Mailbox Update

Earlier I posted a poll. My readers voted for the mailbox design. The winning mailbox design was orange with frogs. I do admit, I voted more than once. Except for the house numbers, the mailbox is complete. The mailbox project was bigger than I expected. One cannot simply spray paint over a yellow with red polka dot mailbox and expect a thorough coverage. No, because the polka dots kept showing through. But a thorough spraying of Rustoleum primer and another couple coats of orange paint resulted in a nice solid orange. I added blue frogs. If you are looking for ANYTHING in the way of frogs, I highly recommend http://www.frogstore.com/. They have everything but only in frogs. They have frog pencils, frog underwear, frog lunchboxes, frog hair clips, frog car mats, frog soap, frog pasta, and beautiful indoor/outdoor frog stickers.

Um! Yah! Yah!

Yesterday I drove down to Northfield again for Family Weekend. Offspring #2 and I spent the day together. We went to a couple concerts. The first concert was Faces - an all male accappella group (much like the Bob's, if you've ever heard of them or else six Bobby McFerrins on stage). They were great. I am amazed what these men can do with their voices. They sang some tough songs (Wipe Out drum solo for instance). the second concert was the St. Olaf orchestra. Man, that is quite a big leap from Anoka High School Orchestra. But I have to remember that Anoka High School orchestra was also a big leap from Sandburg Middle School Orchestra. I had lunch in the cafeteria which was interesting. I had a great meal. I had the best falafel I have ever had. Of course, I've only had falafel a half dozen times but still, it was very good. And I had a black bean and rice burrito. I just like knowing where she eats when she is down there. We had fun driving around, going shopping, just hanging out. Um Yah Yah!

Somedays I Don't Know Whether I'm Coming or Going

I watched and enjoyed The Office last night but I much prefer the 30 minute show to the hour long shows. Last night seemed a little stretched out. Dwight and Angela - what he did to her cat - that was hysterical (remember that I am a dog person - I would never put a sickly cat in the freezer). Kelly is holding up much better than I expected. Did you see the guy with the irritated nipples - oh gosh. Creed was enigmatic and creepy as ever. I wish they would expand on Meredith's character - I'll bet she is much more interesting than they have let on so far.

My 100th Post - A Full Moon

Did you see the full moon this morning? The moon was so bright I could have cut the grass before dawn. Later, on my way to work, the moon was partially covered by light clouds. The moon was gorgeous. This full moon is called the harvest moon because it is closest to the autumnal equinox. Next month the full moon will be the Hunters moon.

I am so excited because the new season of the Office starts tonight. How will Jim and Pam's date go? How will Dwight adjust to being Assistant to the Regional Manager again? How will Kelly survive without Ryan - will she lay under her desk and cry for days? I can't wait to see!

First Time Since 1974

Back in 1974 I went shoe shopping at my favorite shoe store on Washington Avenue in Minneapolis, near 7 corners and near the West Bank at the Earth Shoe store for the last time. Earth shoes had a negative heel - meaning the heel was lower than the rest of the foot. The idea was to match the shoe to the footprint a human foot leaves in the sand. And when you look at footprints left in sand, the heel is the lowest part. I loved earth shoes. Even though they were expensive and I was a poor college student, I bought earth shoes because they fit my feet comfortably. I have wide and flat feet. My ankles pronate. When I heard the Earth Shoe store was closing in Minneapolis, I saved up enough for two pair because I loved them so much. Eventually they wore out and I looked for Earth shoes again but could never find them. In the past month or so, I have been suffering with plantar fascitis - a painful heel condition that comes with (heavy sigh) old age. I think I have had this for quite a while but I thought it was connected to the sciatica. The platar fascitis nerve in the foot gets shortened. I looked up exercises to combat this pain on the internet. Two or three times a day I would let my heels hang low on the edge of the stairs for 30 seconds and 5 repititions. This helped but the help was slow in coming. Then I remembered earth shoes. I googled them. I was happy to see Earth shoes are still made and come, in fact, much more attractive styles than I was used to. I typed in my zip code to find a local dealer and was shocked, yes shocked, to see Earth Shoes are sold in Blaine, at Northtown at Tradehome shoes. I bought a pair of black ones. They are like candy to my feet. When I wear these shoes I feel like I am taking medicine for my feet. Each step is helping. And I think they're cute too.

Old Stomping Grounds-Central Avenue NE

I had my second writing fiction class at the Loft this morning. I really enjoy the class. Part of the good experience is driving down Central from 89th NE all the way down to and across the river. I go past places I used to frequent or pass by. There is the Starlight Hotel (I passed by that-never frequented), the office where we got our passports back in 2002, the Ideal Diner (open for breakfast at 1:30), Rainbow Foods,the bowling alley on 45th and Central, and the location where Leon's Supper Club used to be. Leon's Supper Club is the place to which I was stolen during my wedding reception by the best man and several other men. Stealing the bride and groom from their wedding reception was done at most of the weddings I attended back in the 70's. No one does that anymore, do they? And why did we do that? After spending tons of money on food, drink, and entertainment, why steal the bride and groom away from all that and take them to bars where we had to pay money for the drinks? Plus we had to undergo the disapproving looks of the parents and grandparents when we got back. So I can see why stealing the wedding couple at receptions was stopped but Idon't know how it got started. I did some research and learned the Germans consider it a wedding custom but so do the French and the Austrians. I was married back in 1980. Almost all of my friends were stolen at their wedding receptions. I myself helped steal a couple grooms. We stole the groom because it was a tradition. We had good times. We didn't have designated drivers either. As a bar patron, it was great entertainment to see a stolen bride or groom come in and have a few drinks before heading back to the reception. Stealing the wedding couple at a reception has gone the way of the Rambler, sky writing, and passenger pigeons.

I Dreamed of Africa

I am tentatively planning a trip to Africa in January to celebrate the high school graduation of Offspring #2. In preparation I have been studying, reading and watching movies about Africa. I came across "I Dreamed of Africa" which is a movie from 1999 and based on a true story. The story is about a woman named Kuki (rhymes with Suchy) and her determination. I loved the movie. This movie made me cry. This movie was so good I think I will read the book too.

Temporary Fine Art

I was driving to work this morning, bumper to bumper on Highway 10 as usual, when I looked up and saw something beyond the traffic, the freeway interchanges, the strip malls, the bill boards, the rental storage units, and the railroad tracks. I saw a flock of ducks fly by the corner of the Kohls building perfectly backlit by a beautiful morning sky. The colors of the sky were white, gray, light pink, and a smattering of this shade of blue/purple/gray that was so pretty. I can't paint a picture as pretty as the sky this morning and I don't think anyone can paint a sky so beautiful. The sky was a gorgeous piece of fine art and I am grateful I was able to see it.

Proud Again

This time Offspring #2 was honored for her work with A Rainbow After the Storm. For 12 weeks she has done gone to weekly leadership trainings and completed her assignments. She has learned a lot about accountability and community organizing plus she gets a stipend too. I am proud. It's a good feeling when your children amaze you.

Apple Crisp

I made apple crisp today. I picked the apples off my tree. All the apples were small and many are wormy. I got enough apples out of a bucket to make apple crisp.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Pare, core and slice into a 9-inch pie pan 4 cups of tart apples. Season with 2 TB of lemon juice. Work like pastry with a pastry blender or with two knives: 1/2 cup flour, 1/2 cup packed brown sugar, 1/4 cup butter, 1 tsp cinnamon. The mixtures must be lightly worked so that it does not become oily. Spread these crumbly ingredients over the apples. Bake about 30 minutes. Serve hot or cold.
I drove to Northfield to pick up Offspring #2 today. We stopped at a shop that advertises apples, cheese, cider and fudge. We bought fudge. Like Homer would say, "AAAHhhh, fudge."

Here is the link to the USO sailor of the year:
http://www.uso.org/gallery/details.aspx?id=163

Proud

Last night at the 2007 USO Banquet in Washington DC, Offspring #1 was awarded Sailor of the Year. Wow! I am so proud.

Howards End

Two thumbs up for Howards End, a movie about two sisters named the Schlagels. Emma Thompson does a great job portraying the more sensible sister. There is a brother too but the story is mainly about the two sisters.I enjoyed the scenery of London and typical English countryside with vine covered cottages, brick fences, and willow draped rivers. The movie touches on class differences and women's sufferage but the main theme is family loyalty. I recommend you see it.

Confused Blunder

My dog, Blunder is confused. Here is her picture again. She's on a pontoon boat. By the way, if you think that is me (as some people have) behind her on the pontoon, thank you ever so much. That is a good friend of mine who is 19 years old. Anyway, I believe Blunder is gender confused and species confused. This week I noticed that when she squats to do her business, she squats 3 legged. Her rear left leg lifts up off the ground like a boy dog. Not exactly like a boy dog, but close. She doesn't lift it out at a right angle but the leg is definitely lifted. The first couple times I noticed this I thought maybe the ground was wet or cold on her feet. Now I know there is more to it than that. She is doing it consistently. She lifts the leg when she is on the grass or on the road. She likes to leave her "P Mail" on tufts of grass that grow up in the road, corners, mailboxes, etc. Another gender confused behavior she exhibits is that she will rub herself on your foot if you happen to be cross legged and your foot is extended in the air a few inches off the ground. She's only 9 pounds. If she were a normal sized dog, she would definitely be humping your leg. I thought only male dogs did that. Is this too much information? If so, quit reading now. She is species confused too. When I sit at the kitchen table to eat or to read the newspaper, she will rub her back against my foot back and forth, back and forth, like a cat. I ask you, is she a dat or a cog?

Poison Ivy Peak

I took Blunder on a nice walk in the rain after work today and noticed the poison ivy is at peak color. Poison ivy is one of the first weeds to turn color in the fall, even before the sumac. Because the poison ivy has turned from green to a sickly yellowish green, I can clearly see all the patches of it in my yard. Most of it is on the east side of the property facing the street. I know the poison I used this spring to kill the poison ivy has killed a lot of it because I can see where the arc of the stream from my poison ivy poison has reached. Because I am so allergic to poison ivy, I cannot kill it all at once. I stand at the edge of the patch and spray inward as far as I can go. Each year I get a little farther into the patch. I have really made a lot of progress over the past 10 years. The poison ivy is a strong weed and it creeps back in behind me and tries to grow again. Those individual plants are easier to kill than the large patches. Some of my poison ivy has been growing so well that it has grown woody stems and has lots of white berries. Don't tell my neighbor this but I spray some of his poison ivy too - as far as I can spray from the property line. His hill is just covered with healthy poison ivy plants.

To Live

To live only for future goals is shallow. It's the sides of the mountain that sustain life, not the top. by Robert M. Pirsig

Jack Frost Came By My Garden

Friday night marked the end of my tomato and pumpkin growing season. I had a good tomato crop this year. I had the worst ever pumpkin crop. I got one small pumpkin from the seeds I planted. This lonely pumpkin is maybe six inches across and it has a scar in the side from growing into a tomato cage. My other pumpkin is about 10 pounds and was a volunteer that grew out of the compost pile. The volunteer pumpkin is rather nicely shaped and a bright orange. Jack Frost nipped my basil but the bottom of the plant is still growing. The lemon parsley seems fine. Summer is over. I have been able to sleep a little later these past two days. I wake up to the sound of hardworking squirrels. The squirrels leap from the black walnut tree on the north west side of the house and land with a thud. They they run up to the peak over the garage, ascend the west facing part of the highest roof, go over the peak, and scamper down the east facing part of the roof and I assume they jump onto the oak tree. The squirrels are very loud. They can't weigh more than a pound but they make a lot of noise per ounce. Why do I only hear them going one way? I assume they are harvesting the black walnuts and moving them to the oak tree. Do they get down and walk across the grass back to the walnut tree? If so, they are really working hard because I can hear them run across the roof every few minutes. Must be a squirrel triathalon.

If you knew you could not fail, what would you try to do?

This week I have been thinking about fear. 9/11 was this week. I felt conflicted and confused all day on 9/11. I wasn't sure why until the day had passed. 9/11 was a terrible event that touched our nation. I feel our president has exploited the fear from that event to further his political agenda. I have felt fearful for our country ever since he got the job (can't honestly say he was elected). I feel that to even say such a thing will be construed by some as unpatriotic. I am not unpatriotic. I think it was a mistake to go to Iraq when Osama Bin Laden was in Afganistan or Pakistan. The man is 6 feet 6 inches tall. He has to stand out in a crowd. Why is he still making videos proclaiming the United States is evil? Why aren't we looking harder for him? I had a free hour on 9/11 to think about all this and to think about fear. I went to the dentist that morning. The hygeniest noticed I was cold and she offered me a blanket. Normally I feel some anxiety and fear during dental cleanings. This time I was more relaxed while she poked at the tender tissue between my teeth with her sharp instruments. The blanket reduced my fear. When she offered me a blanket, she showed me she cared about my comfort. I trusted her. Fear and trust seem incompatible to me.

Fish Oil Pills

I haven't eaten meat for years because the thought of chewing and swallowing muscle disgusts me. I am not an animal rights activist. I am okay with wearing leather shoes or leather clothes. I cook meat for my family but try not to touch it too much. My doctor suggested fish oil pills along with chondrontin to treat my osteoarthritis. I bought some. Fish oil pills come in a large clear oblong capsule and you can see the yellow oil inside. I looked long and hard at that first pill. I wasn't so happy about taking it. Truth is, I would eat an entire cow if it would help the arthritis. So I swallowed the pill. All subsequent pills (3 a day) have gone down much easier. I know that fish oil pills are not from blotting the greasy fish's little face and collecting the oil. They probably put the whole fish and possibly other sea creatures into a centrifuge and extract the oil. I might be getting mercury and DDT and other toxins into my system by taking this fish oil pill. That is a chance I am willing to take. I've read studies that report taking fish oil pills will start increasing cartilage after two years of consumption. The pills I take today may start helping in 2009. I still consider myself to be a vegetarian. Am I wrong about that?

Only 17 More Days!

Only 17 more days until my medical restrictions are over and I will be able to raise my arms over my head! I will also be able to bend, twist, lift more than 10 pounds, vacuum and mow the lawn. The hardest things to give up has been raising my arms and mowing.

Blunder Update: Blunder continues to miss Offspring #2 by obsessive bathroom procrastination. But the situation is better because I have changed my expectations. If she goes before pacing 10 times, she gets the run of the house. If she doesn't go by the tenth pace into the kennel she goes. Things are much easier this way and I retain what hair I have left in my head.

Book Club - The Birchbark House

Last night was my book club meeting. This group is one of the funnest things I have going. The people there are gracious, entertaining, and as funny as all get out. I enjoy reading yett I get so much more out of a book if I can discuss it with others. I have read many Louise Erdrich novels but this was the first children's book of hers that I have enjoyed. One woman commented that given the wonderful character development, this could become a series much like the Little House series. You should read it.

On another note, I had frost in my yard last night. My tomatoes are OK but the pumpkin leaves were slightly damaged.

Try Not To Let Fear Win

This is what the World Trade Towers site looks like today.

Memories of a Grandmother

This weekend I had many reminders of Grandma Stenger. She used to carry garden produce in her clothes as shown in the picture above. She'd put the fruits, herbs or vegetables a pouch formed when she held up the hem of her skirt or shirt. I do that too sometimes - gets my clothes all dirty. She was mentioned several times at the wedding of my cousin. One of my cousins in particular went on at length about Grandma. This cousin is one of the few of my relatives who could be called outgoing. She can talk your ear off. I love this cousin. She is so friendly and so funny and such a breath of fresh air. She is very exciteable. She remembered Grandma giving her advice when she was a young mother. Grandma told her, "The baby can't be calm unless you are calm. What you feel, the baby feels too." My cousin said Grandma would take the fussiest baby and hold it against her stomach and the baby would relax and go to sleep. My Grandma loved to hold babies. She was most content with a baby in her arms. My Grandma was a gardener. When I see those cutouts of people bending over in the garden, I think of Grandma. Grandma was short (less than 5 feet tall) and round but she could bend over at the waist and lay her palms flat on the floor without a struggle. Grandma used everything. She saved everything. She was ahead of her time in terms of eating locally. She made her own horseradish. She ate dandelion greens in the spring. Once the flowers appear on the dandelions, the taste becomes too bitter. Although she couldn't hear well, she was a excellent listener. She paid attention to what you said and seemed to listen without judgement. She didn't really gossip either. She kept us all informed of what we were doing but it was informational, not gossipy. She was like the telephone operator of the family. We knew of our cousins and what they were up to because she kept us informed. No one else fills that role now that she is gone. She made excellent cookies. She would make Christmas cut out cookies and decorate them with colored frosting. Her entire bed would be covered with Christmas cookies waiting for the frosting to dry. She made Haystack cookies (oatmeal, cocoa, coconut and walnuts). She made wonderful apple pie squares. I have the recipe but don't make it often because they are a lot of work. She canned her food. She canned tomatoes and jelly. My talkative cousin reminded me that I was so fortunate to live near Grandma. I lived next door and could see Grandma whenever I wanted. This cousin lived a couple miles away. Grandma would come over to her house for the day and make home made doughnuts but then she was gone until the next time. I have a picture of Grandma as a young woman standing next to Grandpa beside a tree. Grandpa is wearing a straw hat and he has his hand on his hip and he looks very smart. Grandma is wearing what looks to be a striped silk dress with white stockings and Mary Jane shoes. I am mailing a copy of this photo to my talkative cousin - she'll love it. I was very fortunate because I got to spend time with both of my Grandmothers. And both Grandmothers were remarkably strong women. Someday I'll write about Grandma Suchy too.

I am a Dog Person

Creepy picture, huh? I can't decide if its the lips or the eyes that make it creepy. Last night I awoke at 12:38 a.m. because I thought I heard someone talking outside my bedroom window. I heard what sounded like the beginning of an unintelligible human sentence followed by a scream. This pattern kept repeating only the screams began to sound more like a cat fight. I heard this over and over and over, louder and louder and louder. Eventually I figured out it must be 2 cats doing the dirty deed in my yard. These sounds went on for 10 minutes! It was like Satan's version of Ravel's Bolero. http://www.cduniverse.com/search/xx/music/pid/6739236/a/Ravel

What the heck? Do cats do it for that long or was that foreplay (forefight)? Why does it sound like torture? Aren't cats supposed to be enigmatic and mysterious? Well, they sure aren't obscure when it comes to sex. See, this is why I prefer dogs. Dogs would do it quietly and without so much drama. They wouldn't keep sleepers awake in the middle of the night thinking someone was being killed. Yesterday I went to a wedding. I met a couple of old neighbors. I babysat for their children when I was a teenager. I could barely remember the children but I vividly remembered this huge white long haired cat they had named Snowball. Snowball was mean. Snowball had bright blue eyes and big teeth. One night Snowball got his blue jeweled collar over his chin so that the collar was in his mouth like a horses' bit. Snowball was freaking out and the children thought I should do something. I approached Snowball and he hissed at me. I thought fine, you got yourself into this mess, get yourself out of it. Maybe you can tell but cats are not my favorite animal. After 10 minutes of cat hysteria, I realized this cat was not able to get himself out of his predictament. So I went to assist. The collar had a buckle. This meant I had to pull the collar tighter to get the prong out of the hole before I could loosen it. And the buckle, of course, was in his mouth - visible only by peering through his many long and dangerous teeth. I tentatively put one finger toward the buckle and Snowball went even more hysterical. I contemplated calling the owners. But then I realized I could reach behind Snowball's head and turn the collar so the buckle was out of the mouth. My adrenaline was pumping and my heart was pounding. I opened the buckle and Snowball was free. How does Snowball react to this life saving measure? He acts like nothing happened. He just sat there and went to sleep. I get nothing from him, no thanks, no acknowledgement, he didn't even leave the room. This was my most traumatic babysitting experience and he doesn't even blink. Logically cats have their good sides. You can leave them for a couple days without worrying. They don't usually pee on the rug like puppies do. But I just don't like cats the way I like dogs.

White Petunias Are An Exception

After I posted last night I drove to the corner of Kellogg and Wabasha to wait for Offspring #2 to get off the bus. I was there about 9 o'clock with the dog. I thought I'd stroll along the river bluff. I saw a man alone in the dark at the fence so decided against doing that. I thought I'd stroll along a fountain that was lit. There was another man sitting suspiciously near the fountain. Nixed that idea too. So I stood near the Crown Plaza Hotel where everything was very well lit and safer. There were two giant concrete pots with white petunias and ornamental grasses. These petunias did not feel so safe. I stayed near the grand hotel entrance. The dog wanted to go in but I didn't think that would be a good idea. We sat outside. A man on a bicycle approached me and told me how he has two years of experience as a dog trainer and a dog walker. He trained German Shepards from Germany. I was sure glad to see the bus from Northfield pull up.

Petunias Equal Safety

I stopped at my local grocery store on the way home tonight to get bananas. Outside the store they have a raised flower bed full of petunias of all varieties. They had lots of the star flowered petunias mixed in with the solid color petunias. There is something about petunias that brings me back in time, especially if there is a lot of colors and the star petunias are in the group. I remember as a child putting my nose into the center of a petunia blossom and breathing in and feeling the flower petals clasp my nostrils until I exhaled. I would rotate the neck of the flower between my fingers and feel the stamens move against each other. I felt safe. I have pink double flowered petunias in flower boxes on my deck. They don't have the same effect on me as the old fashioned petunia patch.

Wild Grapes, Wild Snakes

Blunder and I were walking around our block tonight when I noticed the fruit on the vine. Grape vines are so heavy with fruit this year that they are pulling some trees down onto the road. There is one grapevine hanging so low over the road we have to walk out into the road to avoid grape clusters in the face. There are enough grapes, just on our block, to make a batch of grape jelly. Tempted as I am, I am not going to make grape jelly. I have already made two batches of jelly from hand picked fruit this year: raspberry and chokecherry. Plus I really have never liked grape jelly. My favorite jelly or jam is peach or apricot followed by raspberry and strawberry. I bought pineapple jam once. A friend of mine was searching grocery stores because her sister was dying and wanted pineapple jam on toast before she died. I thought it must be good stuff to be this woman's dying wish. But no, pineapple jam and grape jelly won't be on my list of things to eat before I die. I prefer grapes whole. Crisp green grapes are my favorite. As I walked by the grapes on the road tonight, I encountered a garter snake crossing the road. I didn't scream. Usually I let out a small involuntary scream when I see snakes but not this time. This one wasn't sneaking up on me. This one was jaywalking across the blacktop. And it was only 8 inches long. I stopped. The snake stopped. He stuck out his tongue a few times at me. The dog chose this moment to do her business. The snake continued sidewinding across the road. The dog was doing her business in the grass while I stood patiently waiting with my plastic Kohl's bag in my hand. I can see the snake is going to slither just inches from the dog's face. As I contemplate what seeing a snake that close would do to my digestive system as a crucial time like this, I see the snake pass by unnoticed. I decide this is the best thing that could happen for the dog and for the snake.

Help Me Out Here!

My dog, Blunder, is blundering. She is driving me crazy. I want to tear my hair out. Ever since the nest has emptied, she has become less cooperative with doing her business. I don't have a fenced yard so I just can't let her out. She won't go if she is hooked up. So I have to hold the leash so she can go. She prefers to do her business on walks. She used to do her business when I stood on the sidewalk holding the leash. She would pace a few times, pick a spot,and then go. Now she paces and she paces. I swear last night I counted 150 paces back and forth and then she didn't go. I am loosing my patience. I don't have time to walk her 3 times a day. I mean, I choose not to take the time to walk her three times a day. I just want her to go and come back in. I praise her for going. I know I am missing something here. She's the dog and I am the human. Somehow I have created this problem. Any suggestions? Please email me. Thanks.

Say Good-bye to Summer

Say good-bye to summer because the season is finished. Fall doesn't officially start until 9/21 but for me, summer is over when the school buses start picking up kids. I hope you had a wonderful summer. I did. Summer is my favorite season. I enjoy hot weather and the freedom to wear minimal clothing. I enjoy the fruits of the summer season. Oranges and apples are good but peaches, plums, raspberries and strawberries are exceptional. I love tomatoes eaten right off the vine. I love corn on the cob and new potatoes. I love having the windows open and hearing the birds sing. I love driving with the windows down. I love seeing worms on the road after a hard rain. I love the smell of cut grass. I love the trees full of green leaves. I love being on a boat in the water. Summer is so comfortable and relaxing compared to other seasons. Summer is my true love.

Happy Labor Day

Happy Labor Day to all you working stiffs! I hope you feel appreciated for all the work that you do.

The Compass Plant

Yesterday I went on a ecological tour of the St. Olaf campus. They claim to be one of the "greener" campuses. I think they wanted to keep the parents busy so the kids could unpack. I saw the new wind turbine on campus. The turbine provides energy to the campus and sells some energy to the Northfield power grid. I was surprised by how much noise it makes. I have never been that close to a turbine before and I assumed they would be silent. I could hear the wind whistling through the blades. Each blade is hollow. The part of the blade where it joins the hub is large enough for a 6 foot tall person to walk through. Even though the three blades were slowly rotating, the tips of the blade go 186 mph. The wind turbine turns at wind speeds between 10 and 58 mph. It shuts down when the wind goes faster than 58 mph because it would be unsafe. The turbine rotates to face the wind. We walked through the prairie near the compost area. They compost the leftover food. That smell was nasty! Walking through the prairie, our guides showed us bluestem grass, Canadian rye grass, and several examples of the compass plant. I had never heard of a compass plant before. The leaves of the plant are a little thick but flat and prickly - sort of like a super thin cactus leaf. The leaves arrange themselves north and south so that one side of the leaf catches the morning sun and the other side of the leaf catches the afternoon sun. The north/south accuracy is greater in the spring. By late summer, the wind has twisted the plant around. Some of the compass plants get to be 5 or 6 feet tall. The flowers were all dried up and brown but you can see by the picture that they are yellow. The flowers resemble sunflowers. The roots go down as far as 10 feet into the soil. I think it is fascinating how plants move toward the sun. I think compass plants and sunflowers blur the line between plants and animals. Plants by definition are not supposed to have voluntary motion or locomotion.

Empty Nest as of Today

Offspring #2 has left the nest.

Dixie Chicks Lyrics
Wide Open Spaces Lyrics
Who doesn't know what I'm talking about

Who's never left home, who's never struck out

To find a dream and a life of their own

A place in the clouds, a foundation of stone

Many precede and many will follow

A young girl's dream no longer hollow

It takes the shape of a place out west

But what it holds for her, she hasn't yet guessed

[Chorus:] She needs wide open spaces

Room to make her big mistakes

She needs new faces She knows the high stakes

She traveled this road as a child

Wide eyed and grinning, she never tired

But now she won't be coming back with the rest

If these are life's lessons, she'll take this test

[Repeat Chorus]

She knows the high stakes

As her folks drive away, her dad yells, "Check the oil!"

Mom stares out the window and says, "I'm leaving my girl"

She said, "It didn't seem like that long ago"

When she stood there and let her own folks know

[Repeat Chorus]

She knows the highest stakes

She knows the highest stakes

She knows the highest stakes

She knows the highest stakes