Point Made

Immigration Tales It's not just for foreigners you know By Jeff Jordan aka Poppa Jeff Since moving to the city, I've taken a lot of steps to reintegrate myself into the environment and the culture. First I got my library card. Immediately, I used the Milwaukee County Library App to reserve a book. The book I found, when I received it, I had already read. Library Card ⛛ My other reason to go to the library was to register to vote. What I discovered was a dedicated computer and printer to do what I could have done from home. All it did was allow me to make out the form online and print it. I still had to validate my address and mail it to the clerk's office. At least I didn't burden some poor person with trying to read my writing. Voter Registration ⛝ The YMCA for a gym membership was a breeze compared to the voter registration. The process was easier because I had my Silver Sneakers member number. For all you youngsters, Silver Sneakers is a Medicare Provid...

Rain, Rain Go Away by Jeff Jordan          No news really but our weather prognosticators made it official. We had record rainfall in the month of September. Please notice the month isn't over yet. It isn't news because anyone living down here s well aware that it has been raining a lot. This week alone we were awakened most mornings by thunder and lightning followed by a downpour.  Our problem is that the ground is so saturated that all of the rain is running off. Good for the lakes and rivers except they are running high on their banks already. Besides the flooding problems, numbers of trees have been toppled because of high winds and the inability of the over-saturated soil and shallow root structure to anchor the trees.  In the case of the City of Milwaukee, the runoff caused one of our infrequent treatment plant's overflows. This means the sewer waste is pumped directly into Lake Michigan. You would think that we would be a ...

Breaking News! by Jeff Jordan aka Poppa Jeff So I'm sipping my coffee, (A sacred rite as you who know me well realize.)  My fingers sense a rough spot in the handle of my brand new, ultra snazzy, deep blue, coffee cup. It's one of a set of four. Did I not wash it sufficiently to get rid of any sticky, come rough and dry food particle? A rogue cereal flake being my first suspicion. Lest you think I was making a snap decision, think about it? Cereal flakes consist of flour and water. They are the first two ingredients in a paste. You do know what a glob of dried paste feels like. Right? I put the cup down on its traditional place, the tile I bought in Toledo, Spain. At the bottom of the hoop handle, I saw a white spot. A closer inspection bore out my worst fear. There was a large chip out of the handle. A brand new cup, probably used two or three times, and it has a chip in the handle. I now have a set of three matched cups, and one in the wheely bin on it's the way to...

Weather I Should Or Whether I Shouldn't. by Jeff Jordan AKA Poppa Jeff The weather this summer has been unbelievably great. Not only has it been warm, but many days the humidity has been low, making the feels like temperature comfortable for almost everyone. After my recent return to the Fresh Coast (Milwaukee), I am once again experiencing the cooler by the lake scenario. This is now to the point where a light jacket or sweater is needed if you go out for the evening. I commented recently that I may be wrong, but Wisconsin is in a cycle where spring weather is wetter, colder, and more prolonged. It seems like the summer-like temperatures don't become consistent until mid-June. Before that, it feels like your in a damp room, and any wind just cuts cold through your outerwear. It used to be that one of the first signs of spring was the sudden appearance of people on bikes. Not anymore since it has become the primary form of transportation for young professionals, particul...

Getting Settled, Or What Will Pass For It. by Jeff Jordan My studio apartment. How do I describe it? I think it's best portrayed as a very nice sized bedroom with a galley kitchen and a small bathroom attached. Let's just say, I never far from a wall to lean on if I should lose my balance. Speaking of balance, mine is returning slowly. Regular readers know that my left leg was inactive for many months because of multiple surgeries. As a result, I'm trying to strengthen that leg and regain my balance. Currently, I'm using a cane when I'm in my apartment. (Okay, and the walls also.) However, when I venture out on my trips about the town, I'm using a crutch under my right shoulder. Some days I'm walking a mile or more. It's a ten-minute walk to the grocery store and the streetcar stop. It's crazy how fast my strength is returning with the need to walk lending its benefits. So moving in. First, all props to Sean Brownson. This guy not only drove t...

I Need A Lyft And An Uber. By Jeff Jordan If you read this article linked below, you get a lot of information about the financial and operational side of what has become known as the ride-sharing business. https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/aug/04/uber-ride-share-lyft-ipo-earnings Then there is the story where the rubber meets the road.  Sorry I couldn't resist. First, There Are The Customers. In an autocentric area like the Fox Valley, I do not think enough people know enough about ride-sharing to understand the difference it makes in many peoples lives. If you've never used the service, let me put you through the process. You need a smartphone. Go to an App Store (Apple or Google) and download the Uber or Lyft App. (I have both) You have to establish a profile and give them credit or debit card information. When you open the app, you define where you want to go. The system finds an available driver. GPS tells the driver where you are. The App will g...

On The Road Again by Jeff Jordan For the fifth time in five years, I'm wrapping fragile things in bubble wrap, packing boxes and renting a truck. This time it just me so the load will be smaller. I've had my application for an apartment accepted. The Lakeside Apartment #214 1114 N. Marshall St. Milwaukee, WI 53202 My move in date is on August 17. However, I am moving to Milwaukee this week. I will be staying with friends in Milwaukee, then I will then return to The Valley on August 15 - 17 for packing the truck and moving to the apartment. All of this is painful in more ways than one. However, after three years of adjusting to moving back to The Fox Valley, I have put down some roots. Yes, some of it was reviving old relationships, but some of my new activities and involved new people. I enjoyed meeting the people involved in regional theater while I was writing my column for Appleton Monthy Magazine (AMM). This group of hiding-in-plain-sight people does a high-c...