Every week now for months, it seems like there is news of a new cyber hacking scandal. Someone or a group (or a country?) loves to wreak havoc with the theft of our personal data. One week, I received a letter from my health-care system telling me my information may be compromised in a system-wide attack. No problem. They referred me to Equifax for credit monitoring. No kidding - glad I'm a procrastinator. Well, I have some breaking news. It appears there’s been a hack into our weather system Continue Reading
Traverse City Travels
This past week, Kathy and I took a two-night trip to Traverse City (TC). If we had driven past the Cops and Doughnuts Bakery in Clare, skipped the Elm Creek Quilt Shop in Farwell, and waved as we drove past the Clam Lake Beer Co. in Cadillac, we’d have arrived in just over three hours (from Lansing.) Our trip took slightly longer, because as I like to say, it’s as much about the journey as it is the destination. TC sits at the base of the Grand Traverse Bay which spills into Lake Michigan. Continue Reading
Well Played, Chicago
Is there another northern American city that can pull off a spring break like Chicago? In August? Without a beach? Well played, Chicago, well played. Last week, Kathy and I went to Chicago for a couple of days. It’s my favorite city in the US., perhaps because of my loyalty to the Midwest. It’s an easy four-hour train ride, there is always much to do, and beautiful Lake Michigan views aren’t too far away. This visit was planned some time ago and since much of what we were going to do Continue Reading
Letting Go of Family History
For thirty-five years, I’ve been the keeper of many items representative of my family’s history. I’ve reached the time I want to move more of it along, simply because I want the space, but my 'old soul' is kicking in. Let me explain: Practical Pam: You seem troubled no one wants your stuff? Pathetically Sentimental Pam: It’s family history. Practical Pam: It no longer has value. When’s the last time you’ve even looked at any of it? Pathetically Sentimental Pam: But once it leaves the Continue Reading