Like we own the place.

This did not really work, but we did throw the mattresses down three floors, which did work, and was very therapeutic. Can I tell you how excited I am to have Lura for a balcony-mate? Very. 

Sweet Corn

"As we travel along on our earthly path

Through this beautiful world God has made

Tramping along at a stately pace

Like elephants on parade.

We discover the pleasure of grass and sun

And music and light and talk

And the joy when a day of hard work is done

And you've cleared five acres of rocks.

The joy as you climb in your bed at night

The joy of the brand-new morn

But of all these pleasures the greatest delight

Is a supper of fresh sweet corn.

O that fresh sweet corn that the Lord sent down

So we know how heaven will be,

No grief, no tears, just the young golden ears

Plenty for you and for me.

Though the road be hard and deep is the night

And the future we cannot see

Take my hand, dear Lord, and I'll be all right

If you'll save a few ears for me."

The one, the only...Garrison Keillor

Home Sweet... Zurich Airport.

I have never been so glad to see the ground. I was next to a crazy man on the plane. I have been next to chatty people before, large people, loud people, and small children. I thought I had endured great hardship, but that was before I was in the middle seat on an 8 hour SWISS flight with my new but old friend Wade. At first I thought he was just an antsy old man who hated to fly but loved to talk. I decided to be nice. That was before he drank three bottles of bad red wine. He then tried to convince me to drink some of his wine, kiss him, and run away with him (he told me a guy his age could treat me far better than a "young whippe-snapper" -no joke- like myself). As much as I like to pick up men who are 50 years older than me on transatlantic flights, I was really not interested. He was not getting the hint though, so I told him I was an independent woman, shoved him onto his side of the seat, told him I wanted to watch a movie, and kept my headphones in as longs as possible... It really was like a very uncomfortable, surreal, and terrifying 8 hour nightmare. Once he sobered up his not-so-subtle advances stopped but the talking did not. I almost felt bad when he got so confused he forgot where we were going... and then I didn't... Because REALLY man, that was lame. 

Another Sticky Adventure

So, my parents were at a wedding the other day. They took the car and left the truck, which is great, but I had never driven the truck before.
My dad got the truck not too long ago. It's a lot nicer than his old one, but let's face it...It's still a big, honkin' truck. I'm used to driving miniature cars, so this was quite a transition for me.
I thought I might not make it, but I did and so did the truck.

Another small victory for Alauna.

I too was in Chicago. For a second.

It was a strange, strange place. I found it both infuriating and inspiring... and I think I shall have to investigate further, preferably outside of the airport.  

Navy Pier

DIA

I think I feel at airports the way that some people feel at sporting events. Photo No. 2 perfectly reflects this strange and adrenaline-laden phenomenon. 

Cold, cold Lake Michigan.

Warm, warm sand.

"I held so many people in my suitcase heart"

This is not my heart. It is my suitcase. It does not hold people, it holds my crap. But I am still fond of it, for practical and symbolic reasons...

Fun Fact #263

Chicago has more public art than any other U.S. city. I thought I'd like to be a part of this piece.

Way to go Chicago.

What Would Amalie Do?

She would mail the list to the address that was on the paper she found in a library book. 

Hopefully it does not ruin anyone's life or bring up any painful or controversial memories or goals...

Also, I am sure this is illegal... but it cracked me up. And it is a good thing it was memorable because it was the last time I would see this much cash- it was promptly pulled out in francs and paid the ransom to collect my Tanzi boxes. 

Chi-Town Through the Bean.

Eval Knieval

Quade found this on a road trip once. He has been haunting us ever since, our one armed patron saint of daredevils, amputees, car failure, and Rolands. 

Like a small town girl a big city devours.... Chicago is so big, and Ben Harper is so wise.

The Ordinary White Boy

I have had this book in my pile of library books for a couple weeks... Since I read The Arsonist's Guide to Writer's Homes In New England, by the same guy, which was amazing. Anyway, last night I was contemplating what to read next, and whether or not I even have time to finish my pile before I leave Friday. As I open it up a Wells Fargo deposit slip falls out... My first thought was, "Oh man, I should bill this account number to pay for school!" not really, but I was concerned someone who would leave such sensitive information in a library book. But on the back side I found a Ten Things To Do Before I Die list, which totally made my night. 

1. Be a goat farmer (one of my alternative life plans...)
2. Teach other people to care for goats (people like me!)
3. Find a place in the mountains to go back to over and over
4. Make good friends that last forever 
5. Learn Spanish and speak it to people
6. Take the grandbabies on trips
7. Drive a tractor
8. Have parties with kids and others at the farm
9. Care for impoverished people in my community
10. Be a good listener for kids

Should I send it to the person (what would Amalie do?!) or is that creepy?

Chicago indeed.

The MEGABUS.

It truly was. It was great. This bus got us safely and swiftly from Minneapolis to Chicago (and back again) with no problems at all. It was like the Malpensa Express, only it functioned properly.

Also, it was a much better deal.

This was the beginning to a wonderful long weekend in Chicago.

A Good Deal

Eli sent me an employee 30% off cupon and so I bought all kinds of already on sale stuff for less than $20 at Banana Republic and the Gap. 

At the Gap a crazy woman lost her sunglasses at was FLIPPING OUT saying that someone stole them out of the fitting room, and I think she thought that someone was me... It was actually quite hilarious. 

Photoshop is Like Crack

Seriously, I am having a hard time dragging myself away from it to take photos... and to sleep. 

The funny thing is that I have no idea what I am doing. None at all. I actually checked out Photoshop for Dummies at the library but I cannot bring myself to read it because the sample photos are really ugly. 

At any rate, the reason I am desecrating the bog-site with this ranting is that I have messed with your face... in the 'Eye of the Beholder' Travy photo and I wanted to share it with you. It is the only thing that came out looking half decent. I successfully transformed a photo of a  foggy vineyard into something that looked like a radioactive vineyard-fire. Through 3-D glasses. Creepy. 

And then I moved home.

Now, many homes have children that enjoy raising critters as little science experiments. In our home, however, it is the parents that enjoy it. This is one of my mom's caterpillars. I think he's kind of cute. Mom thinks he is wonderful. Dad likes the bees, and we're all happy.