Tuesday Mixed

I rose at 6ish in room 507 in my suite at the Homewood Hilton in Lansing.

I showered, dressed, and wrote the blog, which is a bit wordy at over 1,400 words, and published it. With that task completed, I spent time on church paperwork and other mundane tasks, including updating Quicken with all the transactions to date. The software downloads from all my accounts (except 401K, which is annoying) so I can ensure everything is working and not hacked or a card number is stolen.

With all that done because I started early, I headed out in Air Ford (Edge) to the Michigan capital in Lansing and was there just as the place was waking. I parked, took a photo of the vehicle, and went to the payment area. I entered the plate numbers for the rental using the image, bought parking, and then rebought it by pressing the MAX button this time. I am constantly frustrated that it limits parking to two hours. I always need about thirty minutes longer if I want lunch, but I planned only a few things today, which will be done in the range. Also, I passed a Parking Enforcement car as I reached the area closer to the gaming store, which was already writing tickets! Comply!

The gaming and comic store, Sumit, was not open yet, which was fine with me. I took pictures as I walked to the Michigan Capital building. The building, formerly known as the Michigan Bank Tower and the only skyscraper in Lansing, has always interested me and is near the capital. It is a mix of Art Deco and 1930s Depression architecture. I have never been inside.

I reached the capital, and since 9/11, the entrance has been moved to the basement. I learned from one of the tour guides. It always feels like you are sneaking in the backdoor, but you are passing through the Michigan State Police area and scanned. I passed without having to take anything out or off.

My visit before the area was covered in restoration work. Now that is done, the glorious light and odd 1879 bright and happy colors create an impressive sight. Few Empire Age cast iron buildings are left in the USA, and even fewer are restored even with period light fixtures (revamped for electrical use). The portraits of all the former governors, a tradition for years, make it a fantastic late 1800s-like experience. Lastly, the flag cases hold the colors for Michigan from the Spanish-American War, American Civil War, and World War 1 and are the final archive for my home state’s colors. I had read that the originals (I had seen them when I was a little kid and remember them tattered and falling apart) are now being treated and preserved. I must plan a tour when I return in December; see here.

Before the elevators, all the legislature and governor had to walk by the cases of the colors and be reminded of the sacrifices made. The replaced flags are all colorful and accurate copies of the original.

I walked all the iron steps to the top, happy to reach the last public level, which was closed the last two times I was there. I remember being disappointed on my first trip as a little kid that the higher levels, likely unsafe for the casual visitor, were not open. I suspect those areas need ladders and align with what was considered safe access in the 1870s. I found an elevator, a later installation, as it is a block-like tower in an alcove, and I rode it down; I had never taken one before. I pop out among the Michigan State Police and get a polite nod (I did not earn eye rolls from yet another tourist playing in the elevator). I chat with a tour guide and see a group of older men and women all dressed up and getting a formal tour. I believe it was the tour for the newly elected. I doffed my hat and got many friendly smiles, furthering my belief that they were happy politicians enjoying their orientation. I saw some of the same folks headed to lunch downtown, now carrying huge notebooks.

I returned to Sumit Comics and Games and found nothing I would not find in Oregon, which is a pity. I often find unique books and items, but not today. I headed to the Peanut Shop and got a small bag of unsalted peanuts in the shell and another of cashews (which I failed to give to my sister later and had to enjoy myself). I remember Dad getting peanuts there and when stopping by the capital building.

Air Ford (Edge) had to repark as multiple folks tried to pull out and pull in while snarling the streets. Once that cleared, Air Ford (Edge) headed to the Lansing Mall Panera Bread and the Barnes and Noble Bookstore there. I was too early to meet Leta, so I sat and read. I saw Leta; I knew she would be there looking for the newest Nora Roberts book, so we soon joined the Lutheran Ladies at Panera Bread nearby.

Leta, adopted by the Lutheran Ladies when they saw her sitting alone for lunch a few times, introduced me, and we chatted and had lunch. It was a lovely time, and we talked about Oregon, their family and travel issues, and the usual health updates that folks like me with grey hair always cover. I left early and said goodbye to Leta until next month.

I returned to my hotel in Air Ford (Edge), wrote some church paperwork, and emailed it to be reviewed (which took three tries as I kept mixing up my copies). It covered a difficult subject, and I needed an hour in the warm hotel pool to get it out of my mind. My eyes were red from chlorine, and now I felt relaxed. I dressed again and headed to BJ’s Brewhouse, where I met Linda, my sister.

We killed a bottle of wine and had steaks for dinner, and they were good. Jesse and Meg (Linda’s husband and daughter) arrived later, and we chatted for a bit longer. Linda and I had a shot of Amaretto with our coffee, and we sipped it between the tastes of coffee. We paid the bill with Linda buying and some of my BJ’s discounts knocking off $30 (not that I eat there often in Oregon). We said our goodbyes until next month, and I returned to my hotel. I put on my PJs, checked into my flight, got another uncomfortable but inexpensive seat by checking in, and later looked at new items from IKEA. Finally, sleepy, I slept most of the night.

Thanks for reading.