Charlotte and Lynn head up to San Francisco to enjoy the weekend together. Lynn and Peter are headed to Spain for Peter’s next post soon, so this is the last chance for a get together unless we head out to Europe. They’re staying at the Marine Club near Union Square.
Nick has been excited for weeks preparing for the upcoming Julius Caesar play. He’s playing the part of Cicero and he has his lines all memorized. There’s plenty of preparations before the play starts. Lynn’s up visiting and helps Charlotte with things. Looks like I’m running a few minutes late. Nick looks so grown up with his sideburns. If it wasn’t for the toga, he would be the splitting image of Elvis. I was very impressed with all the kids. They memorized their lines perfectly and spoke very clearly and with great emotion. They sure do grow up quick. ...
Another of Valri’s pets makes its way to the Multer house. This time it’s Booster, and Cheerio is in love again. He isn’t quite as noisy as Ruby, but he definitely spends a lot of time singing love songs.
Monica’s been begging to go to the boardwalk for so long, we really had to go. It’s so close to the house, but the crowds are always a drag. We headed out early while the fog was still burning off. There were no lines, so it really was easy. Gabe loves the little flying rides like the helicopters. Nick goes for the high speed spinning rides. I like the roller coasters and the log ride. Anyone up for a big drop? ...
A few shots around the camp before heading back to California. The babbling brook really is going this time of year. The lake is so clear and still, Charlotte gets a shot of a crayfish making his way between rock fields. Before they leave, George manages to drop his expensive glasses into the lake. During the summer, this would be an easy problem, but the lake is really cold still. They decide to try and snag them from the small boat, but luck isn’t on their side. George finally leans over and reaches down to get them. Nothing like a nice cold plunge before heading out to the airport. ...
It’s good to see the family together on this very difficult day. It’s hard to see family pictures like these knowing that Charlotte won’t be in them anymore. I know I’ll always think she’s still there somehow. The ceremony at the church was a small affair just like Charlotte wanted it. After the funeral, I’m sure the conversation was very difficult. I’m happy that the girls were able to get out and enjoy the great Michigan outdoors on a day like this. It’s the kind of quiet time where thoughts come most clearly. ...
Charlotte’s mom just passed away and she’s off to Bootjack with her brothers and sisters for the funeral. It’s certainly not the type of event anyone wants to bring family together, but I know they’re all happy to be up in Michigan.
We decided to put on a century ride this year to raise money for our local schools through SVEF. We rode 100 miles down to Big Sur with about 15 riders. It was a beautiful day for a ride as usual.
Val’s bird Ruby was driving her crazy with his noises, so Charlotte decided to bring him home for a sleep over. Turns out that once he got a glimpse of Cheerio, it was love at first site. They were constantly nuzzling each other and he would sing the most elaborate songs I had ever heard from these birds. The only casualty in all this was Monica. Cheerio wanted nothing to do with Monica anymore. Ruby would also go bonkers if Monica took Cheerio into her room. ...
Charlotte Mae Hoyem, 73, of Bootjack, passed away Monday evening, May 5, 2003, following a lengthy battle with cancer at the Houghton County Medical Care Facility in Hancock where she had been a patient for the past two weeks. Charlotte was born on November 30, 1929 in Ferndale, Mich., a daughter of Charles and Dorothy Valentine. She was a graduate of Marysville High School in Marysville, Mich., Class of 1947 and also attended the University of Michigan and Siena Heights College in Adrian, Mich. She was married to Gordon E. Hoyem on December 6, 1950 in Minneapolis, Minn. She later lived in St. Clair, Mich., Birmingham, Mich. for 27 years and since 1983, had made her home in Bootjack. She was an architectural draftsman, having worked for her father and husband. She was very artistic and did creative writing while living in Birmingham. She was very active in the Creative Art Center where she was the Director of Education. Charlotte enjoyed painting in her art studio in Bootjack. She was preceded in death by her parents. ...