Bourne...again and again

Larry/Dad and I just got home from two hours of rock-'em, sock-'em, action-packed adventure at the *St. Peter Cinema Five. All nine patrons in attendance, including the two of us, left exhausted and out of breath after watching The Bourne Ultimatum. If you go, I recommend bringing oxygen. No kidding, the heart-pounding pace starts in the first scene and it never lets up. If I were inclined to take up acting (and I'm not, so don't worry), this would be the movie for my debut performance. There couldn't have been more than a couple of dozen lines of dialogue sprinkled in between car chases and running-through-dense-crowd scenes. Even I would be able to memorize my part. Matt Damon does nearly all the "acting", most of which involves fight scenes that seem to be in fast forward. For one particular pain-producing fight sequence, I'm pretty sure the director borrowed the sound track from a Jackie Chan kung-fu movie--lots of snapping and cracking and whirring. It didn't bode well for the bad guy, but our boy Jason Bourne emerges nearly unscathed.

Matt Damon, movie star

Matt's friend, Ben Aflac

I recommend the movie to anyone who was patient enough to watch The Bourne Identity, The Bourne Supremacy, Born to Be Wild, Born Free, Born on the Fourth of July, A Star is Born and/or Bjorn Borg, the tennis player.

Right now Larry/Dad is watching football on tv and talking in a high voice imitating Darrin Nelson, former Viking and current commentator. Larry, who apparently hasn't gotten over the bitter disappointment of Nelson screwing up in a game in the early 90's, wishes Charlie were here to help him mock the poor guy. This trading card is going for $45 on e-bay, so I guess not everyone holds Larry's grudge.
* Check out the Cinema Five link in the first paragraph. Ha ha! No wonder only nine people were there tonight!

I don't do windows...often

Today is a perfect September day, even though it's still August. Just take a peek out the freshly cleaned windows in our sun room and you'll see what a lovely day it is. Am I right? Even the trash cans look good when the windows sparkle.
I wish there were more to say. I'm tired from inhaling Windex--okay, it was actually a cheap blue imitation cleaner. It contained ammonia, I might add, which for a person such as myself who is prone to migraine headaches as well as the inclination to bitch, has now caused said headache and said bitching. Enough said.

Yikes, I just heard the Weather Channel Lady say that the heat index in Raleigh is 106. Elisabeth and Evan, keep Hannah inside!

Caught in a time warp

The first high school class reunion Grandma Bene went to was her 50th--not because she was avoiding them, but because circumstances prevented her from attending. I talked to Grandma Bene the day after the reunion, and she said she had a good time, "...but there were a lot of old people there." I guess after 50 years, no one looked 18 anymore!

Grandpa Charlie was my date for my 40th (EEEK!) high school class reunion on August 18th. As a math teacher of nearly everyone in my graduating class, Dad talked to even more people than I did that evening.

For two years Mary Ann and Eileen, the reunion planners, were in touch with classmates, sending email addresses, requests for photos, and reminders. Although I read the information they sent with interest, I didn’t have much enthusiasm for actually going to the reunion. But because the planners invited our former teachers, I couldn’t let Grandpa Charlie get stuck explaining why I wasn’t there without carrying guilt with me for the remainder of my days. And nights. And weekends.

Despite having to talk myself into going to the reunion, the evening was surprisingly enjoyable for both Dad and me. One of the most revealing moments of the evening came when Don Kerkhoff, my 8th grade Social Studies teacher, sat down to talk. Around 1970, Don and his wife Sandy moved to Mankato where they taught until retirement. I made some comment about how being 58 makes me look forward to retirement, too. Don looked startled, then said, “You’re 58?” I laughed and told him that everyone in my graduating class is at least 58, since we all graduated in 1967. Did he think we were still in our 30’s?! And how old does he think he is?

The last reunion I went to was 20 years ago, when we were still self-conscious about nearly everything in our lives. Now, in our late 50’s, no one give’s a rat’s ass about impressing anyone. Lots of reminiscing, laughing, catching up…and not as much drinking as 20 years ago!

No pictures yet from the reunion, but this one of my kindergarten class (thanks to Cindy Satre for sharing it) is a reminder to me of how time flies. I was five years old...and I was in kindergarten over half a century ago! I'm the geek with her tongue sticking out, and the stylish scarf.

Catching up with Hannah

BABY & BUMBO SEAT

Elisabeth and Evan shared this photo of Hannah in her Bumbo seat. Being a generation or more behind in terminology and technology for babies, I had not seen nor heard of a Bumbo until Hannah was born. Same with a Boppy. Who names these things, anyway? Reminds me of the "rubber baby buggy bumpers" tongue twister. No matter.... Baby Banannah looks beautiful, whether Bumboed or Boppied.

Hannah (above) is wearing a onesie from her GrandMarge that reads: If you think I'm cute, you should see my Grandma.

Hannah (below) is practicing her name with the beautiful letters cut out and painted by Great Uncle Duck and Great Aunt Janet.

BABY & BOPPY

Accio! Lumos! Confundo! Imperio! Expelliarmus!

I finished reading Harry Potter #7 last night. Not wanting to jump on the Hogwarts' bandwagon the minute the book was released, I read a few other books that were piled on my nightstand, and then took the advice of Kris Larson to avoid rushing through this final volume. There are no more Potter books to come, after all!

As dorky as it sounds coming from an old person like me, it’s a bit sad that the series is finished. I got interested in Harry Potter while teaching Children’s Literature, and had great conversations over the years with several students who were—and are still—passionate fans. The Potts kids gave me the British version of the first volume-- Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone --for Christmas one year, which helped me practice my British English.

I have to admit I’ll miss Harry, Hermioine, and Ron and the delightful way J.K. Rowling sparks the imagination with people, places, and magical inventions. Floo powder, the Pensieve, Diagon Alley, Dementors, Death Eaters, house elves, butter beer, and the Mirror of Erised are as familiar to Rowling’s readers as Cinderella’s glass slipper and Sleeping Beauty’s castle. What captured me about the story from the start was the delightful combination of ordinary and magical. Just imagine being in high school again and taking courses called Charms, Potions, the Care of Magical Creatures, Muggle Studies, or Defense Against the Dark Arts! I’m putting a Ollivander wand and an Invisibility Cloak on my Christmas list.

P.S. Did I mention that Book 7 lacked one of the features of the other Potter books? NO QUIDDITCH MATCH! I have nothing against quidditch as a sport, real or otherwise. It just seems like a waste of a good Nimbus or Firebolt to play quidditch when there are places to go and people to see that would be expedited by traveling via broomstick. I'd put a Firebolt on my Christmas list, too, but only if it comes with a padded seat.

Time to relax!

During a commercial break in one of the best suspense shows on television--Criminal Minds--my ears perked up when I heard a reporter say that today is National Relaxation Day. Imagine, an entire day dedicated to relaxing! The reporter's information begged the question, why in the hell did I go to work today if the entire nation was invited to relax?? I want advance notice next year!

I dug back into some photo files to find evidence of non-sanctioned relaxation days at the local level. It only took about three minutes to locate these fine examples. Next August 15, let's officially celebrate.

Powerless in St. Peter (and in Richfield)

How is it on the coolest, least humid day we've had in at least a week St. Peter has a brown out?? After a short trip to Mankato (Scheel's for Angie and Charlie, "food shopping" for Larry and me), we returned home and found that the garage door wouldn't respond to the opener. A dead battery perhaps? At that moment our neighbor Darrel meandered over to find out if our electricity was misbehaving as his was--low voltage, creating dim lights and minimal power. Yup, same thing at our house. A bit later the power went out completely, but was restored later in the afternoon. Now this power failure thing wouldn't be so unusual were it not for the fact that CP and A2P2 had fled Richfield 24 hours earlier because they and 8 or 10 million people in the metro area were power-less (and therefore sweltering in the heat and humidity) because of the storms early Saturday morning. I exaggerate the numbers only because each time the storm story was updated on Twintown news stations, the totals increased geometrically, undoubtedly for dramatic effect. CP and A2P2 went back to Richfield this evening, even though they may be in the dark for another 24 hours or more. Duty calls. We were glad to have them here for whatever reason, and it gave Larry a chance to make Charlie go up on the roof and clean the gutters.

Congratulations to Annie and Tanner on their second wedding anniversary. See The Grimmius Blog for lots of photos for reminiscing. I added this image, captured by Evan, as a reminder of the lovely parting gift of fresh breath A & T gave their reception guests.
Okay, I don't really have a transition that will move me from lack of electricity and a wedding anniversary to Hannah, except to say that she sparked a smile or ten from her parents today when she laughed for the first time. This photo doesn't record the event, but it's cute and it's Hannah. E & E sent it several days ago.

Anniversary Fun

Apparently Floyd and Myrtle won the contest as to which couple, Floyd and Myrtle (see Teresa's blog) or Larry and Jill at their wedding reception in the Dark Ages of 1967, looks more like we look now. We're closer to Floyd and Myrtle's ages (they look to be in their 80's, but my apologies if I have overestimated) than to the ages we were back in '67 (that would be 24 and 21). Kids, do you realize that we were younger then than any of you are RIGHT NOW? My God, Miss Mitchell, as Grandma Doodie used to say.

Thanks to Charlie and Annie for taking us out to dinner for our anniversary. We had una comida deliciosa y autentica at La Plaza Morena in Owatonna. We missed TanMan, who was golfing at the O-Town Country Club and Angie, who was on board a cruise ship in the Gulf of Mexico. And since E, E, & h are in North Carolina, we knew they wouldn't be able to join us : o (
However, little miss Hannah Banannah sent a lovely anniversary card and greeting. We're proud of her for expressing her thoughts so eloquently at her young age. It's not clear whether Hannah dictated her message, or had her mommy write for her, but that's immaterial.

It turns out that Owatonna has a great candy store--Costa's--and Annie shopped for a few chocolaty morsels for an anniversary treat. Yummy, and thanks! I have one more thing to add here. It has to do with tastefulness in anniversary cards for one's parents. I looked on the card website, but this particular card is not available to view. Let's just say it involves biking, nudity, helmets, and old people. Oh, now I get it, Annie--it's Floyd and Myrtle!

Here's a picture of Hannah, for no particular reason, except perhaps to demonstrate how much she likes playing with her Uncle Charlie and Auntie Aunchie. Or maybe I put it here simply because Hannah is so cute. Does it really matter as long as there is a picture of her in most of my blog entries?

Looking back

Holy smokes! In two days Larry/Dad/Paco and I will have been married for 37 years. Where does the time go? I'm thinking I must have been in a coma for at least half that time. How else can a marriage of that duration be explained? Of course, considering Larry/Dad/Paco and I didn't know each other for more than a couple of months before getting married, several of those years (a decade, perhaps?) were dedicated to the "getting to know you" phase of our relationship. I've told L/D/P many times over the years that if I'd dated him for a while and found out how much he farted, I might not have gone through with the wedding or the marriage.

St. Ignatius Catholic Church

But, without that humid August 8 so many years ago and Father Weir to conduct the ceremony at St. Ignatius, Elisabeth, Charlie, and Annie would be someone else's kids; Evan, Angie, and Tanner would be married to other people; and Hannah wouldn't know the wonders of smoked meat from Nicollet. We're all better off because Larry and I met over a Xerox machine in the Chemistry Building at the University of Minnesota. 124, Larry!

Little Uncle Mike as altar boy, realizing
he's uncovered Cousin Jay's embarrassing secret.

Father Weir, known as Sherlock to his beer-drinking friends,
on his way to suit up for the wedding.

Wait! I haven't mentioned the moose head at the reception yet...or that our wedding photographer was my former biology teacher, who had only photographed plants and insects previously. Those wacky '70s.

Saturday activities

It's a drizzly Saturday here in St. Peter. We need rain, and lots of it. According to rainfall data, we've received around .8 inches so far today. Keep it coming!

Larry/Dad/Paco and I had brunch at a Perkins with Charlie, Annie, and Nephew/Cousin Mike this morning to help Charlie stoke up on calories and replenish nutrients following his participation in the Fifth Annual Urban Wildland Half Marathon & 5K Run. He ran the half marathon without Angie, who is on a trip with her family to celebrate Alex's high school graduation [Check her blog for car trip and cruise details next week.]. Tanner was golfing in an O-town tournament, possibly in the rain. Annie found Charlie at the seven mile mark of the half marathon, where she took photos and cheered her brother on. Isn't she a good sister??! See Charlie's blog for story and pictures.

The Good Sister

Speaking of the good sister, Annie has a race photo of Charlie on her blog already. So speedy. In addition, she highlights the "meaty thighs" of Sven Sundgaard, ace weekend meteorologist from KARE 11. Sven has a blog, too, should you be a fan of the cute little guy. He looks a bit like Matt Damon, at least in the picture on Annie's blog, but with a kewpie doll hairstyle.

Now about Nephew/Cousin Mike. We're happy to have another relative living in Minnesota, this time representing the Montana branch of the Potts family. Mike will be teaching 7th grade Social Studies at St. Anthony Middle School in the St. Anthony-New Brighton district beginning this fall. Okay, so Minneapolis isn't exactly Fallon, Nevada, but Mike could only take so much of that wild and crazy town. Over the years Mike has picked up on clues that the older Potts boys (a.k.a. Don and Larry) are more alike than different, but he decided to move within a few hours of us anyway. Larry shared Little Jimmy stories with Mike today, and Mike laughed politely out of respect for a family elder. Thanks, Mike.

Mike, feeding an exhausted Charlie

Pneumonia in the summer?

Larry/Dad/Grandpa/Paco has pneumonia. How does that happen this time of year? Our little trip to the ISJ emergency room during the middle of the night on Tuesday was stressful, but not as stressful as it could have been, considering other possibilities for the chest pain Larry was having. Antibiotics are helping, and Elisabeth suggests I pound him on the back to loosen whatever gross bacterial clumps his left lung is harboring. Charlie, this seems more like a job for you.

The unbelievable 35W bridge collapse is the major news story in the media. One interview included a woman who saw the immediate aftermath from her balcony. She wished she could have been a superhero and lifted the broken bridge from the water to bring everyone to safety. A few days ago I might have believed that a bridge across the Mississippi had as much of a chance of collapsing as that lady had of being Superwoman.