Thoughts.com

Yes, it's the 70th anniversary of the premiere of the Wizard of OZ in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. Since I'm quite a bit younger than that, and so is my mom, we can only enjoy the historical aspect of it.

So, Thursday, August 13, from 5:30 until 8:30 pm. OZ-fest, not to be confused with Ozzie Osbourne and Black Sabbath, will take place in downtown Oconomowoc. We're closing the street down and showing the movie at 8:30 pm. There's even a special guest coming -- they say it's someone small.

So bring your chairs and enjoy the night on the street, with music, food and the Wizard of Oz on the 40 ft. inflatable screen. This should be fun.

There's no place like home!!!

It's been a cooler than normal summer up here in the Midwest, southeast Wisconsin to be exact. It started off hot (90's) - just enough heat to convince my spinach it was time to seed.

Then it cooled down to the 70's for most of July, which told my tomatoes to slow down. And the lack of significant rainfall was wonderful for outdoor activities, but hard on patio vegetables. Not to mention the pain of watering twice a day, gallons of water. The green peppers, potatoes, and herbs have been content, but the habanero peppers are confused. They love hot weather and have been in a slow growth since February (indoors then).

But hark...I hear we have 90 degree weather approaching. Will it be enough to get the plants to finish their growing season? Will there be any water with the hot temperatures? And lastly, can I go to the beach without a sweater?

Stay tuned. It's August - and that's almost back to school autumn to me!

Some mothers and sons are very close. For example, my sister and her son. Maybe because they have had to overcome broken marriages, and starting over together -- bringing them closer and more dependent on each other. Maybe it's personalities.

Whatever.

My son and I were very close when he was younger. However, since his teen years, and especially since his dad passed away, we seems to be friction every time we are together, whether alone or out in public. It's hard when he thinks everything he says is taken the wrong way...and then I say "me too", and he thinks I'm wrong.

It's getting painful just talking to him or trying to talk to him. I pray that our relationship changes in the future. What do I want out of it? Just for him to listen and not look for a hidden meaning in everything or a negative meaning. I'm not a negative person (he is though).

I can't wait for the "terrible teens" phase to end. I miss the positive energy in this house!

Since I am a graduate of the University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point, I suppose I am biased on Wisconsin Universities. I took classes at Madison (a two-weeker in the summer, and 5 months of the Wood County Archeological Survery - until government funding dried up) and at Whitewater (what a lovely town!).

So I was totally surprised when my son Matt came home from Hollywood, California a sullen teenager. He was so looking forward to the trip to Los Angeles and Hollywood where the Musician's Institute was located. After 2 days of trying to get him to stay home and talk to me about the experience, he showed up as I was getting ready to leave for work.

A bombshell. He decided against California. It was a lifestyle that didn't fit with his own. He changed his mind about college, and in enrolling in the University of Wisconsin in Waukesha (a two-year college, usually a stepping stone to bigger Universities). I was flabbergasted (is that still a word?). My dreams come true.

A friend of mine (Erna Kirsch Loew), started her later-in-life college education there and went on to graduate in Education at Carroll College. I pray the next two years at Waukesha help Matt to clarify his future, and that he is able to achieve everything he wants to.

I'm with you all the way honey. Thanks for lowering my stress levels!

Okay. I Google Earth'd the Musician's Institute. It's located in downtown Hollywood, California, not Los Angeles, with the Walk of Fame across the street. This is the school my son is intending to attend in the Fall. He texted from Roscoe's House of Chicken and Waffles last night. I hope everything is set for Fall admission. Hopefully I'll find out next week. Don't want to irritate him with questions, considering I have to pay for this place!!! Lord, give me strength.