Viva Wisconsin!!

The Violent Femmes got it right.

My homeland is amazing. I am always blown away by how small town living brings the whole world full circle. I miss the feeling of community that exists–people keep to themselves here. Of course, there is good that comes with the bad. I like the privacy my current life affords, but I miss being a part of something.

Here is a run down of last week–with luck I’ll add pictures soon.

1. Seeing the nephews! Two year olds are hilarious, and babies are cute. I love them to peices.
2. Lunch with an old friend driving through town, shopping with my mom, a visit to the Broadway farmers market in Green Bay, and seeing tons of family and old friends while listening to the lively, sweet strains of polka at Music in the Park.
3. Running!! My hometown is small (finally broke 1200 on the last census.) and it’s awesome to be out running on country roads within minutes. It’s so quiet–nothing but you, the road, and the rolling hills dotted with farms and scented with cows.
4. Weekend visit with my sister! Bastille Days, sitting on her deck overlooking the harbor, running along the lake, tailgating, and the Brewers!

5. Visiting a dear friend’s grandson in the ICU. He’s a fighter–this was his third heart surgery in the first 7 months of his life. He’s had such a rough go of it–and had the biggest smile laying there on his road to recovery.
6. Seeing my old babysitter who was visiting from Malawi.
7. Visiting another family friend who tragically lost their son in an accident over the weekend. My heart breaks for them.
8. Leinies Summer Shandy, Spotted cow, and Old Fashions. Yum.
9. Cheese, cheese and more cheese–and ice cream cones for a quarter at the dairy.
10. Volunteering at my old school.
11. Evenings sitting on the porch chatting with neighbors.
12. Having coffee on the front porch visiting with the neighborhood kids.
13. Bike rides with my dad.
14. Keeping my mom company at the doctor.
15. Lunch with Grandma.

Seven days was still not long enough. There is still family I didn’t get to see, an endless list of things I’d love to have done, and