You come down here and think about that

Sunday, July 6, 2025

Man, I love after-a-party. The house is clean, there are leftovers to eat, you don’t have anything on the to-do list, and some of the people are still around. What could be better?!

Benjamin golfed a quick nine with Amanda and Erick this morning (Lindsay walked along). The excessive golf this holiday time has been outstanding. Benjin golfed 90 holes, and I believe Daniel got in 95 (including his 14 virtual holes in the Denver airport after he landed this morning). Such enjoyment and togetherness.

He got home just in time for our home-made Grand Slam breakfast. He did not know what that was, but he enjoyed it.

After talking about it for two days, Donna, Michael, Keith, and I went to Raspberry Island in St. Paul to see the art installation for the summer of paper mâché alebrijes – fantastical mixed up animal spirit guides. Donna wasn’t so sure about it all, because she does not like that dog from Coco. I assured her I did not like the dog either, so it would be fine.

While we were there, we learned that Donna can’t jump up on something with two feet. She can step up. She can hop straight up. She cannot jump and go forward. Apparently, she has been trying for years to figure it out, but so far, no success. She gives it her all. She bounces her knees. She swings her arm vigorously. She counts 1-2-3! Nothing happens. Cement feet.

There is no way that description is in any way as funny as it is in person.

I tried really hard to help. I held her hand and jumped. Nothing. I held two hands and jumped. Nothing. At one point, while I was on the grass and she was standing on the edge of the road trying to jump up the curb, I suggested she try sideways. I thought maybe if she wasn’t looking at the mountainous obstacle (a curb), she could sneak up and jump. She lines up perpendicular to the curb, then looked at me with squinted eyes and said, “You come down here and think about that. That is impossible.” I went down and thought about. I lined up perpendicularly and jumped up onto the grass.

The disbelief and then laughing were fantastic. Not jumping is great.

I walked back and forth in a water feature and it was great. I told Donna to come with me. She did and the wind blew the water on her and she almost knocked me into the water dodging the water. More laughing.

I had a hard time stepping over the breaks in the walkway leading with my left foot. I practiced. Quite a bit. Donna can’t jump up on things and my left foot is as stupid as my left hand. We are quite a pair.

We had ice cream – peachy keen cone for Donna, the men had the Gilligan’s Island (vanilla ice cream, pineapple soda, coconut cream) and I had the Dash (Dr. Pepper float). A beautiful hot day was made better by a cold treat.

Donna and Michael packed up and set off to Wisconsin. Benjamin wasn’t too far behind them. We had Chicago dogs for dinner and I went over to hang out by the pool while Maren floated. You don’t know it, but that is a complete 180 for us. Interesting times!!

Packed with candy (and ice for the owie spot Donna keeps biting on her inside lip) and ready to roll.

Bye bye, Benjin. Squeeeeze