June 5, 1992

Once again I have only the dimmest memory of the specific circumstances of going to bed last night.  How far into Nick at Nite's evening line-up did I remain conscious?  I really have no idea.

I almost miss the WAPL board meeting in Oshkosh.  I stop at City Hall and the library to get the checks ready for distribution.  Ilene informs me that Marie has called in sick.  Fortunately, Susan is willing to fill in for the day.

Ten miles into the trip, I curse myself for not bringing along the camcorder.  I wanted to shoot a memory-lane video as I drove around Oshkosh.  It will have to be done at another time.

I'm fifteen minutes late for the meeting, but the group present is still chatting informally once I arrive since they don't have a quorum.  My presence takes care of that problem.  I'm expecting a short meeting, under two hours, meaning that we'll be done around noon, but it takes us until nearly 2 to get through the agenda.  That gives me only the briefest of opportunities to walk through the library and greet familiar faces.  On a Friday afternoon in the summer when the reduced 37-hour work week has one into effect, the possibilities are greatly reduced.   Except for John Stoneberg, who is eager to get back to Eau Claire, the board members eat lunch at Tortilla Flats, my choice -- and my first visit since the restaurant has moved into its new location.  The cheese crisp is still as massive and tasty and filling as ever.

I always experience such a tingle of disbelief whenever I visit Oshkosh, as if I have returned to a special dreamworld.  I did so little here professionally, but so much socially, which is the area I gave more priority anyway -- though maybe I underestimate my achievements here.  I wonder how I would feel about myself today if I were still there, still single perhaps, still content to have biking and drugs as my main sources of pleasure.  I think I'd be an awfully weary, self-loathing man.

Time constraints do not allow any surprise visits,  I think about how much I'd like to see Bob for even a few minutes.  Driving past Dave and Lynn's duplex, I notice a swing set and sandbox in the back yard.   For the people who rent the upstairs apartment?  Or have Dave and Lynn moved elsewhere?  For all I know, they could be in another state.  I haven't been in touch with them for nearly two years.

The Nissan is one of a multitude of vehicles speeding along highway 151.  I return to Madison in time to cash my check at the credit union, but not to contact JoAnna about picking up the boys.

We spent the evening at Festa Italia with Larry and Martha and Michael (and Martha's sister Liz).  It's so much fun watching Andy interact with other children his age.  He makes friends so quickly.

April 11, 1992

Bombed this weekend in 1223 theaters

For the first weekend in months, JoAnna doesn't have to campaign.  Somehow, though, the day can't measure up to my high expectations.  The weather is the biggest culprit.  We had planned to attend the Muskies home opener, but not when the sky is overcast and the temperature struggles to reach 40.  We decide to go shopping, first stopping at the credit union to deposit my Nuts and Bolts check and then at Larry and Martha's to attempt to formulate some plans for the evening.  We stay for a half hour, leave after making very tentative plans for dinner at our place.  On the drive to West Towne, we take a brief detour to look at the house Larry and Martha just bought.  Andy and JoAnna are hungry so lunch precedes shopping.  We consider burgers at the Village Green, but that's too far out of our way.  We settle for Upstairs Downstairs Deli.  I order a reuben and am served a very soggy, tasteless creation.  Andy's a bit hyper and spills so much ketchup on the front of his sweats we decide to go home after we eat.  He pleads with Mom to go shopping with her and promises to be good.  JoAnna relents.  Later in the afternoon, I take the boys grocery shopping.  Larry and Martha (with Michel in tow) and Barb and Chuck join us for dinner, Michael's frozen custard, and games.

March 28, 1992

Andy reminds me that we having sausage for breakfast.  I haven't forgotten.  Andy's steel-trap memory never ceases to amaze me.

Andy accompanies JoAnna to the Capitol for the final session of the legislature.  Eddie and I spend about a half hour in the back yard.  JoAnna focuses on a variety of campaign activities in the afternoon.  The boys and I spend some time outside, enjoying the relatively mild, though sunless, weather.

JoAnna and I go out to dinner with Larry and Martha at Crandall's.  It takes us three stops to find a place for some after-dinner conversation.  Branch Water is sporting Damon signs, the Club is too crowded, and from the look of the number of........

February 1, 1992

Wisconsin State Journal, 2/1/1992

Sitting at the kitchen table and looking out the window, I cringe at the sight of the soffit above the garage door.  I notice too much peeling paint and water discoloration and think about major dollar going into major exterior house repairs.

Later in the afternoon, we go with Larry and Martha to a spaghetti supper at the high school, a fundraiser for the choral group.  Bowling afterwards is not an option -- no open lanes at the Sport Bowl until midnight -- so we return to the house to eat ice cream and chat.

Friday, January 17, 1992

After driving the boys to daycare, I cash my check at the credit union and return home a half hour past our scheduled departure time.  Not a problem.  Barb and Chuck have not yet arrived.  We pack the van and leave shortly before ten, stopping at McDonald's to pick up breakfast, which includes 9 orders of hash browns.  I only drive the first 50 miles; then Chuck volunteers to take over.  His driving makes me -- and everyone else -- so nervous, but I don't argue.  We meet the Blumenfelds and Cieslewiczs in Minocqua to eat lunch at Bosacki's.

The Rittenhouse bed-and-breakfast in Bayfield is an eye-opening establishment.  Beautifully appointed rooms.  Cozy, snowbound setting.

After unpacking, we meet for supper.  Maggie's, the only real choice at this time of year, has a long waiting list, so we walk 3 blocks in -20 degree cold to Marty's, a typical bar and while away some time.  We spend a half hour at the bar once we get back to Maggie's, waiting for a cluster of tables that will seat ten.  In the meantime, we continue to drink and jabber away.  Dinner itself is a wonderful group experience.  We have so much fun.  Back at the Inn, we gather in Barb and Chuck's room to play 60s Trivial Pursuit, and I dazzle the group with my answers -- notably the "Hog Farm" response.

Tuesday, December 31, 1991

JoAnna works, I take the day off, and until 3 o'clock I'm doing chores and keeping an eye on the boys.  Andy is especially rambunctious.  We do grocery shopping in the morning, and I take an hour's break to watch Perry Mason.  After the last of the laundry is folded, I fix myself a martini and return to the TV room.  JoAnna returns home at 3:30.

Jess watches the boys, and JoAnna and I spend New Year's Eve at Larry and Martha's with Chuck and Barb.  Martha prepares a great turkey dinner.  Afterwards, we sit around and talk and, after Chuck and Barb leave, play Trivial Pursuit.  Larry and I win both games.

JoAnna and I drive home at 2:00 on surprisingly deserted streets.

November 9, 1991

Barb is up surprisingly early.  The reason is obvious.  She's made an appointment to have her hair done.  The rest of us to out to Perkins for breakfast.  Eddie is an absolute angel.  He chows down on pancakes and sits in his high chair looking cute.

Later in the morning JoAnna has a meeting with Dick Wagner, and Barb spends about an hour in front of the bathroom mirror redoing her hair.  Why does she have this obsession with her appearance?  She never goes anywhere.  Besides herself, who is she trying to look good for?

I do the laundry, clean out and reorganize the bathroom closet (once that room is free), and transport the rotting pumpkins on the front stoop to the compost pile in the back yard.

We have company for supper:  Larry and Martha and Michael, Chris and Diane.   We play the 60s version of Trivial Pursuit and call it an evening shortly after 9.  Not that many years ago, I'd just be warning up to a night of sheepshead, which would probably go to 1 or 2 or sometimes 3 a.m.  There's a one-word explanation for the major lifestyle change:  parenthood.

October 13, 1991

LINK

I don't get very far with my continuation of the window cleaning project.   During the afternoon, we take a drive in the country -- west on Airport Road to Cross Plains, to 14 west, 79 north, 16 east until we eventually find the Tree Farm, a "pick-your-own" market located on a hilltop a few miles west of Springfield Corners.  We buy pumpkins and gourds, but I veto the cornstalks.

"There's no room to put them inside the van, Hon."

At Larry and Martha's, Michael is just about ready to fall asleep when we arrive.  Andy is rather rambunctious, filling up our hosts' quiet time with his antics.  Back home, John Dickert joins us for supper, and he and JoAnna discuss her run for a county board seat.

September 20, 1991

The entrance to Crandall's

Today's a slow day at the library from opening to closing.  During my lunch break, I get measured for a tux and buy the dark-brown crewneck sweater I saw at Land's End yesterday.   JoAnna and I visit Larry and Martha at St. Mary's Hospital.  It's like walking through a maze trying to find their room.  On the way home, we pick up three fish dinners at Crandall's.  I read and watch one inning of the Braves-Dodgers game.

September 14, 1991

Andy's not interested in going to the library with me.  He's not fully awake by the time I leave and would rather watch TV anyway.  I set up for the bake sale at the book sale.  Very little business while I'm there.

Back home I watch the boys and tape Beatles tunes while JoAnna does chores.  Larry and Martha visit us during the afternoon to escape the hoopla and noise of the Badgers' first home game of the season

August 17, 1991

There's not much time for chores this morning.  We have tickets for the Bills-Packers game at Camp Randall Stadium and Larry and Martha are hosting a tailgate party.   Parking is a breeze; Larry saves a place in his garage.  During the game, Andy stretches my patience to the limit.  I take him to the bathroom three times before halftime, to the concession stand twice.  I hope he'll want to walk around the playing field during the 4th quarter but he doesn't take to the idea.  We delay our departure home until 45 minutes after the game but still experience gridlock.  JoAnna is tired after a busy week so she takes a nap as soon as we get home.  I take Andy grocery shopping with me.  JoAnna settles on soup for supper, but I'm hungry for something more substantial so I grill some beef ribs and potatoes and steam some broccoli. 

August 7, 1991

The day passes quickly.  I continue to work on the long range plan and budget proposal  After work, I attend a fundraiser for Chuck Chvala at Larry and Martha's.  Great turnout, although the congestion of people in the kitchen and dining room makes that side of the house a little steamy.  While I'm chatting with Doug and Karen, Coral congratulates me on my Librarian of the Year award.  I think she wrote one of my letters of support.  JoAnna and Andy attend, but they leave before I do.  Andy doesn't act up too much.  I gotta admit I'm proud of that little guy.

The others have already eaten by the time I get home.  

July 13, 1991

The Madison Club

The day starts out cool and overcast, but by late morning the sky starts to clear.  I do a little bit of yard work, nothing major, mostly a chance to be in the sun with my shirt off.  JoAnna takes Andy with her on a shopping trip to buy shoes.  She returns with a look on her face that immediately lets me know she had no success.  Andy acted up too much. 

We meet Larry and Martha at the Edgewater Pier, where we spend a pleasant hour.  Barb and Chuck's wedding is at 4 in the Senate Chambers.  The ceremony itself lasts a brief 10 minutes.  The reception is at the Madison Club.  We don't stay for the after-dinner festivities as JoAnna isn't feeling well.

June 23, 1991

JoAnna fixes pancakes for breakfast and later in the morning, I do the plantings under the big tree in the back yard.  The boys nap while JoAnna and Barb go shopping, but I really don't have time to get into the project.  Looks like all I'll be able to do this weekend is clear out my desk area.  During the late afternoon, Andy and Eddie and I walk to the park, where Andy and I play baseball.  Looks like Andy's going to be a spray hitter.  Larry and Martha join us for supper, but only stay until 7.  JoAnna gives the boys their baths.  I seem to be on autopilot, frequently thinking back to those times when all my free time was my own and I could jump on my bicycle and ride for hours, stopping every now and then to fire up a joint.  I was both lonely and contented then, a sometimes psychologically unwieldy combination.

June 8, 1991

Liz calls to inform me that Chris can't make it to work.  Can I be on call?  Fifteen minutes later, I am reassured by the news that Deb has agreed to fill in.  A couple hours later Liz calls a thud time to say that Deb isn't feeling well, but not to worry, it's a slow day and she and Maria can handle it.  Andy and I go to Menard's to buy some landscaping posts for my backyard project.  We run into Kathy (Weise) and Bill while we're there.  Then  while Andy is napping and Barb is watching Eddie, I make a trip to the Bruce Company.  I spend most of the afternoon setting the posts in place, using the mattock to loosen the earth and provide a level surface.  When JoAnna returns from the Capitol, she asks if I'd be willing to do the grocery shopping.  I lose my list along the way, but the only important thing I forget is the [illegible].  I also stop at KMart to buy some end tables for the patio.  Larry and Martha and, later, Chuck join us for a cookout.

February 14, 1991

I start off the day's specialness with Valentine cards and pictures of Andy and Eddie placed strategically on the dining table.  At lunchtime, I stop at Middleton Floral to buy a corsage for JoAnna, but naturally they're too busy for any additional orders.  Not wanting to walk away empty-handed, I purchase one dozen red roses.

JoAnna and I meet Larry and Martha at the Top of the Park.  We arrive first and immediately order drinks.  "Are you going to order a martini?" JoAnna asks   The waiter takes her order then walks away.  I wave him back to be more specific, but  he still brings me something "different", a martini with a twist instead of an olive.

Dinner at the Blue Marlin is outstanding.   I order a filet mignon stuffed with oysters.  As the evening progresses, I occasionally wonder if it appears obvious that I've had too much to drink.  I'm not in the mood to give it much thought, though.

January 26, 1991

JoAnna and I make the mistake of allowing Andy to sleep with us.  Consequently, I experience a restless night. I take care of Eddie's 5 a.m. feeding, allowing him to fall back asleep on my chest before returning him -- and myself -- to bed.  Around 8 o'clock I stretch my arm and discover that I'm alone in bed.  I then sleep peacefully for two hours.

Until our guests arrive, it's chore time:  cleaning the house, doing laundry.  I walk to Sentry to buy the ingredients for an appetizer.  It's a cold, blustery day, and my face is nearly frozen when I return.  Chuck and Barb, Larry and Martha join us for dinner, a very relaxing, cozy evening.  The one low point:  my sister's contribution to the conversation about nicknames.  Am I being overly sensitive or are certain embarrassing family-related flashes from the past truly inappropriate?