Still in St. Louis

We had lunch with old friends, and then dinner with other equally old friends, both at their residences. This had two advantages. It gave us delightful company. And we didn’t have to buy any meals. Joan came with us to both and bore the meals in good humor. My friend Stuart “insulted” her by suggesting that she inherited my sense of humor. I think this was after he asked her, “What have you planned for the future?”. Her response? “Middle school.”

By the way, when you and most of your friends are 83, the most common question no longer appears to be “So tell me what’s new?”

Now, it seems to be, “What day is it today?”. And this is a question that is asked over and over by each friend, about ten minutes apart.

Our morning, with Joan and her Aunt Michelle, was spent looking at the house I lived in through third grade at 7133 Delmar (now white, then dark red), and retracing the walk between my house and Flynn Park School. Then we looked at house I lived in through high school at 8590 Colonial Lane (also now white, and enlarged). Joan had already seen my high school.

We also went to see the house my Aunt Loraine and Uncle Sam lived in (now within walking distance of a Costco of all things), and then went to the cemetery where my parents, my four grandparents, and most of my aunts and uncles are buried.

But the highlight of the day was our almost three hour trip to the City Museum, just right for a ten year old. Mysterious tunnels to crawl through all over the 11 story former International Shoe Company building with a Ferris Wheel on the roof. For the adults, a mini-aquarium, and insect and taxidermy collection and much more.

And robots

Hard to break away. But glad we did.

I have no idea what is going on in the rest of the world. Is Trump still president? Has he renamed the Strait of Hormuz? Is Victor Orban going to try to ressurect his career and, if so, will he call it Orban Renewal? Is J.D. Vance going to defend the Pope? Can the Pope run for president and still wear his red shoes? Does he want to? 

Today is our last day here. No toasted ravioli, no Ted Drewes frozen custard. By the way, do you know that Ted Drewes has a kosher menu? Look at their website.

Where to go today. Joan wants the aquarium. Maybe the Art Museum. Could do the zoo. We shall see. Crown Candy for lunch?