5/29/23

 Monday, May 29, 2023

Memorial Day

In bed by 10, up at 6:20 with thoughts of Caela, Jake, and Saul.  52℉, high of 71℉, NNW wind at 3 mph, 1 to 6 mph today, gusts up to 11 mph.  No rain is expected for the next 10 days, concerns about drought already.  The sun rose at 5:16 and will set at 8:22, 15+5.

Memorial Day and I took what is becoming my annual visit to Wood National Cemetery for what reason I'm not exactly sure.  I have no known relationship, other than veteran status, with any of the military and naval veterans whose bodies are buried there.  Nonetheless, the cemetery has become my favorite place in the city of Milwaukee since I started receiving medical services at Zablocki Medical Center.  I usually make a point of leaving the freeway at the exit that leads to the cemetery rather than the exit that leads directly to the medical center.  I used to wonder whether there is something a bit maudlin or morose or creepy (I'm looking for the right word) about these regular visits.  I don't think so but perhaps there is.  I know that if it were possible I would choose to be buried there, one more common headstone among the tens of thousands already there, but no new burials are accepted so my unembalmed remains will enrich the soil at Forest Home Cemetery, 3 miles and a 10-minute ride away.  This morning I left the house for the national cemetery at 7:45, intending to enjoy a leisurely drive through the grounds before the memorial program at 9:30 but the VA police had the entry points blocked off, directing cars to parking lots whence visitors could walk to the ceremonial area where the speeches would be delivered.  I didn't want to park and walk (CPP mildly flaring) so I drove through the historic Soldiers' Home and medical center grounds, got back on the freeway, and arrived home at 8:35, with Geri and Lilly still sleeping the sleep of the innocent.  I've never gotten out of my car and walked down one or more of the ranks (rows) and files (columns) of the cemetery and perhaps I should.  If I'm up to it, maybe this afternoon or tomorrow.

A Lot of Back Pain again.  Rats!  Fairly persistent pain in the area of my right kidney.  I'm hoping this is a muscle problem and not a kidney stone or UTI but this is Day 2 or maybe Day 3.😰

Pandora's Box.  I'm looking for a couple of photos, one of TSJ golfing at The Bog, another a big dramatic print of me decades ago when I officed in the chambers of the Grimmelsman Courtroom at MULS.  I looked in a box that has been lying on the furnace room floor for years underneith another box filled with empty frames.  The box contains some items belonging to or relating to my Dad plus some other stuff, like a letter I received maybe 55 years ago from an old Marine friend of mine, WO Ron Kendall of Iowa.  Most of the contents of the box are waterlogged and mildewed from a drain backup more than 10 years ago.  I'm too distracted by back pain to write about any of it now.  Later.