*  A/k/a, The Nanner

We received a shocking notice last week that Nancy had died on August 25.  We understand she had several medical issues and apparently an infection went to her heart.  She was a real character who developed quite a following in our home town.  We send our sincerest sympathies to her family.

Someone once queried, “Who is Nancy Flynn”?:  She was “The Nanner.”  The girlfriend before Ruthie . . . we all had them, didn’t we?  Anyway, she had a fan club on FB and the blog because of her sarcasm.  So I’d set her up to see what she’d come up with? Patty Wicken, whom she has never met, became a FB friend with her because she could hardly wait for The Nanner’s responses to me.  The Nanner was in the senior executive service (several levels above me) at the Department of Labor.  Our first date occurred because I made a dinner bet with her that my Gophers would beat her Wolverines (her alma mater) in football – a bet I knew I’d lose.  Our “relationship” lasted about three years but eventually died a natural death – we remained friends.  (10-18-15)

She has established a certain cult following on the ‘net for zinging me.  😉 She recently got a new job as Administrator for Centennial Planning for the 2013 Centennial of the U.S. Department of Labor.  By sheer coincidence, her class is celebrating its 45th reunion in Kalamazoo, Michigan, this weekend.  Before she left, here was her parting shot: “I’m sorry, but you look like an idiot.  What happened to you?  You used to be cute” (8-21-10).

I will intersperse photos throughout – to give you an idea what she was responding to.  You will note I made it easy for her.  🙂

Nobody cares!  ~  The Nanner (on most of my posts)

[She was one month older than me . . . ]

You look like their grandfather.  ~  The Nanner (9-10-07)

Once again Nancy Flynn gave me a good belly laugh. I didn’t know your grandpa. But you look NOTHING like my grandpa did at 60.  ~  Anonymous (for her sake, 9-11-07)

My 45th reunion is also this year in Kalamazoo, Michigan. We are so damn old.  ~  The Nanner (5-12-10)

[The Flynn family restaurant in Kalamazoo . . . ]

I believe the following were all her (6-12-10):
– Do you regularly wear a hat with your pajamas?
– Yes, the delete button on the computer works as well.
– There are some pictures that you really should not keep.  These would fall into that category.
– Is this new facial hair?  Did I start something by what I said last week?!?

From 6-29-11:
Did I send this before?  Greg Trumm with a telephoto lens across the gym.  OMG, I look like Uncle Deek!  ~  Me
I thought it was Uncle Deek, but the hat gave you away!  ~  Nanner
Nancy, you are so right.  The thumbnail picture looked like Deek until I opened it up and yikes, could that really be my older brother??!!!   ~  Gretchen
Yes, you definitely are an old Gooba and look like Uncle Dick.   ~  Gretchen
Funny.  ~  Nanner

Pathetic.  ~  The Nanner  (9-27-11)

The pictures are disturbing.  ~  The Nanner  (2-23-12)

Thank you!  You made my day!  ~  The Nanner (7-19-12)

That is a great poem [‘The Shirt”].  I have read books by Jane Kenyon and Donald Hall because of the Ann Arbor connection.  Donald Hall wrote a heartbreaking book of poetry after his wife’s death (Without).  The dinner sounds delicious and I’m sure it was much less expensive than a comparable dinner in the DC area!  ~  The Nanner (2-14-13)

Very pretty area.  The running commentary is not exactly scintillating, however.  ~  The Nanner (4-14-13)

Wonderful picture of Arlington and DC, and the Obert clan.  My late brother-in-law loved the Italian Store.  He and my sister and my niece would pick up sandwiches before they drove to Michigan in December and August.  I can’t believe Whitey’s is closed.  The fact than Anne Gross is still working makes me feel guilty, but it doesn’t seem to bother Bill.  The pictures of the poker group are priceless!  ~  The Nanner (4-18-13)

The pictures are beautiful. I love snow. It makes me homesick for Michigan.  ~  The Nanner (4-19-13)

I’m speechless!  ~  The Nanner (4-19-13, re The Fat Boys Walking Club)

Nut Goodies are awesome.  I liked Bit-O-Honey too.  I hope it catches on with Millennials because Boomers (including me) don’t want to eat anything that might pull out our fillings or break a tooth!  ~  The Nanner (5-10-13)

Tasteless and juvenile.  Just when I was beginning to think there might be hope for you.  ~ The Nanner (5-26-13)

Tasteless, but very funny!  ~  The Nanner (6-1-13, commenting on my life in general)

Happy Mother’s Day Ruth!  You look fantastic and Jami’s card and note was awesome! Question for Tom: Is anyone in Alexandria under 60?  ~  Nanner (6-1-13)

I’d be surprised if the Nanner doesn’t nail you (7-8-13).

From 10-20-13:                                                                                                                                   I’m sure your cruise was fantastic.  But Tom, on behalf of the Midwest you could have put on a tie.  ~  The Nanner
Nancy…if you don’t “reply to all” I won’t see your hilarious comments which make my day….including this one!!!  ~  Patty
I agree with Patty and I don’t even know Nancy.  (I do love her sense of humor.)  ~  Paul
She’s a hoot! Her incredible dry sense of humor…she can say more with two words than most people can with a paragraph…I have belly laughed so many times…  ~  Patty
You are being a wimp.  Medicare will pay for it and your doctor will say it is necessary.  I had both eyes done years ago and the improvement was amazing.  It is painless and easy. ~ The Nanner
Why do I want to kill myself every time I look at your pictures?  I know you guys have a much more interesting life than I do, but looking at all those old people is such a downer. My problem, not yours. I still love the pictures!  ~  The Nanner
That’s pretty funny!  ~  The Nanner

The following is a conversation between The Nanner and Crazy Dave (about moi). They have never met and live thousands of miles apart. One is a Wolverine and the other a Buckeye. Scarey!  (12-5-13):
I keep hoping you will grow up, but I don’t think it will happen!  ~  The Nanner
As soon as he is committed to a nursing home, he will realize!!!  ~  Cheers, Dave
Funny! Somehow I think he will be even worse.  ~  The Nanner
I believe he is prepared…I’ve been around him enough…btw he can’t get any worse…  ~  CD
I think you are right!  ~  The Nanner

I am so blessed to have known John and Natalia Obert.  Wonderful, brilliant people.  ~  The Nanner (12-5-13)

[A caricature by Libby Hendrix.]

Libby’s farewell was perfect-and well deserved.  I got to see a lot of people I worked with, which was great.  Bill Gross was festive in a yellow sweater and told me about your next planned cruise.  Tim Helm was festive and very funny as MC.  Libby’s speech was amazing and she was very gracious and appreciative.  Everyone seems to have grey hair.  I’m sticking with blonde until I can’t afford it anymore.  I will send you tidbits when/if I remember them!  ~  Nanner (12-8-13)

Ridiculous hat, but at least your mouth is closed.  ~  Nanner (12-30-13, and My nomination for the zinger of the year!  ~  Jim Pohl)

What a great trip!  I cannot believe Tom is drinking directly from the can!  That stuff is poison!  ~  Nanner (1-13-14)

Happy Birthday Gretchen!  What a cute picture.  I would have killed for a cake like that. Medicare is great.  You can fix everthing that you have been putting off!  ~  Nanner (2-18-14)

What is AAAA?  Alcoholics Anonymous for large groups?  ~  Nanner (3-3-14)

If you are from MN you have to at least pretend that you like hockey!  ~  Nanner (3-11-14)

You are all disgusting.  (You know who you are.)  ~  Nanner (4-5-14)

That is not good.  I have a theory that kids who live in places that cancel school all of the time have a disadvantage. I know that I am old, but when I was growing up in Michigan, school was very seldom closed because of snow.  Our mothers wanted us out of the house because there were so damn many of us!  ~  Nanner (4-29-14)

That was not even close to funny.  ~  Nanner (5-5-14)

He is not my idea of a dream–in fact he sounds like a nightmare.  I hope his former wife did not commit suicide.  I don’t have a leaky faucet.  ~  Nanner (5-6-14)

Incredibly beautiful architecture, art and scenery, not to mention the food and wine. They must hate American tourists, but it pays the bills.  ~  Nancy (7-3-14)

Eat your heart out.  ~  Nanner (7-22-14)

Enough of the picture already.  ~  Nanner (8-11-14)

Tom, your friends have better jokes that you do–not that that will discourage you!  ~ Nanner (8-22-14)

I am sure I am missing some beautiful pictures as well as opportunities for insults, but I never open the alexandriacardinals.wordpress.com e-mails because I get kicked off e-mail and facebook when I open it and now that I am old I am lazy.  ~  Nanner (8-24-14)

That is so cute-a little disturbing-but cute!  ~  The Nanner (9-1-14)

The person or persons who introduced you to the camera should be hanged. She knows not what pain she has wrought. I rest my case.  ~  Nanner (9-10-14)

One more reason why I refuse to be photographed.  What were (some of them) thinking? Some of them look really good for their age.  That is the highest praise you can get when you are in your 60’s and estrogen has abandoned you.  ~  Nanner  (I thought that they all  looked good – wrinkles at a minimum or non existent!  ~  Rosie) (9-14-14)

I love it.  The movie got so-so reviews, but Bill Murray’s performance got raves.  The great thing about this scene is that he doesn’t give a damn and he looks happy.  And he dresses like Tom–on a good day!  ~  Nanner (10-29-14)

“s’pose?” Have you forgotten how to spell? Unacceptable.  ~  Nanner (3-3-15)

I never open links but I’m sure your pictures are lovely and your captions amusing.  ~ Nanner (4-3-15)

Count your blessings and stop bragging.  I’m addressing it to you.  We are so fortunate to have a pension, which is rapidly becoming a thing of the past.  ~  Nanner (4-14-15)

We REALLY don’t care about Minnesota either.  ~  Nanner (5-14-15)

Wonderful picture [of my folks] –– I still wear red lipstick!  ~  Nanner (6-18-15)

From 8-9-15:  I did not go home after the football game . . . I might have felt the urge to change my attire.  I figure the Super can dress for both of us.  Would you believe my entire wardrobe is over 20 years old  (The Nanner is disqualified from this event because of proprietary disinterest)?

You lost me at Mt. Rushmore.  ~  Nanner (12-18-15)

I’m sure all of your correspondents can hardly wait for your next trip.  God help us.  I stopped opening these links a year ago.  If narcissism could kill you, you would be dead.  ~ Nanner (1-6-16)

Eat your heart out Tiger.  ~  Nanner (3-6-16)

In your dreams.  ~  Nanner (3-26-16)

Oh God, the dreaded blog is starting.  ~  Nanner (5-10-16)

From 6-16-16:                                                                                                                                          Nahhhh, Nancy just likes to throw some sprinkles on the fire to make it sizzle. ~  Gretchen
God knows at our age we need all the sizzle we can get.  ~  Nanner

Blogging is not work.  I hope you realize that.  Any activity that you do not get paid for is not work.  Sadly, I think that means that you will never take a vacation from blogging.  ~ Nanner (7-4-16)

Ba Da Boom  ~  Nanner (7-18-16)

You need to get a life.  Please shoot me.  I’m just waiting to find someplace I want to visit.  So far, no luck.  ~  Nanner (9-8-17)

So tasteless  ~  Nanner (3-4-18)

That is so stupid and tasteless.  ~  Nanner (4-1-18)

Tasteless and juvenile  ~  Nanner (4-9-18)

Too many “selfies.”  Ruth is pretty.  You are not.  ~  Nanner (12-18-18)

And ending as we began . . . 

Oh, how we’re all going to miss her!

June 23

Bergen – Geiranger

“Officially” the first day of the cruise because the ship actually started moving with we tourists aboard.  But we began the day with a couple of cruise sponsored land tours of Bergen.  The first, here in Part 1, was Panoramic Bergen, a two-hour bus and walking tour in the morning.  The second, in Part 2, was 4-hours in the afternoon of the Best of Bergen and Mt. Floien.  (I should also note that while writing this I had reason to visit my camera bag, where I found 540 forints.  Lest you aren’t aware (as I had forgotten) the forint is the unit of currency in Hungary, and I am now $1.81 richer than I thought I was.)

[After breakfast, the Super and Ole just waiting to begin our day’s adventures . . . ]

[First, a two-hour panoramic bus/walking tour of  Bergen.  A bus window shot . . . ]

[Because I wanted a photo of a classic Norwegian name . . . ]

[Translates to Bergen’s oldest cape . . . ]

[Our bus, lest you were wondering . . . ]

[That appears to be Hagelslund Bridge in the distance, but I’m just a tourist . . . ]

[We were driving around ISO views over Bergen Harbor . . . ]

[And here’s one with a stop and a walk outside . . . ]

[Tourists were everywhere.  Oh, that’s our group . . . ]

[And back to our bus . . . ]

[We went back here later (see Part 2) . . . ]

[Apparently simply known as the Fish Market Mural – that Norwegian understatement again . . . ]

[But no golden arches?]

[Back in our hotel’s neighborhood . . . ]

[And there it is . . . ]

[Bergenhus fortress (Norwegian: Bergenhus festning) is a fortress located at the entrance of Bergen harbour, the castle is one of the oldest and best preserved stone fortifications in Norway (Wikipedia).]

[Grieg Hall (Norwegian: Grieghallen) is a 1,500 seat concert hall located on Edvard Griegs’ square.  Grieghallen was named in honor of Bergen-born composer Edvard Grieg, who served as music director of the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra from 1880 until 1882.  It serves as the home of the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra.  The building was designed in modernist architecture style by the Danish architect Knud Munk.  Construction was started in 1967, with completion during May 1978 (Wikipedia).]

[Amazingly, I could find nothing on this wall-size mural?  I assume Norwegians would name it Woman With a Blue Face?]

[One picture is that of a 30 ton Italian-made mosaic of Himmelfarten.  Himmelfarten was Hardi Felgenhauer Sinohelberg, born in Bergen, Norway in 1753.  For 30 years his occupation was to carry large fish bought at the fish market home for the shoppers.  In 1870, someone dressed up like Himmelfarten and sold photographs to the tourists.  In 1884, an American businessman bought the photograph as a trademark for his cod-liver oil “Scott’s Emulsion”.  The trademark is still used today. S o go check your medicine cabinet and see if Himmelfarten is in your cabinet (http://www.mytripjournal.com/travel-741091-norway-himmelfarten-city-homes-area-bergen-cabinet-campsite).]

[Gamlehaugen is the residence of the Norwegian Royal Family in the city.  Gamlehaugen has a history that goes as far back as the Middle Ages, and the list of previous owners includes many of the wealthiest men in Bergen.  Today owned by the Norwegian state, the most recent private owner was Christian Michelsen, a politician and shipping magnate who later became the first Prime Minister of NOrway after the dissolution of the union between Swede and Norway.  Michelsen commissioned the construction of the current main building at Gamlehaugen, where he would live for most of the rest of his life (Wikipedia).]

[Bergen Station, or where the trains come and go . . . ]

[The Grieg Academy (Norwegian: Griegakademiet) historically was the higher education music programs in Bergen, the birthplace of composer Edvard Grieg, as well as various collaborations across music institutions.  However, as of mid-2016, due to mergers between several Norwegian institutions, the structure of Grieg Academy is changing and its remaining components are expected to be a doctoral research school (Grieg Research School in Interdisicplinary Music Studies) and various research groups (Wikipedia).]

[The Music Pavilion is located in Byparken (the city park).  The pavilion was constructed in 1889, and was carried out in cast iron.  It was bought in Germany as a kit, and was put together in Bergen.  The statue in the background is a statue of the Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg.  The Music Pavilion was given to the city of Bergen by the merchant, consul F. C. Gade (www.trekearth.com/gallery/Europe/Norway/South/Hordaland/Bergen.]

[Torgallmenningen is Bergen’s main square . . . ]

[And back to the harbor . . . ]

[And our boat . . . ]

[Where I assume we had lunch . . . ]

[Before heading to Mt. Floien in Part 2 . . . ]

Norwegian racism is always a kind of racism that is not prepared to accept it being qualified as such. Because we’re the good guys, and racism is what bad people do.  ~  Michael Booth

Up Next:  Part 2?

June 22

Bergen

The whole day in Bergen, so everything you need to know about the city but were afraid to ask, though this day was mostly about boarding the ship.  As you may recall, the trip was a “cruise” and we’ve spent the first five days on land . . . 

[And how we get here . . . ]

[What a way to begin the day, with me eating breakfast in the hotel . . . ]

[You just cannot beat this for excitement . . . ]

[Overlooking Vagen Bay, where our ship is at the end of the far side . . . ]

[Leaving the hotel for a stroll of the neighborhood before ordering our cab for a ride to the ship . . . ]

[The neighborhood from the hotel’s “porch,” to include a gull on the porch fence . . . ]

[Bryggan across the way . . . ]

[From left to right:  The Super, another gull, our ship . . . ]

[Bryggan, close up . . . ]

[Looking down restaurant row, Mt. Ulriken (the tallest of the seven mountains of Bergen) in the distance . . . ]

[And yet another gull with our ship, Viking Sun, in the background . . . ]

[This statue of Salome is part of a fountain located by the Clarion Hotel Admiral . . . ]

[Then the short cab ride to ship check in.  Ole did not need a passport . . . ]

[Yep, everything still looked the same since last we left this ship a year and a half ago.]

[Ole was pleased to finally be settling down . . . ]

[Introducing Ole to our atrium hangout . . . ]

[I still can see my initials here . . . ]

[Our usual hangout, the The Explorers’ Bar with the bow view . . . ]

[Bergen enjoying another splash of non-sunshine . . . ]

[But ’twas lovely shipboard . . . ]

[Our little breakfast nook, Mamsen’s.  Take a couple steps to our left in this photo and you’re in the area of the above photo . . . ]

[In The Explorers’ Bar and where we were going exploring . . . ]

[More views of the city from the bow . . . ]

[Blue skies made an appearance . . . ]

[As did the three-master in front of us . . . ]

[Shooting aft into the end of the bay . . . ]

[And the sky kept brightening . . . ]

[Ole’s room for the cruise . . . ]

[Ole’s room credentials . . .  ]

[From the balcony off Ole’s room . . . ]

[Ole gave me permission to try it out . . . ]

[The aft pool and spa – favorites of the Super . . . ]

[The atrium entertainment . . . ]

[The Viking Classical Duo . . . ]

[Cruise Director, Corinne Bach, welcomed everybody aboard with an introduction to Bergen.  This was our first Port Talk . . . ]

[The ship’s officers, to be inserted herein as needed . . . ]

[Our first dinner on the ship . . . ]

[Looks yummy, but I can’t remember what it was . . . ]

[Well, this has to be filet mignon . . . ]

[And Anne and Bill have rejoined us after taking a different path cross country . . . ]

[Oh, my!!]

[Oh, my!!!]

[Then back to the ship’s theater, where Corinne welcomed us, for the evening’s entertainment . . . ]

[Destination Performance: Sounds of Norway featuring . . . ]

[Classical violinist Tor Jaran Apold.  We would have two tours of Bergen the next day.]

The majority is always wrong; the minority is rarely right.  ~  Henrik Ibsen

Up Next: Bergen

August 22

*  Soiree: An evening party or gathering, typically in a private house,  for conversation or music, “a fancy evening affair.” It comes directly from the French, thus useful as a fundraising term for the arts . . . 

[As you may recall, we had our first Theatre L’Homme Dieu fundraising soiree last year.  We attracted some 90 soiree-ees and raised $125,000, shocking us all!]

[We need fundraisers for theatre infrastructure and other such things.  Among the first items of need, as to be soon displayed, is a two-lane paved entry road to the back of the threatre.  Here the current dirt road enters the campus to the old lodge . . . ]

[The two old cottages are hiding in the trees . . . ]

[The soiree event tent.  Last year we had open sides.  This year the evening had the possibility of being a tad chilly . . . ]

[The theatre.   Another item on the first things to do list is to extend the patio farther out onto the grounds so we can enjoy outdoor tables and chairs for pre- and post- event activities . . . ]

[The sign-in area on the east side of the theatre where the festivities began with drinks and mixing – and possibly mixed drinks . . . ]

[Looked inviting, as was the weather . . . ]

[And here are the plans . . . ]

[It really helps to have plans.  As some wag once said, “A picture is worth a thousand words” . . . ]

[The schematic shows how we will address our first major issue – the dispersal of water away from the theatre . . . ]

[Handicap parking will be paved and on the east side of the building.  The existing grass parking lot will be expanded with tree removal, which also finally gives clear access to the back stage staging area . . . ]

[The plans are to accomplish this before the next season . . . ]

[And here the items that were auctioned off, to the delight of all.  (Yes, I just noticed the “speical” evening – stuff happens.)  A la last year, we first auctioned an evening at Chet’s.]

[A Venn Hagen specialty food store coming to Alex soon . . . ]

[So, let’s PAR-TAY . . . ]

[Fred and Phil, current and past theatre presidents, discussed things presidential . . . ]

[Board member Jim (glasses on head) and wife Jan greeted arrivees . . . ]

[The evening’s dress code was resort elegant.  As you see, that works for the Super.  Elegant is generally not a word that applies to me . . . ]

[Board member Lisa (elegant flower dress) hosted a table . . . ]

[Dr. Steve has long favored the kilt; Dr. Sandra favored the resort elegant.  I believe they may be mutually inclusive . . . ]

[Photos of this guy are generally only seen on the back of milk cartons . . . ]

[I believe the psychological and sociological terminology for the grouping of people at parties is called . . . ]

[Clumping . . . ]

[And as people continued to arrive . . . ]

[The clumps became larger . . . ]

[Could it be . . . ]

[Really . . . ]

[The Fiddler on the Roof!]

[The outside bar, from whence the assembled masses began heading . . . ]

[To the back stage staging area . . . ]

[Where the Fiddler on the Roof  picked up three musical partners . . . ]

[An area of the theatre where most patrons have never visited . . . ]

[An interesting place made accessible for this event by the removal of three dumpster loads full of ‘stuff’ . . . ]

[And the sign said, “The words of the prophets are written on the subway walls and tenement halls” – Paul Simon]

[Then, the surprise opening to the theatre from backstage . . . ]

[The Super found graffiti from an old friend now building a new home just down the road from us . . . ]

[For me, it was nice to receive a specific invitation . . . ]

[And now entering the theatre proper . . . ]

[The exterior entry door, now barely accessible through the the outside foliage . . . ]

[TA-DA!!]

[The Super, Jan, and Jim in the first act of Hamlet . . . ]

[Exit, stage right . . . ]

[Thor, the theatre mascot . . . ]

[And then it was time for the program . . . ]

[With a glance back at the lodge . . . ]

[Fine dining with all the accouterments . . . ]

[Our group discovered our table . . . ]

[The Fourth Estate was on hand; it’s always nice to have backup.  Thanks to Ross and the Echo Press for coverage . . . ]

[We had Table No. 7.  Other famous No. 7’s were Mickey Mantle, John Elway, Pete Maravich, Satchel Paige, and, I believe, Sir Lawrence Olivier . . . ]

[These were our table mates.  It was a situation totally within their control . . . ]

[Also our table mates whose first question was, “Who are you again?” . . . ]

[The rest of the house . . . ]

[Where we were in “the rest of the house” . . . ]

[Our fearless leader, Nicole, the theatre’s executive director, with John, the progeny of our first recognized table mates . . . ]

[But seriously folks, as our executive director, Nicole has been hitting it out of the park.]

[Meanwhile, back with the rest of the house . . . ]

[Defining the term resort elegant (a 14 on a scale of 10?) . . . ]

[General milling around . . . ]

[More milling (or is it clumping?) . . . ]

[Another board member table discovered . . . ]

[Good job, Jeanne!]

[Foreground patrons known to photobomb university presidents . . . ]

[Greetings everyone, and welcome to the soiree!]

[Ladies and gentlemen, your hosts for the evening . . . ]

[Auctioneer Glen Fladeboe and Phil . . . ]

[And thanks to Mahrie Ohren and the Garden Bar on 6th for again making sure we were all well fed.  Their salmon is always a personal favorite . . . ]

[While Deb agreed with me, Brad said give me some MEAT . . . ]

[And it also appears Jeanne and Tom opted for the filet . . . ]

[Jim is a relatively new member to the board.  As I noted on FB, he changed his birthday plans to be a part of this event.  His rousing introduction was a great lead-in to a terrific evening.  Many thanks again, Jim!]

[I love theater!]

[President Fred followed extolling the virtues of our community theatre.  A member of the Bursch family has been involved with TLHD since its inception 59 years ago . . . ]

[And now, for your dining and dancing pleasure . . . Nicole introduced the entertainment, a secret she even kept from the board.  JigJam, live from Tullamore, Ireland!]

[They rocked the house till closing . . . ]

[A YouTube borrow from a venue not unlike ours . . . ]

[And then Phil and Nicole made the big announcement.  We raised $175,000 on the evening!  Wow!]

[It was time for her to memorialize everything . . . ]

[Deb’s either saying, “Shame on you” . . . ]

[Or “We’re No. 1.”  I’m hoping for the latter . . . ]

[The season is now over, and Nicole has got to be exhausted . . . ]

[If I were her (using the subjective “were” because we likely wouldn’t have the same dress size – but I digress) I’d sleep until the day before Thanksgiving . . . ]

[The diehard partiers were still hanging on in the back of the tent . . . ]

[Who knows what kind of shenanigans was going on back there . . . ]

[The Super moved up to open front row seating . . . ]

[And we were all on our feet and clapping and dancing to the very end . . . ]

[But eventually all good things must end.  Next year this will hopefully be a paved entry to handicap parking and the back stage . . . ]

[And as we left I realized I hadn’t taken any photos of the staff.  They were manning the concession stand to settle on all the donations . . . ]

[With apologies for not catching them above, here are Joe, Sarah, Spencer, and Jorge with Nicole at Carlos Creek Winery earlier this summer.  They were indispensable for the preparation and operation of not only the soiree, but the entire season.  So a big thank you and shout out to all of them . . . ]

[And a shout out to all the volunteers who made the season so special . . . ]

[And so, until next year . . . ]

No one has ever become poor by giving.  ~  Anne Frank

Up Next:  I’ve got to finish Norway . . .

 

June 21

Bergen

When last we left you, we had just completed our boat ride through the Flam fjords.  On this part of the journey we took a bus from Gudvangen, then a train from Voss, enroute to Bergen.  Here’s what we subsequently learned in Bergen: The phrase “stick it where the sun don’t shine” refers to Bergen. Bergenites don’t know how folks in Seattle can slather on enough sunblock to protect themselves. Two, one comes to Bergen for ART – it says so right on a building. Three, our server the first night was a Ricky Rubio look alike from Barcelona. Four, four young folks from Spain, working here, were sitting at the next table talking in English. Our last three servers in country have been from Poland, Italy, and Spain. Our meal was one entree and two glasses of wine – for about $60. Welcome to Norway. Oh, then we had ice cream. We stayed at the Clarion Admiral Hotel.  I think I’m done?

[Starting the bus ride from Gudvangen to Voss where we would catch the train to Bergen.  It was all up hill with many swtichbacks . . . ]

[And the sights along the way . . . ]

[We started from down there . . . ]

[And ran into a few waterfalls along the way . . . ]

[Kinda looks like Yosemite?]

[Do I detect sunshine?]

[A place to stop and catch our breaths . . . ]

[You never have to replace the shingles – though you may have to do some weed whacking . . . ]

[The Super finds another troll friend (but Ole looks scared) . . . ]

[Back on board again . . . ]

[By the end, we had completed 13 hairpin turns on the Stalheim Road . . . ]

[And then somehow we missed photographing the transfer to train in Voss, as here we are arriving in Bergen.  So, a shot out to Voss, where Bill and Anne would spend the next night before joining us.  The Voss Hotel was right at the train station – it was cold and windy, so we just hunkered down until the train came . . . ]

[Ole led us to our hotel room and immediately posed for pictures . . . ]

[After a brief respite, it was time to hit the streets of Bergen . . . ]

[Our Viking ship – we would board the following afternoon . . . ]

[The historic district and environs . . . ]

[Easy walking distance from our hotel . . . ]

[Ludvig Holberg, Baron of Holberg (3 December 1684 – 28 January 1754) was a writer, essayist, philosopher, historian and playwright born in Bergen, during the time of the Dano-Norwegian dual monarchy.  He was influenced by Humanism, the Enlightenment and the Baroque.  Holberg is considered the founder of modern Danish and Norwegian literature, and is best known for the comedies he wrote in 1722–1723 for the Lille Gronnegade Theatre in Copenhagen.  Holberg’s works about natural and common law were widely read by many Danish law students over two hundred years, from 1736 to 1936 (Wikipedia).]

[Hmmm, I wonder what’s in there?]

[The Fløibanen is a funicular railway.  It connects the city centre with the mountain of Floyen, with its mountain walks and magnificent views of the city.  It is one of Bergen’s major tourist attractions and one of Norway’s most visited attractions.  The line is 844 m (2,769 ft) long, covers a height difference of 302 m (991 ft), and carries over 1 million passengers a year. The line is owned by Fløibanen SA, a company with a number of shareholders, the biggest being the municipality of Bergen (Wikipedia).]

[We would do this the next day . . . ]

[Bryggen, also known as Tyskebryggen, is a series of Hanseatic heritage commercial buildings lining up the eastern side of the Vågen harbour in the city of Bergen, Norway. Bryggen has been on the UNESCO list for World Cultural Heritage sites since 1979 (Wikipedia).]

[We walked Bryggen on our own, even knowing we would be taking a formal tour through here the following day.  Were we cheating?]

[There’s a formal tour down there . . . ]

[This will be us soon . . . ]

[The Super finds a dried cod . . . ]

[Photo of a tourist taking a photo . . . ]

[Bryggens Museum was established during 1976.  The architect behind the design work was Oivind Maurseth, who also designed the nearby Radisson SAS Hotel.  Bryggens Museum has been part of Bergen City Museum since 2005.  During 1955, parts of the historic district of Bryggen were ravaged by a fire.  During subsequent archaeological excavations a number of objects were uncovered, providing an insight into commerce, shipping, handicrafts and everyday life during the Medieval Period.  Many of these artifacts now form the basis of the modern museum and are permanently exhibited (Wikipedia).]

[Our Bergen neighborhood . . . ]

[You can see part of our Viking ship behind the black ship in the foreground . . . ]

[Cabin cruiser last seen on Lake Carlos . . . ]

[I believe the nautical term for this is “anchor” . . . ]

[That’s our hotel . . . ]

[Here among its neighbors . . . ]

[Boat last seen on beautiful Lake Darling?]

[Apparently a normal day in Bergen . . . ]

[We may have mentioned (and likely will again) that Norway has restricted the number of cruise ships that can visit the country.  Internet travel sites note Bergen gets thousands of visitors.  How much they don’t seem to say – likely thinking the numbers would be a turnoff for prospective visitors . . . ]

[The Super leading the way as we’re looking for a place of fine dining . . . ]

[Maybe in here?]

[Why Bergen is famous for ART?]

[Again, our Clarion Admiral Hotel . . . ]

[A nice and handy place to stay . . . ]

[ART, for its own sake . . . ]

[Young Barcelonans to the front of me . . . ]

[The aforementioned $60 split meal – but it was good!]

[Young Barcelonans to the front of me add more to their number . . . ]

[Where we were, above and below . . . ]

[And we all scream . . . ]

[For ICE CREAM!]

[The required last photo attention grabber – in our hotel . . . ]

Really to sin you have to be serious about it.  ~  Henrik Ibsen

Up Next:  Touring Bergen . . .

Hard to believe another camp year has come to an end.  This week went by really fast – and we had great weather . . . 

August 2

[Every morning before breakfast, the Super would go to the office to check up on worldly events . . . ]

[Then down all the steps to breakfast – always enjoy this time of day . . . ]

[The waterfront and the sails and the sunlight . . . ]

[Friday morning, the last full day of camp, always begins with the lake swim.  The camp pontoon takes all participants to the far side of the lake then follows their one-mile swim back.  Rita & I say we’re going to do it every year – then we come to our senses . . . ]

[Can you see their heads on the far side of the lake?]

[This, our swimming area, is their final destination . . . ]

[At 7:00 am, a good time – the lake is generally calm and motor boats are not allowed on the lake until 10:00 am.  Now you can see the three lead swimmers – the one on the left will be the winner, the one on the right will finish 2nd, and the one in the middle will be 3rd.  These three distanced themselves from the pack of 4 or 5 more . . . ]

[Getting closer as fans appear on the dock . . . ]

[Then family to greet their arrivals . . . ]

[Now back for breakfast – the DOM and Vicki have their reading materials . . . ]

[And Reetz looks ready for action . . . ]

[The Biddies, in all their glory . . . ]

[After breakfast, a visit to one of The Biddies Elkhart Lake haunts . . . ]

[Where the yard is just one gigantic display of green things growing . . . ]

[Back in camp, the true sign of a summer lakeshore cottage.  You may have surmised that is not my swimsuit . . . ]

[Looking right on our porch . . . ]

[Looking left on our porch . . . ]

[The kids get a Hobie ride . . . ]

[And away they go . . . ]

[And other water activities begin . . . ]

[Kent and the DOM canoed around the lake and are almost back . . . ]

[The Hobie appears to be “treading water” . . . ]

[The canoe boys check on the construction project . . . ]

[And now they’re chasing Caitlin . . . ]

[They have no chance to catch her, of course . . . ]

[As I believe I previously mentioned, Caitlin has bicycled all the way across the United States . . . ]

[Just catch my draft, boys . . . ]

[They survived the circumnavigation of Elkhart Lake . . . ]

[This photo has been submitted for the cover of the next issue of Freshwater Canoeing Monthly, under the subtitle, The Great White Shark Had No Chance . . . ]

[The Super found a comfortable spot to read . . . ]

[Or was it to nap?]

[My dates are ready for the evening’s festivities . . . ]

[The theme was “Decades” . . . ]

[And off the charts on the cuteness scale . . . ]

[Sonny and Cher were there . . . ]

[After much confusion, they confessed to being John and Rosalba . . . ]

[Leena initially didn’t seem pleased . . . ]

[But then she found mom . . . ]

[And all was well again . . . ]

[Some of the staff counselors pretending they were at Woodstock . . . ]

[So the Super joined in . . . ]

[Did this entire generation get really tall?]

[I think Ferris was even before her parents?]

[My fellow Twins fan.  Lives in D.C. area (I worked in the same agency as his dad), went to Stanford (the Fighting Trees), and now is our next door neighbor in camp . . . ]

[Karly’s 4th year of taking care of we campers.  A local, she graduated from high school this year . . . ]

[She’s going to major in psychology in college (probably because she’s had to psychoanalyze us every year) . . . ]

[Katie’s in the sundae line – The Biddies love this part!]

[We bid our adieus to Karly, hoping she’ll come back as a counselor next year.  We told her she was a double for Anne of Green Gables . . . ]

[The aforementioned Anne with The Biddies . . . ]

[No dancing this year.  If you’ll notice the flagstone patio, it’s become a bit treacherous for such.  The plan is to replace it with pavers by next year . . . ]

[The last night campfire . . . ]

[While Reetz waxes nostalgic . . . ]

August 3

[Saturday morning, pack to leave.  Coffee and pastries available at the mess hall . . . ]

[The Super’s last minute internet check – likely saving our Google maps route home . . . ]

[Until next year . . . ]

[Reetz makes her final exit . . . ]

[Katie’s ready to drive them home to Indiana.  The Super and I made it home in 7 1/2 hours, despite stop and go traffic from the Cities to St. Cloud.  We hope to stay home for a while now . . . ]

[And finally, because someone wanted to know (Katie?), the Super did indeed compete in the Little 500 at IU as a member of the Eager Beavers . . . ]

Even in a time of elephantine vanity and greed, one never has to look far to see the campfires of gentle people.  ~  Garrison Keillor

Up Next:  Is anybody still waiting for the rest of Norway?

August 1 (continued)

[Back in camp after a morning at the Kohler Arts Center, The Biddies take off on a paddle boat to see what kind of mischief they can get into . . . ]

[(I hope I don’t have to go rescue them . . . )]

[So far, so good . . . ]

[Oh, oh – the local constabulary . . . ]

[It was regatta day – the contestants are circling for a fast start . . . ]

[The Biddies were on a mission to check out the new house, and the big swan . . . ]

[This photo, from 2012, is the best I could find for showing what used to be where the new house is being built (between The Biddies) . . . ]

[The reconnaissance is closing in . . . ]

[And the spy photo was fired . . . ]

[Meanwhile, back at the regatta . . . ]

[The onshore crowd was flush in anticipation . . . ]

[Waterfront staff checks way out yonder . . . ]

[The Biddies rush home to catch the regatta . . . ]

[Lookin’ good, in the neighborhood . . . ]

[Woo-woo!!]

[Rescued by staff!  (No sentient beings were harmed in the shooting of this narrative.)]

[Glad to be alive!]

[Dr. John flees the scene on a Hobie . . . ]

[Phyllis arrives after the regatta was called due to uninclement weather (i.e., no wind).]

[So, crank up the internal combustion engines – a pontoon ride apres dinner . . . ]

[Camp recedes behind us . . . ]

[The swimming hole . . . ]

[Looks like a new lake home on the right . . . ]

[Reeks of lakeside fun . . . ]

[The even cut of the shoreline vegetation indicates how far the deer can reach walking out on the ice to eat in the winter . . . ]

[A familiar sight to those of us on the chain of lakes . . . ]

[Jake, from the University of Tennessee, was our driver.  I told him I hate “Rocky Top.”]

[The internationally-famous Osthoff resort complex . . . ]

[And what was once Victorian Village (the Super advised it’s something else) and its Tiki Bar where arrived on Day 1 . . . ]

[Closer up of the Tiki Bar . . . ]

[Closer upper of the Tiki Bar . . . ]

[The at least locally-known Johnsonville Brat house . . . ]

[A couple years ago it was rumored to be on the market for a gazillion dollars . . . ]

[Nice place – we watched it being built back in the day . . . ]

[Returning to home-sweet-home, but no magic sunset . . . ]

[Final shot of the swan . . . ]

[Back awaiting the arrival of Pontoon No. 2 – Jack, Cheyenne, and Phyllis would be aboard its next run . . . ]

[And here it comes . . . ]

 

[Rita, Katie, and Carrie were on this one . . . ]

[The driver, from Illinois, goes to the University of Minnesota and works summer for Indiana University in Wisconsin.  He has most of the Big 10 covered.  He went to our ‘U’ because he wanted to be in a big city . . . ]

[A little evening euchre amongst the ladies . . . ]

[They generally politely suffered my shenanigans . . . ]

I’m tired of being set upon by crazed Christians one minute and unbridled libertines the next. Girls, I’m going camping.  ~ Bailey White

Up Next:  The final days of camp . . .

August 1

Well, why not lead off this post with a story about Elkhart Lake from the August 8 Minneapolis StarTribune – what timing!

http://www.startribune.com/midwest-traveler-elkhart-lake-wis-is-a-resort-town-without-the-pretension/528616121/?refresh=true

[On the way to breakfast, decided to check on the young brother and sister who share this hammock for sleeping.  The overnight temps were in the low 50’s but apparently their shared body heat kept them warm . . . ]

[Nothing was on the camp adult calendar in the morning so we decided, a la, Animal House for a – road trip!  We went back Sheboygan for a little culture at the John Michael Kohler Arts Center (JMKAC) . . . ]

[With a fine looking church at the end of the street . . . ]

[The Biddies prep for the requisite photo opts . . . ]

[Ta-da!!]

[We’ve been here several times over the years.  The first stop once inside is always the restrooms (several of them) . . . ]

[Whoever thought urinals could be so lovely?]

[And featuring the ever popular bathroom selfie . . . ]

[Our first viewings would be in the four displays on the left – the orange for autotopographers, the light blue for Collective Consciousness by Mark Baum, the purple for Visionary Reality Outpost by Saya Woolfalk, and the gold for B-Side of the Moon by Scott Reeder; followed by crossing over to the dark blue on the right for Dr. Charles Smith: Aurora . . . ]

[The brochures . . . ]

[The Super starts at the beginning of the Baum exhibit . . . ]

[Here are two of her photos . . . ]

[This is “the element” from the introduction to the exhibit.  I have no further explanation other than this is my button . . . ]

[Next . . . ]

[And here’s Reetz, a visionary reality outpost herself . . . ]

[I can only let the art speak for itself . . . ]

[And Moon World . . . ]

[Now this I get!]

[Of course something like this would catch my eye . . . ]

[Whom amongst us doesn’t enjoy doodling?]

[Had to do a double take here . . . ]

[And now crossing to the other side of the arts center . . . ]

[I’ll display some of Dr. Smith’s individuals; “group” photos by the Super are posted further down . . . ]

And now for the Super’s take on the exhibits (trying not to duplicate) . . .

[Again, letting the art speak for itself . . . ]

[Some tourist got in the way here . . . ]

[There’s that tourist guy again . . . ]

[And here’s the Super’s take on Dr. Smith’s work . . . ]

[Captured taking my solo shots . . . ]

[So, whadya think?]

[Back in charge of photos, we had a sit down at the center’s coffee shop where Rita purchased a local brew for us . . . ]

[I thought this would be a good way to end this post with another Dr. Smith piece.  We then returned to camp where the rest of the day will be featured in the nest post . . . ]

Of course, not everybody likes camping trips.  I do not myself enjoy them much, because I’m not outdoorsy . . .  ~   G.A. Cohen

Up Next:  The rest of this day at camp . . .

July 31

Camp, again (well, it was for a full week) . . . 

[Sunrise over Elkhart Lake, through the screen porch . . . ]

[The early morning reverie of walking past the waterfront, to the Sputh Round House where we would find coffee, muffins, bananas, newspapers, and conversation with the academics otherwise poring over their laptops . . . ]

[Dr. John, in spite of his medical vocation, challenges a sunburn via kayak . . . ]

[And Rosalba chases after him . . . ]

[Admonishing, “Please cover yourself!”]

[Waterfront staff at your service . . . ]

[Lunch with dozens of your closest personal friends . . . ]

[Outside, on picnic tables, where the squirrels and chipmunks provide food clean up services . . . ]

[The mess hall on the right in relation to where we’re eating.  The screen porch is where the meal buffet line resides . . . ]

[The Super tries her hand at photojournalism . . . ]

[Rita’s in place for viewing the corn hole (bean bag) tournament . . . ]

[Cold beverages, some of the adult variety, are available for participants and fans . . . ]

[The DOM, in all his majestic DOMness . . . ]

[Vicki and the DOM provide staff assistance . . . ]

[Vicki helped sew some torn bean bags and returned them to action . . . ]

[DOM chats with staffer Carrie about generational experiences as students at IU . . . ]

[Rosalba and Dr. John join the fray . . . ]

[Carrie calls in assistance to deal with the DOM . . . ]

[Staff v. Campers in a doubleheader volleyball match . . . ]

[While staff had youth, athleticism, and enthusiasm on their side . . . ]

[The campers prevailed with age and experience . . . ]

[Kent, the progeny of Vicki and the DOM, served for the campers . . . ]

[A daily schedule is posted outside the office.  I was always told to go to waterfront, sit in an Adirandack chair, read a book, and not bother anyone . . . ]

[Oh, and perform Cub Reporter duties . . . ]

[And here come my four roommates for dinner . . . ]

[They politely indulged me all week . . . ]

[And now the fine dining . . . ]

[I will admit to always taking my shower before any of them awoke to make sure I wasn’t ever in their way!]

A lot of parents pack up their troubles and send them off to summer camp.  ~  Raymond Duncan

Up Next:  Camp?  You betcha!

June 29 & 30

Continuing our week of lounging on the shores of Elkhart Lake, in weather that proved to be beautiful all week . . .

[The fellow in the following two photos is further identified above the next photo.  He and his family have been longtime week 8 campers at Camp Brosius.  One time he, his daughter, and I imagine some other folks started at the Pacific Ocean with the intention of riding their bikes across the country.  After crossing few states he had to return to work (see the following) while his daughter ultimately completed the mission at the Atlantic Ocean.  I once asked him if he would discuss string theory with me – then I laughed . . . ]

https://news.iu.edu/stories/2019/04/iub/releases/05-rick-van-kooten-executive-dean-college-of-arts-and-sciences.html

[Camp now has three Hobies for “group” outings . . . ]

[New construction across from camp had everyone trying to remember what was there before . . . ]

[The view from the living room of the Inn, looking out at the Round House on the left, our outdoor dining (picnic) tables, and the waterfront . . . ]

[40-year week 8 camper, the DOM, discussed who knows what with flabbergasted waterfront staff . . . ]

[Yes, I’ve been coming here since before your mother was born . . . ]

[This is Vicki and the DOM, they’re a matched set from Fort Wayne . . . ]

[Waterfront activities . . . ]

[More waterfront activities . . . ]

[The ever colorful Sunfish sails . . . ]

[Waterfront staff meeting an incoming Sunfish . . . ]

[It’s Jack . . . ]

[Jack, his wife Phyllis, and daughter Cheyenne having been week 8 campers for 9 years now.  They had no connection to Indiana University.  They saw Brosius on a travel site and decided to check it out.  Jack and Phyllis are geology professors at Austin Peay . . . ]

[Another successful training-for-the-regatta run . . . ]

[Here’s Vicki and her granddaughter Leena . . . ]

[Last year I was the apple of Leena’s eye . . . ]

[This year she threw me over for a younger guy (i.e., her own age), Xavier . . . ]

[Yup, I was beat out by an “X-man” . . . ]

[We and Rita had almost matching Subarus this year – hers is a hybrid . . . ]

[Meanwhile, back at waterfront, Leena is holding court . . . ]

[This was adult dinner night.  The kids were sent away (to places unknown?).]

[Orders are placed the night before – entrees either prime rib, nut-encrusted haddock, or eggplant parmesan with twice-baked potato or wildrice . . . ]

[Food is delivered by staff, who also kept our wine glasses full at all times . . . ]

[Carrie, also a longtime camper and also from Nashville, Indiana (a la, Rita and Katie), joined us in Rappaport the 2nd day . . . ]

[At the far end are Leena’s parents, Kent and Jenny.  Kent is the 2nd son to Vicki and the DOM . . . ]

[The table photo was taken by Karly, a 4-year kitchen staffer who graduated from Elkhart Lake high school this year and is matriculating to St. Norbert College majoring in psychology.  We told her she was getting an early start on her degree taking care of our group!]

[This was also faculty forum night where we learned all about – curling!  What fun!]

[And the news story of the day from USA Today . . . ]

[The aforementioned Karly later handling outdoor beverages.  I put this photo last, because it’s the one that is posted with the story on Facebook.  I thought it better than the newspaper article about groping . . . ]

I think camping is one of those things where if you’re forced into it as a child, you’ll probably hate it as an adult.  ~  Jeremy Irvine

Up Next: Still camping