I just returned from four days’ visiting dear friends Gretchen and her daughter Teddy, who live in Roberts WI. It’s the Midwestern heartland there in far western Wisconsin, with corn fields, silos and barns. Being with these two is a time for real conversation, laughing and laughing, and supporting Gretchen, who has been dealt a deck of health and mobility challenges. Teddy, a para-educator and after school care worker, told me she loves her work, watches over her mom’s well-being, and cares for her three, nearly year-old cats Sven, Kova and Reilly. We watched loads of Schitt$ Creek episodes.
Bill drove me to the Whidbey Seatac Shuttle pickup at 4:45 AM on March 18. I appreciate his willingness to get up so early. After arriving early at Seatac I first was directed to one gate at one end of the terminal, only to have the gate changed to the N gates on another side of the airport, which required taking a speedy underground train. I bet I walked a mile-plus, and got my aerobic exercise climbing and descending stairs. Our Alaska Air N gate was packed and so was the plane. I was lucky to score a window seat in the 11th row, only five behind First Class. I could look at the curtain separating our classes during my flight.
Arriving at MSP airport in St. Paul, Gretchen was there in her daughter’s KIA Soul. We drove to Woodbury MN and stopped in at Duc’s Restaurant, an award-winning authentic Vietnamese fare restaurant. I ordered a shrimp veggie curry, Gretchen–sweet and sour chicken, and we ordered Szechuan Beef for Teddy.
Arriving at their home of 20+ years in Roberts WI, we enjoyed our food, the portions so generous, we ate more for dinner. I learned that Gretchen’s Kia Soul, which Teddy drives, because it is more reliable, was the victim of a drive by ice chunk fallen from a semi the day before. The windshield was smashed, fortunately on the passenger’s side. Western Wisconsin and the Minneapolis areas had been hit by an epic blizzard and frigid temperatures just days before. After a quick meal, Gretchen and I drove to a nearby auto glass place to leave the car for repair.
The following day we picked up the Kia with the windshield price tag of nearly $600. The women decided to forego the $500 deductible and pay the cost themselves. With the cats’ frequent vet bills, and windshield breakage, their budget was hit hard.
Son Raymo happened to be staying near the Minneapolis Convention Center for a Transportation Conference & Expo. After work that Thursday, he met us at Haiku Izakaya & Ramen in nearby Woodbury MN. Oh my! Most excellent sushi and appetizers. Raymo ordered a rainbow roll sashimi entree, I ordered tuna and salmon rolls, and Teddy, really interesting appetizers. Dessert was mochi–mango and green tea ice treats. We laughed and laughed, so at ease in each other’s company. Raymo hadn’t seen Teddy for 18 years, the last time being when we flew out for Teddy’s sister’s wedding when he was 15.
Later we drove to a nearby Target to find a nice top for Gretchen to wear at her daughter Trari’s wedding reception the following night. Teddy said she usually doesn’t like shopping, but on this occasion, while we joked about what clothes to wear for the reception, including a very skimpy pair of black lace shorts, we cracked up at our one-liners and how Gretchen and I could come waltzing in to the reception making a splash.
Maybe you had to be there, but one of the funniest things we laughed about was the unusual bottles of orange soda Raymo and I ordered at the Japanese restaurant. They were opened by pushing a clear marble from the top into the neck, releasing a sound like a champagne cork softly popping. The marble rattled around the enclosed neck. We joked that Gretchen and I could enter the wedding reception rattling the bottles like maracas, telling the guests we hadn’t lost our marbles.
We all drove back to Roberts, and Teddy shared some of her delicious fare with her mom. We spent the evening chit-chatting and laughing, with Gretchen trying on her new sweater, with us cracking up on how we senior ladies could make our memorable entrance at the reception.
Friday, March 20th, Teddy and I brought home Panda takeout. Raymo joined us for a little while, reminiscing about the days when we all lived in the Seminole Springs Mobile home Park in Agoura CA, where we first met in the 1990s. Raymo and his sister Gillian would walk down the street to Gretchen’s and play video games such as Spyro with Gretchen’s daughters Teddy, Elise and Trari, while I visited my sister who was hospitalized at the time. Our families became real friends right from the start. I was so grateful to Gretchen for giving such great care to our kiddos in my time of need while helping my sister. Yup. We both have endured family dynamics that stretched our endurance.
Later that afternoon Gretchen and I dressed up for the reception. Raymo created a ChatGPT image of us in Bridgerton gowns. Notice the marbles in Gretchen’s hand–Raymo’s touch of humor.
It took a little over an hour to drive to the reception at the Empire Room in Anoka MN. We parked and walked into the loud and echo-y venue. Soon the room filled with women, many in tight dresses and high heels, men and some young families. Gretchen was thrilled to see her wuzband’s niece Sam and her children. Sam mentioned that Elise–who Gretchen hadn’t seen for the past 10 years–was there, too. We know the feeling of loss of contact, as our daughter Gillian has maintained no contact since 2024. Sam brought Elise over. I teared up seeing her, remembering all our times together when she was young. I hugged her and hugged her. Elise said she wanted to reunite after the long absence. She has since been in touch with her mom and sister Teddy.
We left the wedding after two hours, driving to the Denny’s Diner in Hudson WI. This Denny’s has great food and servers, including Ahren on this night. Gretchen and I each ordered delicious senior-priced omelettes. She added an order of biscuits and gravy, saying she had a huge appetite these days, yet continued losing weight. We talked long into the night, reflecting on the reunion with her two daughters, and her pleasure of seeing Sam once again.
The following morning Gretchen was in extreme pain, her skin ashen, with a fever of 102. My dear friend is one of the strongest women I know, having single-handedly raised her daughters when her husband left them some years ago. This was something serious. She experienced something similar a few months ago. We drove to the River Falls ER. Thankfully she was seen right away and were grateful for the excellent attention of Tim the ER nurse, who gave her some Tylenol extra strength to ease her terrible pain. The ER doc, though was dismissive of Gretchen’s condition and obvious discomfort. Gretchen slept when we returned home, exhausted by the ordeal.
Sunday morning I walked to downtown Roberts and found a welcoming atmosphere at the Sidetrack Saloon, where Nate, its co-owner, said he’s owned the place for the past 21 years, having worked there the past 26. He mentioned his dairy farmer grandpa herding cows. Server Bridget has worked there 13 years, first on the night shift till 3:30 AM–the bar stays open till 2 AM on weekdays, 2:30 on weekends. Now with three kids of her own, she works morning shifts. She told me her three kids were home boiling maple syrup after tapping her family’s maple trees. Bridget brings the homemade syrup to work, which is served on pancakes and waffles. I met Kate, the short-order cook, who is also a caterer. Nate said that a lot of people are dying in Roberts these days, and Kate caters their celebration of life occasions. Kate came by to ask how I liked my veggie-bacon omelette and hash browns. I said I loved the home-made taste of the food. We chatted about catering a good while. I was a cook on an Alaskan boat for three summers, and had my own catering business on Whidbey for 10 years. I left the friendly and welcoming place, and walked back to Gretchen and Teddy’s.
Sunday before leaving Roberts, Teddy brought forward the Japanese orange soda bottle, the subject of our hilarious jokes. I was surprised she nabbed the bottles without me seeing her do it. Gretchen and I heard bottles clinking together when we drove to Trari’s reception and wondered what they were.
Teddy drove me to the airport, I checked in with little wait time and enjoyed a window seat in the second to last row of the plane. I read the Astral Library for most of the flight, and felt the love of returning home when looking out the window at the Puget Sound and Mt. Rainier as we approached Seatac. Our plane landed at a satellite location. We were herded onto busses which took us to the terminal. Bill greeted me and off we drove to the Mukilteo Ferry, arriving in an hour’s time from the airport. Bill had brought some PCC peppered steak and a delicious orange for me to eat while we drove. I’d had nothing to eat since the Sidetrack Saloon that morning.
This morning I woke up grateful for my life. The sun shone in the windows. Ollie soaked up the sunlight. We took him to Useless Bay Animal Clinic for a bimonthly prednisone shot to help with nervous itching and fur pulling.
Today we walked around Goss Lake admiring the spring flowers. A visit to our town of Langley found the synchronicity of seeing multi-talented mermaid swim friend Gretchen Lawlor and wonderful woman Marli Jenkins, founder of the Woodhaven High School. Gretchen and Marli often collaborate on school-related celebrations and classes.
Great to be home again, yet, I already miss the deep connection with my Wisconsin lady friends borne of real life shared. May the perfect storms that hit them lately lift and clear. They are remarkable women who deserve the best. Gretchen is like a beloved sister, and Teddy a wonderful and chatty niece. I am blessed to have their friendship.
