Wednesday A few Visits

I learned that Deborah’s car’s name is Ziggy. I have tried to correct that below. And it is Jeanne, not Jean.

Wednesday was our first whole day back in the USA and Michigan. I was resting at the Holiday Inn Express, which was experiencing issues due to a broken elevator, meaning guests could not easily access the higher rooms, and the cleaning staff could not clean rooms. I heard the staff having to send guests away as they had no rooms available. All the first-floor rooms were taken.

I rose early and was soon dressed and writing the blog in the lobby, where the complimentary breakfast was served. Though it was industrial, it was not bad. I spent the morning writing, and Deborah arrived in her blue Mini Cooper (Ziggy) around 10. We headed to Lansing by the usual route of Detroit-Flint-Lansing, which is the fastest means, as there are no 70 mph highways that cross this triangle route.

We reached the Lansing Mall area a few minutes early. Deborah and I then walked through the Barnes & Noble and looked at board games. They often offer a hard-to-find or new game at a discount. Often, a hot board game will sell out at gaming stores, and I often find it at Barnes & Noble, sometimes with a special B&N version.

Next, we met with Leta at Panera Bread just after noon. I usually meet Leta when I am in the area for lunch at her faovrite Panera at the Lansing Mall not far from her house or pick her up at her house and drive her there. We had a nice chat and enjoyed lunch together.

Next, Deborah, in Ziggy, crossed Lansing to Haslett, and we had a nice meeting with Mom Wild for about an hour. We talked about a trip and just hung out for a while. Hello’s always come with goodbyes, and there were tears. We will see Mom Wild again on Friday (and Leta too).

Next, Jeanne, a high school classmate of mine and Deborah’s best friend, invited us to join them for dinner at the Watershed across from Lake Lansing Park. We had a few minutes and headed to East Lansing, parked, and soon were enjoying the smell of baked old books in the non-Air Conditioned Curious Books Store. I found some reprints and later paperbacks of pulp classics, such as Doc Savage. I also got another copy of H.P. Lovecraft’s works in a new hardback version. There was a cheap copy of a World War II story critical of the loss of the USS Langley (the USA’s first Aircraft Carrier). Deborah found a cheap guitar book.

The store owner did not remember me, but I told him I visited every six months, and he suggested I come more often. He was happy to sell me over $100 worth of books, which included shipping the ones for me to Oregon. We were hot and sticky and book scented by the time I was done buying and getting shipping info done. We got back into the Ziggy and headed to Haslett.

There, we met Jeanne and Randy and had a lovely dinner. It was strange to see, as Deborah pointed out, that drinks cost under $10. That was not what we saw in Anaheim or Iceland! They make their own smoked and specialized meats there at the Watershed; I had a terrific Reuben sandwich. It was nice to catch up and enjoy drinks and food.

Deborah was tired, and I helped drive Ziggy back to the Detroit Area. The jet lag sneaks up on you. It was fast, and the engine roared if you pressed the gas. I was used to electric cars now, but it was fun to drive.

We arrived without issue, and I was soon back at the hotel. Deborah, now feeling better, drove home.

Thanks for reading!