Hi from Max - I sure miss my Grandma

Hi, this is Max.  It's been a long time since Mama has let me write on her blog, but here I am.  I'm getting older and don't have quite the energy that I used to, but I still have fun when I can.   Things have changed around here lately.  There was this lady that Mama and Daddy referred to as "Grandma" that came to live with us a while back.  She was really nice; she gave me treats, let me lick her dishes after she ate good stuff from them, and took me for LOTS of walks.   She let me come up on her bed when Mama would leave for work (and Mama works really long days!) and look out her window at all the deer and bunnies and squirrels.  She has a dog, too, only Missy just stays in one place and doesn't say anything.  Mama says it's because Missy is "stuffed."  Maybe she shouldn't eat so much then!

So last week her room started getting more crowded.  Lots of boxes and totes - I could tell something was up.  On Sunday, Mama and Daddy started carrying the boxes and totes out to the garage.  Daddy filled up his big blue trailer, and on Monday they pulled the trailer away and that was the last I saw of Grandma.

Mama says she lives in her own apartment again.  She has lots more room for all her stuff and is making lots of new friends.  The only bad thing is that dogs like me aren't allowed to come visit.  Mama says she'll take me over there and we can pick her up and go on an adventure like we did a couple of times this summer.   We still have to be a little careful of this virus thing that everybody talks about.  They even have to cover up their faces!  Glad I don't have to have my face covered up!

I sure miss my Grandma.

rediscovering an old friend

At work and between patients the other day.  Googled "RedhedMary" just for fun.  The link for my old blog came up, I'd pretty much forgotten about it.  It was way cool to go back to the beginning and read again about my two trips to Europe, my trip to Japan, and other fun things.  Also stuff that wasn't so fun but good reminders.

I'm thinking I may just start writing in the blog again.

Quick re-introduction:   I've been working at Spectrum Health's Beltline Integrated Care Center (hereafter in the blog known as the BICC) since 2017, registering Urgent Care patients.  These last six months have been quite the journey, though, as the world is in the midst of a pandemic due to the COVID-19 virus.  I can truthfully say that working in health care during a pandemic was NOT on my bucket list!

Steve retired a few years back, but is not taking retirement well, especially after the pandemic started.  He is the typical grumpy old man....

My stepdad died in July 2017, just after I started at Spectrum Health.  Hurricane Irma hit Florida that fall, and did quite the number on her trailer.  She eventually moved to Indiana, lived near Indianapolis for about a year, and then moved to Michigan to be near me.  She was living in a place called Pilgrim Manor, assisted living but at zero level of car (basically independent.)  When COVID hit, she was confined to her room as were the other residents.  When a new resident was admitted, COVID positive, after the lockdown began, she wanted out - who could blame her?  She moved in with Steve and I, and will move back into her own place next week, in a senior retirement apartment community.

Scott is still in the Air Force, after Japan he was back to Korea for a year, this time at Osan AB.  Then came a move to Lakenheath, England, where he was reunited with Marty and they have lived off base in Beck Row.

Eric and Trina were married in June, 2017, and are doing well (but no grandbabies yet...)   Eric is a critical care nurse for Spectrum Health at Blodgett Hospital, and Trina is still working part time at Pine Rest while studying for her Medical College Admission Test retake (MCAT.)

Max is 11 now, slowing down some but still a lively and loved companion to us both.

Pink Arrow IX

Yesterday, I was privileged to be part of Pink Arrow 9, the Lowell community's annual event to raise funds to support those on a cancer journey.  My participation was via representing Gilda's Club as their mascot, Sparkle the Dog.  My first stop was at the high school gym for their pep rally.  Ali, a new Gilda's staff member, spoke about Gilda's Club and I just made an appearance.  Introduced by Tommy & Brook from Star-105.  That was pretty cool...   Nice to watch all the goings-on as the student body got fired up for the game.

After the pep rally, I headed down the road to Meijer for a break, then returned to the stadium.  Hadn't been to a high school football game for many years, and this one was definitely over the top, in a good way.  Most of Lowell's restaurants had booths there, and you could buy just about any kind of food you wanted to eat.  Price of admission was a Pink Arrow T-Shirt, all proceeds going to the Pink Arrow fund which helps those in the Lowell community that are on a cancer journey, by meeting some of their financial needs.  The Pink Arrow fund also is a major supporter of Gilda's Club in Lowell, hence our support of Pink Arrow in return.   After wandering around for a while, waiting for other Gilda's staff to arrive, decided to go back to my car and just change in the parking lot, so my costume bags could just go in the car.

I'd put on everything but the "head" when a staff member finally came by on a golf cart.  They picked me up (after I put the head on) and we headed for the Gilda's booth.  I spent the next three hours "Sparkling" which meant that I was giving high fives, fist bumps, hugs, posing for pictures, and just generally being an ambassador for Gilda's Club and Pink Arrow.  I had a Pink Arrow shirt on over the costume, so it got pretty warm in there!  It's lots of fun being a mascot, even if I did get warm.  And just the incredible experience of being at Pink Arrow - they have each football player and cheerleader play in honor or memory of someone on a cancer journey, and there is a walk around the track (which surrounds the football field) with the players and honorees.   The entire stadium is a sea of pink shirts.  Just incredible.   I left at halftime, three hours is the longest I've ever stayed in the costume without a break and I was done, even though I was having a great time.

Sunday, September 4 - our 36 hour day

We woke up at 5 am in Tokyo so that we could check out by 5:45, giving Scott time to go get his car and get us on the road to Zama by 6 am.  Woke to steady rain which we were glad wasn't happening the prior two days.  Got on the road by 6 am as planned, and arrived at Camp Zama by about 7:30.  Filled up the car with gas on base, use the bathroom, then picked up Marty at the kennel.  He was really excited to see Scott, less excited to go back into his box for the trip to Narita.

Got to Narita in good time, didn't have to go back into the concrete underground jungle.  Our first stop was the animal quarantine office.  More paperwork, another exam, and then Marty was cleared to leave the country.  Then on to the Asiana check in desk where there was more paperwork, and Scott paying 300 yen with the taxes for Marty to be added to my ticket as excess baggage.  Scott was ok with that because he'd been quoted 2000 yen to ship him unaccompanied.  Judging by the friendly reception he got from all the female gate agents oohing and aahing over him, he was treated well on his trip.

Then on to security for us and a farewell to Scott.  We won't see him again until he comes back to Michigan for Eric's wedding next June...I'm very thankful we got this chance to visit with him here in Japan.  Scott made it back to Misawa after a 7 hour drive and two five hour energy drinks.... I'm sure it's very quiet around his house now without all his house guests and especially without Marty.

We shopped a bit in the duty free shops after security.  Got to try lots of expensive samples but only ended up buying some hokkaido melon flavored kit-kats.  Had to keep them under the duty-free seal until we were home which was probably a good thing.  They tasted good...

Once on the plane, we sat on the tarmac for 45 minutes.  Unsure of the delay, but we finally took off and had a pleasant flight to Incheon.  We were served a meal in a box along the way, not remembering exactly what it was.

Got to Incheon.  I had been debating whether or not to leave the terminal to go caching while we were on layover.  I think if I'd been by myself I would have.  But leaving Steve with all the luggage, and having him fall asleep...no.  Spent an uneventful layover there.  Had a nice conversation with a young Korean-American man and got to talk about Gilda's Club with him for a while, among other topics.  Bought a pretzel from the Auntie Anne's store, paid in US dollars and got change in Korean won...so have a bit of a souvenir.  Will probably pass them on to Scott when he gets back to Korea.

On to our 13 hour flight back to Chicago.  Long, uneventful, didn't get a whole lot of sleep but what I did get was thanks to the pillow, footrest, and eye mask.  Served a meal not too long after take off, chose the Korean option again which was Sisimbop this time.  This was beef bulgogi and rice, wrapped in lettuce leaves.  There was some sort of a bean paste that I was supposed to add as well but opted out of that.

After that it was pretty much lights out for the majority of the flight - literally - as the flight attendants made sure that all the shades were closed and the lights were dimmed, left enough so you could see to get to the bathroom, etc.  Slippers on the plane as well as toothbrushes and tiny tubes of toothpaste, little tubes of mouthwash, combs, were all available in the bathrooms (except for the slippers that were at our seats.)  I have a few new travel toothbrushes now...

Lights were turned back on over the Dakotas and we were served another meal.  Not sure whether you want to call it breakfast (if you based it on when we left) or dinner (by US standards) but it tasted good.  I chose the chicken and pasta this time as the second meal coming over had been fish and rice.  It was that again so glad I chose the chicken and pasta.  Not too long after that, we were landing in Chicago.

I had downloaded an app before leaving that was from customs and promised to cut the time in line.  Well, it didn't work out so we waited in a very long line to get through customs.  We sure wouldn't have made the connection to the flight to Grand Rapids!  This line literally went down three different hallways, took us about 45 minutes to get to the front then there were a few other lines before we actually saw a customs agent.  No questions for me but Steve was asked why he had been in Japan.

Finally we were allowed to enter the US officially, then on to baggage claim and Marty.  He survived the trip amazingly well, had not even messed in his box in almost 24 hours.  Once we had him, we had to go through one more stop to get him cleared.  The officer asked if he was in good health and up to date on shots.  We answered yes and he was cleared to enter.  Didn't even look at his papers.  So much easier than leaving Japan with him.

Finally - out into the waiting area.  Didn't see Eric and Trina right away, but saw the signs for the animal relief area so I was going to head that way while Steve looked for them and then joined us.  We caught up to Eric and Trina soon after so we all headed for the relief area together.  Got there and realized that the box was zip tied shut in about 4 places (had been done after we'd dropped him off, we didn't do it...) and a few minutes of confusion before I remembered that I had a small clippers in my luggage.  Soon had him out and he peed like a racehorse, imagine that!  Then off to where Eric had parked my car and we were headed home.

Stopped at an oasis along the tollway for a pit stop then back on the road.  With all the delays at the airport, it was 2:20 am Monday when we arrived home, 7 hours after we'd landed in Chicago.  Made for a very long day!

This has been a wonderful trip for me.  Got to see a new part of the world that has been a part of our oldest son's world for the last two years.  New culture, new experiences.

Steve was less than thrilled overall - seeing Scott was good for him, but he says he'll never leave the US again.  His choice.  We'll see.  Passports expire next year.

Now that I've rediscovered my blog, hope to be writing in it more often.  It was great to go back and read posts from years past.

Saturday, September 3 - Meiji-jingu temple, Shibuya, Tokyo Tower, Imperial Gardens

A long day, tiring but fun.  We walked more than 7 miles today, according to my fitbit.  I believe it.

Started out at Denny's again for breakfast.  I decided to be a bit more adventurous today and chose the Japanese sides with my eggs - miso soup and rice.  Tasty!  Back to Kameido station where today's first stop would be the Meiji-jingu temple.

The torii gate was a short walk from the train station and we were soon on a beautiful shady walk with more temple buildings.  One interesting sight was 100 barrels of sake wrapped in decorative straw stacked along the walk.  I was also able to gather the information for a virtual cache while along the way - though the area that it brought us to was closed, the information sign, thankfully in English as well as Japanese, was outside the closed area.

Once we arrived at the main temple area, we were fortunate enough to witness a wedding processional coming from the temple.  The bride and groom as well as many of the participants, were in traditional Japanese wedding kimonos.  Bonus!   Finally remembered that I had a Laughfest smile with me so took a few pictures with it, not only here but at the Tokyo Tower.

After the Meiji-jingu temple, we headed to Shibuya station where we wanted to see Shibuya crossing, one of the world's most busy intersections.  An incredible amount of people coming from 5 different directions.  It was a spectator sport for me, but Scott and Steve went into it just to take pictures.  After watching the crossing for a while, we found the memorial statue for Hachi the dog, and also tried to find the nearby cache.  Too many people at GZ for me to search.  Got some beverages out of the vending machines.  I finally tried Pocari Sweat - that's its name - which was sort of like gatorade but with more of a grapefruit taste.

Headed next to the Roppongi area where the main Hard Rock Cafe was located.  Apparently the one we went to last night had the actual location printed on the glasses and not just "Tokyo" which is what Scott wanted.  So while he walked down the street to get his glass, we hung out at the nearby Wendy's and had a snack/lunch.

When Scott returned, we decided that Tokyo Tower was within walking distance so off we went.  Nice walk.  One interesting thing we saw was a roller coaster track on top of a building.  Scott found out that the roller coaster had been built but there was never permission given for the ride to operate so there it sits.

Got to Tokyo Tower and Steve did not want to go up.  He sat in the lobby while Scott and I went up to the first observation level.  Great views of the city, and glass floors in several places so we could look straight down.  We decided not to go up to the top observation level as it would just be the same views.  Did some gift shop shopping and soon headed back to Steve.

Headed to the nearest train station to get us to the Imperial Gardens, our last planned stop of the day, and discovered another temple along the way.  Zojoji Temple was nice.  One interesting part was seeing a tree that President Bush (the 1st one) planted while he visited the temple many years ago.  A healthy, thriving tree today.

Headed to the imperial gardens area from the train that brought us there.  Got there with less than 45 minutes to spare before it closed.  Free admission but they had us take tickets which were slabs of plastic that we had to turn back in at the gate when we left.  We took a quick walk from the gate we entered, through part of the gardens, and back out another gate.  Were able to see part of the moat surrounding the castle, and some pretty areas.  Overall consensus was that we weren't all that impressed though.  Maybe because we felt a bit rushed and didn't get to see everything.  Probably the prettiest part was the bridge to the gate where we exited.   There was a cache near that gate which I was able to find.  As it was looking like my last cache opportunity, I dropped one of my own trackables.  Will be taking quite a few home, perhaps I shouldn't have taken quite so many on the trip but it was hard to say no to friends.  At least they've been able to "travel" that far...

Headed back to Kameido and started thinking about dinner.  Steve wanted to eat at McDonalds.  I rebelled - we are in Japan and I'm getting tired of American fast food.  Compromised - Steve got his McDonald's and Scott and I picked up food from a nearby Japanese takeout place.  Not sure what I got but it had rice and beef and onions.  It was good.  Took it back to the hotel.

By now we were accumulating quite a bit of trash at the hotel.  We knew that there was not daily maid service at the hotel and were ok with that.  Nobody going into our room during the day.  But what we didn't realize is that we were expected to sort and haul our own trash.

This is what we had to sort into:

• burnable trash
• plastic recyclables
• cans
• non burnable trash

There were bins for each, located around the corner and down the street, next to the hotel's parking area.  I was a good girl and took care of it, even though it wasn't what I was used to.  Ended up doing Scott's the next morning as well.  He'd sorted it but was going to take it back home.  But while we were waiting for him to bring the car I took his over as well.  Scott has to sort his like that at home, too, so he's used to it.   The Japanese take their trash seriously, I guess.

We are packed and ready to roll in the morning.  Everything fits into the suitcase but it's going to be heavy...thought about checking it but it's not packed for that.  Oh well.

Friday, September 2 - Tokyo - Sensoji Temple and Ueno Park

Started our morning with an almost American breakfast at Denny's  near the train station.  Thankfully Scott's phone got us there as I was turned around when we started and could have sworn we were going the wrong way!

I say "almost" as there were similarities.  The menu was in Japanese, of course, but there were pictures.  We could choose a main dish, we all chose scrambled eggs which came with a sausage, a strip of bacon, and a salad.  Then to choose an side - we all chose pancakes which were smaller and thicker than at home - with a small jug of syrup.  Then a beverage.  Steve chose coffee, of course, and Scott and I had orange juice.  So almost American.  Less than $20 for all three of us to have a nice meal.

Then on to Kameido station to head into Tokyo proper (the hotel was in Kato ward.)  We soon learned that you need to wait to buy your ticket until just before the gate you want to leave by.  We have several tickets that were no good because we bought them too soon. Lesson learned.

Our first stop was the Sensoji temple, in the Asakusa area.  Very popular area.  The streets leading to the temple area are lined with all kinds of shops selling souvenirs and other Japanese goods.  We started at the Kaminarimon gate and found a cache there first.  It was hidden in the structure of an information sign, very cool placement and it was big enough for some of my bigger travelers.  I wish I'd crammed a few more in there as I only was able to drop one more during the trip.

We shopped our way up the street, buying some small souvenirs along the way - pens, shot glasses, etc.  The bonus was that all the shops had cooler air - the humidity was high and the temps got up to 88 degrees today.

On to the temple - magnificent!  Very traditional, very Japanese.  Lots of Japanese women in kimonos here, must be a tradition for them to wear them to this temple.  The only disappointment was that the famous 5 story pagoda here was covered up for repairs.

While in this area, I was able to try shaved ice.  That bowl was huge!  Was a good thirst quencher and the shop was cooler than the outside, too.  I've been a bit indulgent with myself but my clothes aren't getting tight so think the exercise and the food are cancelling each other out.  (Had actually lost two pounds from my last dr. visit by the time I went to the doctor the following Wednesday...)

We discussed heading for the Skytree Tower.  Steve didn't want to go up, I was ambivalent, mainly due to the cost, and Scott claimed it didn't matter to him either way.  I think that he did want to go but didn't want to leave dad at the bottom alone.  I felt kind of bad - He's in Tokyo and he has to experience it with his fuddy-duddy parents...

We then decided to head for Ueno Park next.  As we arrived and started walking around, there was a performance going on.  We couldn't get close enough to see much of the performance, but were able to see the large floats surrounding the performance area.  Must have been a parade before the performance.  Very nice!  Wandered over by the zoo but nobody really wanted to pay to see the zoo.  There was another 5 story pagoda here but it was within the zoo.  We next visited a nearby temple from which we were able to see most of the 5 story pagoda anyway.

Next to the National Museum of Nature and Science.  Eric and Trina had visited it and recommended it.  Much of it was mystifying to me as there weren't always English translations.  One cool thing though, in the nature part, was a display of preserved dogs.  Took a picture and then later discovered that the white dog was the actual famous "Hachi" from the movie of the same name.  Hachi accompanied his owner to the train station (Shibuya) each day and waited for him.  One day, the owner died while at work.  Hachi waited for his owner for the rest of Hachi's life.  There is a statue honoring him at Shibuya station which we hope to see tomorrow.

By now it was time to eat so we headed to the Hard Rock Cafe nearby as Scott wanted to visit there.  He had said he would pay for it as it was a bit out of our usual price range, but Steve insisted on paying.  Later Steve found out the bill was the equivalent of $100 for three of us.  But Scott IS doing a lot for us on this trip.  Nice dinner though, and I got to keep the glass...

Dusk by now so headed back toward the hotel.  Busy time to be on public transportation in Tokyo!  We were standing wall-to-wall people much of the way.  Made it back, and searched for the cache that was next to the hotel while Scott checked on his car.  No luck on the cache but the car was just fine.  Chilled out for a while, then went to the Lawson for snacks and drinks.  Hung out for a while longer, planned out our Saturday, and that was that.

Thursday, September 1 - Road trip to Tokyo!

Road trip to Tokyo today - leaving Misawa.  I've really enjoyed getting to know Scott's "hometown" area this week - interesting area and a great introduction to Japanese culture.

We were on our way by 6 am, knowing we had an approximately 8 hour road trip ahead of us and needing to be at Camp Zama by 5 pm to drop Marty at the military kennel there.  Marty was not the happiest of travelers as he spent the trip in his box.  There just was not room for him in the back seat where he is accustomed to be.  He of course got out and had a nice walk at each of the rest areas we stopped at.

We took the toll road down to Tokyo.  Getting a bit used to everything being on the "wrong" side but it's still a bit strange sometimes.  We stopped at three different rest areas along the way.  They were nicer than most of our rest areas back home.  There were the usual toilet facilities, of course - with those wonderful Japanese toilets - but also there were lots of vending machines, restaurant facilities, and gift shops.   Caches at just about every one as well.  I was able to find the cache at the first stop we were at, but had to DNF the second, and the third was not along the route that I thought we were taking so if there was a cache there, I didn't know about it.  The toll roads in Japan are expensive - it cost the equivalent of $150 to drive all the way down.

Arrived at Camp Zama about 3 pm, Scott checked us into base, and we got Marty squared away at the kennel.  He was not a happy camper!  While we were on base, we took advantage of cheaper on base gas, and had subway for dinner so Steve could get some American food.

Then to navigate the roads to get into Tokyo and our hotel.  They were crazy!  I kept my nose in my tablet and read quite a lot of the time so I wouldn't get freaked out.  I think Steve described it best, I'll quote from his facebook post:

We made it to Tokyo from Misawa . Trying to get to the hotel with a GPS , 8 hours of concrete jungle , then the road dove under an apartment building and spiralled down underground to a "Y" split , then spiralled down more to a underground expressway and then didn't see the light of day for another 15 minutes , the GPS doesn't work underground and signs are in Japanese , of course. After crossing the same large body of water twice + more concrete jungle , we made it to the hotel which has no parking. My son scoured the local area to park his "large car" ( a '03 Subaru Forester RHD ). Did I mention Tokyo metropolitan area has 38 million people , 16,000 people per square mile density ( I'm used to 2 people per 3 acres of woods ) ; apartment buildings are crammed together for many , many miles . But Scott got us here and is keeping our sightseeing on a even keel with the local trains and all, he understands enough Japanese to get by. Have only seen 1 GoldWing on the expressway on the way down , lots of scooters with people that must have a death wish in this burg. It's NUTS here !

As Steve said, we made it to the hotel eventually, and Scott was able to find parking a few blocks away for the equivalent of $11 per day.  Not bad at all for a big city.  Scott is on the 4th floor, and we are on the 5th.  There is a courtyard in the middle so we can see his room from the elevators.  Our room is small by US standards but not bad by Japanese ones.  The bed is big enough for both of us, there is a desk, a small couch, and a small bathroom.  Wi-fi and air conditioning.  It will be fine for three nights.

As we'd had a late lunch and it was dark by the time we were settled in, we went to the Lawson convenience store right across the street from the hotel.  Scott and I got onigiri and Steve found a sandwich that he liked.  Hung out for a while, planned out what we wanted to do on each day, and then called it a night.

Tomorrow we explore Tokyo!