My thanks to DoReMI for hosting a couple of weeks back, when I was otherwise occupied. The personal matter that interfered with my participation back then was major: my father died on Tuesday, March 24th. He was 94 and in very poor health, so it wasn't entirely unexpected. But it was sudden, in the end, and it was still sad.
I'm just now emerging from the immediate aftermath. His funeral was last Thursday the 2nd, and I had key duties to perform in relation to it. Fortunately, we had some excellent family time with all the children and all the grandchildren but one being able to attend the service, and with their presence it was a healing time. Still sad, especially for my mother, who is losing her husband of--wait for it--73 years. Astounding, isn't it?
Anyway, I will be sorting all of this out for some time to come, no doubt. That doesn't mean the same degree of absence, of course--and besides, I'm glad to have the opportunity now to go to a meet-up!
Drum roll please....
Motor City Kossacks Spring Meet-up
When: Saturday, April 11, 5:00-7:00 PM
Where: Sweet Potato Sensations
17337 Lahser Rd. Detroit 313-532-7996
As was pointed out in a previous diary and a couple of comments, Sweet Potato Sensations is quite the hit. They have a menu centered around sweet potatoes, and I hear their sw pie is fabulous--but there are other things to eat as well.
So, let's have a lovely Kossack crew this Saturday!
From what I understand, these are the yeses and maybees. Please pipe up if I've misplaced you, or if you need to be on the list! The cafe folks just told me they can accommodate a bunch of people at once.
YES:
1. DoReMI
2. Mideedah
3. BFSkinner
4. peregrine kate
MAYBE:
1. dconrad
2. LakeSuperior
3. 2thanks
I hope you'll excuse this rather rudimentary diary. I am definitely NOT back up to speed.
But let me add one more event FYI for this Saturday. I believe everyone here will be familiar with the terrible disappearance of the 43 Mexican students from their homes and families last September. This Saturday, April 11, a delegation of protestors (including some parents) who still seek answers about the fate of their children and classmates will be in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti. The #Caravana43 members are making this stop as part of a national tour to raise awareness and put more pressure on the Mexican government, which so far has not been willing to devote the time and attention necessary to this tragedy (let alone to the thousands of other desaparacid@s of the past several years).
Please visit this link--Facebook page--for more details. At the moment, I myself plan to attend the rally in Ann Arbor and participate in the walk from Ann Arbor to Ypsi. I'd love to have some Kossack company. Let me know if the FB link doesn't work for you.
And as always, this diary is an Open Thread. Looking forward to hearing from you....