Mary Louise Eklund

Category: Home life

  • My Personal Tribute To Morning Coffee

    My Personal Tribute To Morning Coffee

    Without My Coffee I'm Just A Zombie mug
    Ahh this mug hits at the core of the truth, I need my coffee. Good thing caffeine is an acceptable addiction.

    I love my morning coffee. It’s my joy and comfort. I don’t pollute or dilute it with anything. The darker and richer the better! Ahh, nothing smells better than coffee. I love it. From good old Folgers to the expensive favorite of Jamaican Blue – I adore my coffee.

    When I first started building a home of my own I thought I had to have matching coffee cups. Since then I’ve given way to MUGS. They keep the precious fluid hotter longer. I also have given way to mugs that express or remind me of things. Matching is boring. Matching is bland. Matching is so June Cleaver. I want expression and the morning nectar of the gods. So my morning mugs have become a collection of favorites. All give me a bit of cheer in the morning. Here are a few of my favorite mugs.

    Reheated Gangsters
    This mug is from the Chicago’s Untouchables Tour It’s a great historic bus tour of the gangster history in Chicago. Years ago Aaron and I took the tour with my BFF Patricia and her family. When I use this mug I think of history and happy memories two things I always enjoy.
    Morning Coffee
    I’ve had this travel mug for years. It’s the style and weight I like. Also the map on it is a reproduction of a map showing the first coffee trade routes to Europe. History and functionality – great combo in a coffee mug.
    Waking Up Is hard to do (1)
    My favorite season if Fall. I love the color and the crispiness. I bought three matching fall mugs one year after going to Dubuque to have a girls weekend away. I sent the other ones to my dear friends. I filled the mugs with candy and wrote a note telling each of them what dear friends they are and how much I treasure our visits. Now when I use my mug I smile with warm memories of friends and good times know they have one too.
    Kenosha Museum Mug
    This one is history, crafting and friends. I have taken many classes at the local Kenosha Museum. From pottery to fused glass, from ancient Egypt to local history, from writing (the start of my writers group) to silversmithing. I have taken many classes with friends or alone. All are good times and excellent things to remember over a steamy cup of joe in the morning.
    Aaron's smile mug
    This mug came from Aaron’s orthodontist. Dr. Crawford straightened Aaron’s teeth beautifully. Every time I use this mug I think of my son’s beautiful smile. It’s a warm proud Mom feeling even before I get my first sip of coffee in the morning.

    Until Next TIME!

  • Healing

    Healing

    Christmas Gown by sonofabike on Flickr. License granted Creative Commons License 2.0 Attribution, Non-commercial, no dervis.

    Last Friday I reported to the hospital bright and early for surgery.  I have to give a great big CUDOS to the Froedtert Hospital team they made it as comfortable as possible.  I came home Saturday as predicted and all is going smoothly.  It will take the six weeks to recover despite my wanting it to go faster.  I do get very tired very easily.  Shower is a workout that requires a nap afterward.  Pathology showed all was benign.  So now the slow walk to recovery.  If I don’t respond quickly rest assured once I wake up from my nap I’ll get to you.

  • It’s Finished and Had It’s First Wreck

    It’s Finished and Had It’s First Wreck

    Remember I blogged about the round-about construction in my neighborhood? Well it’s now finished.  Boy is it a fancy thing!  As soon as the removed all the road closed barricades someone came flying through there like it was the old short cut it used to be.  They ignored the new warning signs of the round-about.  The ignored the BIG ORANGE FLAGS on the signs.  They ignored the large looming mound in the center of the circle surrounded by the smaller but still significant concrete mounds to direct traffic.  They ignored the posted speed limit of 25 as well as the new flagged in yellow yield signs.  They plowed right into the circle.  Yep just crashed over the directional concrete barrier and right into the big circle in the center!  Oh well so much for slowing that clueless one down, it down right stopped ’em.  Over all I’ll say it seems to be working.  Then again I didn’t notice it as much before not living over on the road.  Chatting with the people there the amount of traffic is down due to the road being closed off for so long.  They aren’t sure if the new roundabout is working or just closing off the street for months broke people of the habit.  Only time will tell.  Here’s a few photos of the finished product just before they put up the flags and opened it for crashing traffic.

    Finished Neighborhood roundabout

    Finished Neighborhood roundabout

    chalk drawings in the newly paved road
    Before the barricades came down and after the road was paved smooth it seems the neighborhood children had fun with chalk on the smooth surface.

    Finished Neighborhood roundabout

    Orange barrel disassembled & waiting pick up
    Orange barrel disassembled & waiting pick up
  • The Rest of Creepy October at G+

    The Rest of Creepy October at G+

    Photo by me of the window at the Simmons Library in Kenosha. I used some effects by Pixlr photo app for Google Chrome.

    I’ve already posted the first 20 posts of my series on G+ that I called Creepy October .  These are tales based on truth that have a creepy/mysterious almost spook aspect to them.  I stopped at the post on the 19th.  So here’s  the list for the rest of the series.  If you enjoy this kind of thing hop over and learn more.

    Oct. 20th  The Ghost Blimp of WWII  a USA blimp on patrol off the coast of California don’t forget this was the area of the battle for LA the real incident took place

    Oct 21st  Resurrection Mary the famous hitch hiking ghost from Resurrection Cemetery in October and the women that might have been the source for the legend

    Oct 22nd Teresita Basita Case  a strange case that really took place in Chicago in the late 70s that seriously brought up the subject of ghost testimony in court

    Oct 23rd  Robert The Doll the creepy supposedly possessed doll in Key West

    Oct 24th Elmer McCurdy’s Roaming Corpse the odd journey of Elmer’s body after his execution.

    Oct 25th Haunted painting sold on e-bay the story of the creepy painting by William Stoneham entitle Hands Resist Him

    Oct 26th  The Mysterious Stranger of Mark Twain’s Adventures  This was a claymation video that was very creepy inspired by Mark Twain’s unfinished novel about the nephew of Satan.

    Oct 27th The Mad Gasser of Mattoon  Was anyone really gassing the citizens of small towns in Illinois and Virginia?  If so who was it and why do it?

    Oct 28th What Happened to Fredrick Valentich?  A pilot flying over the Australian Outback  disappears but first he radios back a strange description of something…

    Oct 29th  Strange Love of Carl Tanzer  back to Key West for the odd story of obsession, grave robbing, necrophilia, and love?!?

    Oct 30th The Priest of San Francisco Trains  The odd tales of encounters and their aftermath on the people who see a strange priest

    Oct 31st  Skull Found Due to Sandy and Odd Notes of a Spy’s Diary  The eerie finding of a skull and unmoved graves uncovered by Sandy and odd notes in the diary of a Cold War spy handler about glowing men and plutonium.

    Nov 1st  Cultural Ways to Shed Evil Spirits  a list of things done in various cultures to shed evil spirits from buildings.

    Hope you find something that you’ll enjoy.  It’s always intriguing to find more mysterious and creepy stories – there’s another October coming in 2013.

  • Even not on Halloween Trick or Treating is FUN!

    Even not on Halloween Trick or Treating is FUN!

    Candy bowl awaiting trick or treaters

    This is the first community I’ve ever lived in that schedules trick or treating not on the day.  It’s the Sunday before (unless it falls on a Saturday) 3pm – 6pm.  That means last Sunday was our Trick or Treat day.  Never mind Halloween wasn’t until Wednesday.  Unfortunately I’d say in our neighborhood only 10% of the homes participate.  Many of those who do go all out!  We hand out candy and enjoy seeing the ghosties and ghoulies coming to the door.  Rappy loves it and Mr. Blue supervises as alpha black cat of the season.

    I tend to set on the stoop to hand out candy so the animals can watch from the screened in front porch without rushing the kids at the door when I open it.  One little girl looked up at the regal Blue sitting there fluffed against the cold watching the proceedings with half open bright green eyes.  She asked “Are you a witch having a black cat like that?”  I smiled and whispered “Yes, but not all witches are bad.  I’m a good one and I have TWO black cats.”  Her eyes got wide and she smiled, “Really?!?”  “Oh yes.”  The smile got broader “Oh WOW!”  She took her candy and went off excited.  I can’t wait for the children’s rumors about me to begin!  I don’t know why she didn’t ask if I was into gambling since I have a greyhound but guess she’s not old enough to know about that yet.

    As far as costumed kids?  We get LOTS there are A LOT of kids in the neighborhood being situated within walking distance to four elementary and two middle schools.  We started with 15 and half pounds of candy and ended up with less than a quarter pound left.  One thing I enjoy is families dress-up and go out together.  Often times even the dog is in costume.  It’s fun to see.

    Enjoy a look at Trick or Treating in my neighborhood.

    Trick or Treating in My Neighborhood
    Rappy anxiously awaits more visitors.
    Trick or Treating in My Neighborhood
    Family group trick or treating. Wizard dad was so COOL!
    Trick or Treating in My Neighborhood
    Mario drove his Princess from house to house.
    Trick or Treating in My Neighborhood
    Two family groups wait their turn at one of my participating neighbors.
    Trick or Treating in My Neighborhood
    Clear way to say I AM NOT participating – to which I have to wonder – why decorate?
    Trick or Treating in My Neighborhood
    Yes this actually works in my neighborhood. This was take about 5pm consider it had been out since 3pm and that’s what is left.
    Trick or Treating in My Neighborhood
    See I told you some REALLY participate!
    Trick or Treating in My Neighborhood
    Here the Evil Witch sits on her throne in her graveyard handing out candy. Her husband Freddy Kruger keeps the corn maze.
    Trick or Treating in My Neighborhood
    More yard decorations, this is animated at night
    Trick or Treating in My Neighborhood
    Not all decorations are ghoulish and pumpkins…
    Trick or Treating in my neighborhood
    I was not the only one supervised by the feline overlords.
    Trick or Treating in My Neighborhood
    The final daisies of fall
  • The Black Cord Tangle Has ME!

    The Black Cord Tangle Has ME!

    tangle of black cords to chargers, headphones, and such

    You might remember I’m on a mission to clear out my office to make room to think. Today I am tackling the built in drawers/credenza thingy in my office.  Already have a large bag of school supplies going to good will from Aaron’s various school projects through the years.  Found where the double AA batteries I kept buying went.  I swear I’d buy a box of like a bajillion and put them in battery drawer.  Two days later Mike would come and say nope no AAs in the drawer get some.  I’d go look and damned if they were gone so I’d buy more.  Clean out the drawer I found AAs hiding in every stack, nook, cranny, pencil box, etc.  Damn Bamfs!

    Entering my office
    See the built in drawers – that’s where I’ve been working today.
    If you click on the image and go to Flickr you can run your mouse over the image and see comments about that side of my office

    Also because I was always the one quizzed on where is there an available headphone I purchased a box, labelled it head phones, put reusable ties in there for bundling up cords, and placed all headphones I found into this box on the shelf.  Seemed a good answer to me.  Well now we were down to one set of headphones.  I thought maybe for some bizarre reason Aaron took headphones to like stock the library’s audio room in Madison or at least every housemate.  Nooo, they’ve been tossed in the bottom drawer of the built-in drawers, cords unbound, all now in a big black spidery mess.

    So my dear readers I am untangling changers from long gone phones, headphones that had a safe place to live but went slumming in a dangerous drawer and got tangled, with chargers of unknown origin.  That is where my day has been spent – in my drawers untangling things.  NOOoo! not those drawers get your mind out of the gutter – the drawers in the picture above with messes like the one featured.

    I hope to return soon as I have lots of pictures and tours and stuff to tell you about from previous weekends and more coming up this weekend!

    Until next time when I’m not so tangled up!

  • I Ran Out of Room To Think

    I Ran Out of Room To Think

    To the right of the door my files
    This is my credenza after the last clean out. If you click over to Flickr and put your mouse over the image there are boxes commenting on the wall collection. Oh I’ve gotten new curtains since then…

    There wasn’t room to turn a thought over in my office any more. I mean physical room to do it. I’m one of these people who can’t think when clutter gets to be too much. I’m not sure what my threshold is but I reached it in my office. The clutter may or may not be where visitors can see it, generally it’s not. Clutter on shelves, in drawers, in closets behind closed containers takes up space for me to think. I can’t explain it but it does. It’s all part of the Mary Louise Cycle of cleaning. First I start out orderly and vow to keep it that way. Next I become productive. Then I over extend a bit and clutter builds on surfaces. This is followed by putting it away. This step is known as the CLEAN UP. The next part is away gets filled up. Then clutter comes out onto the surfaces. Then I deal with it on the surfaces but start being nagged by the away that is full of stuff I don’t need now and haven’t needed in some time. Then I get bogged down, I can’t think. I feel closed in by stuff – stuff put away in the crammed full away. I try to find something and the packed full away gets in the way of finding that thing. I remember back at the beginning of the cycle when I could put my hands on things quickly because I didn’t have to dig in the cleaned up stuff to get to the important thing. THEN comes the CLEAN OUT.

    The CLEAN OUT is a big deal because everything gets emptied, sorted, evaluated, and categorized. There is the I need this stuff that goes back close to hand. Probably the type of thing was looking for when I got fed up with digging in the Cleaned up stuff clutter stuff. Then there is the donate stuff. It’s served its purpose for me. Time for it to go serve someone else. This is followed by the keep until I need again stuff. This is mostly resting writing projects, genealogy documentation, or reference books. I tend to let large projects rest a month or two before going back to start rewrite or edit. I find the distance helps me. Finally the tiniest category of all is the keep just because I like it stuff. This applies to a very few books, a few things Aaron gave me when he was a child, some art supplies, and a box of pens. My rule is this stuff cannot exceed one file box. Nope never. So far I’ve not had to toss anything because the file box isn’t full. I’m VERY discerning about what goes there and I’m a damn good packer.

    Why do I tell you this? Because for the last two and half days I’ve been involved in a major CLEAN OUT of my office. In many ways I’m heading into a new chapter of life. Aaron is on his own. I’ve just finished a 2nd draft novel. I’m approaching surgery and recuperation time. It’s a transition period for me to the next thing. Not that I’m ending anything I’m just building on it, like one chapter of a novel builds on the next. Yet you know from reading chapters end signaling a change in the on-going story. Life is the same. I’m ending one chapter and moving to the next.

    My office is my sanctuary. It’s my place to be me and from there build outward to the home, the house, the town, and the world. I want my sanctuary orderly as I venture into the next chapter. It helps me build if I’m not digging through clutter to find the important things. What’s important in tangible things change over time. That years worth of bank statements that was so important for my first mortgage approval doesn’t matter now. That book I enjoyed but is over can be passed on to someone else to enjoy. I want to be surrounded by what appeals to me now, what is useful to me now, what I need now, what’s important now. That can’t be EVERYTHING – decisions have to be made with what is taking up physical space and by doing that I also clear out mental space.

    So far all the files are now in order. My desk top is clear. What is close to hand reflects current projects that are used at least weekly. The shelves here in my tiny office hold references I need for those current projects. Tomorrow I tackled the office supply drawers and the next day the office closet. So far I’ve three large grocery bags of books and a box of odds and ends for donation. I’ve taken out one large trash bag of stuff I don’t need any more. I’ve got some boxes of genealogy documentation that can be stored, the digital copies are at my fingertips. I’ve got a file box of a novel draft that needs to rest in the dark for 4-12 weeks. I’m sure a box office supplies we don’t need now that Aaron is out of school will be collected next for donation. Gosh knows what I’ll find in the closet – I’m hoping Narnia isn’t back there I’d have to have another cold draft I have to block this winter.  Besides I need to make room so I can run through another Mary Louise Cycle in this chapter.

    Until next time!

  • I’m Not In The Mood

    I’m Not In The Mood

    I favor Angry Russell even though he went to Madison with Aaron.

     

    After a few weeks of much activity I’m attempting to settle back down into a routine.  Class has started back with assignments due.  I’m moving on to another writing project while the previous one rests before it is proofed.  I could go on but let’s just say I finished one course of life and now my plate is full again with the next one.  Today I’m trying hard to wrap up the assignment get on with the post about the Liberty Graveyard Tour in Salem, Wisconsin as well as compose a few posts ahead.  I’ve got up coming surgery and want some in the bag to make posting regular through recovery.

    All these plans involve using my computer.  Since they involve large memory stuff – photos, streaming class, etc.  They require the desktop not the netbook which is fine for the writing part.  However Java, iTunes, and Microsoft all had a meeting last night and agreed to harass me today with updates. I’ve had them shut me down to update.  I’ve had updates fail.  I’ve had the screen go black as they shout at me to restart or accept or stand on my head or whatever.

    Now iTunes doesn’t work.  Microsoft keeps insisting it needs to update Microsoft Works which I don’t have.  I deleted it long ago since I have office.  Java is having conniptions and scream it needs to update when it does that’s another restart. I’m in a frustrating cycle of update me so I will no longer work for you.

    I’m about to call Geek Squad on them all! Really I don’t have the hours right now to spend with Geek Squad.  Yes I have a subscription   Yes they’ve pull my ass out of the fire more than once (well worth the subscription price) but the shortest time I’ve ever had fixing things with them has been three and half hours.  I have an assignment due before then.  As it is right now I can limp along denying everyone updates, restarts, and acknowledging errors UNTIL I’m finished.

    So consider this today’s post – one consumed by frustration and impending deadline with an uncooperative computer.  **glares over glasses**  HOWEVER, I will finish in time despite it ALL!

  • Where Did Time Go!

    Where Did Time Go!

    Oops time slipped away today. With grocery shopping, class starting back, I ran out of time to do a post. I’ll be back tomorrow with a cemetery tour. Appropriate to set the Halloween mood and learn a bit of history about the Kenosha area. Until next time!

  • Comic Comments – Happy Holidays!

    Comic Comments – Happy Holidays!

    So I’m either late or early depending on how you want to look at it.  I was going through my comics to be reviewed and noticed the Marvel Holiday Edition 2012 fell through the cracks.  I always enjoy it and loved the Wolverine and the X-Men story last year that I thought I had to do a quick review.  We are coming up on the holiday season again.  Heck stores even have Christmas decorations out!  It seems now from Halloween to New Years it’s all one push through the holidays.  So I’m joining the early kick off with this review.

    There are 4 stories in the issue “Cold Hearted Christmas” writer Miljenko Horvatic, Artist Andrew Trabbold,  Colorist Jeff Campbell, Letters Rob Steen, and Editor Jody LeHeup.  Next my personal favorite of course “Logan’s Lost Lesson” Writer Kurtis J Wiebe, Penciler Patrick Schergerger, Inkers Patrick Scherberger & Cory Hamscher, Colorist Veronica Gandini, Letterer Simon Bowland, and Editor Jodan D. White.  Third is “Ol’ Saint Nick” writer Aaron Shaps, Artist Sebastian Piriz, Colorist Jeff Campbell, Letterer Rob Steen, and editor Sebastian Girner.  The final one is “Chinese Food For Christmas”  Writer Jamie S. Rich, Artist Paco Diaz, Colorist Jean-Francois Beaulieu, Letters Jeff Eckleberry, and editor Daniel Ketchum.  Cover artists are Tim Seeley & Leonardo Olea.  The Digital Production Manage was Tim Smith3, Collection Editor Cory Levine, Assistand Editors Alex Starbuck & Nelson Ribeiro, Editors Special Projects Jennifer Grunwald & Mark D. Beazley, Senior Editor Special Projects Jeff Youngquist, Senior Vice President of Sales David Gabriel, SVP of Brand Planning & Communications Michael Pasicullo, Edior in Chief Axel Alonso, Chief Creative Officer Joe Quesada, Publisher Dan Buckley, and Executive Producer Alan Fine.

    Next we’ll get the legal disclaimer out of the way: All images are the property of their owners I reproduce them here under the Fair Use Doctrine of the copyright law for commentary and critique. No more than three pages total from any one issue is reproduced.

    First story features Spiderman and some villian called Cold Heart.  Don’t know her – don’t care but it’s a sweet story where Spiderman is after her after she escapes.  However he gains insight into her while assuring she’s captured.  He remembers her on the holidays. Aww….

    Second goes after my heart with Logan willing to be the one the staff and students team up against.  He has the main student characters out in the snowy woods to play hockey and learn about teamwork and situational  awareness while they play hockey without powers.  Oh and since this is detention for wrecking Hank’s lab – no fun shall be had.  However despite his best efforts – the kids and staff pull together to have fun at Logan’s expense thus “accidently” building community spirit.

    Next is another one of my favorite characters – Nick Fury.  Here it’s Christmas and he’s breaking into a Hydra base to find The Scar “a young upstart rising quickly through the ranks of the insidious organization as a genius saboteur.” Exactly why Nick himself is doing this when he’s supposed to be in semi-retirement as well as what happens when he gets to The Scar are all part of the holiday surprise. Nick is again another character with a tough exterior but heart of gold.

    The final story is about what do the Jewish Marvel heroes do while the others are celebrating Christmas. The answer is have a Chinese food feast.  Apparently it’s something Ben Grimm looks forward to every year. There’s just one problem Ben winds up chasing a Christmas thief when he’s Jonesing for some Chinese.  It makes him late to the dinner.

    Overall this is what a Holiday Special should be – fun short stories that fill in the gaps between the big action stories. It’s a romp with beloved characters.  The stories only reaffirm the aspects that make us love the characters in the first place.  Sure during the year I rant and rave about things going on in the plots – but it’s stories like these I’ve always enjoyed and get to the heart of why I come back even after being totally pissed off.  I honestly care about the core of my favorite characters.

    The art of the stories varies showing a range of styles.   Some styles I love – like Spiderman’s tale (minus the Photoshop generated snowflakes in the air) to ones I just don’t care for – Fury’s tale and the cover.  Still none are so bad then make me cringe or I’m pushing through.  I liked Logan’s tale’s art and think Patrick Scherberger would be an improvement to be a regular in the Wolverine and the X-Men title. The final tale with Ben Grimm was a bit too cartoony for my every day taste but it fit the light story and added to the fun.

    Over all it was a book that took me out of the holiday stress for a bit and gave me a few smiles along the way.  Isn’t that what a Holiday Special is supposed to do?  This one did it well.

    I want to see the poutine lesson from the next day. I can see Logan teaching the original and the T-Rex. He’d call the one with veggies a sissified poutine.

    Who knew Fury want to learn needlepoint so much?

    You know it’s a happy ending when Ben Grimm finally gets to his Chinese feast and General Tso’s chicken!

    Until next time!