A Michigan Run...

Friday, November 5th, I am going to carefully Blog about this next chapter in our lives. A lot of it will not be shared here. I sometimes create Journal pages of things that don't need to be public. All things don't need and shouldn't be shared. So, I will record it and save it on my laptop but not share it in the Blog. Such is the nature of my life from Friday forward. 

I will state that our son is in a very difficult position. It was time for Claude and me to get to Michigan to check on him and support him at this difficult time. We re-arranged some of the things on our calendar to make a trip this particular weekend. The notice that Papa had tested positive for Covid-19 on Thursday was unsettling, not just for Papa, but for Jacob. He has been extremely careful about exposure. Now I was definitely exposed. I had tested negative. However, the reality is that it takes several days after exposure before you exhibit symptoms. I really only knew that I didn't have Covid and did not give it to Papa. I could have gotten it from Papa and that would not be evident for several days.

With all this background, Claude and I opted to make our Michigan run based on a negative test. I would wear my mask at all times when out and about. Not in my car and not when Claude and I were alone in the hotel room. We both felt fairly confident I didn't get Covid from Papa and would be okay. Jake was much more concerned. That is okay. 

Friday we drove to Chelsea, Michigan. We arrived in the afternoon and checked into our hotel. We called Jake and agreed this first night to order from Cottage Inn Pizza for each of our places. We would only talk on the telephone that night. We did agree by the end of the evening to go ahead and use the plans to be out on Saturday. I would ride in the back seat of the car on the driver's side, Claude would drive, Jake would take the front passenger seat. I would mask the entire time. 

Saturday, November 6th, we left the hotel about 10am. We picked up Jake and went to McDonald's to get a biscuit. Then we drove north on Michigan 52 to I-96. We took I-96 east to Hwy 23 North. This connects with I-75 North where we would find Frankenmuth, Michigan. 

Frankenmuth has been on my bucket list for some time. Bronner's CHRISTmas Store was something I have wanted to wander through. I really had no interest in purchasing anything. Just wanted to see it. I get the catalog. 

Bronner's is right on the main street through Frankenmuth. We drove into the parking lot. There were extremely long lines of people waiting to get into the store at every entrance. They wrapped all the way around the building. I assured the boys I really didn't need to go in with all those people. 

Fortunately, Jake has been through Frankenmuth before when driving back to Chelsea from northern Michigan. He alerted us to the Silent Night Chapel. Silent Night was first sung at St. Nicholas Church in 1818 in the town of Oberndorf near Salzburg, Austria. Flood waters destroyed St. Nicholas Church. On August 15, 1937 the Silent Night Memorial Chapel was dedicated on the site of the altar of the original St. Nicholas Church. An exact replica of the Silent Night Chapel in Oberndorf has been built on the land where Bronner's is located. We parked the car and walked the grounds and through the little Chapel. 

I took this picture because one can't help but notice that across the parking lot from the sweet chapel is the marketing side of Christmas. Such a juxtaposition of these two opposites was striking to me. The sacred across the parking lot from the secular. I am sure I was much more peaceful and happy at the Silent Night Chapel. 

In my research about Frankenmuth, I learned of the Bavarian Blacksmith Experience. It seemed this would be a good way to get Jake out and living life a bit. I booked Claude, Jake and me to forge something at this place. Claude and Jake would each make a 'Horseshoe Knife' I would make a 'Rune Pendant'. Their appointment was at 2pm and would take them an hour to complete. My appointment was at 2:30pm and would take 30 minutes to complete. This was a really fun thing to do. I was able to get pictures of the boys starting the work on their knives. Claude got a picture of me working on my pendant. The Horseshoe Knife is called that because you begin with half a horseshoe and mold it into a knife. The pendant is a blank piece of metal. You are given very clear instructions. The groups are limited to 2-4 people. There is a place in the forging room with a counter where they make leather sheaths for the knives. There was the cutest little boy making a candy cane Christmas decoration and another lady making a Rune Pendant in my group. Claude and Jake had a couple also make a Horseshoe Knife each. We started promptly and finished on time. There are two small forges to keep your items heated. The forger alternates between the participants in your group to allow all pieces to stay hot. If there is something about working your piece that requires a special skill, the forger will do that for you. The sizzling feeling when you put your completed piece in the water to cool down is really a funny feeling all the way up your arms. This turned out to be a unique and fun experience for each of us.

After you finish you piece and cool it in the water. the forger will take it to polish it or coat it, if needed. You leave the shop and they text you when it is time to return to pick up your item. We walked to the little shop that sold beignets and purchased some to eat outside in the open air. Then we walked around the shops and down to the river. There is a covered bridge over the Cass River. Great place for a photo op. 

We received our text and headed back to pick up our finished items. Claude wants to use his burning tools to put his initials on the leather sheaf for his knife. Jake will probably do the same. 

Back to Chelsea we headed. We would visit in our hotel room. It was really good to see Jacob relax and chat with us. 

Katelyn posted this picture of morning snuggles with her three munchkins. Joel is laying on Katelyn. Raelyn and Emelia are behind. Such cute kids with a very happy Mom.

Sunday, November 7th, in the morning we agreed to pick up Jake. As we waited outside his apartment, I tried to make friends with the resident squirrel which is barely visible in the first picture. Then I took a couple of pictures of the front of Jake's apartment. There is a lovely bush that was changing colors. 

Our goal in the morning was to take Jake to the XL Store for Men in Ann Arbor. We shopped for much needed clothing as he has lost a lot of weight and needed some things for winter. Then back to Dexter we drove for lunch at Arby's. We wanted to take a walk outside. It was a beautiful day and the temperature was good. Jake took us to Mill Creek in Dexter, Michigan. There is a well developed and maintained walking path along this creek. We had a delightful walk and sat on benches at one point and visited. Good time outside.

After our walk, we drove back to our hotel and spent the rest of the night visiting. We ended our day with the agreement we would stay one more day. Our plan had been to return to Georgetown on Monday. The hotel extended our stay one more night. 

Monday, November 8th, we slept in a bit. We planned to pick Jacob up at 5pm or so for dinner. We got up and went across the street to Wendy's for a biscuit breakfast. Then to CVS to get some lancets for Claude to test his blood sugar. Back to the hotel. Claude would take a nap while I read my Lord of the Rings book. It is taking forever to read but I am enjoying it. When Claude woke up, we again went across the street to Wendy's drive-thru and picked up something light for lunch. Then we tried to take a walk around the block. However, there is no sidewalk on the main street so we shortened our walk across the grass behind the hotel. 

In the evening we picked up Jake and went to the Mexican restaurant in Chelsea. We always have a great meal at this location. After dinner, we went back to the hotel to visit. It was a long, difficult evening. We ended by agreeing to call each other the next morning.

Tuesday, November 9th, I awoke early. I contacted Jake. The end of that contact was that he was to get a suitcase and pack it to come to our home for a while. We would scoop our son up and bring him back to Georgetown for a week. This would give him a break from the difficult situation in which he finds himself. Time to heal a little. We got back to Georgetown about 3pm. Claude drove to the post office to collect our mail. We cleared out some things in our guest room and settled Jacob in as best we could. 

Wednesday, November 10th, Claude had to get his Jeep serviced. I had scheduled myself for another Covid test. By this time it would have given my body time to show Covid if I had it. My appointment was at 9:30. Claude's was at 10am. I left to get my test. Then I would go to Dan Cummins to pick up Claude after he dropped the Jeep off for service. We went for a biscuit and then to Walmart to grocery shop. Claude was in search of all the meat we would need to Thanksgiving and Christmas. We had found a ham and Kroger. They had no turkeys or briskets. We were grateful Claude found both of these at Walmart. As we went back to the car, this is what my hubby did. We may be in our 70's but we are still young-at-heart. 

We were able to settle Jake into the house a bit more. Claude prepared a nice dinner. I went to the church of practice for the Primary program from 6:30pm to 8pm. Then back home to watch television with my boys. 

Thursday, November 11th, rain was anticipated in the afternoon and evening. Jake was having a difficult day. We stayed inside all day except for a quick walk before the storms came in. 

Friday, November 12th, Jake had a pretty good night and woke up determined to have a better day. We all had our breakfast and then we went for a walk showing Jake a little longer route in our neighborhood that we did on Thursday. In the afternoon, Claude and Jake put together a crock pot of chili to cook for dinner. 

At 2pm, Claude had an appointment with the ophthalmologist. Jake and I went with him because we thought he was going to have his eyes dilated. After dropping Claude off, we went to the nursing home and left a treat bag for Papa. I learned they had eight more cases of Covid with the residents. The good thing is all are doing well because they were vaccinated and got their boosters. If this had been the first go-round of Covid, the results would have been much more grim. I then drove Jake around a bit so he could learn where the roads are to get places he might want to go. Claude texted us that he was done and we picked him up. He wanted to check on some things at Lowe's. When finished there, we headed for home. 

In the evening, Jake would make cornbread to go with our chili. Then we would watch television for the evening.

We are happy to have Jake with us. He is working so hard to be better. So grateful for his honest heart and desire. Prayers and good thoughts are welcome for our family at this time.