Singing Along with Santa in Ann Arbor

Santa reading 'Twas the Night Before Christmas

'Twas Santa's Night in Ann Arbor

'Twas several nights before Christmas, and all through the church, hundreds of creatures were stirring, for they had finished their search. Santa had arrived in old Ann Arbor town, with three giant elves who could really get down. Santa did sing, and the elves did dance, and the children sang too at Santa's entrance.

A trumpeter, jazz band, and pianist played, and the children's excitement never did fade. For Santa read them a story much like this one, and they listened in awe to the tale that he spun. They returned to their seats and their parents sang along, until Santa danced off to the very last song.

He did not fly away with his elves and reindeer but joyfully waited as each child bent his ear. Santa sat in his chair and listened with care as the children listed the gifts they hoped he would bear. After all of the children gave Santa their lists, there was no doubt in their minds that Santa truly exists.

With that last list, Santa flew into the night, and his voice echoed through Ann Arbor, "Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!"

8 Reasons I Am Thankful To Be Back In Michigan

For a few years, I tried really hard to find a way to move from Virginia back to Michigan that was financially feasible for me and my family. Now that I am back in the Great Lakes State, I am incredibly thankful to be a Michigan resident again.

I have countless reasons to be thankful for being back home, but I am especially thankful for the following:

8. The People

After a few days in our new home, my wife commented that so many people have been kind to her and welcomed her back to Michigan. Whether it was the checkout lady at the supermarket or a clerk at a paint store, people have been happy to suggest things for us to do in our new town. My daughter was only in school for two days before she received her first invitation to a classmate's birthday party. The little things matter, so thank you to every kind soul who has welcomed us home.

7. Beautiful Lakes Everywhere! 

My wife and I had a list of cities and neighborhoods where we wanted to live when we moved back, but we ended up living in a city we were not really considering because we found a house that fit us far better than anything else we looked at. The house is as warm and inviting as the comfy old sweater that you pull out of your closet on the coldest winter nights. Plus, we are surrounded by beautiful lakes, and I get to see views like this no matter which direction I drive:

Orchard Lake at Sunset

6. The Food

I have posted a lot about food lately and am planning more food posts because going out to dinner is all I have had time to do while unpacking boxes and starting a new job. I have had so many good meals at places like Vinsetta Garage, One-Eyed Betty's, Stage Deli, Jolly Pumpkin, Griffin Claw Brewing Company, Loya Organic, V&M Polish Kitchen, the Detroit Institute of Bagels, Bread Basket Deli, Shield's Pizza, and more.

A delicious burger from Jolly Pumpkin in Ann Arbor.

5. Seeing Detroit from Multiple Angles

My job placed me in a Detroit school for a month and I still head into the city frequently for work. I have seen the skyline from the East Side, driving up Woodward, off the Lodge, from Corktown, and other angles during the last two months. It has not gotten old. I have also spent time in neighborhoods that I have not seen before, and I have worked with Detroit school kids who give me hope for the future of the city and the state.

Detroit's Woodbridge neighborhood welcomes you

4. The Weather

I love the four seasons. I love an early snowfall that catches us off guard. Palm trees, sun, and sand year-round just seems boring. Give me changing leaves, a canopy of tree branches covered in freshly fallen snow, 70 degrees in the morning followed by 30 degrees in the afternoon, water that cannot decide whether it is rain, sleet, or snow as it falls from the sky, summer nights on a quiet lakefront, and the laughter of children as they race down an icy hill on a sled, jump into a pile of fallen leaves, or jump into their local river or lake. I have all of this again, and I am thankful for it.

Michigan lake after a November snow

3. The Beer

Some Michigan craft beers are available in Virginia, but most are not. Every time I go to the supermarket or a restaurant now, I have so many Michigan brews to choose from. Do I want a Greenbush Anger, a Short's Huma Lupa Licious IPA, a Right Brain CEO Stout, a Bell's Two Hearted Ale, a Founders Breakfast Stout, a Dark Horse Crooked Tree IPA, or something from one of the many other Michigan brewers?

A couple of brews from Griffin Claw

2. The Sports

I love being around Detroit sports fans and college football fans again. College football is not very big on the east coast, and it was not always easy to follow Detroit sports from 550 miles away. Michigan offers amazing college hockey, multiple college football teams, two of the best college basketball programs in the country, and of course the Lions, Tigers, Pistons, and Red Wings.

Comerica Park

1. My Family

I was able to spend a lot of time with my dad during the last month of his life. I miss him every day and would do anything to have him back, but I am eternally thankful for that month with him. Now, I am happy to be near my mom and my brother and his family and to have my kids grow up in Michigan, my state.

Fueling Up at Vinsetta Garage

Looking through an old garage door from a table at Vinsetta Garage

Holy F*%k! This Is Good!

Those were the first words that ran through my mind as I bit into the deep fried cheese curds at Vinsetta Garage in Berkley. I had heard a lot of hype about this restaurant and was hoping that it would not disappoint me as many over-hyped restaurants do. But with that first bite, I knew the hype level was appropriate, and maybe even inadequate.

The "holy" cheese curds

Vinsetta Garage uses an old garage/gas station's space on Woodward Avenue. Drivers passing by on Woodward who are unfamiliar with the popular restaurant might still assume it is an active garage. Words on the brick building's exterior advertise auto electrical and ignition work.

Once inside, diners will find the interior walls adorned with items that celebrate Detroit's automotive history. The windows on the garage doors, high ceilings, and skylights create a bright dining room during the day, not the dark and dingy garage that it probably once was. 

One of the pieces of old equipment inside the restaurant

The restaurant carries a good selection of bottled and draft craft beers, including several Michigan brews. Honoring its automotive past, the restaurant's wine list humorously separates its offerings into the categories of: 1) the higher priced "Packard" wines; 2) the mid-range "Oldsmobile" wines; and 3) the cheap "Yugo" wines. I ordered one of my new favorite beers, Huma Lupa Licious IPA from Short's Brewing Company of Bellaire, Michigan. I later tried Traverse City's Right Brain Brewery's Hawk Owl Amber to go along with my main course.

He Was Our Captain

I lost my dad to leukemia two weeks ago. He battled hard against the disease for a grueling six months. We thought we were going to lose him a few months ago, but he fought his way out of the hospital and was doing better until the leukemia knocked him down again. He tried to get up from leukemia's last blow, but he had nothing left.

It was a horrible way to see a strong man die. It wasn't fair for man who spent his life healing others to die such a merciless death. In the end, his four living children were there for him in the hospital for the last several days of his life, and my mom, his wife of almost 50 years, sat by him as he breathed his last breath.

My dad shaped so much of who I am. He loved me and my siblings unconditionally. He was strict when needed, but always compassionate. He was prouder of our achievements than we were, but he never let us take ourselves too seriously. He was a father figure to our best friends growing up and a second dad to our spouses.

I've told my grandparents' stories on this blog and my other blog, but I do not know when or if I will be emotionally ready to tell my dad's story. He was everything I could've ever wanted in a dad. I am lucky to have shared this earth with him, and I am even luckier to carry his spirit with me for the rest of my life.

Thank you, Virginia

On the George Washington Parkway, leaving Virginia

I am back in Michigan to stay. Yesterday morning, I finished packing up the car, loaded up the dog, and said goodbye to what had been my adopted home state for more than a decade. I still need to find a house and move the rest of the family (and all of our stuff) to Michigan, but my life as a Virginian is over.

Although I am excited to be home in Michigan, Virginia will always be a special place to me. I met many amazing friends whom I will miss dearly. I asked my wife to marry me in Virginia...though we did get married right across the Potomac River in Washington, D.C. (I will miss the many things D.C. has to offer too). Soon after we were married, we got a dog together, the first for both of us since childhood, from a rescue group in Virginia.

I became a homeowner for the first time in Virginia. I nervously rushed my wife from that home to the hospital twice and both times felt the pure wonder of holding a newborn daughter for the first time. I spent countless sleepless nights trying to get those girls to sleep so my wife and I could sleep for at least a few minutes and be slightly more human than zombie at work the following day. I saw first steps and heard first words in my Virginia home. I held hands, laughed, sang songs, told stupid jokes, danced silly dances, told tall tales, read books, wiped away tears, and did so much more in that home.

Although Michigan never stopped being home, Virginia was home too.

Thank you, Virginia...for everything.