The trips have gone very well. One exception is the trip to visit cousin Bob.
We had to reschedule it. Betty and I are traveling to Bay Harbor, MI, Thursday, August 5, to visit Bob. Joe and Bob hope to get in some golf.

Traveling in the Fusion Hybrid is great. We also purchased a portable fridge that plugs into the car and has an adapter for home and hotel use. The Sirius radio was comforting all the way there and back.

Betty and I visited Maine and Acadia National Park with Grace and Hugh on the same weekend that other family from Hyde Park was there in Bar Harbor. However we did not see them.

Summer 2010

This Memorial Day weekend we had delightful house guests: our friend, Sandy (who conferenced at U. of C. for a day) and her 10 year old daughter, Elizabeth. Uncle Joe helped find events and movies and books and drove everyone in his new Fusion Hybrid (new since October, 2009). The weather was beautiful, and the South Shore Cultural Center beach uncrowded.
Joe's school work is practically done for this year. He has a luncheon and a meeting to finish the year. Joe is planning a June 11 to June 13 visit to his cousin, Bob, with a golf game scheduled. He will stay at Bob's new digs in Birmingham. Betty and Joe travel to San Antonio, TX, June 30 to July 4 for
AAInternational with Al-anon and Alateen participation. We will also have a meeting of Social Workers Helping Social Workers before the convention begins officially (see: www.socialworkershelping.org)

Before we leave for Texas, Joe's sister, Chris, and niece, Veronica, visit June 25 and 26. They will also visit nephew, Vince, and his bride, Jen.

On July 12, Betty and Joe travel to Rochester, New Hampshire, to see Betty's lifelong friend, Peggy. Then we go to Bucksport, Maine, to visit with an old friend, Jesse Bidol. Grace and Hugh are coming up to Maine to join us for part of their well-deserved vacation. We hope to be back in Chicago by July 20. Betty does not want to miss too many of her Spanish classes. She is hoping for a good crop of tomatoes and eggplant this year, and the garden needs TLC. Joe is still trying to get that first hole-in-one.

Bullying

Hugh asked me to comment on his bullying post (find it at Meetadamandsteve.blogspot.com) Bullying is right up my alley. When school officials ask me to consult on bullying, I suggest they look at their own ennabling behaviors and attitudes. Bullying is violence against someone with unequal parties and is repeated in a pattern. Violence is hurting someone's body, feelings, or things. Bullying husts the whole school community and everyone participates and is affected. The school community needs to commit to non-violence. Violence will not be tolerated. Staff must cover all the hidden spots in the building according to an organized plan.
Bullies and victims need assistance. Provocative victims are often despised. They and bullies are the most likely suicides.
Some classroom and system-wide programs are research based and useful. "Second Step" is used widely and can be found at:
www.cfchildren.org
I find it useful to consider bullying as a form of addiction, with compulsive, destructive behavior patterns that are enabled by the system and that generate hopelessness and fear in the community.
By the way, Hugh, I suggest that you stop saying you are apolitical.
This blog is political. The "polis" is suffering and you are providing a forum to point this out.

Summer News

Joe and Betty are grateful for their new air conditioning unit this week when the temps are in the 90's. Joe is doing summer school counseling one day per week. His Catapult Learning job continues to support his "retirement."
Betty's Loop and home office sessions continue this summer. Addiction treatment and recovery work support her gardening and music loves.
Joe and Betty celebrate 40 years of marriage this summer. They leave Chicago for a UK vacation in London and Edinburgh. They return for the wedding of nephew Vince and his Jennifer. Daughter Grace is finishing her internship for her DPT; she is also singing at the aforementioned wedding. She and her Hugh are planning their next moves: his grad school, her new job, their new location, etc.
Joe suffers with the White Sox but enjoys his golf with good friends.
Joe and Betty are supporting old friend Toni Preckwinkle for Cook County Board President. They continue to pray for neighbor Barack Obama, for obvious reasons.

MeetAdamandSteve

My son-in-fact, "de facto," Hugh Yeman has invited me to follow his new blog.
Hey, Hugh. This is a very good way to use the net to fight discrimination and prejudice.
I am not much of a blogger, but I agree with your project. In fact, I judge churches and religions by how they welcome, shun, or attack gays. The minister at the wedding was representing an institutional hatred that is far more dangerous and violent than an individual saying "faggot."
The proper response is to get up and leave.
Joe Check

Adopted Cat

Betty and I have adopted our foster cat. She is called "Bootsie" and still prefers to stay in our basement. She comes up when Squeaky is away.
Both cats spend time together in Bootsie's digs in the basement. Bootsie has been to the vet, got her shots, been declared healthy and spayed with no chip. She now has a rhinestone studded collar and a nametag.
We expect further progress in the two-cat relationship.

We found this cat under our porch and are fostering it until the owner contacts us or someone recognizes the cat and contacts us. She is comfortable in our basement. Our own cat, Squeaky, is curious.
We have had no hits as yet. Perhaps a student on break is the owner. Today is New Year's Eve. Happy New Year to all!