Whitey Tighties Go to Sweden

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It was my intention this year to run a special birthday post for each of my children on their special day. Three of them have their special day within two weeks of each other in November and December. I ran their posts on those days. You can see them here: Keri, Kelly, and Korie.

However, our youngest broke out of the mold, well, he broke out of a lot of molds - - - and was born on July 16th.

On July 16th, I was midst our Wisconsin vacation, and though I mailed him a birthday card with birthday cash - - - I FORGOT about his blog post.

I must confess to you that my children do NOT hang on every word of every post on my blog, so Kyle was probably unaware of this motherly faux pas.

I, however, am VERY aware of it. So I am doing the next best thing - - - I'm posting his birth "announcement" on his day, the 16th, but on the wrong month.

Bear with me - - - you already know who you're dealing with here!


This is Kyle, our youngest son, computer whiz, telecommunications student at Ball State, world traveler, and until now birthday postless child.


When my kids were much younger, I made a photo mosaic of each of them. This is Kyle's. I'd like to pull out a few of these pictures and tell a bit of his tale.


Being the last of the Broyles Babies, and 11 years behind his oldest sister Keri, Kyle never lacked for attention. He didn't TALK until he was well past two because prior to that time all he had to do was make "uh uh uh" sounds around the thumb that was perpetually in his mouth and Keri knew exactly what he wanted and got it for him. (And they try to tell me I spoiled him!!!) When he finally DID talk, it was in complete sentences.

One day, shortly after he began talking, he was trying to get his dad's attention. Fisherhubby was playing possum in the bed and didn't want to be disturbed, so he ignored Kyle. In exasperation Kyle queried: "What's'a mattuh, ooooo got ear wax buiwd-up or sumpin???"

He'd heard that STRAIGHT off of "Saved By The Bell," his siblings favorite TV show.

The AMAZING thing was, he knew EXACTLY how to use it!!!


His love of gadgets and technology started very early. Too bad I wasn't able to KEEP him interested in emptying the dishwasher!

One July we took the kids on vacation to Gull Lake in the Northwoods of Wisconsin. We no sooner got there than the temperature took a nose-dive, it rained without ceasing, and we were all trapped together in the cabin with nothing but movies to entertain us. Well, movies, the antics of our own kids, AND the antics of fisherhubby who by Thursday was ready to chop down a pine tree and celebrate Christmas since the weather was fit for it.

The Gulf War was going on at the time and Kyle had a pair of the ever-popular camo PJ's. He LIVED in those PJs all week. He kept going into the bathroom and coming out with the very lovely knit extra TP roll cover on his head like a hat. There was a big yellow flower adorning the top and, as you can see below, long green leaves trailing down the sides. Once he had this securely positioned on his head, he would come out and sit in a big yellow metal lawn chair to watch movies with the rest of us.


I took this silly thing away from him a hundred times in fear that he would stretch it all out of shape. But then, in desperation, I GAVE UP and just let him wear it. I mean - - - it was truly a "lovely thing" (by that I mean HIDEOUS) and I couldn't see that he could make it any worse even if he DID stretch it out. Also, since the owner of the cabin was Aunt Lois, who never threw a thing away in her life, I knew she'd keep it no matter WHAT shape it was in.

So, pretty much all week he sat in that yellow chair and wore that flower on the top of his head. We all giggled about it - - - but that deterred him not at all. None of us could understand why he did it and just chalked it up to his own little individual sense of humor.

Years later when the kids were all grown up, at some family gathering or other, we were reminiscing about that vacation and laughing over the various happenings. Someone brought up Kyle and the TP cover hat. "I thought it was an Army helmet," says he. Oh that DID make us laugh - - - so obvious now that we know, an army helmet to go with his camos, yet NOT ONE OF US "got" it at the time. And why did he wait so long to tell us???? Funny little tyke.

Kyle with his next older sister, Korie, about the same time period as the helmet head.

Kyle loved to wear boots, anybody's boots (these were his older brother's) and a hat.

One snowy winter day when Kyle was about three, I glanced out the dining room window just in time to see him "sprint" by in nothing but boots and his whitie tighties, only they were cartoon character tighties and not white at all.

I opened the patio door and hustled him inside demanding, "What ARE you doing?"

"Kelly made me do it!!" was his only reply. Oh that ornery older brother, Kelly! I'm SURE he bribed Kyle with some false promise or other. Maybe one or the other or both of them remember what the bribe was, but I certainly do not.

That was not to be his only experience of "running around" alone.

Last summer, as a kind of self-imposed "right of passage" into manhood, our little underling took himself to Sweden on a trip of his own planning and execution.

Alone.

Across the ocean and everything.

His mother, that would be me, was very nervous and worried for his safety.

But go he would, and did. It was the experience of a lifetime for him.


We waited patiently at the airport on the day of his return, leaning forward to catch the first glimpse of him as he rounded the bend. And there he came - - - our little world traveler home safe and sound and all in one piece.


He greeted us with hugs all around, and then we took a good look at him:


Seems we sent him away a typical American College Boy and he returned a Swedish World Traveler.

Time passes - - - these "babies" of ours grow - - - and one day, we wake to find they have found their own path. Babies no more.

And with a little bit of luck, a lot of love, and much prayer, they grow into


Young adults bound together not only by blood, sweat, and chromosomes but also by memories shared.

These are our "babies" thus grown.

Our two sons: Kyle, the Sweden Adventurer in yellow and Kelly, not as innocent as he looks, in white.


Our two daughters: Pretty Mama Keri in black and white, and Rockin' Korie in pink.

May the memories continue.

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Sunday Reruns - Summer Freedom

It's Sunday again, and you know what THAT means!?! It's time for Sunday reruns!!! Thanks so much to Chari over at Happy to Design for hosting this meme, "Sunday Favorites."

Other folks in other places are going back to school. Not me. I will never go back as a full time teacher again, though I do plan to do some subbing.

In honor of all things school, today I'm reposting this piece about how lovely it is to feel FREE when summer break begins.

Dids and Did Nots
(First posted on 5/29/08)

Things I DID on my first day of summer vacation

1) Stayed in bed until after 8.

2) Had my nails done.

3) Sped in a school zone and got pulled over and warned for it. Oooooops!

4) Blogged

5) Read my book


6) Bought some Dove's. If you CAN'T get DeBrands, just a little Dove'll do ya!!!

7) Had a pedicure. Girls - - - check out the pedicures at your local beauty schools. Only $10 and OH SO WONDERFUL!!! (They've gone up to $13 in 2010, but still a deal and a half!)

8) Blogged some more

9) Took a little cat nap

10) Watched some ESPN

11) Ate a Greek salad for supper at my favorite little Greek restaurant


Things I Definitely DID NOT DO on My First Day of Summer Vacation:

1) Go anywhere near the school

2) Grade papers

3) Clean house

4) Do laundry

5) Cook

6) Exercise

7) Mow

8) Volunteer for ANY summer responsibilities

Well Hello Dotty!

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I think she was Dolly's sister.

While on our summer's ramblings, we chanced upon an eatery of note.


Not too sure how they got this picture of me and my "womanly shape" to plaster on the side of the restaurant.


Aside from that - - - - Dotty's, in downtown Madison, Wisconsin, is a kitchy, fun, and charming little hamburger joint to which I would return and return.


It features deep, private, wooden booths.

Well of COURSE it does, I'm sure those Badgers like privacy on their "first dates" too!

Fisherhubby and I are long past first date stage - - - but we enjoyed the privacy anyway.


The decor is eclectic. (Don't you just love that word?) It's a blend of college town,


Random Wisconsin woodsy things,


Stained glass window depicting America's Dairy Land, where the REAL happy cows graze,


And vintage miniature aviation.


Lots of vintage aviation,


Including blimps.

And the food? I think you'd be hard pressed to find a better burger anywhere. They had lots of topping choices.


Mine was a California burger with guacamole, spouts, cheese, tomato and lettuce.

YUM.


And for sides - I had fried mushrooms with dipping sauce and Fisherhubby had delicately floured, soft-in-the-center, fried cheese curds.


Fisherhubby topped it all off with a chocolate malt.

With whipped cream.

And a cherry.

The cherry WAS on top - - - but as you can see, it did a little slip 'n slide while I took the picture.

I also took a sip of the malt and it was yummy.

And before you ask - - - YES, Fisherhubby DOES mind when I take a sip of his malts. But honestly, I can NOT drink one all by myself, and we all KNOW they make pitiful "take out" items.

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Lest We All Sound Like Peeps on "The Best of Jaywalking"

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One of my bloggy friends from overseas - - - YES, this is a blog of international "importance," - - - said she wasn't "up" on her US geography and wondered exactly what our upcoming move would LOOK like.

I'm not sure all of us are totally "up" on our US geography either. I mean once during an episode of "Jaywalking" on the Tonight Show, Jay went in the streets of New York City and asked people what direction they would go to travel from NYC to Florida and most didn't know.

There are A LOT of things that some people don't know.

THE BEST OF "JAY WALKING"

There is one word in there I wouldn't have used - - - but then I HOPE I would have known the right one.

I would HATE for you, my bloggy peeps, to ever look that silly, so I'm going to solve any possible geography issues about the location of Indiana and Wisconsin right here and now.

(Map from usa.com)

First of all, I found this map using the bloggers best friend, google.

Next, I used all my technical skills to DRAW the path of our move right onto the map.

The lower star, which resembles a blob, is over Marion Indiana. The upper star, ditto the blob description, is over Wisconsin Rapids. You'll notice we're staying in the Midwest, moving northwest about 7 hours.

Now, before you leave this post, PLEASE make sure you know what direction one would travel in order to go from New York City to Florida.

Enjoy your day - - -

Isn't Shark Week OVER???

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Apparently NOT for us!

Fisherhubby has the "spiritual gift" of DVRing, so I keep HEARING the same sharky things coming from the TV on a regular basis.

I try NOT to look.

(photo from mitch-made.blogspot.com)

Oh, don't get me wrong. I too am in awe of the power and might of these magnificent creatures.

I even know they are Chondrichthyes and therefore cartilaginous. (Not to be confused with Osteichthyes which are bony.)

I give them much respect and a wide berth.

However, I have seen enough sharks, enough blooody water, and enough mangled legs now to last me twenty lifetimes.

Yes, I said twenty.

I wish I could say this was a step up from his normal fare of World Fishing Network, but sorry to say, I can't see any improvement whatsoever.
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Susan and the Indian Paintbrush

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I am fresh out of blogging ideas.

I've got nothing serious.

I've got nothing funny.

I've got nothing!!!

Black-Eyed Susan Profusion

And since I don't garden - - - I thought I'd show you a couple of pictures of "God's Garden," otherwise known as wild flowers growing in the - - - - YOU GUESSED IT - - - in the wild!

The ONLY creative thing I did for this post was take these photos while we were doing our summer roamings.

Indian Paintbrush

That's all for today folks - - - I HOPE my creative juices return soon.

Thanks for visiting.

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Sunday Reruns - Just For Laughs

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It's Sunday again, and you know what THAT means!?! It's time for Sunday reruns!!! Thanks so much to Chari over at Happy to Design for hosting this meme, "Sunday Favorites."

Today I'm reposting a little silliness, imagine that, from my previous life. (That just means it already happened, not that I believe I've been recycled in the universe or anything like that) I figured since I was thinking deep disturbing thoughts YESTERDAY, that I'd better lighten the mood a bit today.

Hope you enjoy.

Camera Anxiety

(first posted 5/29/08)

Today I am suffering with camera anxiety. I mean, how does one know they have purchased the RIGHT camera? Hmmm?

My friend Vickie walked into a store, bought a new camera, and is perfectly content and happy with it. As far as I know she hasn't suffered one moment of camera anxiety over it.

Why can't I be like that? Well - - - maybe it's Vickie's fault!!!! I mean, she told me all about her camera and its features, and now I just can't be satisfied with mine!!! Let's blame it on her!!! ;-)


Here's the main thing that is BUGGING me about my new camera. Vickie's can recharge using the same little cord that attaches it to the computer to transfer pictures over from the camera to the computer. Oh no - - -mine CANNOT do that, instead I have to use this bulky contraption. True, my OLD camera couldn't even recharge the batteries AT ALL and I was buying little AA's all the time - - - so WHY can't I be satisfied with a rechargeable battery and this bulky gismo?


I did pick up this nice little camera case for my new camera - - - and I AM quite happy and content with it!!! So, why am I having all this angst over the camera itself?



I don't suppose it helped that I got THIS while out and about this morning. Why are THEY still in school??? How was I supposed to be thinking about THEM being in school when we are out? Of COURSE I was going faster than 20 mph. Thank goodness that policeman was so NICE he only gave me a warning.


So now I'm trying to decide if I should let these little feet (size 6 in case you're wondering) take me back out and about to see about exchanging for a DIFFERENT camera. Or maybe I'll wait a couple of days and keep working with this one to see if I do or don't like some other features. But - - - WHAT TO DO!?!

Yes, these pictures were all taken with the new camera. I know the ticket is kinda blurry - - - I must have used a wrong setting or something. New camera has A LOT of those.

(Editor's note on 8/10/10: I did NOT end up keeping that camera perhaps there will be a later rerun about the one I DID keep and which I am now about ready to replace for an upgrade.)

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Not a Proud Day For Our Town, Our State, Our Nation, or Our World

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I hope you didn't come here today looking for the laugh I sometimes provide, for today I am fresh out of laughs.

Today marks the 80th anniversary of the last lynching that occurred in the US. That lynching happened right here in this town on the Marion Courthouse Square. We are making the news today for the worst of reasons. (follow that link at your own risk, there is an actual lynching photo)

The trees that were used in the lynching have long since been removed so it can never happen again at that spot.

That is not nearly enough.

I grieve when I think of all the cruelty at the hands of a mob that has been a part of our human history. Lynchings are only one example of this cruelty. The Salem Witch Trials, The Holocaust, and genocides in various countries fall into this same nightmare category.

But have we learned?

Have we yet become civilized?

I believe when we allow ourselves to treat another human being with anything short of love and compassion we are only a tiny step away from the brink of such cruelty.

God please help us all.

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Have I Got a Rooster For You!!!

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Today, the Bloggerette Sorority is having a "Show Us Your Rooster" party hosted by Miss Barb at Bella Vista.

At first I though, "Man, I WANT to play, but I don't even HAVE a rooster!"

Then, in a flash of brilliant revelation, I realized I not only HAVE a rooster, but I have the QUINTESSENTIAL rooster.

As I went about the process of thinking through this post (oh yes, my dear sorority friends, much as it may not SEEM like it, I ABSOLUTELY think through my posts) I realized I do have a more traditional style rooster in my home. This rooster:



The chair cushions on our little Seller's Table set boast roosters.


However, these are simply too banal to even display on a blog, much less a post for the purpose of SHOWING OFF roosters!

No, mes amies, the rooster I wish to highlight is the most perfect strutting fowl stud to ever grace the face of this planet!

He has feathers galore.

His comb simply glistens like a crown atop his banty little head.

And his wattle, well - - - I doubt you've ever seen a wattle anywhere to compare.

When he crows, it wakes the neighborhood, as should the cock-a-doodle-do of any upstanding rooster.

I give you, rooster specimen "A" - - -

Fisherhubby Rooster Cogburn
In his natural habitat
Doing what he does best!
(Besides fishing, of course.)

I only HOPE this makes you snort and spit!!!

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Thrifty Vintage Thingies - Silver Servers

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I've been AWOL from Vintage Thingie and Thrifty Thursday for a looooonnnnggggg time, mostly because I ran out of things of my own to "show off."

Today I'm BACK with a really cool find.

While on one of my summer jaunts to Wisconsin, we had a buffet style lunch at my friend Gwen's home. She had a really cool solution for the "what to do with the flatware on the buffet" problem.

Don't you just hate trying to figure out how to arrange the silverware when you're having a buffet? I've tried all kinds of things - - - using a glass as a silver holder - - - spreading the silverware out in some semi-attractive pattern. But each of these has its own set of drawbacks.

Well, just look at Gwen's flatware serving solution:

Crystal Silver Servers. How cool are these??? I had never seen anything LIKE them, but I want to FIND a set.

There's a little story to go with them that makes them an even BETTER prize.

Gwen found them at a yard or estate sale for little to nothing. I don't remember the exact price she paid, but I believe it was less than $5.

Gwen's sister-in-law, Lois, ALSO has a set, but her's weren't found at a sale, and though she wouldn't tell me what she paid, she raised one eye brow and said, "It was A LOT more than Gwen paid."

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You Too Have Sex in Your Garden, Poison Ivy and All!!!

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(photo from home.golden.net)

When I used the words "Sex in the Garden" in the title of my previous post, I did so shamelessly for two reasons:

1) Sex sells - - - we all know that, and I wanted to SELL you on my blog.

2) Your gardens, ALL OF THEM, are all about sex - - -whether you realize it or not, and I already told you about garden sex here, just in case you forgot.

So - - - go enjoy your gardens in ways you NEVER before thought possible, and beware of all that pollen (sperm) on your nose!

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You Had Me At "Sex in the Garden!"

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When you come across a new blog, what is it that "pulls you in?" What makes you want to click on it and check it out? What makes you want to leave a comment? And what compelling "force" induces you to become a follower?

Let's face it, once we've been blogging for any length of time, we find that there are a plethora of blogs just WAITING for us to find them, just WILLING us to like them, and just WANTING us to follow them. None of us can do justice to them all, so how does one choose?

These are some bloggy things that have influenced me on this wonderful quest.

(Graphic from innosite.com)

1) The blog title.

I have seen some that made me yawn and keep going and others that reached out of the computer screen, grabbed me by the collar, shook me violently, and SCREAMED "look at me!!!" If the title fits the latter bill, I'm probably following that blog.


2) Humor

I don't care what the blog's main topic, I need some humor in my day and if I find it in your post, I'm coming back. Even the most painful experiences of life are made more tolerable with a good dose of laughter.

I realize we can't all be 100% comedians all the time - - - that isn't even realistic. But if there is never a spec of humor on your blog, I'm probably not visiting you often.

(graphic from spectronics.co.nz)

3) Visuals

A picture is worth a thousand words.


4) Post Title

When I check my follow list each day - - - if the picture and title don't draw me in, I'm not going there.


5) Variety

I don't care how WONDERFUL someone is at decorating their home, or saving money at thrift stores, or taking photos, or cooking, or making tablescapes, or crafting, or shopping for antiques - - - if they only have ONE topic, I'm bored and I'm not going there.

Now - - - if with their main passion they work in some tid bits of their daily life, some humor, some wisdom - - - then I will be drawn in.


6) Personability

To have blogging buddies requires us to be a blogging buddy.

When you come to my blog and leave comments, I'm going to check your blog out. I hope the same is true with the vice and versa. I think a person who wants to be involved in the blogosphere MUST BE involved in the blogosphere - - - reading blogs and commenting.


7) The "IT" Factor

I don't know how to describe this one, but I certainly know IT when I see IT. A person leaves a comment on my blog, IT speaks to me in some way, so I visit their blog. When I get there, I find IT, and I want to return and return. If your blog has IT - - - I'm' not only following you, but we're probably e-mailing too and may even be working on meeting in person.

You know - - - the really cool thing is, no one blog does all these things for all of us. That's what makes blogging so wonderful - - - there's something for everyone.

And I should know - - - I've been "playing this game" for more than four years now.

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How About a Little Kickapoo Joy Juice???

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After posting yesterday about the Kickapoo River in central Wisconsin, I had several comments wondering if the "Kickapoo" on Kickapoo Joy Juice soda was somehow connected.

WOW - - - I didn't even know there WAS a Kickapoo Joy Juice!!!

What I DID know was that besides being the name of bodies of water and regions of the US, the Kickapoo are also a group of Native Americans.

For the rest I turned to that handy dandy tool - - - - GOOGLE.

Here's what I found:

1) The Monarch Beverage Company, based in Atlanta Georgia produces a soda called "Kickapoo Joy Juice." I've never seen nor tasted the stuff - - - but I'm more than ready to give it a try!

2) Monarch also produces RUSH! energy and Acute fruit drinks.

(cartoon by Al Capp)

3) The name for Monarch's Kickapoo Joy Juice was taken from Al Capp's Li'l Abner Comic. Seems Lonesome Polecat and Hairless Joe brewed the stuff down in Dogpatch. Lonesome Polecat, on the left, looks Native American to me - - - so I conclude that the names ARE connected.

I'm including here a direct quote from the web page "Steve Krupp's Curio Shop" just for your pure reading pleasure!

KICKAPOO JOY JUICE is a liquor of such stupefying potency that even the hardiest citizens of Dogpatch, after a first burning sip, rise into the air, stiff as frozen codfish. Concocted in a large wooden vat by the inseparable cave-dwelling buddies Lonesome Polecat and Hairless Joe, the ingredients are both mysterious and all-encompassing. When the brew needs a little more body, the pair throws one in. An officially licensed KJJ is still produced by Monarch Beverage of Atlanta, Inc.

One last bit of personal Kickapoo trivia:

Years ago, just after "Dances With Wolves" came out, I did a western themed Bible School for my friends and they dubbed me "Kickapoo Keetha Dances With Flannelgraph."


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What? You Mean It Isn't Friday YET???

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This morning I got my Friday blog post all ready to roll off the presses, mostly 'cause I'm kinda excited about the "Barnyard Bash" (Roosters - - - see my sidebar) that is happening then.

When I was finished with that I thought, "Well, what about TODAY??? What are you going to post TODAY?"

Today, my cyber friends, you get corned beef hash, which over here I like to call Eclectic Bits!!

EB #1

This is your Monday "Awwwwwwwwww" moment.

My great nephew Cohan in the hands of his Grandpa Joe. Do you see those tiny fingers curling around his grandpa's big one?

One more awwwwwwww for the road.

EB #2

This is my nephew-in-law, David who is a Coast Guard rescue helicopter pilot and hero. (I would not kid about a thing like that - - - follow the link and see for yourself!)

He and my neice, Misti, and great niece, Carson, have just recently moved to Sitka, Alaska where David has been bitten by the "fishing" bug.

We've already established that I am NOT an expert on fish types, but I THINK this is some variety of salmon. (My sources confirm that it is a King Salmon)

Knowing that her Uncle Fisherhubby is well, a Fisherhubby, and having been forwarned by moi of what all that entials in time, equipment, and expense, my niece Misti e-mailed me this photo with the simple caption: "And so it begins."

(The rest of today's EB's are brought to you courtesy of my recent Wisconsin Ramblings.)

EB #3

Know what these are????

I'll give you a little hint. Just moments before I snapped this picture, each pole had a man scrambling to the top. Sorry, they are QUICK and I didn't capture them in the photo.


They, the poles, are located right here in Hayward Wisconsin in the Lumberjack "Bowl." Our last weekend in town the World Lumberjack (AND Jill) Championships, as seen on ESPN, were taking place.

There was log rolling, pole climbing, and every kind of chopping you can imagine going on inside that fence. The sawdust was prohibitive!




This ESPN video combines all that is Hayward Lumberjack Championships with a very heart-touching story.

EB #4

Amish buggies in Ontario.

That's Ontario, in Vernon County, Wisconsin. Population 505 on a very busy day.

The Amish gentlemen who drove these buggies into town were passing by as I stood on the sidewalk with my camera in my hand. When I saw them, I smiled and said hello.

They stopped dead in their tracks, looked at me, returned my smile, and asked if they didn't look strange to me.

Oh those dear sirs, if they thought they looked strange to me, I wonder how I looked to them!!!


Ontario is a picturesque little village nestled in the Kickapoo River Valley.


Yes - - - there certainly IS a river called the Kickapoo and it beckons to canoers from all over the nation to come and dip their paddles in it's flowing tide.

EB #5

Not too far away from the Kickapoo shore, and just around a bend, if you strain your neck and your eyes you may be the FIRST in the car to see "Uncle Harold's Barn!!"

Of course, you have to SHOUT "I see Uncle Harold's Barn" FIRST to get the credit.

A game Sister Pam and I never failed to play as we wended our way down highway 33.


And just across the highway from Uncle Harold's Barn, you would see Aunt Vetra's House.

These beloved places belong to our family no longer- - - but they ever have a home in our hearts.

Why, if you look at that yard long enough you will see shadowy figures of children playing hard at kick ball and sword fighting. I'm sure you will.

(The kick ball and sword fighting story is deep in that link - - - scroll down until you see "Dad, Richard, and Pam")

EB #6

Now that you are all hot, tired, and dusty from your day of traveling with me through Vernon County and beyond, why not join us at a cool picnic table in the shade.


We're at the Hillsboro Drive In. They will come right to the table to take your order, or if you prefer stay in your car and they will bring your delectable delights to your window.


Such a lovely tradition for warm summer twilights.

Who can be the FIRST to spot the "world travelers" of a nonhuman type in this photo?


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