When the Harlem Globetrotters stopped in La Crosse, Wisconsin, as part of their 2021 tour, we decided to purchase tickets to give them a Goodenough-Florence-Graham-Behl-Krueger cheering section.

I watched in awe as they exuded pure athleticism and outright silliness, and I listened intently while they amplified barriers and triumphs of Black History, but one of the neatest moments was when the announcer climbed into the stands to give Genesee a much-deserved birthday shout-out!

Time flies when you’re having fun; the whole night is already a blur. Luckily, Genesee and I have our autographed basketballs to prove that we were there.

Most Wisconsin regions aren’t favorable for growing blueberries, but lucky for us, Grandma’s friend is the owner of Sunnyvale Farm Blueberries, which is located just ten minutes away from our house! So, we woke early to beat the heat and crowds, and set out on a quest to fill buckets with fresh-picked blueberries. This wasn’t my first rodeo, but it was fun to have Genesee, Mom, Cha Cha, and Ernest along for the experience! Together, we picked enough fruit for Grandma’s blueberry pies, Grandpa’s blueberry pancakes, Dad’s blueberry smoothies, and anyone else’s blueberry anythings! But instead of heading straight home to begin blueberry creations in our kitchens, we made a stop at another kitchen: Perkins Restaurant & Bakery. Thanks for the breakfast treat, Grandma & Grandpa!

Today we gathered to celebrate the lives of our beloved Papa & Nana (Gene & Margarita Florence).

Nana left this earth 14 years ago, on July 8th, 2007 (7807… which was ironically the last 4 digits of mom’s childhood phone number). 

Mom says Nana was the best teacher, a soccer, basketball and life coach, and an incredible cook who found her way to so many hearts through their taste buds and stomachs. She was a mentor, and a superhuman kind of selfless. She was a caretaker, peacemaker, and the bridge across languages, cultures and family. Nana was the Florence Family rock, their rock and roll, their everything. She is dearly missed.

Papa departed last year, on March 21… or 321 because our grandparents must have had a thing for numeric symbolism.

Papa was a tireless provider, a workaholic, a Mr. Fix It, and a lover of dogs. He was rough around the edges but a softie in the middle. Papa was always faithful, and the embodiment of strength even though he admitted, in the end, that “dying is not for sissies.”

Our grandparents worked hard to make everything happen, to do the right thing, to give anyone the shirts off their backs. They were a compass for strong values and strived to pass down intergenerational resilience instead of trauma. They taught my mom and aunts a lot about work ethic.

Papa and Nana always said they would sleep when they’re dead. Those who fight the good fight, like they did, deserve the good rest. 

As we finally laid Nana and Papa to rest, mom reminded us that, although they physically left this world, they will live on forever in our hearts, in our memories, and in the future generations – like me and Genesee!

The world, our world, is better because they lived.

July 19, 2021 | 3:00 p.m. | Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery | Section 11, Grave 1D
Rest in peace and power, loved ones.

On the eve of laying Nana and Papa Florence to rest, we took their ashes to Happy Acres so we could have one last camping experience together. It wasn’t a happy occasion, but as family gathered around us, I started to wonder a little bit less about what becomes of the broken hearted…

My first session of golf lessons came to a close on July 12th.

To celebrate, we kidnapped Colin for the day and night (with his parent’s permission) and embarked on a FULL day of fun.

First stop: Introducing Colin to Noodles & Company for lunch!

Next stop: Springbrook Park on the south side of La Crosse for zip-lining and splash padding!

Third stop: Sparta’s Aquatic Center, where we rode 2-person inflatable tubes down the water slide, and competed against others for the fastest time.

Fourth stop: Another park!

Fifth stop: Sparta Cinema 6 to watch The Boss Baby: Family Business

Sixth stop: Taco Bell… because tacos.

Last stop: My pillows!

I wish we could wander Winona with the Docan-Morgans every day! Even though I took a hard fall off my bike and bruised more than my ego, I would do it all over again just to make memories with them.

After pedaling around the lake, we walked to Lakeview Drive In to cool off with root beer floats and ice cream cones. Then, we worked up more sweat at the playground before finding a nearby basketball court to shoot some hoops. To bring a fun-filled day to an end, we followed our appetites to El Patron Mexican Grill & Cantina for refreshing margaritas, delicious guacamole and flaming queso appetizers, and abundant Mexican entrees, where we cheered on the Milwaukee Bucks during game 3 of the NBA Finals.

And that’s how you make the most of a warm, summer’s day… Great friends, great food, great times!

Oh hey, Hayward… we came back for your ice cream, boat rides, swimming, sunsets, and 4th of July fireworks.

Thank you for never disappointing. You can keep your mosquitos though.

I love it when Aunt Bethy comes up with fun ideas, like a summer slumber party at her place! Ummm… yes please!

So, after my early morning golf lessons on June 21st, we all headed to Rosie’s Cafe for a delicious breakfast and then played our hearts out at the Trane All Abilities park. Once the afternoon rolled around, Beth and I had work to do at the bookstore, so Mom and Genesee went to another park with Noah, Matt, and Carrie. Finally, we gathered back together and topped off the night with some Rocky Rococo’s pizza, enjoyed among friends, around the fire. I provided the entertainment, of course, by encouraging everyone to partake in my bottle-flipping challenge. No one could match my skills, but they gave it a good effort.

We woke up the next morning to a cute little tea party and homemade breakfast and then jumped on our bikes to patronize Ranison’s Ice Cream & Candy Store before we had to pack up and head home.

It. Was. The. Best.

Thanks for the hospitality, Beth! We should probably make this slumber party an annual event, right?

It’s not actually summer until we set up camp in Hayward, and it’s probably not truly Father’s day unless we’re out on the water, fishing.

Happy Father’s Day to my favorite fisherman!

This summer I decided to try out my golf clubs and model my polo shirts by enrolling in lessons with Coach Jim at Cedar Creek Golf Course. I was a little nervous on my first day, but my stomach settled down once I realized the coach was nice. Plus, after getting out on the driving range a couple of times this summer (thanks Grandma & Grandpa!), I really loved experiencing a real golf course and making some fellow junior pro friends. But, my favorite part of it all was when we would take a break at the clubhouse for a beverage and being Mom’s lunch date after lessons concluded. So, if free Cokes and Olive Garden entrees are all that stand in my way of becoming a golf pro, look out Tiger Woods!