Ode to a Fish Fry

In Milwaukee, the most popular way to welcome the weekend is to attend a fish fry. It really is a tradition in this city, as evidenced by the cover of the most recent issue of Milwaukee Magazine.

What is a fish fry? As I understand it, fish fries started as a Lenten observance among Catholics when they abstained from meat each Friday. It has since morphed into a year round secular activity, community pastime and defining feature of Milwaukee (and most of Wisconsin). Go to any local restaurant or tavern on a Friday, and you will find fish on the menu.

Now, what to expect at a typical Milwaukee fish fry. First – no matter where you go there will be LOTS of people. It’s likely that you will have to wait in a long line surrounded by business people, students, factory workers and families with little children. The wait is fine though because everyone is in a good mood. Second – seating is often at a large table and you will probably sit with total strangers. No problem, it's part of the fun. Third – the food. There’s fish (perch, walleye, cod), potato (mashed, pancake, french fried), bread (rye, white) and coleslaw. Fourth – the entertainment is always quality (even if it’s a little hokey) and sometimes there’s dancing.

So … with all of this in mind, the following pictures are of last Friday when I went with Nora and Spencer to Lakefront Brewery for their Friday Fish Fry.

I had to wait for "my party" before being seated. This is how Nora and Spencer found me, just inside the door.

The polka band. Imagine us eating while singing the refrain "E-I-E-I-E-I-O." I'm laughing just writing about it.

There were lots of people out dancing ...

... but Nora and Spencer preferred to listen.

At last the food came, and it was very good. (I had the perch with potato pancakes.)

Done eating, Nora and I posed in front of some Cream City Brick that the building is made out of.

Good night Milwaukee! See you next Friday!

It Might As Well Be Spring

On Tuesday, I was finishing up some school work, when I got a text message from Marilyn ...

I am going to bundle up and go for a walk by the lake.
If any of you would like to come meet me at McKinley Marina at 7.

My first thought was “burrrr.”
My second thought was “I have a lot of work to do.”
My third thought was “I’m on my way!”

Some people might think it’s crazy to go for a walk on a cold, snowy night. In fact, friends of mine from Arizona and Nevada have asked me very seriously how I handle living through Wisconsin winters. I always remind them that I wear a coat when I go outside. So that’s what I did … put on a coat and a hat and mittens with gloves inside. Then I went for a walk. It was fun, even though it was VERY cold. When we passed North Point Light House and I stopped to take a picture and it took me 10 minutes for my hands to recover. Plus there was lots of ice on the sidewalk that was covered with fine snow, so there were a few spills. But all in all, it was nice to get out and get some fresh air … even though it was only 25°.

Ready to go!

My picture of North Point Light House. It was cold, and I didn't have the energy to make it look nice. Fortunately ...

... there's flickr. This is just how it looked that night except there was snow.

MSO Mondays

The first Monday of every month is MSO Monday at Alterra (a local coffee shop). They invite a small group from the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra to perform at one of their locations around the city. I went for the first time the other night, and it was fabulous – on several levels.

First: Location

This month’s mini-concert was held at the Alterra Foundry in the Fifth Ward. The building was originally the Kramer International Foundry, but has now been converted into offices, etc. The coffee shop was designed in a post-industrial style in deference to the buildings original purpose and also to Milwaukee’s blue collar heritage. The effect is very nice.

Second: Food

I got a turkey club sandwich. The presentation was lovely, and I would have taken a picture, but I was really hungry, and it was yummy and …

Third: The Music

Lots of coffee shops have live music, but how many have a string quartet playing Rossini’s “Six Sonatas”?! I hesitate to say that it was enchanting … but it really was. People were gathered around with wide eyes and half smiles. Even two cops, who had stopped for coffee while patrolling their beat, paused to listen. When it was over, we all mingled with the musicians, asked questions and got another cup of something warm.

Fourth: Total Cost
$5 for the sandwich.

Until next month!

84, Charing Cross Road

I found a GREAT book in the school library, and read it in one sitting. It reminded me of the process I go though when buying used books online.

• The book I really want is out of print.
• I order online from a seemingly reputable seller.
• The book does not come as soon as expected and I email to find out what’s going on.
• The seller emails to say that the book has been sent and should arrive any day.
• The book finally arrives in perfect condition and I feel guilty for only having spent $2 on it. Five stars!
• I order another book from the same seller.
• This time the book arrives on time, but it’s a yellowed, ten year old, mass-market paperback that is missing the front cover.
• I pound out an angry email to the seller threatening to give him only one star!
• The seller writes immediately to beg my forgiveness …
• etc.

That is basically what this book is – letters back and forth between a book buyer and a book seller. The difference is that Helene Hanff’s experience is so much more charming and funny and poignant. I laughed all the way through … and then cried at the end (real tears).

Without giving too much away, it taught me a valuable lesson about friendship and living for today rather than putting off ‘till tomorrow.

Elinor Approves the Rent

I found the perfect apartment. It is (almost) everything I wanted – good price, nice location, plenty of space, charming woodwork. Yep. I found the perfect apartment. But it wasn’t easy.

When I first started my search everything I found was too expensive, too small, too hot, too cold, too far or too dangerous. I learned the real meanings of words like rustic, cozy and beautifully redone (rundown, small, expensive). I learned that the most wonderful prospect can be disqualified by one fatal flaw – like one that had no lock on the front door, or another where you couldn’t stand upright in the bathroom.

After a while, I had a system. I narrowed down the neighborhoods that I would allow myself to look in – based on average rent, proximity to work and interest. Then I started calling, looking for the apartment with the best combination of factors. When I got a call back I would start with THE most important element and work my way down the list.

* RENT - It had to be within my budget, or I would end the conversation there – no need falling in love with a place I can’t afford.
* UTILITIES - I wanted a place where I could control my own heat since I like it on the cool side.
* FLOORS - I really needed a place with carpet since I don’t have any rugs.
* SECURITY - The door needs to lock. Pretty simple.

So, after finally knowing what I was REALLY looking for, I set out to fall in love with an apartment … and I found one! It meets all my basic needs, plus I like it. (More to come.)

All in all the apartment hunt was a rewarding experience. I came away with what I wanted, and I came in under budget. I feel like Elinor in Sense and Sensibility:

The house … was on so simple a scale, and the rent so

uncommonly moderate, as to leave her no right of objection …

In other words, she found a place SO perfect that she HAD to take it.

Smart Art

I am learning the art of living large on a small income. This past Thursday I had a chance to go to a reception for solo art show at St. Norbert College featuring the work of a fellow teacher. Since it was on a school night and far from Milwaukee, she rented a bus to take all of those who wanted to attend … and she ordered pizza.

Around 4:30 we boarded the bus. I took along a stack of papers to grade, two magazines, a book and my iPod -- just in case the trip was really boring. But boring it was not. Right after the bus took off -- POP -- the champagne was opened (no I did NOT have any) and the pizza was passed. I handed out napkins and then chatted with teachers, students and some other really funny people. Needless to say, the papers went ungraded.

When we arrived, we were treated to a wonderful show. Everything was done in/on/with paper. One collection was made up of pressed flowers representing each month of the year. There was another collection of pieces that represented trees in various seasons. Finally, "Common Threads" was my favorite. Hard to explain, but very beautiful.

The ride home was less eventful. A friend helped me grade the papers, and then I fell asleep to the sweet strains of an NPR podcast. All in all, it was a great evening. Really great. And the price could not be beat (free).

The invitation.

Waiting for the bus. (Jill on left, Rissie on right.)

Art lovers.

Passing out napkins.

Sam's steady hand.

A toast!

Visiting with students.

One of the better storytellers.

At last!

Trees.

The artist speaks.

I loved "Common Threads" because of its beauty ...

... its intricacy ...

... and its symmetry.


Thank you to Jeff K. for many of these pictures.