Labor Day we always do the traditional celebration along with at least one meal being grilled out. For us it also represents the start of getting ready for our Halloween party. We have the carpets cleaned first, then begin pulling out the props and cleaning and checking them out to make sure they work (if they are supposed to move, some are static props). We have a couple new displays and this is the time when we see if they look as good in real life as we imagine. James’ room is always different and this year he wants to have a haunted library, in part because he has so many books himself now in his 3rd year of college.

James has started school already at Wayne State University and we all enjoy the chance to have one more long weekend this summer, which has been really wonderful except for a few rough storms.
Continue reading “2023 Labor Day Weekend and the Start of Halloween Season” →

This was our first visit to the State Fair since it moved from Detroit to Novi and while the fair was great, when compared with the old fair grounds in Detroit it came up a little lacking. The old fair grounds was simply gigantic and you could spend hours just in one building. The old festival had many many vendors but the new one probably had a few dozen that you could go through in about a half hour.

As festivals go it was great, its just when compared with the old State Fair it comes up short, mostly because of space both outdoors and indoors.

James went on several rides and enjoyed all the festivities so it was a worthwhile venture. Plenty of rides for sure but again the old fair grounds had more.

Still, a great experience and very worthwhile.
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Its hard to believe that VIP camp is already over as we just celebrated their end of season party. James has been going here since he was about 8 or 9 so its been at least a decade of VIP camp for James in the summer. Once again it was held at the bowling alley so both parents and campers could bowl if they wanted. After the bowling time we were served pizza, pop, salads, and sweets – A pretty decent spread. Once the food was served, the campers received their photo books and friendly competitive games were played between the campers and their parents. James was the coach for the campers team and Nick was the captain of the parents team. A great time was had by all.

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Tigers got a no hitter on this wet day at Comerica Park. James met up with his friend Nick who’s family kindly invited us to join them at the park. The rain really made things miserable but it was fascinating seeing the grounds crew work the field to keep it playable. James’ Dad had been to many Tiger games but could not ever remembering being at one that was rain delayed, probably because when James’ Dad was growing up the Tiger games were relatively cheap to attend and there was always room in the bleachers so if it was a nice day, you just hopped on the bus at Grindley (now the closest bus stop is Michigan Ave) and went to the game. If it was raining you watched it on TV. James got so well he began to feel sick so unfortunately we had to leave before the no hitter was complete, but that was ok as we were there for all the scoring that took place. We ended up watching the no hitter on TV.
Continue reading “2023 Tiger No Hitter at Comerica Part” →

Finally summer is here in full bloom and as usual we celebrated with a grill out. Hamburgers, Hot Dogs, and Steaks were on the menu along with several side salads. Later that evening we enjoyed the fireworks show put on in the neighborhood as the show came from all directions. Even areas of the sky that were blocked with trees could not prevent the fireworks from shining through the branches.

A great time and a great meal were enjoyed by all on this independence day in 2023. Happy 247th Birthday America, we love you!
Continue reading “2023 4th of July” →

The annual Blues festival in Marshall Michigan took place this day and we were in attendance for the festivities. The 2023 Marshall Blues Festival is a FREE family-oriented music and entertainment festival sponsored by the Marshall Downtown Development Authority. Rain or Shine. Full slate of Blues music with a cash bar beer tent along with plenty of food along the street. This is also the home of the American Museum of Magic so we usually stop off and make a visit to support this historic museum, along with several antique shops that are also located in the festival area. We saw 2 bands while we were there, Tony Thompson & Friends and Dann the Band Feat. The music was awesome and a great time was had by all.
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We made a visit to Michigan Memorial to check on the graves. Grandma Judith had just been placed in her tomb and it can be seen when facing the “Graf” family graves. It is the first structure you see but her tomb is on the other side that you see (facing away). The graves looked fine for the most part and Aunt Peg’s picture on her grave still looks good. We did have to clear some growth from Uncle Raymond’s grave and if it continues we may have to ask them to raise it again.

You may notice a section of the wall has been removed, this was supposed to be for a stations of the cross section but they ran into some issues so for right now it is incomplete.

Michigan Memorial is still the prettiest cemetery that we have seen, although we have not seen all that many. The pond as you enter the facility is still the centerpiece and right across from the eternal flame memorial for the military.
Continue reading “2023 Maintaining the Family Graves” →

James’ Grandma (Judith Landis Lantz) was interred this day at Michigan Memorial Cemetery in Flat Rock Michigan. She is in a crypt about 50 yards from James’ other Grandparents who are buried along the wall in that area.

Judith was buried with her dolls, some of which she has had all her life, and James, Mom, and Olga (a friend of Grandma) laid out the dolls and other treasures of her in her crypt.

Judith died two weeks ago, she had made arrangements with the Neptune society for cremation upon her death which took about a week to complete. Michigan Memorial requires 72 hours notice so that took a few more days which is why it took two weeks to have her interred. Her friends Olga, Alice, and Dorothy were also present.

Afterwards we all went out to lunch together, it was a very pleasant time for everyone under the circumstances.
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It was a beautiful June day and it was James graduation day. James graduated with honors and was the top student at his campus (the Taylor campus). James had been attending Wayne County Community College for two years and has earned his first college degree. It came on a sad note though as his Grandma had passed away the day before.

James has been on the Tigers Jumbotron and the Lions, all within a few weeks of each other.

The ceremony was beautiful and held at Ford Field in Detroit (where the Lions play. The ceremony took a couple hours and concessions were open for it, although I do not think alcohol was being served. After the ceremony we took James to his favorite restaurant and then home for ice cream and cake (and congratulatory balloons)!

Congratulations James, we are all so very proud of you.

Continue reading “2023 James Graduation from Wayne County Community College” →

James was recognized with honors at Wayne County Community College in Taylor Michigan this day. There was a ceremony and several guest speakers before the honor students marched up to the stage to receive their commendations.

After the ceremony we took a couple pictures and then went out for ice cream. Once again, James has made his family proud and it was not without much effort on his part. Many long nights he would be up late studying for exams or prepping for classes. This semester he had classes not only in Taylor but also two days a week in Detroit, not to mention a virtual class at home so it was a very busy and hectic schedule this last semester for James.

Congrats James, very well done!
Continue reading “2023 James Recognized at District Honors Convocation” →