Sue & Tim Metcalf 235 Cayuga Rd · Lake Orion, MI 48362 · (248)690-7192
December, 2021
When we closed last year’s letter, we said “we have high hopes for 2021.” While the new year has not met every expectation, it was, as they say “interesting.” The year was certainly the stuff that novels are written about, although we’re not sure whether it would be a comedy, a tragedy, a thriller, or a mystery. Let’s look at the highlights. Unfortunately, COVID forced the cancellation of the 2021 Miami International Boat Show in February. As a result, we spent winter in the frozen north. It was uneventful and cold, yet not a particularly brutal winter. We’re looking forward to attending the show in 2022. In mid-April, Tim joined Wayne Michalak, a long-time friend, and Wayne’s brother, to bring Wayne’s new (to him) 57-foot motor yacht from St. Joseph, Michigan, to Detroit. The first two days went very well. After that they were weathered-in in Charlevoix, Michigan, due to storms on northern Lake Michigan. Three days later they tried to leave but abandoned the attempt after they pounded into four-foot waves for two hours and had icicles hanging from the bow rail. Tim left the trip at that point because of time constraints. Wayne finally got the boat home a week later, after a flood, a fire, and a muskrat chewing a hole in the exhaust hose. After all the repairs, he and his family are thoroughly enjoying their new boat. We went away for a weekend in early May to visit the Meijer Gardens in Grand Rapids, Michigan. It was our first weekend away in a long time, and we thoroughly enjoyed it. The gardens, sculpture, and artwork are impressive and extremely well displayed. While we were there, we discovered Big Daddy’s Barbecue, an outstanding take-out barbecue joint, and worth a return trip on its own. We will be back. Later in May, Tim joined Brian Lindsay and Todd Quick, two good friends, in Stuart, Florida. Together they brought Brian’s 48-foot motor catamaran north to the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal to be stored during hurricane season. Imagine moving a 48-foot house at seventeen knots, mostly in the Intra-Coastal Waterway. Even though we grounded lightly six times, it was an enjoyable trip. The weather was great, the food was terrific, and being with friends can’t be beat. Unfortunately, our good friend, and our daughter-in-law’s father, Richie Wait died suddenly in late February. His memorial service was held in Auburn, New York, in early July. Chris and Slone flew out early through Detroit and spent several days with us. It was an exciting week for Slone. He went to Pony Camp at Sue’s barn, and we spent an afternoon launching Estes rockets. Afterwards we all traveled to New York for the service and spent Independence Day with Sarah’s family. On the way home we stopped in Chardon, Ohio, to take Tim’s Mom out for a picnic. It was great that she got to spend time with Slone, and everyone enjoyed themselves. Sue’s Mom passed away in early August. She was ninety-four and had lived a very full life. She was a wonderful woman. Her memorial service was very well done and, even under the circumstances, it was good to see so many of Sue’s family members. In late August, Tim flew to Seattle to surprise Chris for his fortieth birthday. Imagine that – we have a forty-year-old son! Chris had surprised Tim on his sixtieth, and turnabout is fair play. He was indeed surprised, and the weekend was quite enjoyable. Late September found Tim on another boat, this time our friend Mark Murray’s Selene 53. He and Todd Quick helped Mark take the boat from Lexington, Michigan, to Chicago, the jumping-off point for Mark’s trip on the “Great Loop.” It was an almost perfect trip: the weather was great, as was the food, and it was fun spending time with Mark and Todd. The boat is now in Florida and will stay there for the winter. Tim’s Mom moved to an assisted living facility in late 2020. This year we gathered the whole Metcalf extended family at a restaurant in Chardon, Ohio, for an early Thanksgiving dinner. Mom loved it, and it was good seeing everyone. Sue’s two businesses continue to grow. The ClintRMint Company picked up two new tack shops this year, including one in Chagrin, Ohio, her first Ohio customer. Demand The for Embroidered Horse products hasn’t slowed a bit, and she is busy right now satisfying Christmas orders. Tim’s business, TCM Marine Electronics Services, recovered somewhat this year as he recuperated from last year’s surgery. We will spend eleven days in Seattle this Christmas with Chris, Sarah, Slone, and Marsha Wait, Sarah’s Mom. We’ll be cabin camping near Puget Sound for a few days over Christmas. It should be fun, and we can’t wait! We wish you and yours a joyous holiday season and hope that you will join us if you are in our area.
Sue and Tim
Sue@SueMetcalf.net • Tim@TimMetcalf.net |