Busia came to town with Dziadzia on Saturday and after the football game, they waved bye-bye. Zoe was packed up and headed for the City by the Bay.
Seems we should tell the rest of the tale in two parts:
CADILLAC
Nearly eight and half years ago, Sonja and I met in Cadillac, Mich. I was working at the newspaper there with Sonja's good friend, Linda. She thought we'd click. We did. The rest is history.
We headed back this weekend to reminisce and rejuvenate for a couple nights.
This is us in front of Lake Mitchell, near the little cabin I rented when I lived there.
It was a tiny, three-room house that I could barely afford on the pittance I was being paid... but the setting made it all worthwhile. Lake Mitchell was across the street. The backyard was the Manistee National Forest. Wheatley and I took some good, long walks in those woods.
About midway through my year-long stay, the memories created in that house became much more significant. Whether it was the joy of rounding the bend (veer left at the totem pole) late at night and seeing Sonja's car in my driveway or the loneliness of late night conversations through 200 miles of phone lines, it's where I fell in love.
And while Cadillac isn't a place I wanted to live for very long, it was a good place to fall in love:
We drove up and down my old street looking for the place so we could take a picture. We finally realized the tiny cabin had been renovated into a much bigger (and tacky) cabin. It looked so different, it didn't even warrant a photograph.
But this did. The trip wouldn't have been complete without stopping at Lakeside Charlie's:
This was my favorite hangout and the site of our first date (after I totally hooked her with dinner at my house -- chicken with shiitake mushrooms, artichoke hearts and pepperoncini over garlic parsley linguine tossed in a butter/white wine sauce if my memory serves). We had a few drinks while a young fella strummed some tunes, including a version of Rocky Raccoon that still holds a place of honor on our short list of "Most Significant Relationship Moments."
Mother Nature didn't cooperate. It rained Saturday night and most of Sunday. We didn't spend as much time outside as we anticipated, but that may have been a blessing in disquise. A highlight of the weekend ended up being something we'd never think about doing on vacation... an hour-long Sunday afternoon nap. Ahhh. One of life's finer offerings, but never on our menu.
Almost mockingly, the sun broke out during our Monday breakfast. We took a picture just to prove it:
Minutes later we were on the road, heading for...
BAY CITY
After a crabby car trip was made happier with a happy meal, Zoe got to Busia and Dziadzia's house Saturday night. You'll never guess what was waiting for her:
New toys! (Shocking, right?)
(Note Dziadzia's arm in the bottom-right corner of this photo. Always there to lend a hand.)
There was also some old toys, including a 30-year-old mini kitchen sink/cabinet that my grandpa made for my sister. I didn't even know that thing still existed... Busia apparently pulled it from the darkest corner of the basement and cleaned it up for Zoe's visit.
Everyone's biggest fear was that Zoe would freak out around bedtime. We were all apparently worried about nothing. She reportedly zonked out without much drama both nights. She did, however, wake up much earlier than at home. Busia was up with her at 5:30 a.m. Sunday, and they were outside -- in their pajamas -- looking for squirrels to feed soon after. Zoe loves to hold a peanut and call the squirrels by clicking her tongue.
The furry friends outside and inside (four -- count 'em, four! -- cats) took up much of Zoe's attention. The weekend also included a trip to Supa Busia's house on Sunday and a stop at Busia's workplace on Monday morning.
Busia and Dziadzia took some pictures of their own that we may be able to post somewhere down the road.
Until then... we thank my folks for helping us get away... and Zoe thanks them for a great time!
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6 comments:
DZIADZ JUST WANTED TO SAY THANKS TO HIS GRANDNOODLE FOR KEEPING THE CATS OUT OF THE BEDROOM FOR TWO NIGHTS. ALTHOUGH MORNING CAME REALLY REALLY REALLY EARLY (FOR DZIADZ) HE NEVER WOKE UP NOT BEING ABLE TO BREATHE BECAUSE THERE WERE THREE MAYBE FOUR CATS HUDDLED AROUND HIM AND BUSIA. HOORAY, TONITE WILL BE ANOTHER STORY. LASTLY, STUPID DZIADZ WHO WANTS HIS GRANDNOODLE TO REMEMBER HIM WHEN HE IS GONE BY CERTAIN AROMAS(DARE I SAY PIPE TOBACCO IS ONE) FORGOT FOR TWO DAYS TO WEAR HIS OBSESSION, THE OTHER COOL AROMA WHICH HOPEFULLY SHE WILL CARRY IN HER MEMORY BANK FOR MANY YEARS. THE NEXT TIME I AM BATHING IN THE STUFF WHEN SHE COMES TO VISIT TO MAKE UP FOR THIS MAJOR FAUX PAW.
Thanks to Zoe for perking up our weekend. We rowed and rocked our boat for hours, we squished bumble bees, we made play dough cookies. Our house was full of giggles and kisses and hugs. That little girl sure knows how to show two old timers how to have a good time.
Sounds like a great weekend for everyone. Never underestimate the power of a Sunday afternoon nap. Grab 'em whenever you can. We usually zonk for a few winks when Becca takes her afternoon nap. Just enough to recharge for when she awakens and tears up the place.
Cobbler Ct.
Holy cow; I can't believe your first time away was for two full nights! I'm impressed!
Good for you! A weekend away. Proud to be recognized in the blog (finally!!) You are SOOOO LUCKY to have the grandparents willing and able and close enough to arrange such get aways- trust me, for those who don't it is a blessing you will never truly understand the VALUE OF!
And by the way. that was a great dinner!!!
Love you Guys- And miss you!
Linda
Glad to see that a good time was had by all. There was no doubt in my mind about the good time that was going to be had by Zoe, Busia and Dziadzia, but you and Sonja were the two I was worried about. :) I know Mark and I never handled those nights away from Katie well. But it's definitely a different story now (nine years later)....
Cindy
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