Friends and chores fill the hours
5/14/2008The weeks roll by much too quickly. Suddenly another one is over and we didn't accomplish half of what we intended. That's a good time to review what we did do or saw and realize it was not seven days wasted.
One week's review in the journal reveals a lifestyle of challenges mixed with warm friendships and a few problems. In one week the vacuum cleaner broke down and $72 later the fixit man not only related what was wrong but also presented me with a bag of pet hair that had clogged the tubes. The mercury light crashed in the heavy winds and the repairman needed a 30-foot, not a 20 foot, ladder to reach it, which delayed the correction that is still not done. I managed all winter not to lose gloves but I have already lost the most costly pair of sunglasses. Digby was extremely sick with a skin irritation called a hot spot and our vet was out of town. But Anna, Digby's groomer near Sand Creek, Mich., knew how to relieve the pain.
At a meeting of the advisory committee of the Department of Food, Nutrition, and Hospitality at Owens Community College, program coordinator Chef Bill Powell announced a decline in enrollment of the hospitality program, while the culinary arts programs fill up quickly. "Hospitality" is a common term in college curricula throughout the country, but the Owens committee determined a new name is in order for a course considered valuable in the growing demand for tourism and related public service work. "Hospitality" is not explicate in defining the service profession and may be an enrollment turn off, it was decided. The committee's homework is to come up with a better name. Chef Tom Elliott suggests geotourism services management. I am still brain-storming.
There is no such thing as a free lunch or a cell phone. The new cell phone was "free," but the case for it was $18 and the car charger, $30. I am still waiting for the rebate check.
Free came into play a second time in the week. A free dinner promotion worked for the company selling attic and crawl-space insulation that is guaranteed to cut heating and air conditioning bills by 30 per cent. About 70 people were served chicken and steak dinners at the Tiger Steakhouse in Hudson, Mich., before hearing the sales pitch for the material said to be the same that is used on space ships and hot/cold food bags. But the salesmen never gave the price. For that information the promoters come to the house, wouldn't you know?
Just turning off unnecessary lights is one way I am trying to cut the electric bill.
One evening was well spent at the Croswell Theatre in Adrian to see, hear, and applaud the theatrical talents of 68 Adrian High School students. Their production of Disney's High School Musical was exhilarating.
A week is not complete if you don't touch base with friends no matter how full the calendar or how high the price of gas.
John Slentz, a favorite dining partner, came from Sarasota, Fla., to help celebrate Fifi's Reprise opening last week. He figured it was only right because he was at the first opening in 1980 when he lived in the Old West End.
A main reason to drive to Florence Oberle's in Grand Rapids, O., was to see the blue bells blooming in her gardens, but you can't go to Florence's without being served tea and something sweet. She doesn't hear the word diet. This time it was peanut butter pie that was so good I copied the recipe.