Why I didn't publish and why you might have thought I died.
My life has been full of activities for the last week and a half. My tutoring responsibilities and return to facilitating with the Zeidler group took much of my time since, besides the classes, there is prep and travel time involved.
Then there was the time Jeanne and I sat in her living room holding our breath as we waited for the Milwaukee Brewers to clinch the National League Central Division. To some, it was inevitable. For us, it was possible.
We saw three plays last week. Laughing in Spanish performed by the Milwaukee Chamber Theater at the Broadway Theater. Then, a couple of days later, Splash the Hatch On The E Going Down at Next Act. A weekend in Door County included a Penninsula Players production.
This last week, I had to put together an "About Me Bag" for my K5 student, whom I will be helping learn to read. The contents are items that represent my interests. More about that later, but for now, I want you to know that one of the first things I put in the bag was my schedule of season tickets to Next Act Theater.
Last Thursday evening, we saw a premier performance of "Run Bambi Run" at The Rep. This musical was based on the life of Lawrencia Benbemek. In 1982, She was charged and eventually convicted of the murder of her husband's ex-wife. Even though this story was national news, it's incredible what a little hindsight can reveal about this true-crime classic.
I won't tell you the story as portrayed by twelve actors who acted, danced, and played thirty-two different instruments for over two hours because I might spoil it for you.
We thought it was great, and when you consider our recent weekend in Spring Green for APT, you know we would only be impressed by something truly outstanding.
And then Sunday Morning (CBS Sunday Morning) The show got a national nudge.
Poppa Jeff Tutoring:
When I learned to read, I was instructed in the phonetic method. We learned to sound out words. I taught us how to pronounce words we had yet to encounter.
Of course, we had to earn the exceptions like Knife, where the K and the E are silent. But we became readers of books, newspapers, magazines, comic books, and road signs. Well, some of us read road signs.
Thank the Gods. After a hiatus from the academically approved method, phonics has returned. I'm happy because I have volunteered to tutor a young man currently in K5. Ayden is a brilliant fellow. I'm sure we are going to get him reading above grade level. I can't wait to see what he teaches me.
Door County Tours
After many years of traveling to Door County and purchasing two properties there, Jeanne suggested we take a guided trolley tour. Jeanne, a lifelong Wisconsin resident, had never been to Door County, so we punched her ticket.
Our guide was a retired Special Education teacher who insisted he be addressed as "Special Ed." His fact-filled and humorous presentation centered on why places were named what they are and how and why certain immigrants choose to migrate to Door County rather than Florida. An hour-and-a-half trip was enjoyable and educational.
That evening, we took a boat tour of roughly the same area (North of Egg Harbor to Sister Bay). This time, our trip included a musician who sang various music, sometimes encouraging us to sing along. As the sun evaporated in the partially cloudy evening, we gave it goodbye with a hearty rendition of "Sweet Caroline."
After the boat tour, I suggested we go to the Sister Bay Bowl. Why, you might ask? Best damn Fish Fry in Door County, I would answer. We were lucky to get two seats at the bar.
The following day, Jeanne kindly drove as I droned on about the high points of northern Door County. I skipped the spots already covered by Special Ed.
Peninsula Players
Later that evening, we went to a comedy-drama based on a spoof of Sherlock Holmes' "The Hounds of the Baskerville." It was a blast.
The Ridges
Many people probably think the season is over in Door County. To which I would answer, nothing of the kind. Indeed, we were fortunate to get a room at The Ridges in Baily's Harbor. We got a fantastic room from a very kind and considerate staff. We will go back.
By the way, They are a week to two weeks away from full fall color.
Why would you think I was dead? On Tuesday, September 26, Milwaukee Film offered their free film for members only. For years, it has been a tradition that Pam Frautchi and I attend the four o'clock presentation and have dinner at Ma Fisher's after.
Pam drove to my apartment to pick me up, and I was not there. She was concerned and got the building manager to open my apartment to see if I was ill or dead.
Pam drove to the Oriental Theater to see if I used the tickets and found out I hadn't. Where was I?
To put it bluntly, I had inadvertently stood her up. I thought the film was the following week, and I volunteered to facilitate for the Zeidler Group at a CJC event in Washington Park. Naturally, my phone was turned off, so I missed her calls until I left the event around 9:00 p.m.
I'm very thankful to Pam, Mark, and Michelle for taking the extra steps to see that I was all right, and I apologize for putting them all through it.
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