Saying Goodbye to “Home”

Remember Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz clicking her ruby red slippers repeating, “There’s no place like home”? In the next few weeks I am going to be saying goodbye to my childhood home. Packing it up and clearing it out is on the agenda of my next trip to Michigan.

Although the house is staying within the family which I am really happy about it will never be my “home” again. I won’t have that house on Lincoln Road to go back to and spend time with my mom. My yearly three week Michigan vacations come to an end. My life is changing as I’ve known it for so many years. It doesn’t matter that I’ve spent more than half of my life in Jacksonville, FL where I live my life because right now in this moment I know I am losing “home”.

The saying, “Home is where your heart is” may be true. Memories are in your mind and in your heart. But having something tangible like knowing I will hear the creak of a floor if I step in a certain spot, the sound of throwing a dirty towel down the clothes chute or the click of the vents of the attic fan opening with the whoosh of outside air coming through the open windows will be gone to me.

It was a great place to grow up. My dad built it so it was solid. No half assed craftsmanship. Lots of fun family times and playing spooky house in the basement with my cousins. So many memories but now it’s time for a new family to make new memories. The house has been lonely for company with Mom in and out of the hospital and living with my sister when she’s not. The house will be happy with its new family. It will be lived in again.

Change

Change is inevitable. Some changes we want and work toward. Then there are the changes that are thrust upon us. Those are the ones that we suck up and deal with because we have to. I spent today in training for the electronic medical records that the hospital is going to be converting to later in the month. I’m overwhelmed but I will do it. I will do it like I do everything else. I will do it and strive to be better every time. I will do it while continuing to be better at taking care of the babies and their families. I may not be the best or the smartest but I will not stop trying to always be better

My dad

Today my family and our friends said a final goodbye to my father, Joe Simek. He was also known by other names like Dad, Papa, Pop, Poopsie, Pep(which is Joe in Czech) and Old Fart which he didn’t mind in the least because he knew it was said with love by his grandsons.

But before I discuss the funeral I’d like to talk about yesterday and the viewing. The viewing was between noon and 8pm. The immediate family had a private viewing at 11. Mom and I were the first to arrive. The funeral home attendant walked us to the room. He opened the door for us. There was Dad in his beautiful light oak coffin across the room. It was a very large room. The wood casket was perfect for him because one of his talents was that he was a carpenter and he liked to work in oak. He made us dressers, dry sinks, night stands, plant stands, wine racks, tv stands, a dog cart, sconces, microwave carts and so many more items. When my sister, Janet and I were young he drew and cut out horse heads and attached broom sticks to them so we had our own horses to ride. We were never poor because he always found a way to enrich our lives such as giving  us our own Olympic arena. There were so many winters he would drag the water hose up from the basement numerous times to stand out in the freezing Michigan winters watering a spot in the backyard to create an ice rink for us and our neighborhood friends.

Yesterday was a day to talk about my dad and we did.  After Fr Stephen Rooney prayed the rosary with us family members took their turns speaking about Dad. Nephews Brad and Mike, niece Danielle, brother-in-law Dave, my sister and her mother-in-law all gave testimony to the wonderful man my father was. My sister sang a Charlie Chaplin ditty my dad liked to sing. Brad let everyone know how Dad taught him to say “You fart like a pumpkin” in Czech. Mike not only gave a wonderful talk about Dad but he read a poem directed to my mom as if it were from my dad. Dave recited an awesome poem that he wrote about my dad and my mom. Danielle talked about how he taught her to bake yeast rolls and when he came to her softball games when she was in grade school. My dad always said he was a jack of all trades but a master of none but he was wrong. He was a master of giving love.

This morning was a cold, dreary, rainy day in Monroe, Michigan. My family, relatives and friends came to St Michael’s to celebrate my dad’s life and his journey to eternal life. On my drive up from Florida I remembered my dad telling me about how he viewed the trip between Michigan/Florida or Florida/Michigan. He said there are roughly 1000 miles for the trip. Every one hundred miles equals 10% of the journey. Today we celebrated my dad reaching his 100% to heaven. There is no doubt in my mind that is where he is tonight.

The last song this morning was On Eagle’s Wings. The pallbearers were on each side of the casket navigating it to the exit as the choir continued singing. We followed behind. As the casket neared the back of the church, the massive old wooden doors were opened to reveal a winter wonderland of snow that had been created while we were inside. It seemed magical. It was kind of like the magic that my dad brought into all of our lives.

There have been lines of a song that have been repeating through my head the last few days.  Paul Petersen sang it on The Donna Reed Show way back when.

My dad, now here is a man

To me he is everything strong

No, he can’t do wrong, my dad

Rest in peace, Daddy.  I love you….

The Outer Banks Day 7 (March 25, 2011)

     Dolphins entertained me midway during our morning walk. I took pictures but they were too fast and my trigger finger reaction was too slow. It was very chilly this morning. Nat and I were the only ones on the beach except for a few sandpipers and some seagulls. Later this afternoon the cormorants were out in abundance having a TGIF party with free sushi. Bon appétit!

     I had my last coconut and white chocolate mocha at the Dancing Turtle. I found out what proportions they use so hopefully I can get it duplicated somewhere at home.

     I needed to fill up the gas tank, call my mom and find some food so we headed north around noon. The fresh air has given me a voracious appetite and the scale at home will show me just how much. Today I found a gem of a spot in Buxton. I think it was called the Buxton Munch. I had an interesting tomato soup made with Ro-tel (can’t check the spelling because I have lost my internet.) It was very good. As I neared the bottom of the bowl I discovered bacon which I had to pick out because it’s Friday during Lent and I can’t eat meat. I, also, ordered a crab cake and avocado wrap. Yummy!!!! I brought half back to the cabana. The lunch spot was 60-70’s retro including a poster advertising Woodstock. J

     Dawn at Kaia’s gave me so much more than 20 oz of blue crab dip to take back to Jax!!! She made it this morning. It looks very good. I can’t wait to share it.

     I shut the heat off in the cabana after Nat and I had our walk. I opened the door. I listened to Josh Groban, sat out on the deck in my winter jacket sipping a Bud Lite Lime while watching the waves in the Atlantic. Then it was time to start packing up the van. There will be more to pack in the morning but most of it is done. Before I leave here (if I want my deposit back) I have to strip the bed, put the linens and towels in a bag, remove food items from the fridge and wipe it down and lastly, vacuum. This is a really nice cabana and I have appreciated being here with Natalie but it’s time to go home.

The Outer Banks Day 6

    It rained last night but the cold front didn’t come in until this afternoon. Natalie and I had a nice hour morning walk. The sun was shining. The wind wasn’t too bad. We went later than usual and had to deal with rising tide. This afternoon’s walk was only 30 minutes because I was a wuss. Yowser! It was a winter jacket with the hood up and hands in the pockets kind of walk. There was a noticeable amount of beach erosion since yesterday. There’s one spot that I have nicknamed “Natalie’s weave poles”. She likes to walk between them as a dog would do in agility. I could never figure out why they were there. This afternoon I found out that the poles are attached to very long pieces of wood as in perhaps they were part of a pier at one time.

     The Dancing Turtle’s delight of the day for me was a coconut and white chocolate mocha. It was wonderful and smelled so good. I will order it again on our last day tomorrow. I took pictures of areas of the village. Then I drove out to Hatteras Landing to shop at the Kitty Hawk Kite Shop.  Liz was there and remembered my name. She inquired if I was able to get internet at Kaia’s the other day. We were talking about the blue crab dip when Dawn, the owner of Kaia’s, walked in with her two kids. I was tickled that she remembered my name, too. The main item I sought there was a flying pig windmill for my backyard. I saw it on a post Sunday as I was leaving the parking lot. I laughed so hard. It reminded me of Jere at work and his flying monkey story.

     We drove north to Buxton so I could check in with my parents on my cell phone. I stopped at a few other shops on the way back including Red Drum Pottery which I promised Marion on the Bouvier list I would do. I was hungry. I planned to go out for dinner and didn’t want to eat much. I stopped at Frisco Sandwich Co. They advertised $1 tacos. I ordered one taco to go. They offered them in pulled pork and chicken. I opted for the pork. I was a little annoyed that it took so long for them to make one taco. When it was finally done the owner came from behind the counter carrying my taco like it was a precious jewel and gently placed it into my hands. It wasn’t until I got back to the cabana and took a bite of it that I understood why. OMG! The pulled pork with taco seasoning, cheese and salsa had been deep fried in a tortilla. I relished every bite. I thought about going back for another and not going out for dinner. I will just have to come back to Hatteras sometime for another one or two.

     My blue jeans are unbuttoned and unzipped as I write. It was a good thing I stayed with my plan to eat at Dinky’s Restaurant tonight. Dinky’s is located on the Pamlico Sound side of the island and is on the second floor. I was seated at a window with a view of the sound and the marina below. I started with a cup of the soup of the day, crab and brie bisque. It was as good as it sounded it should be. It was served with Bavarian brown bread rolls and butter. The rolls were to die for. My entrée was Gorgonzola Chicken: a full chicken breast, a small slice of ham, garlic, mushrooms, baby spinach in a creamy gorgonzola sauce served over penne pasta and topped with asiago cheese and diced fresh red pepper. Yummy for the taste buds to say the least. I maybe ate one quarter. I am not used to eating that much. The rest is going home with me on Saturday because I can’t eat meat tomorrow.

     The wind is howling tonight. Occasionally a gust shakes the cabana. I have neighbors across from me in the courtyard who  started a wood fire in one of the freestanding grills this evening. We talked on the beach yesterday afternoon and this morning but didn’t know we were in the same complex. They are from Indiana and arrived yesterday. They have a beagle named Sandy who is Nat’s new BFF. Oh, Nat’s Maltese boyfriend’s name is Cooper. They were so happy to see each other on the beach this morning. J

     There are errands to be run tomorrow, some walks on the beach and then it’s time to pack up. Dawn is going to have blue crab dip ready for me tomorrow to take home. Who wants to come to my house and eat crab dip on warm pita chips?

The Outer Banks Day 5

     Natalie and I started the day with an hour walk on the beach northward. She wanted to go south but I wanted to see if the birds and dolphins were feeding. There were no birds or dolphins. I was disappointed. I brought my camera. It figures!  It was a gorgeous, sunny morning.  After the walk, Nat and I loaded up into the van for the Dancing Turtle and my latte.

     This was a quiet day spent in prayer, meditation and reading Tear In The Desert by Fr. Ron Moses Camarda. I am not ashamed to say I cried a lot today. I felt very touched.

     We took a walk on the beach mid afternoon. It was warm enough for me to wear a swimsuit (with shorts). I even got a little sunburned. There were more college students and families out on the beach than there have been. Natalie has a crush on a cute Maltese guy. He didn’t like her advances when we first passed them on the beach but on the way back he was sooooo happy to see her. She was excited. They were really cute playing together. J

     Had dinner at Captain Rolo’s which opened up for the season yesterday. I had a yummy NC pulled pork BBQ sandwich with cole slaw. Nat liked the pulled pork. I hope I’m not spoiling her too much because people food is not going to happen for her when we go home.

     Thunderstorms are coming tonight and a big drop in temperatures. I am very tired and can barely keep my eyes open. Nat’s already asleep. It’s almost 9:00 pm. This is the first time I have had television on in the evening since we arrived. I couldn’t miss Survivor. It’s now over and so is the power on the television. Nite!

The Outer Banks Day 4

     This morning I allowed myself to sleep in. Natalie was agreeable to this plan. We snuggled until 8:30. I put on a heavy jacket over my pj.’s, opened the door and it was warm. How nice! I took Nat on a quick walk around the complex for her to do her business and came back to the cabana. She was not happy that we had not gone to the beach instead. She let me know this when I began ascending the stairs to the deck by balking. She looked up at me and sent me this message, “Aren’t you forgetting something?” “No, darling, we will do it later.” I’ve been calling her darling since last summer because she is just that – darling.

     It was a mundane morning. We ate breakfast. She washed her belly and feet. I vacuumed a ton of sand off the floor. I cleaned up and dressed. I stopped by the Dancing Turtle for a latte before driving down the road to catch the ferry to Ocracoke. Nat curled up in her crate.

     A ferry leaves for Ocracoke Island on the hour every hour.  We were early. At 11:00 we drove onto the ferry and departed shortly after. I stayed in the van a good while and deeply regret now that I didn’t get out to take pictures. There were a flock of seagulls (real seagulls not the singing group) at the end of the ferry looking like they were going to attack. I couldn’t help thinking about Alfred Hitchcock’s “The Birds”. I was somewhat spooked. They looked like they were flying in place.  They were there for the longest time. They wanted food. It was eerie. I am almost tempted to take another ferry ride to get pictures. There weren’t seagulls on the way back.

     It is about a 35 to 45 minute ride to Ocracoke. The trip went by quickly. Ocracoke Village is at the other end of the island which is about 13 miles. Ocracoke Island is owned by the US Park Service but Ocracoke Village is not. It is quaint. The Decoy Shop was not opened. I wanted to go there because the Toronto couple recommended it. I did go the lighthouse but it was closed so no trip to the top for me. I drove around for a while before stopping at Howard’s Pub which had been recommended by a number of people. I had a crabby lunch. I had a heavenly crab and corn chowder followed by a fried crab cake sandwich with homemade Idaho fries. Excellent!!! The wait staff was great and super friendly.

     We returned back to Hatteras via ferry. There was a nine minute period of time that the ferry idled in the channel. I thought that I was going to have an adventure to blog about but nothing exciting happened. Nat slept and I read more of Gift From The Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh. (I finished it later. Awesome book!. A little outdated but the thoughts and message are still the same.) Had a great hour of walk/run on the beach with Natalie.  It was sunny, warm with a mild wind at our fronts on the way back.

     Nat’s epicurean thumbs up (or in her case, dew claws) for today went to crab cakes and garlic bologna sandwiches with mayo and baked Tuscan Herb chips. My little darling is tuckered out and asleep. I am about to join her.

     I am very tempted to change my Facebook status from single to having a relationship with The Outer Banks. J