Summer of Social Distancing

Callie the Cattle Dog:  Social Distancing

I enjoyed my week in northern Wisconsin immensely, but I was under strict orders to be back home for Father's Day weekend.  Last Friday, I hitched up under darkening skies and made it back home just before the storms hit. 

We've had quite a bit of rain over the last few days.  I won't complain because it's kept the weather cool.  Days over 90 during Wisconsin's summers are uncommon. Today, the high nudged just over 70. 

I don't have much planned for extended trips.  This fall, if at all possible, I would like to spend some time in South Dakota, but it's just too early to make any decisions.  Allie is trying to find a job, preferably on the West Coast.  Justin is trying to go back to college this fall.  Julia has unfinished business before her retirement.  I'll be taking things week by week.

Things have started opening up here for camping.  State parks, national forests and the Kickapoo Reserve are all open.  Interestingly, places that take reservations are booking up fast.  I tried to get a mid-week camping reservation at Wildcat State Park.  I was very surprised that much of the summer is booked up already.  Several of Julia's patients have remarked that they recently bought RVs or trailers as part of the effort to be outside and safer this year.  The trick will be finding the hidden gems away from the popular places.

Wisconsin made the news this week when one of our local strip clubs in the Wisconsin Dells had a covid outbreak. I guess they weren't social distancing. 

Commencement

In line for diplomas (Allie at bottom looking up)

This past weekend, my daughter Allie graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, majoring in business marketing and minoring in global studies.  We adopted Allie from China just before her first birthday. She will surely encounter bumps ahead as she makes her way through life, but Allie has the determination (stubborn streak) to prevail.

Our extended family celebrated at a Brazilian grill in downtown Milwaukee. Just getting everyone to the ceremony and the restaurant was a challenging task.  The grandparents are getting up there in age, and all have mobility issues.  Julia's dad needed a wheelchair.  He's still able to walk but not long distances as was required this day.  Julia's stepdad, Bob, took the day off from his assisted living center, and was driven down from Appleton by Julia's brother, Scott.

Scott with his back to the wall on the left

Scott survived a brain aneurysm as a young adult. Scott was in an induced-coma for months.  The road to recovery was a long one and left him with some residual physical issues. During recovery, he went through a divorce and could not return to his job as a multi-color printing press operator.  Still, Scott never lost his lust for life, music, and good times.  He found a new occupational path, working part-time security and ushering events.  Scott's story is one of resiliency. His passion is music.

My parents don't travel well in the winter, so they weren't able to come from Iowa.  My dad was a professor for many years at UW-Milwaukee, and my mother received her doctorate there, so they are well-acquainted with the ceremony.

We had a good time at the restaurant.  None of us had eaten at a Brazilian grill before.  There's an extensive and rather fancy salad bar that even included marinated quail eggs.  Then the servers bring skewers of different kinds of meat to each table, where they slice off pieces for you to grab with your tongs.  Julia was quite enthusiastic.