7 weeks ago today

7 weeks ago today I fell in love. That’s when my grandson Jude entered the world and now that he’s here I can’t imagine life, even for a second, without him in it. There he is, my child’s child, a part of my son, a part of me, a second chance in a way to be patient, be kind, be fun, be supportive and positive, and do all the things as a parent I wished I’d done better the first time around. Before becoming a grandparent I had no idea how my world was about to evolve and grow. I had no idea of the instant and unconditional love I would feel inside for this little person. I had no idea of the thrill I would feel just being on the same planet as him. And now that I am a grandparent I understand. I look down into my grandson's sweet innocent face and I know that he is a perfect gift from God and I think to myself thank you God. Thank you so much.

The First Grandchild

You will always be the ONE, who took my heart by surprise.

Loving so completely, you are perfection in my eyes.

Dreams of you and me, would fill me with delight.

But nothing could compare, to the first time I held you tight.

Overwhelming love, greater than I knew.

Wrapped in pride and joy, and all the riches of you.

You will be shamelessly spoiled, with my affections and time.

Photographs and phone calls, lullabies and nursery rhymes.

You will make me smile, and boast of all you do.

I will play again, and feel the joy in life with you.

You will always be the FIRST, a true blessing from above.

You will always be the grandbaby,

who filled HEARTS and souls with love.

~ Teri Harrison ~

Granite City Cinema

Now Playing
http://www.stlouiscinemas.com/Granite/NowPlaying.aspx

When I first heard Granite was getting a new cinema I was skeptical; the reason being mainly the location. I liked the idea of having a cinema again but didn't understand why it was being built in no man's land... downtown. My first thought was who will go there? Being born in Granite hasn't exactly spurred my loyalties. As far back as I can remember I thought the city unattractive, flat, dirty, and maybe even a tiny corrupt. My view may have been skewed and thinking wrong, not necessarily because it isn't some of those things, but because I've allowed myself to dwell on thinking it. Instead of looking at my hometown with a positive "glass half full" mentality I've looked at it more like...“hey, where's the other half?” 

Recently the appearance of downtown, most notably around City Hall, has improved and though a long way from revitalization, hopefully our new cinema will prove to be a positive step toward making it happen. I've been to it twice now and like it, a lot. And actually I'm glad it is where it is now. Something about it feels kinda retro, and if that feeling can spread more fully into downtown –- than that would be a very cool thing.

About our new cine:
http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/article_badbea1a-ab14-11df-b0cb-0017a4a78c22.html

misc articles:
“Can a movie theater save downtown Granite City?”
(an interesting article, though a little dated, 5-7-09)
http://www.stlbeacon.org/content/view/8620/334/

How are things in Granite City? Hopeful and holding their own.
(article, 9-3-2010)
http://www.stlbeacon.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=104709&Itemid=143

The arts could be Granite City's cup of tea.
(article, 9-24-2010)
http://www.stltoday.com/business/d9092c6d-7578-563e-b765-a887bc9ff3c0.html

Alejandro

Alejandro Escovedo and the Sensitive Boys
-- Bar None, Springfield, IL
Thursday, September 16, 2010

It’s always great to take off work early and even greater if it’s to get the heck out of Dodge and see a musician you greatly admire. That’s what Mark and I did late Thursday afternoon. We drove to Springfield, IL, checked into the President Abraham Lincoln hotel, took a mini walking tour of the downtown area, and then made our way to our destination, a fairly small establishment called Bar None. It's there that we saw Alejandro Escovedo play, and, from hard rock to sensitive acoustic, from old songs to new songs, play he did. I remember the first time I saw Alejandro perform live. It was several years ago at Blueberry Hill’s Duck Room. I walked to the car after the show that night thinking he wasn't exactly what I expected; he was more. At times loud and robust, at other times tender and heartbreaking, he was most importantly at all times, absolutely captivating.

Bar None on the corner

Look who walked out when the doors opened

Alejandro and friends, corner of 5th and Monroe

When there should have been silence...
The song below was played beautifully by Alejandro and his amazing guitar partner David Pulkingham. At one point during the quiet song Alejandro had to shush the noisy audience and afterward he said something to the effect of "You know, I don't like to tell people to shut up, but shut up. I didn’t drive all the way here to listen to you talk". Coming from someone else the statement may have sounded arrogant or rude but coming from Alejandro in his friendly yet matter of fact way the audience understood and from that point on showed him the respect he so well deserved.



Alejandro and his band on Letterman 7-21-2010 (love the red boots)

2010 Kee family reunion

The Kee reunion this year was held on Saturday, September 11th and was once again hosted by Uncle Denny and Aunt Mary at their lovely home in Collinsville, IL. I'd like to first off say a BIG "Thank You" to Uncle Denny and Aunt Mary for their generosity all these years in allowing the Kee Klan to gather at their place and create some unforgettable family reunions. You two are the best!!!

The weather Saturday started out cloudy and gray but by early afternoon it had turned pretty with mostly sunny skies and a nice cool breeze. Family reunions are great for catching up with relatives we don't get to see nearly often enough and this year saw probably 50 to 60 family members in attendance. The day felt a bit bittersweet as it marked the first reunion without my dad but also the first reunion with my sweet grandbaby Jude. In him it's like a piece of dad was there. And although other loved ones were not present in body to enjoy the beautiful day I know they were all with us in spirit. I'm thankful to God above for that.  

I hope no matter how hectic and crazy life can sometimes be the Kee family will carry on the tradition of reunions for generations to come. And as the years continue to go by hopefully the pictures and videos taken at these reunions will serve our children, their children, and all our future children well by building a foundation of who they are and offering a glimpse into a heritage they may have otherwise not known.
   


Video - Part 1


Video - Part 2

September day at the lake

Horseshoe Lake is a nice lake and one I tend to forget about. On a recent Sunday I saw people picnicking, fishing, and others just sitting on the bank gazing out at the water. The September sunlight cast a perfect silver reflection over the entire lake that day. It was beautiful. Horseshoe Lake's State Park has had a bit of a seedy reputation in the past for various reasons but hopefully in time that will change. Granite needs a nice lake and maybe it's time to give this one another chance.

http://www.greatriverroad.com/somadco/horseshoe.htm

Gotta love a man that runs with your dog

Saturday Mark and I had a fun dog day afternoon with Winnie and Lola. We intended on having lunch at the Boathouse Restaurant (a dog friendly establishment) in Forest Park but soon changed our minds after learning of the two-hour wait. After walking around the lake a bit we decided to have lunch at the Local Harvest Café on Morganford. From there we took the girls to the Shanti where they met a couple furry canine friends. The weather, the company, all of it, was great and I can't wait to do it again.




"dogs like beer"

Links:
http://www.boathouseforestpark.com/
http://localharvestcafe.com/

time with mom

Friday afternoon following work mom and I headed to Waterloo for a nice lunch at JFires Market Bistro. What a great way to start a beautiful Labor Day weekend. Beautiful blue skies, plenty of sunshine, a light breeze, perfect. Sometimes I get so busy with my own life I forget to (no, neglect to) spend time with my mom. More and more I slowly realize how important it is to take advantage of the present and be with the ones we love, even when we think we don’t have time.

gorgeous day in Waterloo

Why old dogs are the best dogs

I'm a big softie when it comes to dogs and reading this touching account of how a dog named Harry may have viewed his final years brought tears to my eyes. http://theweek.com/article/index/89914/the-last-word-why-old-dogs-are-the-best-dogs

It made me recall the way my Daisy behaved in the last days of her life. There was a sense of wisdom about her as if she knew more than I could possibly imagine a dog could know. She often appeared to be in her own world with a wistful expression upon her face as if maybe recalling times of her youth and reflecting back on her life. Like the writer of the article, I believe dogs are knowing peaceful creatures that possess a natural humility we humans could learn by. 

If ever I adopt another dog some day it will likely be an older dog. They're the ones usually passed over for the cute playful puppies on adoption day. They're the wise ones with the tender hearts that rarely get a second chance. I can think of nothing more satisfying than making the remaining days, months, or years of a senior dog's life golden.

Golden, a beautiful song by My Morning Jacket

August Recap

August was a happening month. It began with Mandy returning for a short visit home and bringing Emily back to stay (for now anyway). Two weeks later Jake and Erin became parents to a healthy and beautiful bouncing baby boy and I became a first-time grandma. Wow. Next, Emily was fortunate to find her first teaching job a couple days before school began (and best of all at a school she likes)! Yes, many good things happened in August. I can only hope the month of September is as good.

A short clip of Jude 

3 days old and already sitting up, sort of. :-)