Summer in the City

Well, it's official. It's summer. The air conditioner is plugged in. We have a really big rose bush. We're drinking suntea. And Harley Davidsons are going by at all hours of the night and day. Cooking Bratwursts and Italian sausages on the grill.

And we're going to Summerfest. Ten days of outdoor concerts on seven major stages not including all the smaller stages. Tons of food from all over the city, which means from all around the world. Fireworks every night.

We went to see Cheap Trick on the rock stage Thursday. It was wonderful. The band before them, Brother 6, was very good. But Cheap Trick was great. I caught a guitar pic early in the show, and was pretty happy about that. But towards the end of the show, Rick Neilson, the guitarist, threw out a album cover signed and framed by taped on pics. And when that baby hit the air and made it's arc back down, I knew it was mine. And it is!

I have noticed that things have a changed a little bit at summerfest. Less drunks, more people with cell phones. More healthy foods. But it still is great fun, and a must for anyone who's never been.

Later in the week we are gong to see more music and eat more great food.

Also last week we entertained in our new back yard. An old loading dock converted to a garden area. Ruth has been very very busy out there and it was nice to use it. I also learned that it might be best if I don't mix margaritas unsupervised. Since I don't taste test them, they end up just a wee bit too strong!! Ruth being a trooper drank one and a half 24 ouncers any way.

We are going to celebrate a Jordan tradition together on Tuesday. One of the local banks sponsers a really really big fireworks show at the lake front. We camp out all day and watch the fire works at 10:00 PM. Great fun. It gets bigger every year. People around us with just lawn chairs think we're nuts. We get there at three in the morning and set up a twenty foot trailer. We have our own portable toilets in a tent, and two gas grills. Lots of food. Lots of fun. The last one took two hours to break down, but it was a blast.

Coming up are lots of different ethnic festivals on the summerfest grounds. Festa Italiana, Polish fest, German fest, Indian Summer and so on.

Hope summer treats you all well!

And if you come to Milwaukee, come hungry and rested!