My Week that Was - November 5

There is a new sign on the Koffee Kup. 10/29/22

 Saturday morning after my workout we drove to Stoughton where I had breakfast at the Koffee Kup Restaurant.

 I've been there since Covid-19 restrictions were lifted but it was long enough for me to forget a simple truth at the Koffee Kup: one pancake is enough.

 That became clear when the server placed two plate-sized chocolate chip pancakes in front of me.  I was hungry and made a valiant effort but came up short, finishing 3/4 of the two soft, warm, and tasty cakes.

 After a filling meal, we completed a few errands and returned home to continue going through boxes while deciding what stays and what goes.

Sunday after church, we went out for breakfast with our son and daughter-in-law.  Gus's Diner in Sun Prairie was packed, thankfully it was a short wait for a nice meal and good conversation.

An entry in Oakwood's contest.

The Packers played on the national stage Sunday night in Buffalo.  The team was double-digit underdogs.  The team hasn't played well and suffered injuries on top; I was curious to see how they would respond.

 

There were costly errors but I also saw tenacity and "want to" that I've missed in the first three games of a now four-game losing streak.  

The biggest adjustment was that Green Bay kept running the football successfully.  While several drives ended without points the Pack controlled the clock in the second half.  It's the kind of ball the Packers need to play the rest of the season.  

It also helped the defense catch their breath.  In the previous loss to Washington, the Packer defenders were exhausted at the end of the game when one more stop was necessary.  

A drive midway through the fourth quarter was sparked by a Packer interception and ended with rookie wide receiver Samori Toure scoring his first touchdown and cutting the lead to 27 - 17.  That's where it ended as a final drive by Aaron Rodgers and company ended with a missed 55-yard field goal attempt.

Another entry in the decorating contest

 In the NFL there are no moral victories.  Eight games are in the books, nine games remain.  If I'm the coach (I'm not, I am an owner), I  applaud the turnaround in becoming more physical and the team getting its collective back up and making a stand.  

 The season begins Sunday in Detroit - let's go Pack, GO!

 

 Monday was Halloween.  We bought candy.  Over three hours we had four kids, leaving a lot of Milky Way bars for someone. 

 At work there were bowls of candy and snacks scattered around campus and a number of residents and employees in costume.  I don't have a costume but I do wear a Peanuts Great Pumpkin tie on work days for Halloween.

 

 This week I've noticed more drivers acting as if they were racers.  

 

 More frequently they barely clear my rear bumper with their car then nearly take out the front end as they get back in the lane.  Whatever happened to seeing at least one headlight in the rear-view mirror before getting back in the traveling lane?  It's a way to get no where fast.

 

Just a small change can be traumatic, and I'm not thinking about the upcoming time change.  Tuesday there was a meeting of Gift Planners downtown at 7:30.  I got back to the office two hours later with an appointment at 10.  The small change meant I didn't execute my usual routine over the first hour in the office.  It was a fairly productive day although I never felt on schedule.

It was a tough Tuesday for Packer fans hoping the team was going to trade for a wide receiver.  The General Manager apparently had feelers out but couldn't make a deal.  I don't think that would have solved all the problems, although it would make fans feel better.  A Packer win Sunday will lift my spirits.

 

Looking at Wednesday, the highlight was our regular Foundation breakfast meeting.  It's primarily a social occasion while covering issues at work and reviewing our calendar.

You couldn't find a Wisconsinite this week who wasn't happy about the sunshine and warmer than usual weather.  Most people refer to the extended "Indian Summer" as bonus summer.  Bonus is an apt description.  The glorious weather changed Friday, this time I'm confident we won't see 70-degree temperatures until 2023.

There are three days until election day.  I suspect most Americans are excited to not see political commercials on November 9.  Wisconsin is one of the many battleground states for control of the United States Senate.  The race is expected to be close.  

 

The Governor's seat is also up for grabs.  In the current political climate it is unlikely a result brings the edges of each party to the center.  If we can get there... someday... there is an opportunity to get more done.

Enjoy your week - don't forget to fall back!