-
Another travel journal - Thanksgiving 2008
Thanksgiving in NYC
November 25 - December 2, 2008
I’ve been suggesting to Dennie for several years that we visit New York City over Thanksgiving. This year he finally agreed since our ten-year-old faux niece Melody Hollis was making her Broadway debut in Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, and he realized he could also get a close look at ( Read more... ) -
Springfield, Illinois
Springfield, Illinois
Columbus Day Weekend 2008
Dennie and I spent the long holiday weekend in our historic state capitol. Sunday morning got off to an exciting start. My niece Carrie had spent the night after our Fall Fling to various orchards and markets in the hinterlands. We had warned her that we wanted to get an early start and would put her on ( Read more... ) -
Reaction to Vice Presidential debate 2008
Dear Senator Obama, Senator McCain, Senator Biden and Governor Palin,
Please stop wasting my time. I would appreciate it if you would cease and desist quoting each other’s voting records in order to make your own points. The American voter knows perfectly well that there are no single issue bills. As we’ve seen in the last couple weeks, a bill ( Read more... ) -
Presidential debate September 26, 2008
I wanted to keep track of my initial reactions to last night's first presidential debate so I took some notes as I was sitting in front of the TV. I tend to get a little emotional, mostly angry, during these political discussions and I thought some notetaking would improve my memory.
My very first thoughts were that Obama was very well-spoken and ( Read more... ) -
Seattle/Victoria vacation
NORTHWEST PASSAGES
A Travel Journal
August 31 - September 8, 2008
Dedicated to Dan and Renee--
generous hosts, thoughtful guides and beloved friends
Sunday, August 31
After a lovely wedding and reception the previous evening, Dennie and I arose early, threw a few last things into our duffel bags and headed to O’Hare Airport. Once again we ( Read more... ) -
Office wedding
On Saturday, August 30, 2008, Dennie and I attended Colleen's wedding to attorney Doug Warlick at the Millrose Inn just north of downtown St. Charles. It was a fun office event. My assistant Josh and his friend Danny carpooled with us. Suzy and her husband Ross met us at the event. We've been threatening to socialize together for years--Colleen ( Read more... ) -
My latest poem inspired by real life
Ballad of a Benner Vacation
There once was a young man named Michael B
Who went on vacation with his family.
They went to the arch, they went to the zoo,
They went to the bowling museum, too.
His mother was crazy, a terrible pest.
Every day she would ask, “What did you like best?
Was it the river, the great Mississipp?
Was it the ice cream, mint chip ( Read more... ) -
Treks in the City
Treks in the City
Our New York City vacation, May 2008
This year’s pilgrimage to the Great White Way was one of the smoothest trips we’ve ever taken. I-90 was a breeze on the way to O’Hare. We valet parked my car at a new location at a great rate-FastTrak. I’d be happy to tell you about it. We flew on United for the first time in ( Read more... ) -
Separation anxiety
Here I am in Chicagoland feeling a little anxious and distant from my beloved nieces and our friend Joe who is a much-loved member of our extended family. I wish I were able to teleport to Michigan and give each of them a hug. I like to think from my aged perspective that they are all young and happy and healthy and excited to have their entire ( Read more... ) -
Oscar predictions--my fifteen minutes of fame!
And the Oscar goes to ... according to local film fans
February 24, 2008
BY EMILY McFARLAN Courier News Staff Writer
They've watched the movies. Now film fans the world over will watch them win, or not, during the 80th Academy Awards, televised live beginning at 7 p.m. today on ABC.
"Going to ( Read more... )