At 3 a.m., I shot out of bed clutching my leg. A charley horse had taken hold and refused to let go.
“What the hell was that?” I thought. It was definitely uncalled for.
I usually don’t have an issue bouncing back after a trip. But this time? I was dragging. Jet lag was lingering like a never-ending hangover, and I had the blues. Maybe it was the absence of days filled with castles and Guinness. Or maybe I just missed my sister, who’d been one of my travel buddies and a daily source of laughs. Whatever it was, I felt adrift, foggy, and fat. (I had a run-in with my bathroom scales when we got home, and it didn’t go well.)
Even cooking dinner with Chuck, usually a highlight of my week, felt off. We were dancing around the kitchen like we’d forgotten the steps. Was this a post-vacation slump or a minor identity crisis?
Before I could figure it out, I spied with my little eye something marked in red on the fridge calendar. It was my annual exam with my PCP. When you reach a certain age, these are typically not the highlight of your social calendar.
“Great,” I thought.
To be fair, it wasn’t all bad. When the medical assistant asked if I needed a referral for a hearing test, I said, “No. But it’d help if my husband stopped talking to me from a different room.” She laughed. Score one for the grey hairs.
Then the med student came in. He was chatty, bright-eyed, and full of questions—Fun to talk with, very interested in me. So I got a little… overenthusiastic.
“Anything worrying you lately?” he asked.
“Yes,” I said. “Everything that is happening in Washington, D.C.”
He blinked. “You’re the third person to say that today.” It was only 9 a.m.
By the time he left, I’d definitely overshared. As I was pondering the ramifications of this possible misstep, I got a text from my sister: “They need to run diagnostics on the Audi.”
“Running diagnostics here too,” I texted back.
“Was there an engine light on?” she replied. Everyone’s a comedian.
So when my PCP finally arrived in the exam room, sat down in front of me, and said, “I’m just going to recap what I’ve heard so far,” she cast a glance at the medical student who was hovering nearby. “Correct me if I got anything wrong.” I thought, “This should be good.”
It turns out I’m good to go for another 10,000 miles, though she wants to see me again in six months. The reason was vague, something to do with a BP check. I think she enjoys the entertainment.
So, now what? How do I keep the blues away?
Easy: plan another trip. Since I turn 60 in 2026, it’s my turn to pick the destination. You may remember, Chuck chose Oktoberfest in Germany for his 60th. For his 50th, we ran a 50K. So yes, the birthday trips are getting easier.
Dear readers, do you have any ideas for a milestone birthday adventure that doesn’t involve a finish line or a dirndl?
Life In Michigan Updates
The latest Life Michigan Podcast episode is out!
Brewing Community and Innovation with Evan Westervelt of Midland Brewing Company
In this episode, we’re joined by Evan Westervelt, Sales and Marketing Manager at Midland Brewing Company. From a PBR-fueled epiphany at the Sawmill Saloon to homebrewing misadventures in Colorado, Evan shares how he found his way into Michigan’s craft beer scene—and why Midland Brewing has become a hub for innovation, collaboration, and community connec…
If you have an idea for a guest, email me (info@lifeinmichigan.com). We are looking for anyone who is creative, passionate, and has a story to share about their Life In Michigan. Don’t be shy.
The latest episode of Fans with Bands just dropped!
If you are a Sunday Sip regular, you know Chuck loves curating an events listing. We’ve created a public Google Events calendar so you’ll never miss an event. Get over there and subscribe!
Chelsea’s Sounds & Sights is in full swing on Thursday nights now until July 31st. We went on June 5th. Here is our recap.
To our surprise, we won the Chelsea Sounds and Sights Selfie Contest! If we can win, so can you. Can’t wait to show off our cool prize. (New winners each week!)
We made it to the Ella Sharp Museum’s 20th Annual Art, Beer and Wine Festival. For some reason, and apparently for the last 20 years, our schedules have prevented us from attending this event. This year, the stars aligned, and we had our first experience at this event.
It is our humble opinion that all art, music, food, and beverage events should make this their blueprint.
We are thrilled to announce that Barrel & Beam’s “Life In Michigan” beer is back, but it's selling fast! If you find it, buy it!
Be Safe, My Friends!
The smoke from the wildfires in Canada is NO joke.
@Shital Morjaria (she/her) thank you for sharing ❤️