This man's passing really moves me, as I write this on my MacBook Air (The first computer we ever had at home in the 1980s was an Apple IIc. The first computer I ever bought myself was an Apple, after I graduated from college.)
Steve Jobs learned some valuable lessons in living with a life-threatening illness. Deep down, I think he knew this stuff before the illness.
Steve Jobs, you changed the world for the better. Thank you.
Rest in peace.
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Sunset at Chreokee Marsh
Cherokee Marsh is one of my absolute favorite places on this earth. It is sacred ground for me.
Walking the path back to the water, we can see glimpses of the sunset through the trees.
When we get out to the dock, we have the perfect view to watch the sun set.
And watch the fish jump--it's their feeding time.
Back when I lived in Madison, and went out to the Marsh several times a week to watch the sunset, I always had this lantern to light my way back to the parking lot. It's dark after the sun goes down! This little lantern was indispensable. It lit my way on many dark nights.
Walking the path back to the water, we can see glimpses of the sunset through the trees.
When we get out to the dock, we have the perfect view to watch the sun set.
And watch the fish jump--it's their feeding time.
Back when I lived in Madison, and went out to the Marsh several times a week to watch the sunset, I always had this lantern to light my way back to the parking lot. It's dark after the sun goes down! This little lantern was indispensable. It lit my way on many dark nights.
A Grand Day Out in Madison
Sept 17 - A Perfect Day with my Sweetie in Madison, WI. We woke up and Oliver had already done some of his work and biked off to a friend's house to spend the night. Nice to have an older kid who can manage himself.
We (the adults in the house) "drove south" to Madison for a grand day out.
I got a start on my album of Wisconsin's Barns. This one is on Hwy 26 (I think). Someday these will all have crashed to the ground as people stop farming.
We got to Farmer's Market in time to see our old friend, Tom Brantmeier, who was there selling garlic and herbs, veggies and fresh pears. CL worked for him on the farm in Monroe for a time back when we were courting.
We got to Farmer's Market too late to get any cheese curds or bakery, but this colorful pepper stand was still up. Love the reds!
We did get some of this delicious pesto from The Renaissance Farm stand before market closed. Even brought an insulated bag to keep it cold until we got home. Yum!
After 15 years, we still like each other. ;-)
We had a nice lunch from Johnson Public House Cafe (decent warm hard-boiled egg sandwich, a salad, and an almond croissant) eaten on the shore of Lake Mendota. We watched a guy move across the water on what appeared to be a surfboard, but he was treating it more like a Gondola. He didn't fall off, and he made good progress, which makes me believe this was not his first attempt at it!
Then we headed over to St. Vincent De Paul's on Willie St. to see what treasures we could find. I got a couple of "new" sweaters -- one is a real wool cable sweater from Ireland. Bring on the snow and cold! I'm ready for it. ;-)
Also got a copy of One Thousand Splendid Suns for a mere $3. This book has been on my list for several years. Now that I have a copy, there's no excuse NOT to read it now!
This is the bag they put my St. Vinny Treasures in. I loved it! From Madison, WI to Fairbanks, AK. Multi-Culti and green, too!
After the St. Vinnie's adventure, we stopped at my friend Bob's house. He's a remarkable person with remarkable interests. Including an incredibly green thumb :
Bob's whole back yard is a lush and beautiful garden (No, I don't think he owns a lawn mower). We could see a little hummingbird flitting around among the flowers.
Bob wasn't there when we arrived, but he knew we were coming and he left a note on the front door for us ...
... and a big jar of his golden honey. Yum! He keeps honey bees to "work" the neighborhood gardens. A jar of Bob's honey is always a special treat! Thank you, Bob!
This is one of Bob's chickens. He has some real chickens, too.
Off to Hubbard Ave. Diner in Middleton for dinner :
They are known for good ol' traditional food done well (like biscuits and gravy, or fried chicken, and especially pie). Tonight I had a BLT, and since I didn't have to set a good example for Oliver, I actually had the French fries. ;-)
CL had the White Chicken Chili with cornbread-- along with some of my dinner. You don't think he keeps that boyish figure by ordering just a cup-of-soup, do you?
And then of course, dessert! It's all about the PIE at Hubbard Ave. Diner.
"You can't eat your green beans until you've had your pie!"
This is the apple pie a la mode. Yum!
Cherokee Marsh at sunset. This was always the BEST light show in town. This is absolute bliss for me--Heaven!
Then, of course, the reason we came to Madison this day. Hiatt gave a decent concert playing some of the old favs (Through Your Hands, Have a Little Faith in Me, Drive South ...) along with songs from the new album. We think it was his daughter Lilly Hiatt who opened for him. Looks like she's a chip off the old block! It's always good to see old friends!
What a perfect day!
We (the adults in the house) "drove south" to Madison for a grand day out.
I got a start on my album of Wisconsin's Barns. This one is on Hwy 26 (I think). Someday these will all have crashed to the ground as people stop farming.
We got to Farmer's Market in time to see our old friend, Tom Brantmeier, who was there selling garlic and herbs, veggies and fresh pears. CL worked for him on the farm in Monroe for a time back when we were courting.
We got to Farmer's Market too late to get any cheese curds or bakery, but this colorful pepper stand was still up. Love the reds!
We did get some of this delicious pesto from The Renaissance Farm stand before market closed. Even brought an insulated bag to keep it cold until we got home. Yum!
After 15 years, we still like each other. ;-)
We had a nice lunch from Johnson Public House Cafe (decent warm hard-boiled egg sandwich, a salad, and an almond croissant) eaten on the shore of Lake Mendota. We watched a guy move across the water on what appeared to be a surfboard, but he was treating it more like a Gondola. He didn't fall off, and he made good progress, which makes me believe this was not his first attempt at it!
Then we headed over to St. Vincent De Paul's on Willie St. to see what treasures we could find. I got a couple of "new" sweaters -- one is a real wool cable sweater from Ireland. Bring on the snow and cold! I'm ready for it. ;-)
Also got a copy of One Thousand Splendid Suns for a mere $3. This book has been on my list for several years. Now that I have a copy, there's no excuse NOT to read it now!
This is the bag they put my St. Vinny Treasures in. I loved it! From Madison, WI to Fairbanks, AK. Multi-Culti and green, too!
After the St. Vinnie's adventure, we stopped at my friend Bob's house. He's a remarkable person with remarkable interests. Including an incredibly green thumb :
Bob's whole back yard is a lush and beautiful garden (No, I don't think he owns a lawn mower). We could see a little hummingbird flitting around among the flowers.
Bob wasn't there when we arrived, but he knew we were coming and he left a note on the front door for us ...
... and a big jar of his golden honey. Yum! He keeps honey bees to "work" the neighborhood gardens. A jar of Bob's honey is always a special treat! Thank you, Bob!
This is one of Bob's chickens. He has some real chickens, too.
Off to Hubbard Ave. Diner in Middleton for dinner :
They are known for good ol' traditional food done well (like biscuits and gravy, or fried chicken, and especially pie). Tonight I had a BLT, and since I didn't have to set a good example for Oliver, I actually had the French fries. ;-)
CL had the White Chicken Chili with cornbread-- along with some of my dinner. You don't think he keeps that boyish figure by ordering just a cup-of-soup, do you?
And then of course, dessert! It's all about the PIE at Hubbard Ave. Diner.
"You can't eat your green beans until you've had your pie!"
This is the apple pie a la mode. Yum!
Cherokee Marsh at sunset. This was always the BEST light show in town. This is absolute bliss for me--Heaven!
Then, of course, the reason we came to Madison this day. Hiatt gave a decent concert playing some of the old favs (Through Your Hands, Have a Little Faith in Me, Drive South ...) along with songs from the new album. We think it was his daughter Lilly Hiatt who opened for him. Looks like she's a chip off the old block! It's always good to see old friends!
What a perfect day!
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Maggie Apples
Maggie is my beloved 2nd-hand Newfie. She loves apples.
We had a Honey Crisp apple tree in the back yard, and she considered it HER tree. She likes to pick her own apples right off the tree. She was also known to push up against the trunk to shake an apple loose. She didn't like wind-fallen apples; She wanted a fresh one. Then she'd lay down for a leisurely chomp.
Last week, the little apple tree blew over in a wind storm. The trunk broke about 3 inches from the ground. It was heavy with apples, and it just toppled over. I finally got the tree cleaned up and removed on Labor Dy. For several days this week, CL reported that Maggie would stand over the broken stump at 10 am, looking directly at him and bark her protest that her apple tree was gone. Yes, she noticed it; Yes, she missed it.
She's a great communicator when she wants to be.
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Oshkosh Farmer's Market
This summer, the Oshkosh Farmer's Market moved from the parking lot at the Courthouse, to Main St. downtown. They block off the street for several blocks for the market on Saturday morning. What a great idea! The whole town seems to turn out for it. We usually bike in together as a family.
One of the attractions is Pie on the Porch. They raise money for historical restoration on The Morgan House here in town :
And the Blueberry Pie IS good! They serve the pie on real china plates, with silver forks, and cloth tablecloths, and real flowers on the tables. It's a classy affair for a street cafe!
Me and Oliver downtown.
Oliver in front of Russian Sage.
I liked the color display at this stand. ROY-G-BIV!
Yummy Plums! Time to make the dumplings ... except the plums all disappeared before I could get out the flour and boil the water. We also bought apples. I got a whiff of cinnamon and ginger last week, and knew someone would be selling apples this week! Time for apple pie and apple crisp and ... and ... and ...
Skies above market.
One of the attractions is Pie on the Porch. They raise money for historical restoration on The Morgan House here in town :
And the Blueberry Pie IS good! They serve the pie on real china plates, with silver forks, and cloth tablecloths, and real flowers on the tables. It's a classy affair for a street cafe!
Me and Oliver downtown.
Oliver in front of Russian Sage.
I liked the color display at this stand. ROY-G-BIV!
Yummy Plums! Time to make the dumplings ... except the plums all disappeared before I could get out the flour and boil the water. We also bought apples. I got a whiff of cinnamon and ginger last week, and knew someone would be selling apples this week! Time for apple pie and apple crisp and ... and ... and ...
Skies above market.
Black Hawk Hot Dog
I don't consider myself a hot dog eater, but these dogs at the BlackHawk Music Festival in Mt. Morris, WI, are DELICIOUS! So in July, I ate my annual "dog."
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Linden Blossoms
The Linden Trees are in bloom! I caught a very pleasant whiff of that unmistakable perfume this evening, and I knew it was time again -- All I had to do was look up at the trees nearby.
Linden Blossoms
Linden Tree Leaves, also known as Basswood (so you might recognize it when it's not in bloom).
Grappa Eddie Smithmajer
Great Gramma Smitmajer (Eddie's mother)
My Grandfather (Eddie Smitmajer for those long lost cousins in The Czech Republic) said his mother loved Linden Blossom Tea. When she found a Linden tree in bloom, he would help her pick the blossoms in July, which would then be dried in a warm oven for this mild tea all year round. When he realized we had a Linden tree behind our barn, I went out with him to fill a brown paper shopping bag with the sweet blossoms. I don't know how much tea he actually drank, but it was a nice memory. For years after that, I had a huge jar of those dried blossoms.
Tonight I made a fresh tea from these little beauties. My husband says that his Grandfather in France also had great reverence for Lindens. His family had a summer place in the country, complete with an orchard, Linden trees and bees. CL would go there to get "hunny and money" at Mailly. Another reason I married this wonderful man!
Image from here.
Linden flowers make the BEST honey. If you know a beekeeper with Linden trees nearby, they will keep the Linden honey "under the table." You have to ask for it. It's in short supply and they typically don't leave it out for general sale. Linden flower honey is always a special treat.
Monday, July 4, 2011
Give the Kind of Love you Have
The following passage was published in Patti Digh's little book, What I Wish for You : Simple Wisdom for a Happy Life. When her daughter graduated high school and left for college, Patti asked her friends to give her daughter some advice on such a momentous occasion. Watch the video for more info.
There's a lot of great wisdom there in this little book. This one in particular rang true for me :
Give the Kind of Love You Have
by Tamara Bailie
One thing I wish I would have known earlier in my life is this ... the love you take into your heart as you live your days is going to come from many different people. You hear often in stories and songs and movies about the ONE person whose love will be everything to you, who will be everything you ever needed. What you will find, however, is that people give what they have. We are wired differently. You will find people whose love feeds your mind, and people whose love feeds your sense of humor, and people whose love you can count on at 2:00 am on a random Tuesday. When you let all of those different kinds of love into your spirit, it will smooth out the rough spots, filling in the tiny spaces left behind from moments of pain and misunderstanding. One person may not fill the role of providing every kind of love you need, and that is what makes life interesting. When you let different people play the parts they are best at playing, it allows them to simply be who they are when they are with you. And when you can give the kind of love you have to the world, you can simply be who you are, giving what you have to give. People sometimes seem to let us down simply because they don't seem to give us what we need. Try to remember that they are giving what they know, what they've been shown, and what they have. Many of us are carrying much more than we need, and sometimes all that we carry can keep us from seeing all that we are. You can lighten the load for people each time you offer acceptance of their stories, acknowledgment of their songs, and awareness of what makes them unique. Hold on to the love people have to give, and let go of anything else they've handed you to carry. And keep your own carry-on bag as light as you can, so you can see who you are, where you're going, and what you're leaving behind for the ones you love.
There's a lot of great wisdom there in this little book. This one in particular rang true for me :
Give the Kind of Love You Have
by Tamara Bailie
One thing I wish I would have known earlier in my life is this ... the love you take into your heart as you live your days is going to come from many different people. You hear often in stories and songs and movies about the ONE person whose love will be everything to you, who will be everything you ever needed. What you will find, however, is that people give what they have. We are wired differently. You will find people whose love feeds your mind, and people whose love feeds your sense of humor, and people whose love you can count on at 2:00 am on a random Tuesday. When you let all of those different kinds of love into your spirit, it will smooth out the rough spots, filling in the tiny spaces left behind from moments of pain and misunderstanding. One person may not fill the role of providing every kind of love you need, and that is what makes life interesting. When you let different people play the parts they are best at playing, it allows them to simply be who they are when they are with you. And when you can give the kind of love you have to the world, you can simply be who you are, giving what you have to give. People sometimes seem to let us down simply because they don't seem to give us what we need. Try to remember that they are giving what they know, what they've been shown, and what they have. Many of us are carrying much more than we need, and sometimes all that we carry can keep us from seeing all that we are. You can lighten the load for people each time you offer acceptance of their stories, acknowledgment of their songs, and awareness of what makes them unique. Hold on to the love people have to give, and let go of anything else they've handed you to carry. And keep your own carry-on bag as light as you can, so you can see who you are, where you're going, and what you're leaving behind for the ones you love.
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Twilight
We are fortunate in Oshkosh to have Menomenee Park with a path that runs along Lake Winnebago, all the way out to a Point on Miller's Bay. One evening as the sun was setting, I captured these scenes. Can you tell I've been watching Art Wolf on PBS?
Here's a little wider shot. One week later, the grass had been cut down. Glad I got the shots when I did!
I love how the dark and light play on the water in this one. The duck could be a silhouette and it would still work. This one might turn into a journal quilt some day ...
Cottonwood Leaf.
Saturday, May 28, 2011
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