Saturday, August 15, 2026
We had lunch at Kopp’s because the flavor was a FAVORITE – Bienenstichkuchen (bee sting cake) (almond custard with pastry cream, almonds, raspberry, honey, and sponge cake). We also shared a hamburger and Keith admitted he is more smitten with their hamburgers than the custard. (wow)
There was a guy from the west coast who flew to Minneapolis for business. He did the things, then rented a car and started the drive to Milwaukee. He passed signs giving mileage to upcoming towns, and one name really caught his attention. Oconomowoc. Every other letter was o. Mmm. He wondered how to pronounce it each time he saw it. Ok-on-om-ow-ok. Maybe. With all oh sounds maybe? Ohk-ohn-ohm-oh-ohk? Okon-omo-wok? He had no idea. He was feeling like a snack and saw a billboard for DQ at the Oconomowoc exit. He couldn’t resist. After ordering his blizzard he said to the worker, “I’m not from around here. Could you please tell me how to pronounce the name of this place. Please say it slowly so I can get it.” She was happy to help. She said, “Dare-eeeee-kweeeen.”
That is the only joke I know. Well, that and why did the monkey fall out of the tree? (Because he was dead)(Yeah, you might’ve had to have been there)
Anyway, when Keith and I were in Newport RI a couple years ago we saw blown glass flower arrangements in an art store. They just absolutely got me. I loved them all, but they were soooo expensive it was not to be. Keith said he contacted the store for Christmas that year, but they were no longer carrying that artist’s works. Keith said he could not find him. Flash forward to last week. I was reading a novel set in Newport and it made the flowers pop into my head. I googled glass flowers Newport RI and found him very quickly. His website offers arrangements and single flowers for sale, at much lower prices than the gallery was offering. Then I saw a button SEE ME HERE. I clicked and it listed art shows he would be at. Most in New England, a couple in Florida, and one in Oconomowoc WI for THIS weekend — when we were already going to be in Madison!! BAM! Fate! Time to shop!
We took our own vase with us. Chris, the glass blower, filled it with rice so we could make an arrangement. IT WAS SO MUCH FUN. I wanted every flower but I managed to control myself. It ended up to just a bit more than one quarter of the one we liked at the art gallery (which had included a vase). Delightful! Look forward to seeing it in a corner of our family room soon!
Next, we were off to Madison for the White cousin reunion. My dad had six brothers and sisters. They ended up in Waukesha, Madison, Platteville (area), Neillsville, Bowling Green KY, El Toro CA, and WI/VA/IL/CT/CA (that uncle made for great vacation destinations). As cousins, we were not close. There is a 22-year age difference from start to end. In the past couple years there has been some Facebook connecting and (sadly) some funeral connecting and the idea of a reunion was born. Today we gathered in Madison from GA/MN/AZ/OR/WI. It was just great. I remember a gathering at my aunt Margaret’s house when I was about 12 and that is the last time I had seen several of these people.
Sam’s house was perfect for a party! I just loved it!
