Monday Moanin'

Starting this week with a renewed effort in keeping the blog up to date.

Over the weekend we've been concerned about my Dad's health. He's still in Oakwood Hospital near Detroit fighting off pneumonia and other issues. Brother Bruce reported in a positive note Sunday that Dad was moved from ICU into a regular room. Seems like it will just take time for him to recover. He may still face surgery to reduce fluid pressure on his brain. Docs say that may reduce his dementia symptoms, but we won't know until it's done.

Helen and I spent a quiet Valentine's Day. After church I zipped over to the Suncoast casino to cash a $25 hoops ticket. While there I bought a $25 ticket on Illinois over OSU. That was a loser, making Sunday a losing day, the fourth in a row. Seems like I've hit a dry spell after 7 straight winning days...

Then we watched some TV, including the classic "African Queen." We talked with Katie last night and she's really getting excited about her trip here. If all goes well and the airlines cooperates, she'll arrive Thursday around 1 p.m. The plan is to bring her back to the apt. to get settled in, then we'll all go back to the Strip for dinner at Margaritaville. I'd really like Katie's first view of the famous LV Strip to be a nighttime visit when the lights are most impressive.

Helen and I had lunch at Margaritaville on Friday and it was really great. Portions are HUUUUUGE and you don't go away hungry! Helen had a taco salad, while I enjoyed a BBQ pulled pork sandwich with onion rings. Helen's salad was so big she had it for dinner on Saturday. For all you foodies, yesterday's dinner was Middle Eastern fare of hummus, tabouli, Kalamata olives, and fresh pita bread.

This morning I wrote my March casino entertainment column and sent it to the Booth editor. It's a slow month for casino shows. Usually there are 18, 20 or more, but in March only a dozen acts are performing, including none at Leelanau Sands or Odawa. Wonder if it's the economy...

Helen has plans to dust and clean the apt. in preparation for Katie's visit. That means she's sending me to the Strip to get out of her way. The plan is for me to vacuum tomorrow, as our LV adventure continues...