Chris and Sonny are off at the other end of I-75, unaccountably managing to have fun entirely without us. She writes: while we are here in Florida, I was reading your blog. [Well I should hope so–if I didn’t have a loyal following of snowbirds no one would want to look at my pictures of snowpiles.] I have a cute shot of our new grandson Evan. And she did, too. Looky here:
Evan was born on October 30th and is the Last Grandchild. But that’s all right, Chris adds, because We are now blessed with 3 boys and 3 girls! Sigh. Some people have all the grandchildren. Then she says she’s all signed up for her new internet and TV. I get it on the 16th, how bout you?
Aha! I may not have grandchildren but by golly I am supposed to be happily connected on December 15. Jeff Berlin, the Charter Sales Guy, was in the neighborhood today doing followup. He climbed my 22 steps and caught me in my least fetching loungewear (a ratty blue sweatshirt and even rattier navy sweatpants with bright green slipper socks and an olive green corduroy shirt). I was staring at the monitor with my fingers poised over the keyboard, completely paralyzed, rummaging in my brain for a word. I jumped three feet straight up when he knocked on the door. At least I was working. I could have been lying on the couch reading the dogs a storybook.
So anyway, Chris? I think both of us will be hooked up to the rest of the world in a couple of weeks. Not a moment too soon, either. I sent off a story to Dave Lein about the Traditions from the Holidays exhibit and it took me an hour and a half to send the photos. I could have driven them to Traverse City and stopped off for a nice cup of tea at Zakey’s while I was at it.
Torch Lake Views 
Joss
November 30, 2011
Hmmm… I think my dog would like a bed-time story too.
Gerry
November 30, 2011
We all like bedtime stories. Or anytime stories. When Rob the Firefighter was just a little guy his dad was in law school and studying hard in his lair in the basement. They both enjoyed story time. Dad would read to RTFF from his torts textbook, which was filled with astonishing and complex examples of human misbehavior. RTFF’s favorite story was about a bottle of cola that turned out to contain “decomposing mouse tissue” in its depths.
P.j. grath
November 30, 2011
So, only about two weeks to wait now, Gerry? I know you will be thrilled to have a fast connection. Will you remember those of us in the slow lane when you’re posting images?
Gerry
November 30, 2011
I will always post fast-loading images, PJ. But now I will link some of them to bigger versions. There are other Interesting Possibilities, too, and I will ask you to be a beta tester for some of those.
I am hoping the improved accessibility will give me a sweeter disposition. There are many, many people–and at least two dogs–who are dubious about that.
Anna
November 30, 2011
What a beautiful baby and photo of baby! Ah! Not long now. I had to laugh about you jumping when there was a knock on the door. Sounds like me because I really concentrate on what I am doing. LOL
Gerry
November 30, 2011
I wish I could say it was concentration but in my case it’s more often woolgathering. Ah well. Yes, in a couple of weeks I should be able to go visiting again. I can hardly wait.
isathreadsoflife
November 30, 2011
Welcome to The Last Grandchild ! Adorable baby too.
Just love your colourful outfit, Gerry. A storybook for the dogs ? What a great idea, Ninio would enjoy one of my cookbooks for happy dreams 🙂 and deep snoring.
Gerry
November 30, 2011
Evan is adorable indeed.
I often read out loud because some things just seem to require the drama. It would be embarrassing to be caught reading aloud to myself, particularly when I am dressed in one of my unfortunate ensembles. It’s better all the way around to read to the dogs. They seem to enjoy the attention and it causes less comment in the Township. (By which we know that we are a fairly eccentric bunch as winter descends.)
Karma
November 30, 2011
I am smiling, picturing you lying on the couch, reading to the dogs! I admit to interesting conversations with mine.
Gerry
November 30, 2011
They really liked the bits I read to them from Windward Shore. It’s filled with the sounds and smells of the Big Lake and they love that.
Scott Thomas Photography
November 30, 2011
I can just imagine the first time you load up a page of photos or watch a video in real time…you’ll feel like you are finally in the 21st century.
Gerry
November 30, 2011
I have a whole list of things I’m saving up to watch over the winter. Cut paper animations. Ken Scott’s stop-motion pieces. Museums full of vintage photos.
And I have a whole list of things I’m not going to do, too. Some parts of the 21st Century depress me beyond measure. Probably because I am an old bat.
Dawn
December 1, 2011
Beautiful baby! And glad you will be connected to the fast world soon…but don’t forget about the slower paced peaceful world either…wouldn’t want you to become computer-bound! 🙂 THough I WILL love to see more of your photos….
Gerry
December 1, 2011
Evan is a beautiful baby. All the Szejbach grandchildren are stunningly beautiful.
My whole plan–we’ll see how this works out in practice–is that the greater efficiency of getting things done online will make my world more peaceful. Perhaps I delude myself. It would not be the first time.
Kathy
December 1, 2011
You have a fast connection coming to the western shores of Torch Lake, Gerry? How very cool! I am sure you were very fetching in your outfit. A Charter guy has seen it all, right? Now I can tell my brother that, if his cottage ever sells, it’s safe to buy a place on Torch Lake and get high-speed Internet. Funny that it’s taken so long to get there. Although near Watton and Covington, not 40 minutes away, they are still in the Slow Ages, too. (Cute grandchild photo! I’m not sure we’ll ever have one, either.)
Gerry
December 1, 2011
Well, there has long been wireless on the actual western shores of Torch Lake. There has been wireless and satellite over on the eastern shore of Grand Traverse Bay. It’s the part in between that has been relegated to dialup–especially the part in the woods. However, the Charter upgrade means that there are now more choices for everyone. And surprise, surprise, now that Charter has broken the logjam, other services are falling all over themselves to compete. We still have a long way to go, but we make progress. I am taking a belt and suspenders approach myself, ordering the cable but retaining my dialup as backup. You just never know.
Gerry
December 1, 2011
P.S. Your brother’s place is close enough to Bellaire that it might be due for a DSL upgrade from Frontier. He could inquire. Just in case the place hasn’t sold by Memorial Day and he decides to come up for a barbecue . . .
Kathy
December 1, 2011
I just emailed all this valuable information to him. Thank you!