Stop! Hammer Time

Russ once told me that he thought that there was nothing better than "FWB".....Friends With Boats. If you're lucky and have friends who have generous natures, you get to enjoy the fun of having access to a boat, without the initial expense, transport hassle and inevitable ongoing maintenance and costs. I've been doubly lucky. About ten years ago, my good friend Sherry Hammer Knutson purchased a lovely little lake home on Lake Camelot, which is located in the town of Rome near Wisconsin Rapids. About five years ago, another friend, Kathy Lohmann Davis purchased her own place on the same lake about eight homes down from Hammer's. When the gals bought their weekend places, they were both single. Both have married in the interim, but happily for me and some of my other girlfriends, they have continued their long-standing tradition of hosting a girls lake weekend at least once a summer. This year, Hammer had the weekend event at her house. There were so many things to enjoy about girls weekend on the lake this year, including but not limited to:

1.) Having absolutely no reason to wear cute outfits or put on a lick of makeup

2.) A ginormous thermos filled with pre-mixed mojitos (Thanks Paula and Sharona!)

3.) A roaring campfire with hilarious stories and Melody's special summer cocktail (vodka, seltzer, frozen limeaid and fresh raspberries)

4.) A leisurely boat ride complete with, you guessed it....the aforementioned keg o'mojitos.

5.) Beautiful sunsets

6.) Fresh air and a long 6-mile walk

7.) Sleeping like the dead in "the cave" (the windowless bedroom in the cool basement)

8.) A 60-minute spin around the lake's perimeter in the kayak (hopefully, I'll be able to lift my arms tomorrow)

9.) A cloudless night sky, jammed with stars you just can't see when you're near the lights of Milwaukee

10.) Unlimited laughs with some of my favorite people

Wisconsin is blessed with such natural beauty. I'm blessed with wonderful friends who let me share it with them.

Making the most of "funemployment"

On my last full free day of my last full free week of total "funemployment" I decided to make the most of the lovely day and take out my mountain bike for a spin on the Lake Country recreational trail. The trail head is located at the Landsberg Center just east of the Country Springs Hotel in Waukesha. The first 4.5 miles of the trail is a relatively flat, mostly gravel trail that meanders past lakes and golf courses, through blooming meadows and verdant marshes. It's not uncommon to see the occasional deer or wild turkey loitering near the trail, sometimes with little ones following closely behind. Just about when you have been lulled into a false sense of security about the level of difficulty of your ride, bam! You hit a very steep, seemingly endless 1/2 mile uphill section that has felled more than a few recreational cyclists. I'm in pretty good biking shape this season, but that didn't preclude me from putting my trusty Trek into the easiest granny gear possible as I attacked the hill. I'm sure the sight of me frantically pedaling my bike as I inched up the steep incline was pretty amusing to the golfers taking a break between holes at Naga-Waukee.

Once at the top, goal completed, you are rewarded with a lovely view of Pewaukee lake behind you. The trail continues through downtown Delafield and ends at Cushing Park. Delafield is one of my favorite little towns. With the Lang Co. influence apparent in almost every structure, visiting there is like taking a step back 100 years into the past. You almost expect to see ladies in petticoats, men in top hats and horse drawn carriages in the streets. I always stop at this charming little popcorn stand to grab a treat or a beverage before making the 7.5 mile return trip.

Funemployment has been good to me. This is the 4th time I've hit the trail this season. Most likely, I'll be completely re-employed within the next month or so. Soon after, the winter winds will begin to howl and the snow will fly. I'll see you next season LCRT.

Everything is better with bacon

When Russ and I were at the Tour De France in 2001, we ended up watching a mountain stage with a group of Americans who came to cheer on Lance Armstrong. Due to the fact that both driving routes to the gathering on the mountain were closed before they were supposed to be, Russ and I made the 13-mile trek toward Chamrousse on foot, armed only with comfortable sports sandals and sheer determination to reach the party. All we had in our backpacks that day were two bottles of water each, a six pack of beer, and a bag of bacon-flavored Bugles. Now, as far as I know, the genius that is bacon-flavored Bugles is not available in the United States. So, needless to say, I snapped up those babies without hesitation in France's equivalent of a 7-Eleven earlier in the day. When we arrived at our destination 13 miles and 5+ hours from where we began, I quickly busted out the brewskies and Bugles and offered some to a couple of our new friends. One of the guys we met (and I wish I remembered his name) uttered the following words ........."Everything is better with bacon". No truer words have ever been spoken my friend. Wherever you are guy from mountain....Thanks a million for one of my favorite catchphrases.

I said those words twice the other night at the State Fair as I gobbled down chocolate- covered bacon and bacon-wrapped water chestnuts, both on sticks of course, with Stace and Jenn. Everything IS better....MUCH better.....with bacon.

Chez Rech gets a new lid

After 7 Days, 10 workers, lots of pounding, and big mess to clean up, my condo has a new roof and gutters. After seeing how nice the roof looked, I realized my garage door was looking a little long in the tooth, so, after a quick trip to the Home Depot for some paint, I gave it a little spruce up. The place is looking pretty spiffy. Next up....some long neglected interior projects.

All You Need Is Love

It's official...........My dearest friends, Stacy Stevens and Bill Reuter have tied the knot. Sometimes love, like life, is a marathon not a sprint. They had a short (thanks guys!) civil ceremony followed by a lovely reception in the upstairs room at Piano Blu on Pewaukee Lake. The venue, food, music and vibe were perfect and everyone had a great time.

As I stood there watching the proceedings, I realized that some things simply are, and always were, meant to be. Congratulations Stace and Bill! I wish you a lifetime of love, laughter and friendship.

Danke Schoen John Hughes

I was saddened to hear of the early passing of writer/director John Hughes on Thursday. So many of his films have become classics, not only to teenagers of the 80's like me but to generations since. High school can be a tough place, but in his films Hughes always seemed to be able to bridge the differences between all types of kids and communicate the message that it didn't matter who or what you were, it was OK to be just exactly that. To this day, I still frequently quote lines from his most enduring films such as Sixteen Candles, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Pretty in Pink and The Breakfast Club. Below are a few of my favorites. Danke Schoen John Hughes. You made being a teenager just a little bit easier.

• "No more yanky my wanky, the donger need food!"- Long Duk Dong, Sixteen Candles
  
• "Screws just fall out all the time, the world's an imperfect place.- John Bender, The Breakfast Club
• "Don't mess with the bull, young man. You'll get the horns."-Mr. Vernon,The Breakfast Club
• I mean, not many girls in contemporary American society today would give their underwear to help a geek like me.-Ted, Sixteen Candles
• What was he wearing? Well, uh, let's see, he was wearing a red argyle sweater, and tan trousers, and red shoes... No, he's not retarded. -Grandpa Howard, Sixteen Candles
• What do you guys do in your club?
  In physics we, uh, we talk about physics, uh, properties of physics.
  So it's sorta social, demented and sad, but social. Right?- Brian Johnson, John Bender, The Breakfast Club
• Anyone? Anyone?....Bueller?- Econ teacher, Ferris Bueller's Day Off
• Oh, he's very popular Ed. The sportos, the motorheads, geeks, sluts, bloods, waistoids, dweebies, dickheads - they all adore him. They think he's a righteous dude.-Grace, Ferris Bueller's Day off

What's in a name?

I just wanted to use this post to give a quick shoutout to a few people who helped me create the idea and the "brand" if you will, behind my blog. A huge thanks to my best friends Bill and Stacy for helping me brainstorm the name. It actually didn't take long, as we quickly found the connection from my last name to the room in many peoples homes (or basements) that is designed solely for entertainment. As kids, we spent hours in our basement recreation room building forts, playing video and board games, and seeking saftey from the occasional tornado. Hopefully, I'll entertain with this blog.

Another big thank you to my friend Jenn Rochon. A very talented graphic artist, she suggested and created the groovy, 70's style image. Don't you remember sitting in your basement, playing Atari as a kid as you stared at a clock or wall hanging very similiar to the one in my graphic? I do. Thanks again Bill, Stace and Jenn!

Welcome to the Rech Room

Hello!

Welcome to the very first post on my new blog, The Rech Room. I think the first, most logical question is "Mary, why are you writing a blog?" That's a perfect question. When I started to consider this idea, my first thought was "Why would anyone want to read my blog?" "What is interesting and special about me, my interests or my life?" My sister Peggy sort of backed up that sentiment when someone asked her if she would ever blog. Maybe that's a Rech family hangup....not really feeling comfortable bringing attention to ourselves.

After floating out the idea to some of my peeps, I was assured, that at least for a select few, my blog would be special. And, it will allow me to document all the experiences and photographic evidence of my life adventures in one centralized location. I'm terrible about documenting memories and milestones in my life and the lives of the people who are important to me. I have an untold number of boxes crammed full of photographs, undated and waiting patiently to be put into albums. I don't journal or even keep a simple diary. I want to be able to create memories that I can reflect on in years to come. Simply put, I hope that if people start to read and expect new blog posts, I will feel the pressure and the guilt (thanks St. Anthony's Catholic grade school nuns!) to keep it updated. For them, but really, for me.

I know who will read this regularly. All the usual suspects. 1.) My parents, who signed a contract at my birth stating they would love me unconditionally, support me emotionally and financially when needed, and read my potential future blog. 2.) My sister-in-law, Andrea. She is not only a great sis-in-law and friend, but a self described "blog junkie". My theory is if she will read the blogs of a gaggle of people she has never met, she'll check in on mine. 3.) Peg and Russ, my sister and brother-in-law. They both enjoy a blog now and again, and Russ, who has been blogging so well for years was my primary inspiration. 4.) My dear friends Stacy, Karen and Naomi. They signed the friend version of the aforementioned contract...blog reading is a mandatory clause. 5.) Jassen, my wonderful brother-in-law. Mostly, because he's simply one of the most thoughtful people on the planet in my humble opinion and he would want to support me. Now, who won't read it. 1.) My brothers. I love them both dearly but Ross has never met a computer he likes or knows how to truly operate, and Steve....oh Steven....well, who knows, he may just surprise me.

What will I write about? Probably just about everything and anything that grabs my interest that day, week or month. Events, news, books, movies, cultural tidbits, people, local happenings, travels, things that make me go "hmmmmm", awesome vocabulary words (or should I say wondrous, stupefying, majestic or exalted vocabulary words?) In short, just general observations from somehow who generally likes to observe. So, I hope you will enjoy it. Welcome to The Rech Room!