A Brady and Kathy Visit

Kathy and Brady came back through Glen Ellyn on their way back from their east coast tour of Kingston, Canada, Pittsburg, and Washington and other spots in between. We always enjoy having them visit. And, I enjoy photographing Brady as she grows. I have in mind doing a collage of Brady photos from the beginning. Get to work Colby!

My Cat Is A Brat.

Yes, my cat is a brat. Cute and loving, but nevertheless, a brat. He has his own water glass in the bathroom and I keep it filled for him. But, when I go in there he is all over my sink because he wants me to run fresh water for him. No matter that I just refilled his glass, he wants my water.

Shelby loves lettuce and other greens. Today I was fixing a salad of arugula and spinach. He started begging when I got the greens out of the refrigerator. As I put some in my bowl he tried to stick his head in. I put some greens in front of him. He put his head in my bowl. I pointed him to his greens and gave him more. He put his head in my bowl.

Brat. But you have got to love that face!

Summer is Here!

Yesterday I posted the following on Face Book:

"Tonight I had a major milestone moment in cancer recovery. For almost three years I have been unable to walk the length of our driveway barefoot. For someone who grew up going barefoot and who has always loved the feeling of being barefoot, the neuropathy resulting from chemo has been a major challenge in my life. Though I still experience major numbness and a lot of discomfort, I walked to the end of the drive and back twice this evening, slowly, but successfully."

I didn't mention a couple of other changes in my cancer recovery. First is that I am now able to pick up and play the ukulele again. My finger tips have been sensitive and it has been too painful to fret the ukulele since chemo. I have tried gloves that have helped but they are not easy to use. Now I can fret the ukulele with no pain! I still have to toughen my finger tips but daily practice will take care of that. The daily practice will also bring back all the cords and strums I have forgotten.

Also, Sharon says I seem to have more energy. Perhaps I do, and I may feel a bit, but she says the change is noticeable. I'll take it.

Catch up time now! We have had a number of visitors this summer - starting with the Lobbes clan. John, Carol, Tim, Margaret, Nicholas, Sara, Rebecca, and Anika. (Hopefully I got the last two names spelled correctly.) We had a house full the weekend before Independence Day. Sharon and I were both expecting the visit to be stressful but thankfully it was not. We all had a great visit.

We had a major surprise visit from Kendra, Avery, and Anika this past weekend. On Saturday Sharon and I were on our way to have dinner with the Soler's at their condo in Chicago. Kendra called and said they were stopped at O'Hare on their way from Connecticut to Oregon but their flight would not leave for Portland for 24 hours. Less than 30 minutes later they were all in our car headed for Chicago! We had a very nice dinner at the Soler's and were able to watch the Navy Pier fire works. Then it was home to our house and to bed. On Sunday Sharon and Anika made biscuits and Anika made scrambled eggs then we headed to the Arboretum for a few hours of fun. We bought a late lunch and snacks at Whole Foods then packed everyone up and headed to O'Hare. The kids were excited to ride the train from Kiss and Fly to the terminal. Sadly, their flight was delayed more and they missed their connection in Portland to take them home to Redmond but United did put them in a hotel in Portland.

Back in Chicago.

Our last few days in Sitges were so easy and relaxing I failed to write of them. A few highlights will bring us up to date. On Sunday we had a wonderful lunch at La Salseta. We have dined here on each of our four trips to Sitges and the food, wine, and service are always wonderful. Other than this we walked around town, shopped, sat the beach, napped on the roof terrace, had cafe con leche and flautas at Cafe Roy, enjoyed long leisurely lunches in Sitges and relaxed with evenings in the piso with wine, salad, olives, and cheese. Rough.

Fish stew in a rich bisque.

A Catalan take on Baba. Soaked in a liqueur of malvesia de Sitges.

Mojitos!

At the Madrid airport we ran into old friends who were headed home from Bilbao. Small world isn't it.
Our flights home were uneventful. Iberia once again out shone American Airlines with much better food, real silverware, and drinkable wine. Our flight was full of college kids from Notre Dame's marching band who had been in Italy, France, and Spain. When we arrived in Chicago and after we cleared passport control and customs, Sharon left me with her suitcase and headed to terminal 3 and flew to Cleveland! I will be glad when she is not going to Cleveland every week.

Lazy Saturday in Sitges

Piso cleaning, window shopping, wine shopping, long lunches, sun sitting. Yes, another hard day in Sitges. High points? A leather murse for me and a local artistsan neckace and earrings for Sharon. We spent the day with Claire before sending her back to Barcelona. A most enjoyable visit! The day was finished with wine and brandy on the roof then dinner or salad, jamon, cheese, olives, and wine in piso #2.

 

Montjuic and Osmosis

Wow. Just wow. Our second luncheon at Osmosis and better than our first last year. The food - exceptional. The wine - perfectly paired. The service - attentive and good natured. The company - our wonderful extended family of friends can't be beat. The room - full of wine and books. All in all an experience to be fondly remembered.

Earlier in the day we took the train from Sitges to Barcelona and the the Metro to Placa Espanya then up the stairs and escalators to Monjuic. We split up and Beth, Dave, Sharon, and Jorge and I went to the Miro foundation. If you enjoy Miro this is a place not to miss.

A day in Barcelona with Claire

Claire as been studying in Barcelona since January and will be heading back to the U.S. in May. We were lucky to have our timing match so that we could spend some the day together. It is obvious that she loves Barcelona - she certainly is a top tier tour guide! Is was good catching up and sharing with Claire. Thanks.
Back in Sitges, Beth and Dave have arrived. More good friends made for a raucous late night dinner in the piso!