The View From Here

Our beloved Roxie was put down on Monday, July 27th;  In Lakewood, age 13 (going on 3).  I don’t want to get into the details, but her downhill slide took roughly a month.  She was very alert, still wagging her tail when I came over to her though clearly in serious discomfort.  She had not been eating regularly for weeks, and was getting very weak.  It killed us to put her down, but if you loved your pet like we loved Roxie you had to ~ her quality of life was just not there and we didn’t want to prolong her agony.

I cannot tell you everything she meant to us, me especially.  She was Slim’s dog for her first few years, but when I came into the picture 9 years ago we became companions very quickly.  We put up with all her anxieties : thunderstorms, strong winds, fireworks, fireplace noises, escaping through open windows ~ there are many more.  We accepted these things as the way she is, and adapted to her.  She was very smart : she knew that “dah” meant yes and “nyet” meant no, and she knew right from left, among many other things (though she was easily & regularly duped by our Beagle-mix, Terra).

Roxie was also very much my dog in the sense that we loved being out of doors.  She and I couldn’t wait for Spring, loved the Summer, and stayed outside as long as possible in the Fall.  She would lay in the snow when I would shovel and look down the hill at her domain, always in her “Great Sphinx” position.  She was my shadow, and always had to be near us ~ not always under foot, but always where we were.

I won’t go into everything that made her a special companion, but it was obvious to the myriad of people that knew her that she was not your ordinary dog.  She had no way of knowing how loved she was, but I think she had an idea.  She was a bright spot in our lives, and will truly be missed always…

Annabelle the cat, aka “Belle”, “Stewmeat”, “Keeper of The Underworld”, “Fat B*stard” and “R. Kelly” has passed; in Lakewood, age 15.  She stopped eating this week, and was diagnosed with late-stage kidney failure with basically zero chance for recovery – she went down hill extremely fast.

Lisa could not bear to see it, so I went back to the vet’s to “be there” at about 3:20pm today.  I told her she had a “good run”, especially being a rescue cat.  As I scratched her head she just purred away, eyes closed, then she quickly drifted off.  I’ve always wondered what it would be like to put a pet down, and I felt bad – really bad, since she was still very alert albeit very sick.

Besides Slim and I, she leaves behind her partners in crime our two dogs, Roxie and Terra…

OK – not really.  Oh, I’m unemployed right now, I just don’t have the blues about it.  I was actually going to start looking for another position in September, but once again “fate” played it’s hand.  My position was “eliminated by upper management” on Friday, June 6th.

I was employed by this company since April 2005 in Supply Chain Management and did not really enjoy my position, so I quit in July of 2007 – if you look in my archives I posted about it.  To make a long story short, they “hired” me back the next morning for a position in Facilities Management.  I actually gave them 6 weeks notice when I resigned, so I really never left the company.  I thought it was going to be a great situation but as stated earlier – I would be looking in the Fall.

This kind of thing has happened to me twice before, so it was old hat.  I was part of a large down-sizing in 1996 and again in 2004.  Ironically, if I would have still been employed by the company that let me go in 2004, I would have lost my job at the end of May as that company has closed.  Maybe I need to attract stronger companies !

My situation this time is a bit different than the previous ones too.  First off, the weather - then it was Winter, now it is Summer (almost) – YES !  I am also in a much better place financially as I had many more financial obligations and expenses than I do now.  As I have stated before in this forum, Slim and I try to live simple lives.  Society and marketing tries to tell people that they deserve the best, and of COURSE you can afford it.  Not falling “victim” to that logic helps a lot.

I’m not about to say that we’re on Easy Street, but we’re OK.  I will continue to cut coupons, shop for food bargains, hit the ethnic markets, and buy inexpensive cuts of meat that I can prepare using methods that make them fabulous !  We will curtail some spending, but for the most part we will not really have to change our lifestyle since we practiced these habits already.  I also have close to a month of my normal salary & benefits, and there is always unemployment benefits.

As for my job search – I’m not, really.  At this point in my life, I want to do something I will enjoy, not just collect a paycheck.  I am working around the house and yard, completing projects and keeping up The Estate.  I’m riding my bike more, working on my jump-shot & walking about town.  I am not planning to put the financial burden on Slim, just taking some time off to figure this all out.  God knows what He’s doing, and also what I’ll be doing – I just have to find what it is…

As many of you know, I LOVE to be in the kitchen.  And you may also remember my love of gardening – this year is no exception, with almost everything in the ground already.  We even had some plants survive the Winter, which for NE Ohio, was very mild.  Now, on with the show !

Surviving for a first time were two of the three Rosemary plantings.  They normally perish under cover of snow, but these hearty fellows made it through !  So did some Parsley, Oregano, Lemon Thyme and Sage.  I’m not saying they grew back this Spring – I was able to use them all Winter !  Not bad when you can cut fresh herbs in the middle of “The Off Season” as I call it.

Returning for yet another year also are Chives, Leeks, Green Onions, Mint, Strawberries and others.  We were also pleasantly surprised to see that our Mesclun Mix (salad greens) came back – right now we could probably make side salads for ten, and we’re just getting started !  Slim planted a “Butterfly Garden” last year, and the Lavender is doing well, along with Chamomile and other fragrants.

Along with the typical crops : Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Squash, Zucchini, Peppers, Eggplant & Basil, we have added Broccoli and Brussels Sprouts – yep, Brussels Sprouts.  I put my own twist on Sprouts, so don’t cringe just yet.  I don’t boil them or steam them like our ancestors – mine are excellent !  I cut them in half, saute them in Peanut Oil with Salt & Pepper until the outside begins to carmelize, then finish them with Butter – Yummo !

We are also adding Grapes this year.  Eventually I’d like to make wine, but for now they’re just for eating.  I plan on trying my hand at cheese making, sausage making and Charcuterie (dry curing meats – think Salami and Sopressata) at some point.  It would be amazing to serve our friends & family a complete non-vegetarian meal “made” entirely on site, but currently Lakewood does not allow livestock within the city limits.  Hmmm…maybe I should run for Mayor…

And if you’re from NEO you know exactly what I’m talking about – the annual slugfest between the St. Edward Eagles v.  the St. Ignatius Wildcats.  Records don’t matter, because these two teams are playing for honor and bragging rights.  They are the only two major CLE all-boys Catholic High Schools, so a lot is on the line for these kids.

St. Ed’s – my dad’s alma mater - is just a couple blocks from here, and St. Ignatius is a few miles down the road in downtown CLE’s Ohio City neighborhood.  Coincidentally, our house and street (the last street built in this city) was being built in 1955 when my dad was a student at Ed’s.  Neither school has a big enough stadium since both are land-locked, so they alternate the location of their annual gridiron contest based on who’s “home”.  St. Ed’s plays next door to us at Lakewood Stadium, and St. Ignatius plays at Byers Field in Parma – about 10 miles away.

This year’s battle was at Lakewood Stadium, and the main parking lot (as you may have read previously) is right up against our property.  The game is usually played on a Saturday, but this year was on Friday.  The tailgaters usually start early in the afternoon, and the place gets pretty wild.  There were kids and adults filling up the parking lot, people tossing footballs, screaming, blowing impromptu “musical” instruments, street parties, and an endless stream of people.  Both stadiums capacity is well over 10,000 and it’s always a complete sellout – you can’t get tickets even if you wanted to scalp them – this game is that huge (there were some on ebay for $20).

Both teams are usually ranked in or near the top locally, and both teams are no strangers to national ranking.  I think there was a period in the late 90’s that Ignatius was ranked numero uno in the nation for two or three straight years !  This game had playoff implications, and St.Ignatius pulled it out 19-14, probably securing a solid playoff spot and knocking St. Ed’s out.  I love HS football in the Fall - the excited kids, the bands, the screaming fans, the school buses from all over the region, and the pure tradition we all experienced growing up.  Slim and I watched the spectacle from our newly renovated patio, with a fire, some vino, and watched a little more history unfold…

The Chimenea, that constant patio companion to the Morans and their guests for many years, has died in a construction related accident.  During a late night building project to construct a pergola, a workman lost control of a support beam, which in turn directly impacted the fragile, yet still functional Chimenea.  By the time help arrived, there was nothing that could be done; in Lakewood, age 6.

 ”I was first on the scene since I lost control of the support”, stated a worker, who refused to be named.  “It was horrible – quite like nothing I had ever seen.  I’m not sure I’ll ever get the image out of my head.  Everything was going smooth, and then WHAM - it was gone.  I may need counseling.”

The Chimenea was born in a factory in Mexico in 2001 to a family of oppressed, low-skilled laborers.  Purchased in 2002 to usher in the first Father’s Day celebration between two families in Lakewood, Ohio, the Chimenea served as a selfless companion to outdoor activities.  Heavily used for six seasons, the Chimenea began to show it’s age in 2007.  After one near fatal incident during Grammapalooza 2007 – in which an inebriated Pammycakes ordered her husband Snakeye to “KIck it !  Kick it over !  John wants you to destroy it !”, the end was near – but the Chimenea would survive to burn another day.

Services will be private.  The family asks that there be no flowers.  Donations in liquid form can be made the next time friends and family stop by.  A new Chimenea or variant thereof will be purchased soon.  Cheers, old buddy – you will be missed.

OK – so maybe it ain’t Paradise, but it WILL be a Parking Lot.  With Modular Classroom Trailers.  And more Vandalism.  And Traffic.  And an Eyesore.  What am I talking about ?  Lakewood City Schools has decided that the Multi-use Athletic Field that has been our neighbor to the South FOREVER is now better used as a portable “Campus” as they put it.  One day you go to work and see the Sun glistening off the dew, then you come home to 3 or 4 acres of dirt – nice.

 We LOVE relaxing on our back patio.  It is our favorite place to be in the Summer, where we eat most meals, and where we entertain.  This is not just some concrete slab with a couple plastic chairs either – this is a stone patio with moss, Trumpet vines, a fireplace, a swing and nice furniture.  It is also surrounded by tall trees, Tropical plants, a 30ft long herb garden and various landscaped planters.  It is an escape, a refuge, an outdoor living room.  It is where we are immersed in the changing of the Seasons.  The openness of the field – very tough to find in the city – just added a bit more, as it is only about 20ft away from the patio.

So, without warning, the schools decide to bulldoze the whole place.  We get a note on the door the SAME DAY which starts out with “As you may have noticed…”  As I MAY have noticed ?  Where was my opportunity to oppose this ?  Heck, dude behind me had to have a Public Hearing because his garage was going to be taller than most, but the city schools can just do whatever the you-know-what they want and then send a letter AFTER it’s too late to stop them ?  After posing these concerns on the Principal’s voicemail, I have not received a call back yet.

Along with everything I mentioned previously, we could also have an increase in crime, and a decrease in property value.  The field has long been used by the neighborhood, and also had a Baseball Diamond.  There were Track & Field meets, JV Football practices, weekend Softball games – you name it.  Unfortunately, it is also where medivac helicopters landed as it was the only place close to the hospital that they could.  Lakewood has normally done things “above board”, but this time they dropped the ball…

Update : (as advised by the Principal) This phase of the project was unveiled back in 2004 during a series of school disctrict planning meetings which were open to the public – 35 Trailers for 4 years while they renovate the high school, then take it all away and put the field back as it was.  We’ll see…

Tons going on here at 1470. It’s been a rollercoaster ride this Summer (beginning in May & still going) – here’s the latest :

GrammaPalooza 2007 – huge success, roasted my first hog (something you don’t see everyday in the city), 60+ at our modest bungalow with the postage stamp size yard.  Family in from FLA, MD, GA (you know who you are !) and OH.  First time this many of Slim’s fam have been together since the mid-80’s…

Work Situation – finally looks like they have found a replacement for me (they should make someone an offer this week).  I start training with my new bossman late this week or next.  He goes on a month-long vacation during September so we need to get a lot done in a short period of time since I’m his fill in, AND we’re in the midst of a huge expansion project.  BTW – ever since they made me this offer to stay my work attitude has done a complete 180 – obviously for the better !  Lisa likes her new job down the street as well…

Sprituality - been very introspective lately – OK, a bit more than normal.  There is a whole bunch going on in this crazy world and I’m just trying to hold my ground.  I’ve been bothered (as is the norm) by a lot of the senseless crimes, natural disasters, man’s inhumanity to man and the Godlessness that I observe in the headlines, and also in my personal observations as I journey through life.  I’m still trying to find how I fit in, and what my role is.  It’s a journey that has taken me from my Catholic upbringing to Non-Denominational Protestantism to where I am now – just praying, reading, contemplating and philosophizing.  I have been this way since I was a very young child regardless of what “label” you put on it – I’ve pretty much always been like this even before I “understood” God and faith .  Just remember – it’s where you’re at not where you’ve been…

Biking & Fitness – Not mountain or road biking as much as I’d like (who does ?), but with most of the Summer activities behind us that should change.  I also put up an 80-pound “heavy bag” to mix my workouts up between  the trainer (basically a stationary bike), my free-weights and the “home gym” machine.  Not trying to build much, just trying to stay toned – I AM 43 after all…

Kitchen & Food - Lately been seeing what I can do with inexpensive cuts of meat (Chuck steak, Pork “Western-Style” Ribs, et al) and trust me – if you know what you’re doing you can do a lot with a little.  Trying to do more with Rice, veggies and “peasant” foods also.  Rice is a staple for 1/3 of the world’s population – good enough for me – 2 billion+ can’t be wrong !  Also, 1/5 of the world gets by on less than a $1.00 a day – now there’s a challenge.  Crops aren’t what I thought they’d be (need some Miracle-Gro(tm)), but I’m working on it.  If only the squirrels & chipmunks would leave us alone !  It seems every time a tomato ripens enough to eat I find them half-eaten (but I DID land a couple 18-inch zuccini the other day…) !  Now, if only I can keep the dogs away from the cukes and squash…

NCAA College Football 2007 - Can’t wait !  The Tank is up and running (nice job guys) and The Irish aren’t in the Top 25 – no pressure, just play football.  And as we ALL know : it’s not football, it’s NOTRE DAME football !!!  Goooooooo IRISH !!!  See ya soon, and my best to you and your’s…

I know that other than some comments by me on some well-respected blogs (you know who you are) I’ve been kind of silent lately, and I appreciate anyone who has visited mine.  Bottom line line is that we’re veeerrrryyy busy, and there doesn’t seem to be a let up in the action - amazing how this incredible season can become an incredible drain on your free time !

We just celebrated FD07 – our annual Father’s Day celebration that was originally meant as a “get-to-know-your-future-in-laws” event.  Problem : Slim’s kin get here early, and mine get here late – basically the two “camps” are set up in, well, two “camps” – Slim’s fam on the well manicured patio and mine on the not-so-manicured lawn.  Oh well, the early bird gets the better furniture.  We had 20 to 25 this time ’round – not too shabby !  Always a good time except we were missing Snakeye, who we expect here soon – we welcome you back from The Front with open arms my friend !  Dr. Laura & Billy too !

Between events (Grammapalooza is upcoming in July - Lisa’s family reunion) here and smaller gatherings, yardwork, tending the crops, cycling and my ”career research” – life is hectic.  Currently Pam and the Gayhounds are in town, and Lisa & Pammycakes are having loads of fun !  Also,  Lisa and Kim are enjoying their new jobs just down the street – Slim went from a 70-mile round trip commute to a 2-minute walk – life is good !

As I type this I am, again, under the pine tree on my wireless laptop.  There is a gorgeous sunset, and the coolness of the evening is settling in.  I am enjoying the fact that I am outside (and in the city no less !) enjoying my season - with a glass of Chianti, knowing that this is where I am and where I want to be…

Finally it looks like the threat of frost is behind us, so it was fairly safe to get the crops in this year – something I truly look forward to doing all Winter and Spring.  Although I am on rain delay right now, I plan on finishing the task today that I started yesterday.  I got about two-thirds planted before I decided it was time for one of Slim’s favorite meals – Shrimp Fra Diavolo and Lemon Pasta – at her request.  More on that at another time.

I first began farming as a “pre-teen” when a friend’s parents pitched a couple scrawny tomato plants into their compost pile.  I really felt bad for those little guys that didn’t make the cut, so I took them home and planted them.  Those rejects took off like crazy and I was overjoyed to see the “fruit” of my work.  I remember rushing home from school to see if there were any new flowers, then later any tomatoes to harvest.  I honestly don’t recall what I actually did with the tomatoes, but the process of going from planting to harvest left it’s mark !

This year, along with my usual crops of tomatoes, basil, peppers, pickling cukes and rosemary that we plant, we decided to add eggplant, slicing cukes, zucchini, yellow squash and mixed mesclun greens – basically baby lettuces.  Returning on their own for yet another season are strawberries, mulberries, raspberries, blackberries, apples, peaches, chives, leeks and a lot assorted herbs - around 10 or so.  I also expanded Garden v.07 by around 70 – 80 square feet, adding to the roughly 150+ that I normally plant.  All in all we will be swimming in produce from July through September, with many of the herbs lasting all through the Winter !  I also freeze a lot of stuff so we can enjoy it through “The Off Season”.

If you’ve never tried gardening, well, you should – it’s basically free food !  And like peoples from other countries do, my cooking creations often revolve around what is seasonal.  It is very common for our friends and family to stop by for dinner during ”The Season” and have a good portion of the meal grown on site, and this year will certainly not disappoint !  Even if all you have is some patio space for a container garden it’s well worth the effort.  As the rain ceases I’ll be back at it, planting the balance of the crops for 2007, and very soon, reaping what I sow…