We welcomed our first official guests to Casa P. (or is “Ye Olde Homestead” better?) on Saturday. Stephanie is a blogging friend from way back, though like Tara, she long ago hung up her proverbial quill. We met up with them once before, in Portland. Had a great time but figured we’d never see them … Continue reading Gimme All the DEETs!
Author: Mark Petruska
I'm a professional writer and editor living my best life in south central Wisconsin.
Flattery, not King Charles III, got me on their podcast.
Yesterday, Tara suggested we go kayaking after work. It was one of those perfect spring days: not too hot, not too cold, and not too humid. There were mosquitoes, but there are always mosquitoes this time of year. So, we loaded up the kayaks Thursday evening and headed to Lake Koshkonong. It's been almost a … Continue reading Flattery, not King Charles III, got me on their podcast.
My own personal Dicktionary.
Shortly after separating from my first wife and selling our home, I had to return to the house one day to pick up a package that had been sent there instead of to my groovy new bachelor's pad. CDs, if you're curious. I know. I'm old. The new owner, a kind Asian man, chatted with … Continue reading My own personal Dicktionary.
Green with envy (and ferns).
Tuesday afternoon, my new John Deere arrived. I was as giddy as an eight-year-old on Christmas morning when the Lowe's guys unloaded it from the truck and rolled it into the garage for me. I was ready to hop on board and start cutting the grass right away, but it needed gas and I figured … Continue reading Green with envy (and ferns).
Death by snake > death by bus.
Hey, remember Nancy, our tree-hating neighbor from the old apartment complex? We ran into her at the farmers market on Saturday morning. She legit had no idea who we were. We finally kinda, sorta jogged her memory. I think? She went so far as to acknowledge that yes, there had been a vacancy in Apt. … Continue reading Death by snake > death by bus.
Birds, cats, a Deere, and a bath full of brats.
Somehow, since buying this house, a curious transformation has taken place. Tara and I have turned into "birders." I realized this a few days ago when I glanced over at the dining room buffet and spotted our cameras. We no longer stash them away in camera bags hidden in the back of the closet; instead, … Continue reading Birds, cats, a Deere, and a bath full of brats.
Schlemiel! Schlimazel!
The first time we visited Milwaukee last summer, we made it a point to stop by the Bronze Fonz statue. Happy Days was a favorite sitcom growing up, as I'm sure it was for a lot of folks. Milwaukee was also the setting for the Happy Days spinoff, Laverne & Shirley–another childhood fave. We've actually … Continue reading Schlemiel! Schlimazel!
I’ve been that fly before.
There's this dude at work—let's call him Daryl—who loves to talk. Nice enough guy, but if you don't time your interactions with him carefully, you're liable to end up stuck in a one-sided conversation for the next 15 or so minutes. Daryl sits on the other side of the TobacCo building, where the developers and … Continue reading I’ve been that fly before.
Can’t Netflix and chill without obscure Woody Allen DVDs.
778. That's the number of Netflix DVDs I have rented since I signed up on October 6, 2006. (My first one was Hoot. I gave it two stars. Clearly not a fan, but that one was obviously for the kids. I also rented Best in Show that day and loved it to the tune of … Continue reading Can’t Netflix and chill without obscure Woody Allen DVDs.
24 inconvenient hours and nary a baño.
When last I touched base, Todd the Vinyl Planking Guy had just broken a screen door window, tried to blame it on a bird, and ended up a few boxes short of flooring. Boy, Thursday was a weird day. But Friday was better. Todd showed up at 9:30, immediately apologizing for being late. He was … Continue reading 24 inconvenient hours and nary a baño.
Mark My Words 