I rolled into June 2010, pleased as punch to have Erin and her kids Nate and Chloe as my houseguests following our trip to Dollywood and the Memorial Day holiday. The bad news was that I was back to work, so I could only enjoy their company in the evening. So on the 1st of the month, they visited with her Dad, who lives in Tara Estates in the same home where Erin spent much of her childhood.
The fun didn’t begin for me until I got off work and met up with Erin, her kids, and her Dad Jim and Stepmother Judy at Fairfield Park in Fairborn. He was leading the team as softball pitcher for St. Mark’s Church. It was an exciting game, but his team ended up losing by just one run. I still enjoyed my bratwurst and Yoo-Hoo. When we got home, Nate watched The Day After and Chloe watched Ice Princess, while Erin and I went on a nice walk around the neighborhood. I nodded off early that night.
Chloe, Nate, Judy, and I enjoy a nice evening softball game
I love Yoo Hoo. I love Yoo Hoo too.
I invade the family portrait with Nate, Jim, Judy, Chloe, and Erin
Erin’s Volvo had been having problems with the air conditioning freezing up and blower stopped blowing, so I arranged through Bob to meet a friend of his named Steve to have a look at the car after work on Tuesday, June 2. While we waited, we all went out to Frisch’s Big Boy to enjoy some more midwestern cuisine. The Brawny Lad hit the spot, but during dinner, we had a tremendous storm that nearly caused the restaurant to lose power. The bad news was that Steve could not get the car to fail, so we never got anywhere on the air conditioning.But on the bright side, when I got home I saw that Erin had cleaned my house for me. We all watched the movie I Am David and checked out Laurel and Hardy in Brats.
Nate shows us how to handle those Ohio Big Boy burgers
A stormy evening at Frischs
Erin paid visits to her former friends Jamie and Joe during the daytime on Thursday, June 3. We all met back at my house after work that evening and Erin made some of best Thai noodles I have ever had. She is an amazing cook and if I close my eyes, I can still taste them.
We went bowling that night at Beaver Vu, and Ashleigh joined us for a bit after she got off work at Bob Evans. My showing was less than stellar. I think my favorite quote of the night was when Erin asked me, “How could you get only two pins…with bumpers??” Yes, its embarrassing but the bumpers were actually for Chloe’s benefit. I couldn’t decide on whether they helped or hindered my performance. In the end, Nate won the first game with a 117 (Erin had 105, I had 85, Chloe had 70) and I was the victor in the second game with 114, but Ashleigh was brathing down my neck with a 113 (Nate had an 88, and Chloe and Erin each had a 72).
Nate watches his ball gently avoid the bumpers
Chloe sails one down the alley
Ashleigh stops by after work and brings a very messy wrap
With this incredible form, it’s hard to believe I didn’t bowl and a 300
I liked the view of Erin from this angle
The only bowler wearing a Bob Evans smock (and inappropriate shoes)
The first couple of bowling
The winners circle
On the way out, we were momentarily distracted by the allure of the Original Glow Machine
We went home that night and paid tribute to Dorothy DeBorba, who I found out that day at passed away the day before, by watching Our Gang’s The Kid From Borneo. Dorothy and I had gone all the way back to 1980. I hadn’t seen her since the 2000 convention, but had hoped to meet up with her again during the upcoming Sacramento convention.
Friday evening was probably my favorite night of all. Erin had spent the afternoon visiting with her friend Nathalie. She bribed Nate to babysit that night by picking up Chinese food for him on the way home. That way she and I could go out on a date night. On the way home I saw the most amazing rainbow I have ever seen. This almost negated the six-car pile up that brought traffic to a halt. Finally, I made it home, got ready, and we headed out.
After looking in vain for Shades of Jade over by Wright State, a Chinese restaurant that apparently no longer exists, we opted to visit the much more busy Greene and go to the Cheesecake Factory. We got some great avacado eggroll appetizers to kick off the meal. I got a sangria and she went for the martini. I had a great bleu cheeseburger and then we split a slice of vanilla cheesecake for dessert. We also picked up one to bring home for the kids. We walked around the Greene for a bit, then stopped in The Pub, so I could enjoy the most splendid Strongbow cider ale. We got back that night and went for a walk in the darkness around the neighborhood, spreading a blanket out by the neighborhood pond, watching the stars, and recalling the music, the games, and the days of our lives.
A most remarkable rainbow on 675
A most remarkable evening at the Cheesecake Factory
Capping off a drink at The Pub
2010 will continue with a fun day in Yellow Springs…
Bypass Erin’s visit and continue with 2010…
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