Wendy Stephens (Cullen)

I did not know Mickie.  I do remember that Cathy and her sister Elizabeth went to the Red Pine Camp for Girls every summer.  Cathy's birthday is June 5, and then would leave shortly after that for camp.  

James (Jim) Rookus

Relaxing day at Grand Haven MI lakeshore sitting in the breeze watching all boaters going through the channel to and from Lake Mi..... nibbleing on blueberry treats from the local blueberry farm and just enjoying the day away, only 28 miles from home.

(Jim - I rotated your photo assuming you were not laying down when you took the photo - MT)

Melvin (Mel) Theobald

Jim, what a wonderful way to get away. Is that your boat? Just kidding. This has been an unusually guiet day on Raiders64. So following your lead, this is my get away.

Tomorrow is Free For All Friday, hope to see you all back and wondering what you are doing to escape this summer. Or, what do you do to exercise might be another way of looking at it. Anyone still wearing Speedos or bikinis, please spare us. 

I live in a 20 story condo with a great swimming pool. Five years ago after sitting at my computer with almost no exercise, I decided to swim. The pool is 52 feet long, ergo, 100 laps equals almost 1 mile. In memory of the Kennedy Youth Fitness Program in the early 60s, I set a goal to do 50 miles, which was the requirement to get the Kennedy Medal and Certificate. Being chubby and unmotiviated, I quit after about 13 miles. So at age 68, I decided to make that my goal. Well, I hit 50 miles by July 15. So, I set a new goal to swim my age of 68 miles by my birthday. After doing that, I was out of goals and ended the summer with 103 miles. That was 10,300 laps in the pool. Fast forward past the years of back pain, laziness and low motivation, this summer I've regained some of that mojo. I've been doing a mile a day and hit 30 miles yesterday. So my goal for this summer is to swim my age, 74 miles, before the pool closes in late Sept.

This is my photo "Late Night Pool", which incidentally, won a local photo contest the year I swam over 100 miles.

James (Jim) Rookus

A while later a few more bots came by....  note the hill in the background to the right.  Each night at sundown the "Musical Fountain" is a summertime "Event" ...  multiple fountains spray water at multiple heights and sway back and forth to the rhythm of the music.  Each night the music has a different theme.  A few pics follow but no way as spectacular as seeing it in person.

James (Jim) Rookus

WOW MEL !!!  What an accomplishment .... I'm gonna call the Kennedy's and get you that medal !!!  Can't wait to see what you will accomplish at 100 !

Melvin (Mel) Theobald

Jim, pun intended, don't hold your breath. There is more to the story. When I was 13, Glen Newton was the manager of the Holiday Club pool where we were members and he kept track of our laps. The year I swam over 100 miles in 2015 I called to ask him if it was too late to get the Kennedy medal. He loved it and laughed at the idea. He died a couple of years later. He was a gem and I think of him every time I'm swimming. So, if you have any pull with the Kennedys, I'd love to get that honor. Many thanks.

James (Jim) Rookus

:Inassume many of you can identify with senior moment forgetfulness ....  well with my two previous posts I forgot to post the picture of my new little friend who attached himself to me today in Grand Haven.  We had  a very nice relationship for quite a while until I finally sent him off to explore the trunk of a tree.

MEL  ... just wondering do you happen to live near the Kieth mansion that is for a sale now on the edge of the Chicago jpark district on Prairie St?  I remember the day we had Bridge pictures to showed us one if the 18th st bridge from you window.

Marvin Theobald

Jim - The fountain light show looks pretty spectacular. Maybe your little friend thought you would take him for a boat ride for a better view of the fountain. In 2017 a visitor stopped by to see what I was doing. After posing for this photo he decided to move on.

Marvin Theobald

Happy FREE FOR ALL FRIDAY. As some of you know I pretty much always have some kind of odd project happening. I am currently expanding a fire pit patio by the lake and terracing the hill for a second tier of seating for those that think my fires are too hot. I have shoveled nearly a dump truck sized load of dirt and am now laying patio pavers and retaining wall blocks. This is a major reason for my inconsistency in daily website postings. I'll post another pic when it is finished.

Wendy Stephens (Cullen)

Remember when people were talking about and showing pictures of organs?  I finally found my organ pipe picture.  Taken in the Cathedral at Strasbourg, France.

James (Jim) Rookus

WENDY .... that is a really beautiful pic and those pipes especially ... sure would love to play that organ !

MARV .... I thimk my little critter friend looks a bit more friendly than yours ... and my hats off to you building that patio .... you're more ambitious than me !  It looks really nice and sure will expand your entertaining possibilities ... keep it up and you'll have enough room to host the mimi reunions there!

Regina (Sue) Petersen (Koppenhoefer)

Marv, you continue to amaze me!  From building homes and other structures to now major landscaping!  This picture was taken at our 20th reunion.   Friends since attending Bent Grade School together.   (I'm not sure if I shared it before.)   Also, if a picnic in the future does occur, I'll bring the potato salad.  Thank you in advance for fixing my photo. (Rotation done along with a complimentatry crop - MT)

David Brock

Some semblance of 'normal life'  It is county fair time.  Cass County, Iowa--our grandaughter finished Grand Champion and Best of Show in Rabbit competition (Sr. Buck).  I am sure the trophies will take prominence in her room.

Melvin (Mel) Theobald

OK, I'm a litte late, but for FREE FOR ALL FRIDAY, this is me with my granddaughter today. We had a ball. Pretzels, cheese and crackers and other snacks didn't get in the way of swimming.

James (Jim) Rookus

Hey MEL.... PRICELESS ! ! !

Terry (Max) Maxwell

Rumor has it that Michael Phelps is getting worried when he found out Mel is logging all those miles!

James (Jim) Rookus

Max .. do you know if there is a " senior" olymics ?  If so we should do a write in campaign for Mel to be included!

Melvin (Mel) Theobald

Max and Jim, thank you for your support, but I think the noodle disqualifies me. Seriously, this kid is my lifeline and I loved every minute of it. Up to 31.5 miles as of tonight. Michael Phelps, eat your heart out. Still, what Marv is doing makes me look like a piker. So, is today SILLY SATURDAY, per Joan?

Melvin (Mel) Theobald

Melvin (Mel) Theobald

Marvin Theobald

SILLY SATURDAY is here again.

On a trip to New Hampshire with my grand-daughter Ashley in 2009 she was looking at greeting cards in a shop at the airport. At my encouragement she attempted to mimic the dog on a card she found.

First attempt

Second attempt

Terry (Max) Maxwell

For Silly Saturday... our youngest grandson is racing to beat the summer heat to eat an ice cream cone before it melts.  I'm not sure who won the race. (Marv... could you rotate the photos?  Thanks.)

Wendy Stephens (Cullen)

Check out the nose on this statue of Vauban.  A snowy day in Paris

Melvin (Mel) Theobald

SILLY SATURDAY...more than meets the eye. 2008

James (Jim) Rookus

Grandkids are such V a blessing ... so much fun and help to keep us young a ... cute photos Marv and Max!