Today I am in the midst of a weekend staycation. Marty and Steve arrived on Friday to spend the weekend with me. I have known lease two fraternity brothers over four decades. We spent our college days at what is now Missouri State University in the late 1970s.
After graduating Marty and I began working at Southwestern Bell in St. Louis. In 1993 Southwestern Bell, (Southwestern Bell Corporation after the AT&T divestiture) moved its corporate headquarters and my job to San Antonio. Marty and Steve came to San Antonio a few years later. After a series of acquisitions, Southwestern Bell Corporation would become AT&T. AT&T moved its headquarters to Dallas about 10 years ago. Marty and Steve followed their jobs to the metroplex.
We still get together each year to watch the Super Bowl. However, this is only the second time Marty, Steve and I spent the weekend without our wives. I believe this break in routine is great for all six of us.
Linda had one request when we built our house in 1999. That was to build a place for a small garden where she could grow herbs. Because the pool deck is about 3 feet lower than our patio, I wanted to build a ramp In case I ever needed it. Working with our architect and builder we came up with a solution that met both our needs. As we celebrate the 20th anniversary of moving into this house (we moved in Memorial Day, 1999) this is one decision that has stood the test of the time.
In general use, herbs are plants with savory or aromatic properties that are used for flavoring and garnishing food, medicinal purposes, or for fragrances. Herbs have a variety of uses including culinary, medicinal, and in some cases, spiritual. General usage of the term “herb” differs between culinary herbs and medicinal herbs.
Herbs can be perennials such as thyme, sage or lavender, biennials such as parsley, or annuals like basil. Perennial herbs can also be shrubs such as rosemary or lavender.There are some, such as those in the mint family, that are used for both culinary and medicinal purposes.
Scarborough Fair
“Scarborough Fair” is a traditional English ballad that plots a visit by an unidentified person to a Medieval fair. Said fair is in the Yorkshire town of Scarborough.
It tells the tale of one who instructs a third party to take a message to his Scarborough lover. He wants her to perform some impossible tasks. For example, making a shirt without seams or needlework and washing it in a dry empty well. Adding that if she were to complete these tasks he would take her back into his affections. Often the song is sung as a duet, with the woman giving her lover a series of equally impossible tasks. Thus promising to give him his seamless shirt and her heart once he has finished.
Lauren and Amanda came to San Antonio for Mother’s Day weekend. Since she won’t be back for Father’s Day, Lauren brought my Father’s Day gift with her. A jar of Michigan cherry ice cream topping from Traverse City, the “Cherry Capital of the World.” Michigan is the nation’s largest producer of cherries.Yum!
Old Man Winter has not been kind to the residents of Michigan this year. However, these hearty souls are being rewarded with the gift of spring. As much as I enjoy the San Antonio winters I must admit, I do miss spring and fall. Lauren told me the tulips were just starting to bloom.
A person from Michigan is called a Michigander. Residents of the Upper Peninsula are sometimes referred to as “Yoopers” (a phonetic pronunciation of “U.P.ers”). They sometimes refer to those from the Lower Peninsula as “trolls” because they live below the bridge (see Three Billy Goats Gruff).
“Dancing in the Street” is a song written by Marvin Gaye, William “Mickey” Stevenson, and Ivy Jo Hunter. It first became popular in 1964 when recorded by Martha and the Vandellas whose version reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and peaked at No. 4 in the UK Singles Chart. Consequently, it is one of Motown’s signature songs and is the group’s premier signature song.
Today I am in the midst of a weekend staycation. Marty and Steve arrived on Friday to spend the weekend with me. I have known lease two fraternity brothers over four decades. We spent our college days at what is now Missouri State University in the late 1970s. 
