For the past couple of weeks, we've been worried about Daddy. He had been experiencing some pain on one side so he had a CT scan. It revealed a mass on his bladder and possibly a few other things. Some degree of worry set in. After a number of other tests, the prognosis seems to be "You're out of the woods."
Today, my dad turned 81. I hate not being there to celebrate.

I failed at making Toula an outdoor cat. She just cried and cried. I couldn't stand for her to hurt. So, today I put these pink nail covers on the cat. We shall see how they do keeping our furniture in tact and the cat indoors.

This came across my Twitter feed today, and I couldn't help but tear up. If you have ever had someone in your life who struggles with mental illness and addiction, I'm sure this hits home for you as well. When you watch helplessly as a young person so full of talent turns their back to your love and the opportunities you have tried to provide, it hurts. It hurts like nothing else. Families live with the fear that their loved one will die. We have such poor systems in place to treat mental illness and addiction. Our current system criminalizes folks like Amy Winehouse instead of spending resources trying to find successful treatment.
May her tortured soul rest in peace and may her life and death spark a flame that ignites change for those with mental illness and those who love them.

Cheeseburger in Paradise is apparently found at Culvers. Earlier, IHOP was featured. Interesting use of adverts don't cha think?

Ok Jimmy Buffett is almost impossible to photograph with an iPhone, but from row F the view ain't so bad.

Bill and Denise were friends in high school. Chris went to school with them too, but had a different set of friends. After decades of life living apart, they reconnected and found love with each other a couple of years ago. We ran into them shortly after they started dating, and they have become our "couple friends" here in Michigan. We live about an hour apart, but meet frequently for dinner. We stay in touch on facebook and via text in between get togethers. About a month ago, Chris and Denise asked if I would perform their wedding ceremony. Yesterday, I did. I don't expect that I'll be conducting wedding ceremonies on a regular basis, but I sure did love having the best view in the house. There was something that I can't quite put into words about performing the service. I love Chris and Denise, but now feel so much more connected to their life together having shared that moment.

I've had some nice views from hotel rooms in my years of travel. There's something fantastic about being able to see a body of water from your bed. Here in San Diego, I can. Well, for now...Tomorrow, I move to the dorms.

We've spent a lot of time at the hospital since Saturday. Grandpa Dave is still in ICU.
While we were having lunch yesterday, we got to see the helicopter take off.

We have been hoping to go camping this weekend for some time, but for one reason or another couldn't finalize our plans until the last minute. We headed to Oscoda on Friday. That's about 2 1/2 hours north of here near Lake Huron. We love the KOA up there. We stopped for Judy's pies, Frank's sporting goods, and Pinconning's cheese on the way up. We set up camp, cooked hotdogs over the fire, and enjoyed the pancake breakfast. Then, our plans changed. Grandpa Dave (Bill's dad) was taken by ambulance to the hospital yesterday mid-morning. He has a broken body due to years of hard living. At 66, he has about 30% of his lung capacity left and continues to smoke with great fervor.
So, this hospitalization and the grim future come as no surprise to any of us. Although it isn't a surprise and those who love him most began their mourning years ago, it is tough to see Grandpa Dave so weak and helpless. They have him on a ventilator and aren't discussing weaning yet (at least not with us.) His body is very angry right now with lots of organs saying "Nope, I'm just going to sit here for a while."
Here's Grandpa Dave when times were better. With him is my sweet boy, Jarred, years before I met them.

I know your pies are famous in Linwood, MI. We really love your blueberry pie and pick one up anytime we can.

THIS, however, is NOT blueberry pie like we ordered and paid for. THIS is cherry pie. It better be good.

Love,
Not so blue as I'd hoped