Madison, Wisconsin and the Houston Astros @ the Brewers

 Monday and Tuesday, May 5 and 6, 2025

Monday, I had a pleasant drive to Madison, Wisconsin to see my cousin Victor and his wonderful bride, Kathy.  Of all my cousins, we are probably the closest, both in ages and in values and lifestyles.

                                                     Image by Victor Kilman

On the way, I stopped at the Wisconsin Welcome Center.  I went in all boisterous and talkative (you think?) and was met by three staffers who matched my energy.  Every place I mentioned was met with brochures, no, books of places they wanted me to se while in the Badger State!

Victor and I had an easy drive to Milwaukee to see the Astros lose to the Brewers.   Is it me?  We sat 8 rows rom the field, not far beyond 3rd base, close to the Astros dugout.  I had some kind of Reuben Roll (it was an eggroll with kraut!) from a "food truck" on the second level.   Good, friendly crowd.   The roof was closed.

At the game, I met up with friends Laura and her Mom, Sandi, from Houston!  Laura teaches 2nd grade and has a tradition of going to an Astros game on her birthday, where ever that may be!

We wandered the parking lot for a bit, as I forgot where we had come in to the stadium.   Found it!

                                                      Image by Victor Kilman

Victor and Kathy live just down the street from a nature preserve.   Their back yard is also a nature preserve.   They combine a love of birds with Victor's hobby of photography.   The bird house at the top of the page is right outside the glassed in back porch / breakfast area.   These shots were taken from inside the house!  Their granddaughter has a box of bird "trading cards" with velcro.  Any bird she can identify goes on her little board.   So far, she has identified 15 distinct species!   The baby birds are sparrows.   The orange/yellow bird is a Baltimore Oriole.    Young Katherine has not seen this one yet, but Victor has!

Astros @ Chicago White Sox, Sunday, May 4

 

I attended South Park Church with my friends.  I met two of Pam and Cy's adorable grand kids.  This church started in the 40's and asked nearby Wheaton College for a preacher.  A young ministerial student was interested, but needed transportation to the church.   And so, Billy Graham became their first preacher!

We stopped in Cy and Pam's neighborhood at Rodham Corner, childhood home of Hillary Rodham, who later became fairly well known in America.

We fought our way to South Chicago on the freeway to Rate Field to see the Astros play the White Sox.   Great seats behind the plate, I could have called strikes and balls from there!  Many other Astros fans in attendance.   The game started well for us, but about the time the weather fell apart, so did the Astros.  We called the game in the 5th, I think the umpires called it in the 6th.   White Sox, 5-4.

I had an Italian Beef sandwich (roll) that was very good.  Pam came back with a burger and enough hot, delicious seasoned fries for all of us.

We struggled back on the freeway.   Houston has nothing on this eternal mess!  I then drove 40 minutes to my niece's place in Uptown, north of downtown Chicago, and just off of Lake Michigan.  As I approached Sophie's 100 year old 4th floor walkup, my texts lit up with requests from my siblings, especially Sophie's mom, asking for (almost demanding) pictures and details.   I complied.  Sophie and her roomates all went to Lawrence College in Wisconsin.   Her boyfriend, Amos cooked a wonderful dinneer of Pesto Pasta with a scrumptious mess of grilled / roasted begies.   I reported back to sister Allie that the place was nicely done, and Sophie and Amos are quite happy.  They have started planning a wedding for late '26 in a Wisconsin State Park.   I clarified that this was common knowledge with her mom (my sister Allie) as I no longer like to keep secrets.   Amos collect maps, so I really like him!

Ok, here is an update.   I was on my way to Marquette, Michigan to spend time with sister Kristen and her hubby Mark.    That has changed.   They had a little medical scare Friday, which has resolved itself, but they won't be in Marquette for several more days.    So......, Wednesday morning, bright and early, I am changing course, and will head for Indiana to learn about William Henry Harrison and his grandson, Benjamin Harrison.   I will try to visit all of my presidential sites between there and Princeton, NJ, before crossing into Canada at Buffalo, and if the Canadians will let this old Texan in their fine country, I will cross Ontario and return to America several day later, in Michigan, where I hope to spend time with my sister.    Stay tuned.

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