PAS

PAS birthday events

As usual, we'll be drinking a Vernor's toast to PAS at our Saturday pizza party. In addition, anyone who'd like to is welcome to join us for a dim sum brunch at 11:30 am Sunday at Lai Lai--the Chinese restaurant in the small shopping center just south of Meijer's at the corner of Carpenter and Ellsworth.  This is a long-running February birthday celebration honoring Paula (in memoriam), Carrie Waara (in absentia), and Mon Yee (in person).

Christmas 2006 New Year's 2007

The only good thing I can say about waiting three weeks to update my blog is that it gave Kate and Ann time to post more and better photos on their own sites.  Somehow, though, they left a few aspects of the holidays uncovered--so I've gone ahead and put some grainy photos of catapaults, Vibes, and public art here.

Paula Day Report

It was a good day. I managed to coordinate with Eve, Juli, Patricia, and Smilka for a later-than-planned walk to Fairview. We dropped some rose buds and admired the horse and cat a neighbor had painted on his garage door across the street.

We were too late to meet Lisa there, but she joined us afterward for lunch. I forgot to order a Nate's Nosh in Paula's honor (maybe we'll do that while the family is here at Christmas) but Juli offered the day's first Vernor's toast to her memory.

Lisa and Juli stayed for the Incredibles. I hadn't seen it since Paula and I watched it together, and it was even better than I remembered--I hadn't realized, for example, that director Brad Bird himself voiced fashionista Edna Mode.

A new shift came in for dinner--pizza night regulars Ben and Andrew, Patt from Mason, Eugene, Jessica, and Nick from Lansing, and Margaret and Steve from down the block.

After pausing for Patt's slightly belated birthday cake (German's chocolate), we turned the lazy Susan over to luminia assembly, then set them out along either side of the front walk.

It was a moment I know she'd have enjoyed. Best of all--our neighbors were inspired to set out their own luminaria two weeks later.

Paula Memorial Day

All Friends of Paula are invited to join me for any or all of a variety of observances this coming Saturday, December 2.

I'll be leaving the house a little after noon to walk up to Fairview. Anyone who'd like to make the trek on foot should come by the Shanks Hilton noonish; I expect to be at the cemetery no later than 12:30. No program is planned, but I'll probably say a few words, and would be pleased if anyone else wishes to do so, too.

We'll come back to TSH and order sandwiches from Zingerman's--heck, we may even phone it in from somewhere on Longshore Drive. Then I plan to put on the Incredibles, the movie Paula and I enjoyed so much that last weekend. (Superhero families--turns out not to be such a strange concept at all.)

For dinner all are invited for homemade pizza (advance orders welcome). As usual, we'll aim to eat at 6, which in practice often ends up meaning 6:30. Then we'll make luminarias, which we'll light and set out at around 8. Margaret S. hopes to join us by then after completing her annual warehouse sale at oliebollen (Paula would have gone and you should, too). We'll conclude by making Vernors ice cream floats and raising a toast to the memory of PAS.

With the Whites in Eastport

In 1993, Paula and Kati joined Grandma Shanks's family on their annual July pilgrimage to their home town, tiny Eastport, Maine. I was, I thought, too busy to go. This year, I finally got another chance.

Kay, Patt, Kati, and I drove all the way to Eastport, two long days from Ann Arbor. We picked up a convoy on the way--first brother Bill Shanks and family in Newtown, CT, then Kay's sister Pat in Canton, MA.

At the easternmost point in the U.S., we joined Kay's brothers Mike and Dickie White, and Mike's sons Mike and Chris and their families, for a week of lobsters, whale watching, and shopping at the IGA. Smart, funny, and sardonic, the Whites reminded me constantly of Paula. As I told Kay afterward--I'd always assumed she was one of a kind, but now it turns out all this time, she's been one of a bunch.

I highly recommend Eastport, and the Whites, if you ever have ten days free--or even if you don't. Until then, a photo album is here.

Schankmobil

At this year's Rolling Sculpture Car Show, I was planning to award my trophy to a Fish Car--something that reminded me of all the unlikely vehicles my relations have used over the years instead of SUVs, from Dad's Studebaker Lark station wagon to the Fishers' minivan. I was about to pick this Studebaker Champ pickup (who knew they made one?)--until I discovered the Schankmobil. Turns out that Schank in German means tap--as in, tapping a beer keg--and this converted Microbus was a beer-tap service vehicle.

The name and the bright red paint job were too good to pass up--not just for Paula, but for the Mike Shanks bar tie-in. Besides, the first joke of Dad's I remember recognizing as such (after some puzzling) was a comment he made at the Trenary Tavern when I was maybe 10 or 12. We'd stopped in after fishing Scott Creek hoping for something to eat, but all they could offer that fit in our range was a grilled cheese sandwich and beer on tap. He decided it wouldn't do, but as he left he smiled that crooked half-smile and commented that maybe he should have "a cheese sand on tap."

In other news, the dog is not happy that Kate's away at YAG camp instead of staying home on the couch with him. He's taking out his frustration by chewing up everything he can reach, a category that grows (with him) by the day. The boxboard was easily cleaned up; the paper towels were harder, since he'd had the inspiration to moisten them thoroughly with the contents of three water bottles.

Long Time No See

Remiss doesn't begin to describe it, but I'm back. If anyone's been wondering what's been happening in the months since my last post, I've put up a new album here.

daffodils -- John

Two warm days and the daffodils sprang into bloom at Wheeler Park. Thanks to all who helped plant them last fall--it's truly spectacular.

A few more flower photos are here, along with random shots from the Great Kay Shanks Move, the Denver Diversion, Set Building, Sue and Rachel, and last but not least, Otto.

Paula -- John Topping

Thanks to Ross Linehan, I learned of Paula's passing.  My condolences to you and your daughter.   

I certainly remember Paula and you well and fondly.  She was always fun to be around;  it saddens me that she died so young.   

I'll never forget the pro wrestling show we attended at the Michigan Union.   It was one of the highlights of my 4 years in Ann Arbor.

Sincerely,

John Topping

snapshots -- John

A few recent ones are posted here.