita</a>) </strong>which included Greek rice flavored with golden saffron and a chunky tomato sauce that is similar to the heavenly topping called Domatorizo. There are discernible chunks of tomatoes, onion, green peppers and spices with a hint of cinnamon. I had this red sauce served on the side. Also a small side of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tzatziki">tzatziki </a>sauce (cooling Greek yogurt with cucumbers and onions, quite similar in construction to an Indian dip called <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raita">Raita</a>) accompanied the spinach pie, which was hot, very spinachy with feta cheese and a crispy crust of phyllo dough browned to yumminess. The serving was very large and I took at least half home for another day. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOxY3GDWltPbG-fPEbuT3sNi_EEhNvzPg9NYaex6E668sc4LOzLConZiqtR_JnjK6hgNQZ_RifYfWbNJwO3-hbatAY3Y6MRI1gqzPYdeeje9fQPyqItsB4KedrkE1_jZG3i5qT/s1600/egg+salad+on+rye+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOxY3GDWltPbG-fPEbuT3sNi_EEhNvzPg9NYaex6E668sc4LOzLConZiqtR_JnjK6hgNQZ_RifYfWbNJwO3-hbatAY3Y6MRI1gqzPYdeeje9fQPyqItsB4KedrkE1_jZG3i5qT/s400/egg+salad+on+rye+copy.jpg" width="365" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">The egg salad sammy would actually be a good choice for protein sans all the added fat gobs of mayo that other places use to prepare it with. At Leo's the boiled eggs are prepared fresh daily and sometimes the eggs are still warm on the bread. There is so little dressing on this, I often believe none is added. Just chopped up/mashed hard boiled egg. Tomato slices and fresh lettuce complete the dish, and you have your choice of breads. I love this on toasted rye because it doesn't get soggy. The only thing I would personally do to this sammy is add some onion or green pepper for crunch.</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJIFmCH2pZ188KHUDDkGaCn_IY-rB7uUbnWQNQtCpohsAnCC5ezs2kQ57JkUoJ7tK0AhMZeP-g3iVlBXu1MiHXIwiag-FFSTegZHrTld4iwgrBJH-iATIn6Hk62LFn0Q3ERj5c/s1600/American+fries+deep+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="296" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJIFmCH2pZ188KHUDDkGaCn_IY-rB7uUbnWQNQtCpohsAnCC5ezs2kQ57JkUoJ7tK0AhMZeP-g3iVlBXu1MiHXIwiag-FFSTegZHrTld4iwgrBJH-iATIn6Hk62LFn0Q3ERj5c/s400/American+fries+deep+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">I am not a fan of french fries. I would love that more places offer something besides them, as I think they are pretty boring. Maybe sweet potato fries would work. Until that happens, I have become devoted to American fries or home fries. Most breakfast places offer hash browns, which are often undercooked, soggy or a combination of both. The waitress at Leo's one night offered me American fries but with a twist. She had the cook cut up a baked potato and deep fry it! Now wait before you think unhealthy. It is the same as the regular fries but with the skin (very healthy) and they are not greasy! Since the potato is already cooked, it only takes a few seconds to get this golden look and is a good "share" side. I don't order them often but they are a "cut" above soggy hash browns.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjasUsnSmm-xDhGtZ_qODGIYn6-9AiLs49HgdTCY9ogh34o2ZS98pPkqmg0Yk_LRIbKveUe9I46snMtkbQpiaOAzXd6phfwLgUx_ThMTr5JXVfSf54pR8ps3Li_Uu-1fiDLc1kh/s1600/michigan+salad+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjasUsnSmm-xDhGtZ_qODGIYn6-9AiLs49HgdTCY9ogh34o2ZS98pPkqmg0Yk_LRIbKveUe9I46snMtkbQpiaOAzXd6phfwLgUx_ThMTr5JXVfSf54pR8ps3Li_Uu-1fiDLc1kh/s400/michigan+salad+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">For dieters and health nuts and all in between, if you want a truly fresh salad, look no farther than Leo's. There are up to 4 sizes available for each style from mini to extra large. The Michigan salad with dark dried cherries, fresh mixed field greens, walnuts and mandarin oranges is unique to what most coney islands offer. A vegan could omit the cheese and buy a larger serving as this salad is quite filling and all salads usually come with toasted-on-the-grill pita. I sometimes get a mini Greek or a Village salad (which has no lettuce) both of which shore up with just about any sandwich. Veggie pitas are another offering. </span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7P33kFQ6EHE6q2QISALSNn9d5qwDVT8NfWd8J6UQxkaB7vUQpcPKpuGQ_40Kla58xqPStLf7t54m5fypFhyphenhyphenlC8e_StRQEV8S39y5jefwBQL44E-QjjeOdy2Q-dRTIm2Ns6kTs/s1600/open+face+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="243" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7P33kFQ6EHE6q2QISALSNn9d5qwDVT8NfWd8J6UQxkaB7vUQpcPKpuGQ_40Kla58xqPStLf7t54m5fypFhyphenhyphenlC8e_StRQEV8S39y5jefwBQL44E-QjjeOdy2Q-dRTIm2Ns6kTs/s400/open+face+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Another savory selection is the Gardenburger. You will get this grilled (not microwaved as a burger chain in the area is notorious for doing), served with tomato and lettuce on a toasted bun. I always have onion added and sometimes it is a 10 cent charge for a huge slab and ofttimes, not so. I guess it depends on who the waiter is. I imagine you could get cheese added to this but as it's served, it is vegan and kosher. With a small or mini Michigan salad, what a great lunch or light dinner! </span></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Other veg friendly dishes I have not tried but have had other family order are the vegetable stir fry served over rice, cheese ravioli with marinara, and Mac and Cheese (hubby loves this!). Leo's has the typical coney island fare from dogs, to burgers to all-you-can-eat fish fry on Friday's which will help all you Lenten observers coming up. You can get breakfast all open hours. </span></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Tuesday evenings is "kid's night" at Leo's. Bring in the little ones for balloon animals, face painting (you will LOVE this!!) and Disney TV on the two large screens on opposite corners of the dining area. Even the adults get in on the act often leaving with glittery painted faces and silly balloon constructions. There is a decent kid's menu along with soups, specials on the board up front and what to me is really wonderful wait staff. I knew many of the waiters from other local restaurants and I think they have found a place to settle in for a while.</span></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Leo's is open 7 days a week, has a well lit parking lot and outdoor dining in nicer months. All dinners are under $10 and include rice or fries with a minimal cost to add a salad. </span><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.leosconeyisland.com/Menu/tabid/57/Default.aspx">Leo's menu</a> is online at their website and if you sign up for their newsletter, you will get occasional coupons for some dollars off. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Edited 3/1/11 Free wifi and free refills. Stop by and maybe we can IM!</span></div>Jan Schollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15774293019956518597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35088069.post-32587137815712936352011-02-15T06:43:00.000-05:002011-02-15T19:50:11.702-05:00The Hollywood Diner-Off The Beaten Path On I75<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP7lUdxooBw4pdL0hrbLbeZY3moeGgq3Ywgiw5mrdnIiBPmhhMe1hyphenhyphenVSg1oXjFO-XNOTDRIxEmSPclH2liuYWbKEMhrlsmU8lMTw1-YUugdnzyG5NUZQIY3OiiRW6YTOgg9OBU/s1600/038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP7lUdxooBw4pdL0hrbLbeZY3moeGgq3Ywgiw5mrdnIiBPmhhMe1hyphenhyphenVSg1oXjFO-XNOTDRIxEmSPclH2liuYWbKEMhrlsmU8lMTw1-YUugdnzyG5NUZQIY3OiiRW6YTOgg9OBU/s320/038.JPG" width="320" /></a>Sometimes you forget about a dining opportunity because it's not along the main strip or traffic pattern of your normal week. Last week, after a day trip for crafty shopping in the Ann Arbor area and a stock up after two months of no grocery shopping (what possessed me NOT to dine in Ann Arbor still hasn't fizzled out of my brain, other than it was after 9PM when I finished my shopping), I picked up the hubster, and he drove back to the Flint area. I figured as close as we were to home in Flushing, I might as well put some of those fresh veggies I picked up at Whole Foods to use and make a quick stir fry at 11 PM. Then we saw THE sign-and I had a coupon! Exit-stage right onto <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?rlz=1T4GGLL_enUS305US306&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=hollywood+diner+flint+mi&fb=1&gl=us&hq=hollywood+diner&hnear=Flint,+MI&cid=0,0,17915962843200642863&ei=yyBaTa-nCsSugQf7g7GpDQ&sa=X&oi=local_result&ct=image&resnum=1&ved=0CBcQnwIwAA">Corunna Road</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div align="left"><div style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: left;"> <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhappb40RPCp17BIqhdqUdOyO9PGVAnuSBDp0B1pwuElwb-OhIHaCFwfx4QUmeqGO3y0L2YpkpRdDk7pkBmLV-C__Goys1i0qcJNKLJNKKNu73y5uhW3tHzS4RUX_ss22mtfBIb/s320/salad.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fresh Salad-YUM!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>It had probably been a couple of years since I was last in Hollywood Diner. I know when they first opened, we tried them with a free coupon that came in the direct mail envelope we get once or twice a month. I don't remember being particularly impressed at the time. It was way too noisy, and the square footage seemed much too cavernous for what I thought a diner to be. And they got a liquor license and that just ruined it for me-I felt it lost the family touch with that choice. We went three times over a couple of months, once being during Sunday brunch hours. Then we just wrote the place off, as a diner with so much potential and in a great spot for travelers just should have been much better. </div>So on our "emergency" visit at nearly 10PM on a cold January night, I had a plain veggie burger (they were out of mayo, it seemed-so I got a take-out packet) and hubby got a cow burger. We went home and said "ho hum".</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">A few days later, snail mail brought a coupon for either a free appetizer or $5.00 off our total tab and I decided I was tired of the Miller Road eateries, so let's try an actual dinner from Hollywood Diner. We entered the restaurant at about 7PM or so on a Monday evening to no basketball on the large overhead tvs and I was disappoint that there was only one other table occupied. As the host sat us, right across from the only other occupied table, I glanced over and saw late teens or early college age kids on laptops and smart phones. So I guess they have free WiFi.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div> <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjhmpdKZuf_oac_E84btolcH1rQVSAoWDXdboBO33e0-_Brp8FmfY6fkPMlBX5S5KZU6zEwsNvBWPe1jc4yBdvTpWtztsDE6GVl915A3vKImw9BL01de2FmicBpucKbZUD-w-W/s1600/ravioli.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjhmpdKZuf_oac_E84btolcH1rQVSAoWDXdboBO33e0-_Brp8FmfY6fkPMlBX5S5KZU6zEwsNvBWPe1jc4yBdvTpWtztsDE6GVl915A3vKImw9BL01de2FmicBpucKbZUD-w-W/s320/ravioli.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ravioli with pesto</td></tr>
</tbody></table> I immediately looked to see if any entree could be vegetarian and found ravioli with a choice of meat sauce, marinara or pesto. I chose pesto and asked for cook to go light on the sauce as I am not a saucy type eater. I could have chosen some other pasta or again, the veggie burger (which is huge but they butter grill the bun-not really healthy) or a couple of other dishes I might have had the cook vegetize but this sounded good. Breakfast was off limits because they do not serve it after 4PM, which kind of negates the Diner part of it. Any other diner in town will serve breakfast when you want to eat it. I often eat breakfast for dinner and I know many a odd shift worker who would love that, too.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_cA31BArZmMHzqqDXGAfItQhSLQvDd82pNvp9lUWAIXWXjORcoXGM4W8_tEqZj5YA4hXqXn9Yyj_mowdjDVA0OBCGxcy3NzsplX2DYTT4VzE97KLkaNpVVg5O_HasBy00bF-x/s1600/ravioli+close.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_cA31BArZmMHzqqDXGAfItQhSLQvDd82pNvp9lUWAIXWXjORcoXGM4W8_tEqZj5YA4hXqXn9Yyj_mowdjDVA0OBCGxcy3NzsplX2DYTT4VzE97KLkaNpVVg5O_HasBy00bF-x/s320/ravioli+close.jpg" width="320" /></a> I offer a photo of my ravioli plate along with a close up. The stuffing was some sort of cheese, probably a ricotta and very hot! I can handle ricotta as usually it isn't too cheesy and the topping or sauce gives it the flavor that is needed. I believe I had 8 huge ravioli on my plate but only ate half. I think I was expecting them to overlap each other and having been tossed in the pesto. No. The pesto was plopped atop each ravioli and a little of the basily oil was drizzled on the pasta. It was very bland and I wanted to run across to the Kroger and buy some roasted garlic! I personally use pesto a lot at home and many flavors of it. My favorite is pumpkin walnut. This was no pumpkin walnut but just some generic pesto from a food service. Oh well. I did not order the marinara because I have found some cooks using animal broths for flavoring and I no longer trust it to be vegetarian or vegan.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">My dinner included a wonderful crunchy salad with fresh pepper and halved grape tomatoes with slices of cucumbers. A basket of fresh Italian bread (wrapped in a sammy lunch bag-perfect for take home!) was also table topped. I also received two half slices of this same bread grilled with what was touted as garlic butter. From the queen of garlic, nope! It was soggy and old tasting. I was not offered any sprinkly cheese as many pasta dishes come with but I would not have used it had it been offered. So I can't vouch for what you get as a topper for spaghetti or ziti. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Had I been a bit more hungry, I would have ordered the fried pickles! Yup, you read that right!! If you have never had fried pickles, you are really missing out on a wonderful treat. Usually they are batter dipped in a spicy flour mix,deep fried and served with a ranch type dressing. I might go back just to try them and a dish of rice pudding for a snack. For now, I would give this diner a high C + for at least having a few vegetarian choices. Sadly, other than salad and bread, vegans should look elsewhere other than perhaps oatmeal and applesauce for breakfast. Hollywood Diner does NOT have a website nor is their menu online. This is not acceptable in this age when a plain website can cost less than a full meal. They have wifi so they have an Internet connection and probably have some free space from their provider. Or get a free blog! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The service was wonderful (the owner also stopped to say hello ) and we were thanked on the way out. The teens that had been cemented to the booth across from us were still there but only drinking pop and using wifi. Just as I left, I handed the extra coupon to an elderly couple so they could save a few dollars. I hope when others use a coupon they remember to tip based on the full pricing of the meal and not the discounted total. </div>Jan Schollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15774293019956518597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35088069.post-31537111722894819212011-02-10T15:59:00.003-05:002011-02-10T15:59:00.414-05:00Black Swan 2- Nina Returns!<div style="text-align: center;"><object style="height: 390px; width: 640px;"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/vuX68gGyV9I?version=3"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/vuX68gGyV9I?version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="640" height="390"></object></div>Jan Schollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15774293019956518597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35088069.post-73185543243449349402011-02-05T07:10:00.043-05:002011-03-10T22:19:01.840-05:00Kabob City-A Taste of the Middle East<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: justify;">Tonight for a change of pace, we decided to visit a newer restaurant in the Flint area. <a href="http://www.kabobcity.com/">Kabob City</a> has been open a few months, located in a former Chinese buffet and previous to that , the main Moy Kong Asian dining establishment. Moy Kong at one time had several satellite to-go eateries but at this time, I can't verify that any are still in business. Kabob City is the 4th Middle Eastern eating house to open within a few miles of each other. <a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g42207-d512771-Reviews-Badawest-Flint_Michigan.html">Badawest</a>, the oldest sit down of this style in Genesee County, relocated to a larger facility (from a hole in the wall) near the freeway on Corunna Road quite a while ago and is the one I use to judge the others for taste, price and atmosphere. <a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g42207-d802776-Reviews-Taboon_At_The_Valley-Flint_Michigan.html">Taboon</a>, about a half mile from Kabob City once had a twin in Grand Blanc, but this location is working for them and they are often open on holidays, too. Jerusalem Inn, about 2 miles away, sadly had a devastating fire (ruled an arson) a few years ago and was not re-opened as an ethnic dining establishment, but the area is not lacking for this type of food. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: justify;">Depending on what you order, Middle Eastern dining can be quite healthy for you. But you MUST say no to the bread basket! As soon as we sat down, we were greeted by Olivia, who brought us iced tea (appeared fresh brewed but watered down) , bread and garlic spread. We nibbled as we perused the menu-I scoped out the vegetarian items and hubby chose the "other".</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU-v1cKxkOiSY90lloHw85ZsXhhJSjaihtFu_cAsimf0fGUm-BagyWH5hWm9InMzd8KrImYhVVzrW5fVhvZBwc4fSew7NnFm_U3iXvny4WolNSF_OTXhmN-PHQ33EOXCXo_PL2/s1600/bread.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU-v1cKxkOiSY90lloHw85ZsXhhJSjaihtFu_cAsimf0fGUm-BagyWH5hWm9InMzd8KrImYhVVzrW5fVhvZBwc4fSew7NnFm_U3iXvny4WolNSF_OTXhmN-PHQ33EOXCXo_PL2/s320/bread.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: justify;">This bread is similar is style to Badawest, so I think it's purchased from a local bakery or brought up from the main bakery in the Detroit area. Unlike Taboon, which bakes their own bread on site, this was warmed and had been grilled a bit-in some cases actually charred. I hope that isn't a normal way of serving it. The garlic spread/sauce pictured below, is often served with chicken shawarma dinners as a dip, too. I found the garlic sauce to be strong like I love it to be, but it was very thin. Other eateries have more substance to their sauce, so perhaps this was made with a tad too much lemon juice or they thinned it with yogurt. It was tasty, just not thick. I personally never turn down anything with garlic! <em><span style="color: #ea9999;"><span style="color: #e06666;">BTW-this small dish is called a monkey. I don't know why but it's one of those things I learned years ago and just adds to my trivial mind</span>.</span></em></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8KY-PPYc6DL0apjspKDu-G7kpCIBWEj55MLtYsz5R-T0E50Mh_p4Ad6LVJN6Cz2j7IKTh8-VKftazNq5pQXiYVvSwU3LKdh04b0J0KJ3evWo4pREnxf9fDAVdrwOktXhP3ft6/s1600/garlic+dip.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8KY-PPYc6DL0apjspKDu-G7kpCIBWEj55MLtYsz5R-T0E50Mh_p4Ad6LVJN6Cz2j7IKTh8-VKftazNq5pQXiYVvSwU3LKdh04b0J0KJ3evWo4pREnxf9fDAVdrwOktXhP3ft6/s320/garlic+dip.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: justify;">My menu selection was the Veggie Combo for 14.95. This is a good way to get lots of flavors, instead of ordering off the appy list. Honestly, I thought it would all come on one large platter but each item came on its own plate, so that is how I present them to you. Normally, I always try to get a salad, with dressing on the side to start a meal. I just like the crunchiness of lettuces and other raw veggies. But tonight I had a choice of soup or salad and went with the lentil soup. I started to eat before I remembered to take the photo. Oops! The soup was very warm and tasty altho I thought a bit salty. Hubby said the saltiness went away after the first bite, as he also ordered this vegetarian starter. I though it hung on, but it wasn't too much of a big deal. I did finish it and would not hesitate to order it again. I believe it to be the only vegetarian soup on the menu.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhChV8_kuxQRWSWvYAFJwhzERS9i83eejF_7zUkVSuTaDXYMg-IZ6kZzlPC8xjHm6NiW5LghqHG9JiFZaXkPsWumsK4iquBwT7V7RGFNly5rY63m2HjfAMdhuSCigBNDGyn7Wq4/s1600/lentil+soup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhChV8_kuxQRWSWvYAFJwhzERS9i83eejF_7zUkVSuTaDXYMg-IZ6kZzlPC8xjHm6NiW5LghqHG9JiFZaXkPsWumsK4iquBwT7V7RGFNly5rY63m2HjfAMdhuSCigBNDGyn7Wq4/s320/lentil+soup.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: justify;">As my mini plates, very similar to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tapas">Tapas</a> ,began arriving, I felt a bit overwhelmed and self conscious because my dining partner was not getting anything to eat beyond his lentil soup. I offered him bites of my bounty but he decided to wait until his dead chicken arrived. This falafel was very fresh and green on the inside just as it should be. Sometimes I have had falafel at other establishments where it was brownish all the way thru and very dry-meaning they were instant falafel. This was deliciously moist and served with some greens and a bit of <a href="http://vegetarian.about.com/od/glossary/g/tahini.htm">tahini</a> sauce. The tahini was way too watery and almost tasteless but I can live without it with falafel. I just dipped it in the garlic sauce that was served with the bread.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7iD_HPh7rLfO67waPNx8VtZ_SojtCB6UPA87d4gLMq39xmAipg8LZwL7KvllbjQujbKT2cz-PNPp0iAgom0am1zuXxC5x0fflc18uFTkiS-mf208eIdEQVMgN4ObHIgLEfcB7/s1600/falafel+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7iD_HPh7rLfO67waPNx8VtZ_SojtCB6UPA87d4gLMq39xmAipg8LZwL7KvllbjQujbKT2cz-PNPp0iAgom0am1zuXxC5x0fflc18uFTkiS-mf208eIdEQVMgN4ObHIgLEfcB7/s320/falafel+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: justify;">One big fail and a huge disappointment to me was the hummus. It was very dilute and I think it was because the preparers used the same tahini from above to make the hummus. I like my hummus thick like peanut butter but creamy. I imagine you can pick up that this hummus would not have held itself to a spoon for long. This is something easily fixable, but it's up to the cook to know that hummus is not supposed to be soupy. Or if it was a mistake, add more garbanzos to thicken it up.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5waHU2KqkhItajYTP5lhbkJiulS-zKGOBBq1IyE630ca08_ZJyG-b8OGudoiSJCcPpCEYJ1W6InIER3YWWLAPjvbS1tP2KIhQHaoESzSYlLkRzsLhkQEj7pPYrqk2HjMXHUPl/s1600/hummos+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5waHU2KqkhItajYTP5lhbkJiulS-zKGOBBq1IyE630ca08_ZJyG-b8OGudoiSJCcPpCEYJ1W6InIER3YWWLAPjvbS1tP2KIhQHaoESzSYlLkRzsLhkQEj7pPYrqk2HjMXHUPl/s320/hummos+3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: justify;">I also had a small plate of vegetarian grape leaves. These were wonderfully moist, stuffed with spiced rice, diced garbanzos and a few flecks of sweet red peppers and a bit of mint. They are very filling, so it's hard to eat more than one or two. I have leftovers for tomorrow which I will stuff into some pita bread and make a sammy! This dish is fairly common in Greek cuisine and others along the eastern Mediterranean so I assume each country has its own add-ins. The minced garbanzos were a nice change of pace.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZjduwEFMUrlytKQJmOAfrpOTaCpR39SwHDeGcBgyvRMwVGBJfKkz5SwPd77mbio0-A67-2vzeiLoqa598WrgWSnSqKeIyGb5kKe-eDLxr8pYwoBiHW-Vnc8_-LbvMofToaCVz/s1600/grape+leaves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZjduwEFMUrlytKQJmOAfrpOTaCpR39SwHDeGcBgyvRMwVGBJfKkz5SwPd77mbio0-A67-2vzeiLoqa598WrgWSnSqKeIyGb5kKe-eDLxr8pYwoBiHW-Vnc8_-LbvMofToaCVz/s320/grape+leaves.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">A reason why I didn't get my normal salad is my meal included Tabouli. This ultra fresh dish is super healthy and can be made in just minutes. I tend to make this with a tad more bulgur/cracked wheat. This dish was served almost room temperature, and was not overloaded with lemon as other places tend to serve it. A lemon on the side will give those who like this dish more lemony a chance to "pucker" a bit. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc6110Iyyn5_Fqv2LAvGp3U8UzrQQkyN9St7NxU8KGRua12FiPYiMwUr24GnyX7Q30vEwqoYtK3y2VtCW4i-xNeBXch_LE3vBJSy8g6kB1t4Vavdi-HiCjGg6jheqBgXAZD0P2/s1600/taboulli.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc6110Iyyn5_Fqv2LAvGp3U8UzrQQkyN9St7NxU8KGRua12FiPYiMwUr24GnyX7Q30vEwqoYtK3y2VtCW4i-xNeBXch_LE3vBJSy8g6kB1t4Vavdi-HiCjGg6jheqBgXAZD0P2/s320/taboulli.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: justify;"> Perhaps the biggest disappointment to me were the spinach pies (also known as fatayer). I have had this style in many a diner, and this was the worst. I don't know if it was the particular cook, the regional representation or just plain cheapness but these reminded me of canned biscuit dough. They were "doughy" not flaky. And the spinach inside was pretty much a tad of spinach and some onion. I could not discern any feta cheese as other eateries serve them. In fact, all the recipes I have include feta. Not a lot but enough for me to see it! I much prefer this made with phyllo dough as it's so flaky. But this dish would have worked if they had not been steamed. I could tell right away that they were probably reheated either in a microwave or something that would not crisp up the dough. I would not bother with them again.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR4CrKW4oHvi6LKSlfoSwcFVS2PkqwuuLsjXt9lpmCAsaVxiO-_urCtbSnYDmWAMvvF4zXq7EsMniwdStjpgiUYhIHXpP3nIgMvVZiYqUD04pYfgQ0fbnHJ3f3xA9kF4G4Ox4e/s1600/spinach+pie+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR4CrKW4oHvi6LKSlfoSwcFVS2PkqwuuLsjXt9lpmCAsaVxiO-_urCtbSnYDmWAMvvF4zXq7EsMniwdStjpgiUYhIHXpP3nIgMvVZiYqUD04pYfgQ0fbnHJ3f3xA9kF4G4Ox4e/s320/spinach+pie+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: justify;">Kabob City is very similar in pricing and selection of dishes that others in the area serving this style of food typically offer. They do present a Buffet Salad Bar, which is unique to the Middle Eastern trio and this is served between 11 AM and 7 PM and it comes with bread and dips for 5.95 so if you want to eat light, this might be the way to go. Also for the health conscious, is a full juice and smoothie menu. I did not see a children's menu but with these smaller plates, you can get something for the kidlets to eat. Of course, there is the ubiquitous hamburgers and chicken strips in case the little ones object but I think you should discourage them if you can and order some grilled items. I bet they would love it!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: justify;">I cannot vouch for the decor being new, a hold-over from the old Chinese buffet or a combo of the two. The last time I was inside, it was still Moy Kong and my kids were in junior high or less. I would like to see them cozy it up a bit, as it was way too bright with vast areas of empty space. Cloth lined the tables but were covered with clear plastic overlay which are a cinch to clean but kinda cheesy. If they did a remodel, they need to have the contractor come back and fix the wall paper which is coming away from the wall (I ran my finger along seams and the glue isn't holding). There is no focal point but room for one, and maybe a demo of Middle Eastern dance or weekend music is a possibility. Additionally is room for a moderate sized gathering off to the side. I believe they have free Wi Fi available. I hope the decor is only on the lesser side for now as they want to make sure this location works for them and isn't jinxed as the previous conceptions have been. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: justify;">One other item to address: our waiter was attentive, almost to the fault of being annoying. It seemed she asked how our food tasted every other bite. Perhaps she is new to waiting and this will finesse itself. I would have liked to see the food presented to us at the same time, so we could have both eaten together. This is probably a problem for the kitchen and certainly not the waiter's fault. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: justify;">I would award this newest place to dine a B- at this time. I almost gave it a C+ but waited to let the meal and experience settle in. It's always a plus to see a formerly empty place re-open and I hope they get more business as it wasn't particularly busy for a Friday night (the rib and burger sit-downs a quarter mile down the road had a back logging at the entrance areas). A better street level sign would help them immensely. Kabob City is very vegetarian and vegan friendly, especially the appetizer category. You can mix and match and make a full meal from these selections. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em><span style="color: #6aa84f;">ETA: 3/10/11</span> I have received a couple of comments which you can read below. I don't know who they are from and do not reflect my opinion. I am not paid to write these reviews, nor do I receive any compensation in cash or food to write them. I am doing this because I feel there is a need to let others know that vegans and vegetarians can eat locally and get more than a plain salad. I would love it if the comments were not anonymous but the only other option would be for me to moderate. I will leave anonymous for now and I will not reject any comments UNLESS they are nasty rude. Thanks for dropping by.</em></span></div>Jan Schollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15774293019956518597noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35088069.post-82361500632271278642011-02-01T07:00:00.001-05:002011-02-02T03:02:16.870-05:00Think Warm and Summery<div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://senorgif.memebase.com/2011/01/31/funny-gifs-squirrels-love-strawberries/"><img alt="Squirrels Love Strawberries Gif - Squirrels Love Strawberries " class="event-item-lol-image" height="300" src="http://chzgifs.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/122350df-4d46-4b24-b236-e06c0441d9d9.gif" title="Squirrels Love Strawberries Gif - Squirrels Love Strawberries " width="400" /></a></div>see more <a href="http://senorgif.memebase.com/">Gifs</a>Jan Schollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15774293019956518597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35088069.post-91868094508270109382011-01-23T07:24:00.004-05:002011-03-26T16:37:54.277-04:00Printed Nirvana<div style="text-align: justify;">The lure of the newsstand has always been hard for me to resist. Growing up, there was a small storefront on Saginaw Street near downtown Flint just across the way from Sunday church at St Mike's (can you guess how many times I was late for Mass because I went to this place first?) and sometimes, as I waited for the bus , some after school perusing. I can't remember a week from the time I learned to read and had a dime or so in my pocket not checking out the lower shelves at ReadMor. Week after week, I bought a comic or a "movie fan magazine" or Baseball Digest, just buying what was new that week. Sometimes there were magazines I could not afford, or were "forbidden" that I took a peek or two inside.</div><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">As I got older (junior high) I developed an addiction to newspapers and often came home with the Chicago Tribune or a New York daily and if I got there early enough, the treasured Washington Post. Since I was now operating on my own budget from babysitting, I had a stack of magazines that I dog-eared from reading and often fell asleep holding and probably drooling on, too. I bought what interested me, from gardening to sports to sewing to art. Once I brought home a copy of Ebony, because it had an article about my favorite baseball player inside. I was told not to bring that publication home again-and not understanding why, I just read it at the library. I also discovered you could borrow magazines from the library, too!</div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Little did I know the extent of my addiction. I discovered subscriptions! You know those annoying cards that fall out of every magazine you buy? They used to be sewn into the spine of the magazines, and many were perforated for extraction. When I found I could save tons of dollars by subscribing, I was in heaven! My first paid subscription was to Sport Magazine, sadly gone to the old printing press in the sky. Then I added Sports Illustrated, Baseball Digest, see a trend here? I love stats and the newspaper daily box scores just weren’t enough. </div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">After I married, I still made the Monday night trek into Flint to buy an eclectic stash. Some magazines didn’t have subscriptions like the Logic Puzzles that came out quarterly. By this time I had added a few local book stores that were more than just tabloids, paperbacks and comics. Then I started dragging my kids on my journey to find the drug of choice- something good to read. Most of the places I hit up back then, from ReadMor to Young and Welshans (when they were downtown before getting snooty and moving), Little Professor and even used magazines and paperbacks at Jelly Beans, are now gone. I will never forget the night I went to Courtland Center to get my stash only to find the Professor locked up, and hearing how they snuck out of the mall by night, leaving employees sobbing and customers (me) in shambled thoughts as we didn’t know where to get our stuff! </div><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Borders moved in and with them, many periodicals from Europe and Asian, soon to follow with some from Australia. I could be found sipping tea and flipping thru magazines as I waited on hubby to meet me for dinner along the strip. My kids had their selections, too. And with no online offerings in the late 1980’s and later, we often walked away with full prices books, some of which still dot the landscape of my family room or bedroom. I later sold the books in garage sales, gave a bunch away and then started donating them to Goodwill or other non-profits. Sometimes, there were tears as I let each one go, like letting a child off to school for the first time. The Internet hit, Barnes and Noble moved in and I discovered Amazon. All those wonderful magazines to be had, either weekly, monthly or by subscriptions left me seriously on the edge of reason as I selected must have reads. Many online selections were not on the local news stands, so it was a chance to try them before committing long term. School kids sold them for fundraisers, and everyone knew to come to Jan-the magazine junkie. </div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Hubby would bring home from his worldly travels any local newspapers he could find, many not in English but I didn’t care. I just wanted the experience of holding them, smelling them and in some cases, cutting them up for crafting. If I made a purchase online and newsprint was used to cushion my items, I smoothed out the papers, sometimes getting inky fingers, so I could read the local sports from the Gazette in Billings, Montana or the want ads from Des Moines Register , on occasion a small local weekly wrapped my treasures and I got to read Obits from Franklin, Kentucky or Gramma’s secret recipe from Clovis, New Mexico. </div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">I purged 15 years ago many of the magazines and newspapers I had collected over the years, dozens being first editions. I tried to sell them to a used book store (there was no EBay at this time) but it seems there was no interest unless it was real pop culture like People. I finally put them out for the recyclers, with a sign that if they wanted to read them first, and pass them on, please do. We all know the result of that, right?? Now all my used magazines (other than my crafty ones) are taken to rehab centers, the heart clinic at Hurley Med Center or similar, to let someone else dog ear them. </div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Slowly the subscriptions have been whittled down from over 100 a year to about 6 or 7. Some of these over the years have been tax deductible as business expenses either related to Ron’s job (may THAT rest in peace), or investing education. With each passing year, some magazines became more expensive than they were worth. They offered less and less notable content, less and less enjoyment and many went from monthly to bimonthly, to quarterly and some sadly, to no publishing at all. I hated the fact I paid for a full year or two or five and when they folded, got some other garbage to finish out what was owed to me, or more apt, nothing at all. You can’t sue them-well you can-but you are last on the list to be considered in a bankruptcy. </div><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">At one time, I received at least a dozen rubber stamping-related magazines each month. Most have stopped publication, some were infused into other crafting magazines that had nothing to do with paper crafting. I let the scrapbooking magazines lapse, some which no longer publish. There was so much drama over contests and auto renewals, the final straw was the company trying to charge me for three years subscription even after I verbally told them NO twice and declined via email. Luckily I had cancelled that credit card two years before, as the perks were no longer valid for me. When ads took up more space than creating, I gave them the boot. </div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Today I received notice of Stamper’s Sampler sending me my final issue. I have purchased this magazine for years, but the last time I renewed I did it with trepidation. It was a monthly downsizing to a bi monthly. The last year on this subscription has been torture. Redesigning the interior did nothing for me, and enlarging the samples to fill up a page instead of having more interior art is usually a clue that the magazine is going downhill and soon will go quarterly, raise the pricing and slowly drift off to the land of lost publications. The issues on this magazine run from 7.95 to 14.95 and this latest issue has over 20 pages hawking other publications owned by the publisher, several actual paid ads/pages and so little quality content that I would be stupid to order another subscription. Every other month I complained more and more and honestly, it was a relief to finally see….this is your last issue. </div><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">As I write this, I am looking at a stack of solicitations for renewals of magazines with one or two issues remaining, or some that expired months ago. The only one I am certain of renewing is the full year to USA Today. I tried to go without it last January, and that lasted about a week and a half. If I could lock in the price, I would order three years at a time-I NEED the sports section or I can’t breathe. Alas, they only offer one year. I will probably renew one paper crafting magazine, and I just renewed the zine I get called Vamp Stamp News. With so much blogging about stamping and paper crafting that Is far superior to anything being put out in paper publications, I can only say to the publishers…you f***ed up. The artwork I see online that designers share with their fans via websites and blogs is far superior to anything in the magazines, the artists are available to answer questions, these artists aren’t being ripped off by greedy publishers who “claim “the art and then never compensate the designers, AND I don’t have to wait for a month after the actual magazine hits the newsstand for my issue I paid for UPFRONT 3 years ago. Also, the blogs don’t have the covers ripped off or mangled (thank YOU Mr. Postman). </div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">I was born with something to read in my hand. I feel like I am naked and incomplete without the printed word publications I have purchased since childhood. Often , I wonder if the next century will have anything printed on papers, or will the generations of the 22 century have only digital books, magazines and newspapers. As I watch the steady regression in quality of my local newspapers, the demise of favorite magazines and the uptick in less than stellar reading materials being presented on news stands (how many car magazines are there, really?), I feel the slow death knell inside my head for the entire industry. I still have plenty of books to read, as I continue to add to my queue beside the bed stand so the withdrawal has been easier to handle. But as the newsstands of the 20th century are moved farther and farther from people's access, I see the forward generations losing out on the actual feel of shiny paper pages and aroma of freshly printed ink that have been both my joy and my bane over 5 decades. </div>Jan Schollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15774293019956518597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35088069.post-39278589253253471292010-12-24T07:16:00.001-05:002010-12-24T07:16:00.206-05:00The Star Wars Special Everyone REALLY Wanted<div style="text-align: center;">Star Wars Christmas 2010</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><object style="height: 390px; width: 640px;"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/QMmaO6MzK4E?version=3"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/QMmaO6MzK4E?version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="640" height="390"></object></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Have a good one, whatever you celebrate. Meet me back here in the next decade.</div>Jan Schollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15774293019956518597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35088069.post-3017019312712199862010-11-18T23:33:00.004-05:002011-02-15T02:05:17.620-05:00Casa Real Comes To Flint<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I have known for a few months that Casa Real of Oxford, MI was opening a sister site in Flint. It is in the previously inhabited site that was Rib City (I miss the okra they had but nothing else). Several times I thought they were almost ready to open and then nothing. New sign, lights on inside, stickers on the door. But finally two weeks ago, was the marquee announcement that they would open middle of November. They are now open and more info can be found <a href="http://www.casarealrestaurants.com/">HERE.</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAiqCHydGgkRBFSsdKbk_VCNSFgRX1Ux3lAV2SlBdpe9oAilxfXJbHeqSxEdiIf3mf06tZdVh4LVQb6D9lYo-IDVkep4xmqmL9GfNkt3ER4SHB5AMZfy_ctpCymhd5QPlJo5p4/s1600/casa+chips.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAiqCHydGgkRBFSsdKbk_VCNSFgRX1Ux3lAV2SlBdpe9oAilxfXJbHeqSxEdiIf3mf06tZdVh4LVQb6D9lYo-IDVkep4xmqmL9GfNkt3ER4SHB5AMZfy_ctpCymhd5QPlJo5p4/s320/casa+chips.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The free basket of chips was fresh, crisp and more than enough for two. Salsa was served in a bottle you could pour into a molcajete. I would have preferred a slightly spicy salsa, as this was rather bland. You can order a spicy one, but my dinner partner does not like spicy. His loss.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJVps7Suu36MD1Xmi_7fSh-ijvVJVt3sHNqCmkUcFkazc0GgZxVkQUmcSuQ5yxeT83XOMeMT63UiT19zLG8uNSPGE3tuORfd5FIDZ-AInB11lE8AVlhP21nIVM4KXsGGPf3H-M/s1600/casa+dip.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJVps7Suu36MD1Xmi_7fSh-ijvVJVt3sHNqCmkUcFkazc0GgZxVkQUmcSuQ5yxeT83XOMeMT63UiT19zLG8uNSPGE3tuORfd5FIDZ-AInB11lE8AVlhP21nIVM4KXsGGPf3H-M/s320/casa+dip.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">This is the bean dip we ordered to go with the chips. I asked what the milky melt on top was and the waitress told me, but I thought it started with an F....but now I think it may be <span id="ctl00_MainPageContent_GSDictionaryDetail1_ctl00_ctl00_SpanishNameTxt">Asadero or possibly Teleme, but the taste of it reminded me of sweetened condensed milk. We swirled a chip thru the bean dip (mildly spicy with jalapeno) then dug in. This was a huge bowl-enough for sure for 4 or more. </span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0wkZJNo_ll2LOVD4C_Wy6uXSx6sa2L2cBx5ILNQ756maAzKrriW8OI2L_HgfYQ5xAaylR4zZvdeZUCWyVd3sLMCk5UKTZL9YqoUcBkt6W7dVtzpmnsuj7uWvHGXo1zPZ_Hg36/s1600/casa+Rice.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0wkZJNo_ll2LOVD4C_Wy6uXSx6sa2L2cBx5ILNQ756maAzKrriW8OI2L_HgfYQ5xAaylR4zZvdeZUCWyVd3sLMCk5UKTZL9YqoUcBkt6W7dVtzpmnsuj7uWvHGXo1zPZ_Hg36/s320/casa+Rice.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> I don't like Spanish rice. It's usually falsely colored orange and just overcooked, dry and tasteless. But this wasn't. It was fluffy and had real vegetables in it. Corn, peas, and mini carrot bits were dispersed thru the rice. The only thing better for this dish would be brown rice! </div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjRQiLiZ5NZtnFncWvPzTq6fN8jR9iXNIKQjsVyPZdUFqrWr-JLSBxRFQPnxjMdqrrORsMYJtOmp5B6YFtQT9LoceuhsI-BmZV2D3tF8a2vYeORipwkwr_XCQrFs1EpxXX0ppB/s1600/casa+main.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjRQiLiZ5NZtnFncWvPzTq6fN8jR9iXNIKQjsVyPZdUFqrWr-JLSBxRFQPnxjMdqrrORsMYJtOmp5B6YFtQT9LoceuhsI-BmZV2D3tF8a2vYeORipwkwr_XCQrFs1EpxXX0ppB/s320/casa+main.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Finally here is my entree Queso Enchiladas. There are three enchiladas under that sauce and cheese (I will ask for light on the cheese next time). I only finished one, so I have a full meal for this weekend with my leftover rice and beans. Casa Real is vegetarian friendly with 6, count them SIX vegetarian entrees and the possibility of others should you leave off the meats. There are also several breakfast/supper egg dishes, various appetizers and OMG desserts! that any vegetarian would certainly dig into. Prices run a tad cheaper than Don Pablo's but are so much fresher. All the sauces are made in house and the enchilada sauce does not taste bottled like other places. A bit sweet with a mild tang, it's a red sauce you could use on many items. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Smaller portions are served from 11 AM til 3 PM for lunch. They have a full bar, TVs for all you stock market junkies at lunchtime and ESPN in the evening. The decor is whimsical with hand carved and painted tables and chairs with a choice of booths, tall tables and regular height tables. Tejano, mariachi, Mexican Ska....you will hear it all and it can be loud depending on how many patrons absorb the extra noise. Definitely family friendly and sure to please both tummy and wallet. And can I also praise the waiters? Service was terrific!</div>Jan Schollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15774293019956518597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35088069.post-71456809847156395022010-11-15T06:29:00.001-05:002010-11-15T06:29:00.663-05:00Observations of a Road Trip<div style="text-align: justify;">We (meaning my driver, my clingy dog and myself) just got back from a 6 day tripper to Iowa where we got to meet our new grand daughter for the first time. Avanelle is now 6 weeks old, putting on weight and even starting to smile a bit. I miss being able to feed her but I don't have the proper working equipment for that task. One day I rocked her so long, my butt went to sleep and my back locked up. I would do it again, even if it hurts, however. </div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">In the course of our Interstates (69, 94, 96, 80, 380 etc.) traveling to Iowa and back to Michigan, several things crossed my mind depending on the occurring event at the time. I decided to rattle on about some and with others, probably embarrass myself .</div><br />
<ul><li>You never will have the perfect time to go on a long drive. If it doesn't rain or snow one way, it will coming back the other way. Actually, wind may play a bigger role if you drive into it. It's not so bad if you have it at your back....blows you home, so to speak.</li>
<li>One person has to remember the bulk of everything to pack in the car. Other person only has to remember his underwear. Ultimately, something or many things will have to be left behind because there is no room in the Chevy transporter. So Ben didn't get his Little Mister Books (sorry dude but Avanelle can't read them yet) and I forgot the phone number and info I needed to make a dinner date and I feel awful as I really wanted to connect. </li>
<li>If you are planning on leaving at 8 AM, then sleep in the car. With the key ready to ignite the traveling gases. Forget teeth brushing, lock check etc. Just leave at 8 or be late.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI0T6NAlLuTOjrZOHSgD8TGXbrgWWqvS3iI2BjTjtcpuAIwJ-oqYRVNOEfGlHYbAehLw-_Tyh40gcMwYwLekgDaLteHFOXJmZqfqqyeVswkI3Een-0KdiSPUl3smGfsg2CBEb7/s1600/gas+fuel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI0T6NAlLuTOjrZOHSgD8TGXbrgWWqvS3iI2BjTjtcpuAIwJ-oqYRVNOEfGlHYbAehLw-_Tyh40gcMwYwLekgDaLteHFOXJmZqfqqyeVswkI3Een-0KdiSPUl3smGfsg2CBEb7/s200/gas+fuel.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div></li>
<li>Get your gas the day before and if Gas Buddy tells you prices are stable, fill up yesterday.The worst thing to start off a road trip is sticker shock for gasoline. It went up 30 cents a gallon overnight. Not nice, Speedway.</li>
<li>Dropping one dog off at Doggie Day Care for a week is very hurtful to the wallet. They have no weekend pick up unless you pay an additional fee..so if you wait until Monday, you still get screwed a day. Plus the shots and flea control you never would use anyway if you didn't board the monster. But he sat on Marley's head on the way to camp, so there was NO room or ambition on my part to take him with me.</li>
<li>Know that if you are the passenger, you are at the mercy of the driver's selection on the radio for tunes. I am sick of 50's songs and the 60's are getting pretty lame, too. I prefer folk, protest rock and show tunes. We heard the same things going to Iowa as coming home. I also like news. I can forego the farm reports, however. I see corn, I see soybeans, I see cows. Doing good farmers. I don't care how much a pound of cow is, I ain't contributing to your massacre.</li>
<li>Having a GPS without access to updates is useless. That diner from 2004 probably ain't there anymore. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiibEV4iqR5oD_nBEOCvOTQx-o1VzWdB9H5uteD70SyPEKSl15DgBKTR_zUX1vOT6TSST3z0MeD94i83j38sLIQJ5-SET3j7788OQ7yhQ1eUbNZDMKA8qYG0drKw7b2nUYoPsTe/s1600/gps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="102" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiibEV4iqR5oD_nBEOCvOTQx-o1VzWdB9H5uteD70SyPEKSl15DgBKTR_zUX1vOT6TSST3z0MeD94i83j38sLIQJ5-SET3j7788OQ7yhQ1eUbNZDMKA8qYG0drKw7b2nUYoPsTe/s320/gps.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></li>
<li>Just because I like the sammies at Panera, and usually the vegetarian soups doesn't mean the breakfast is tasty. I tasted it all right, all the way to Iowa. Yuck.</li>
<li>If you need gas again, wait til Indiana. Or hope you make it past Illinois. Indiana is about 30 cents cheaper than Michigan, and Illinois thru Chicago area is impossible to get off the ramps without getting killed or cutting people off and it costs the most. Pay your toll and get very far west. Or wait til Iowa, where mid grade is cheaper than regular unleaded and better for the environment. Ethanol is the way to go if your car can use it.</li>
<li>Hammond Indiana stinks....always has and always will.</li>
<li>Passing by the rock quarry just inside the Illinois border, I have always wanted to yell out "Hey, Mr. Slate!" and "Yabba Dabba Doo!". <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA4JxmAtheQXUWt_o-jKHrJBRofgvGR5_MmsPsY_j2_YxglYHhWza7pOTaZ3Ww1pSQwg_ZiXhrAs0biK534R-1xOKoTm3mB6UW8NFv5hRNfrC9yh_US1rRcgyl8CLk-vOpdvZ-/s1600/thorton+rock+quarry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA4JxmAtheQXUWt_o-jKHrJBRofgvGR5_MmsPsY_j2_YxglYHhWza7pOTaZ3Ww1pSQwg_ZiXhrAs0biK534R-1xOKoTm3mB6UW8NFv5hRNfrC9yh_US1rRcgyl8CLk-vOpdvZ-/s320/thorton+rock+quarry.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div></li>
<li>I am not the least bit embarrassed when my dog lifts his leg at the gas station stops. He feels my pain.</li>
<li>The toll booth people are not a happy lot. And why did Ron say thank you to them? They would not have a job without my 60 cents each way. They should thank the drivers who pay them to be surly.</li>
<li>Your dog will make a liar of you. He didn't run off when let off the leash. He went around the deck and sat and whined. </li>
<li>The least thought of problem item will be the one that happens. Dog broke his leash while twisting himself around a yard torch. So we bought a new one plus a tie down. Never used the tie down but it was 25 bucks. Out of the packaging and in the garage, it probably won't see the light of day again. </li>
<li>I took tons of Vernor's to Iowa.. Deposit is 10 cents a can in Michigan but it's only 5 cents a can in Iowa. Can't we all figure out that 10 cents or more will get many more cans and bottles out of landfills and off roadsides? I was appalled at how many containers I saw along roads during the trip. Plus I feel ripped off when son doesn't at least get the full 10 cents back. And if you get caught in Michigan returning cans from another state...it's trouble, I tell ya.</li>
<li>I was asked how I liked Iowa by the pastor's wife. I told her about as much as I like Michigan. I don't like cold. I don't like snow. Then the monsoons started and I was up all night listening to the winds blow. Did the gods put a curse on me?</li>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1jQcHohLdeEOQ0ldeaTPQwTAZozt42Jb9eIlijv8cY6ASHiDwswIt79_4HAlNlrqI8pe5LcMt8sqRRYhKaxm5jWgtkKN9xqOacKPXK0AZZmeN7DaSVhVmUPbZLRlilmuqBhvB/s1600/griddle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1jQcHohLdeEOQ0ldeaTPQwTAZozt42Jb9eIlijv8cY6ASHiDwswIt79_4HAlNlrqI8pe5LcMt8sqRRYhKaxm5jWgtkKN9xqOacKPXK0AZZmeN7DaSVhVmUPbZLRlilmuqBhvB/s200/griddle.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><li>My son learned how to cook. His specialty used to be sammies made in this little griddle with two pieces of bread and stuff in between the layers. Now he actually has real pots and pans and real knives. He even has cookbooks. My baby grew up!I wonder if he will ever make Scooby Sammiches again??</li>
<li>Back to that wind thing-just as you change directions, so does the wind. So don't put your paper dollars in your sweatshirt pouch and expect to get back to the car with any of it after stopping for a drink break. The wind took all my bills, blowing right thru the pouch and I stood like an idiot instead of chasing it down. </li>
<li>Then I realized what happened and tried to chase them down. Don't do this! Especially in a truck stop with a bunch of semi trucks jockeying for a gas pump. You won't live and if you do, your bills will be tossed into the salad along with all the other food wrappers, liquor bottles, dirty diapers and other trash that people toss out along the interstate. </li>
<li>Make sure you get your free Iowa map. Or Illinois map. Or Michigan map. I have a bag full of them. Someday they will be antiques. I plan on using them for something. Maybe when the GPS figures out it is a stupid machine and can be replaced, these maps will be worth something.</li>
<li>I asked the GPS to give me the fastest route back to Michigan. It thought to Milwaukee then Fort Wayne would work. I thought maybe it wanted me to swim or take the ferry across the lake. CR 234 isn't the fast route. Unless you are running along side a sloth.</li>
<li>Don't pass rest stops by. Even if you don't have to use the facilities, stop anyway. Even if you don't want to piss off the driver, it's better to piss him off than piss on yourself. Or the car seat.</li>
<li>Note to self--re-read the above. </li>
</ul><ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-a6lze6QIu7LZiwtSam7kme1iArQuC1vyo0MfBNXhegvBrPi6FpJWNgIgkBubaoZEPEz5QeHjmdmlFj64eS92zDtyoC1vVg9PPZ4K4HCFW2HkaQN0OczMwYuZWYJoeu9oqI-s/s1600/peeing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="148" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-a6lze6QIu7LZiwtSam7kme1iArQuC1vyo0MfBNXhegvBrPi6FpJWNgIgkBubaoZEPEz5QeHjmdmlFj64eS92zDtyoC1vVg9PPZ4K4HCFW2HkaQN0OczMwYuZWYJoeu9oqI-s/s200/peeing.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><li>When you are trying to find a place to go and the sign says next rest area 98 miles, and you have to find a dark, secluded place to "go", don't congratulate yourself for not peeing your pants too early. Your undies may have made it thru unscathed, but your pant legs and shoes didn't fare so well.</li>
<li>Note to self--re-read the above.</li>
<li>Don't try to read all your mail, newspapers (oh how I missed my newspapers while I was gone! I am a junkie!), packages and emails when you get home. I tried. I just don't like to have unread papers and mail. </li>
<li>Don't take a camera if you aren't going to use it. You did notice I have no baby photos, right? I don't have a good flash, and we can't use them around baby. The weather was dreary, we didn't go anywhere to take photos, and I don't like to be obnoxious. I am mostly a nature photographer, so macro of a big nose boogie would have been kind of gross. Ben has some. Hopefully he will email me a few?</li>
<li>I am now caught up with laundry, mail and am going to bed with today's papers. Have a grand Ides. It used to be payday, now it's just another manic Monday.</li>
</ul>Jan Schollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15774293019956518597noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35088069.post-77450057858643382672010-11-01T08:09:00.002-04:002010-11-01T08:09:00.620-04:00Pumpkin Leaves<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh06yEiBR7cCX87ZmhEkJ5WdG925tncWdpsfinS3xxrnroGJ7p7VXH0EYSuOVfZH_-LVflsydmPDHf1CPB4jXkMkmIEXnPIuwfsD2pqnNzdYG7HUYA7XfZfV_GlMbZjzo1TfK4n/s1600/pumpkin+leaves.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh06yEiBR7cCX87ZmhEkJ5WdG925tncWdpsfinS3xxrnroGJ7p7VXH0EYSuOVfZH_-LVflsydmPDHf1CPB4jXkMkmIEXnPIuwfsD2pqnNzdYG7HUYA7XfZfV_GlMbZjzo1TfK4n/s400/pumpkin+leaves.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Jan Schollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15774293019956518597noreply@blogger.com0