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 This Blog contains day-to-day thoughts and other nonsense.  {c} ![Merit Badge in Community
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I'm starting to see your name everywhere I go *^*Bigsmile*^*. Thank you so very much for all you do around WDC! It is people like you, who make WDC such the awesome place we call our second home *^*Heart*^*
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Tracey](https://images.Writing.Com/imgs/writing.com/writers/badges/genre-Community-210.gif) Thanks to intuey  for the MB![Merit Badge in Cheerleading
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I wanted to give you a badge you didn't have yet, and this cheerleading badge suits you. You are such an encouragement to many members of this site, including me, and I wouldn't know what Writing.Com would do without you. *^*Smile*^* You're a gem, Barbs. Thank you for your friendship and everything that you do. Love, Me *^*Smile*^*](https://images.Writing.Com/imgs/writing.com/writers/badges/general-Cheerleading-210.gif) Thanks to pencilsoverpens  for the MB![Merit Badge in Funny
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I've never laughed more, thanks Barbs](https://images.Writing.Com/imgs/writing.com/writers/badges/general-Funny-200.gif) Thanks Wolfdale  for the MBThanks to pencilsoverpens  for the awardicon for this blogThanks to Equilibrium for the pretty green ribbon she pinned on my poetry folder. Thanks to Alfred Booth for the Awardicon for Happy Book and for my wonderful, vibrant sig. |
| This afternoon I was listening to a Wisconsin Public Radio discussion about the relative increase or decline of various bird populations in the state. One mentioned was the Whippoorwill and indications are that there has been a serious decline in the numbers of these birds since the mid-sixties. I have heard the occasional whippoorwill in my life but I had never seen one until twenty years ago. This conversation triggered a memory of a once-in-a-lifetime event that occurred about that time. Tony and I were driving home from a trip to Iowa. It was summer and late in the day as we turned onto Hwy 173 east of Tomah and headed north. The topography there consists of miles and miles of wetlands and lowlands. It is quite wild and uninhabited except for the occasional cranberry marsh or tavern and the road is as straight as a string. Somewhere between Valley Junction and Babcock, it happened. It was still light enough to see clearly, but dark enough to bring these birds out to feed. Well, I believe that every Whipper in the state was in that area that evening. The air over the road was thick with swarming whippoorwills. The heated space above the roadway had attracted the swamp bugs, and they had attracted the birds, thousands of them. They were swooping and darting low over the road with their enormous mouths wide open as they went to scoop up every insect in sight. Their eyes reflected pink in the car headlights. It was thrilling to watch this activity. We drove for many miles observing this phenomenon the entire way. I suggest that anyone worried about the decline of the Whippoorwill in Wisconsin check out Hwy 173 where it runs through Juneau and Monroe Counties. Make your run on a warm summer evening at dusk. |
| Living as I am, deep in the Midwest, I was caught off guard several years back. Tony and I were motoring through New England with friends. The scenery there is some of the loveliest anywhere. The ocean, the mountains, the quaint towns, and villages all drew rave reviews from our little party of four. We did run into two unexpected sticking points in our travels. The first was the almost total absence of public restrooms. . .anywhere! We are accustomed to finding clean facilities in every gas station, restaurant, and fast food place, in addition to strategically placed state-maintained public stops along the highways. It seemed inhospitable. What are guests to do, knock on a random door? The other "feature" for which we were completely unprepared was the sudden appearance of roundabouts. We were shocked to find ourselves driving in a circle with no idea how we had gotten there. This at the busiest intersection in town in rush hour traffic. We didn't know where to get off, let alone how to do it. The fact that we were all laughing hysterically did not help matters. Recently I heard preliminary discussion on Wisconsin Public Radio about the use of such an intersection technique in the Madison area. I hope that their use does not migrate north into our territory. |
| In years past, Tony and I made frequent trips to Fond du Lac to visit family there. The three-hour ride offered a variety of route options and we often chose one set of back roads or another. The sight of cattle grazing along the way is common in this state with Holsteins and Herefords being seen everyday. One day we were on just such a leisurely jaunt when I screamed at Tony to stop. He did, but grudgingly. There in the pasture to our right was, not an alien spaceship, but something equally startling. It was the biggest, most glorious cow I had ever seen. She was BIG, really big. Bigger than a Holstein and they are big. She had a cute calf at her side. She had a sleek pelt, liver reddish-brown in color. Her skin hung in generous folds down her neck and torso. Moreover, she had a huge set of horns. They looked like the horns mounted above the fireplace in an old western movie. This was a stunningly beautiful animal. After a bit, Tony lost patience and drove on. When we returned home, I did some research and found out that this cow was of the breed, Santa Gertrudis. They are raised for beef and were developed from Shorthorn and Brahman stock in Texas. That was the one and only time that I saw that cow, and I've been looking each time we pass that spot for the many years since. I wish I knew what happened to her. |
| Tony and I jumped in the jitney today and pointed the nose toward Fond du Lac. It's a three hour trip one way and, now that no one lives there from my family, we don't go often. I was startled by the changes along the way. New roads, new businesses, old businesses closed forever. Things change in a year's time but the change become glaring when you aren't looking at them day to day. Our purpose for the trek was to place bouquets on family graves. We stopped at John's plot and that of my mom and dad and mom's parents, first. Five years ago, we had the plot landscaped. We replaced two huge towering shrubs with two new evergreens. They look awful. They have no shape and aren't growing at all. Still less than a foot tall, they were actually overgrown by quack grass. I may have them replaced once more. Then we proceeded to an old section of the cemetery and visited my great grandparents and my aunt who died in infancy. From there we went to a recently located great-grandmother. I looked up hill and down, all to no avail. She is again lost. I'll go back some day without Tony. Then we drove to Estabrook and stopped at the graves of dad's parents and his grandparents. That plot is overgrown with bridle wreath. I'll contact a landscaper tomorrow to fix that problem, too. We were back home by 2pm. It was a nice drive. |
This is my entry for the second preliminary round of the spring poetry SLAM. I didn't place in the first round.  This one squeaked out an honorable mention. A Tribute to Chicago I came to her a virgin, fresh and inexperienced, Straight from the Midwestern hinterland. I came To this bawdy, buxom, full-bodied babe with the becoming smiles. She is a gutsy broad with a swagger, savvy and sentient, missing nothing. All that and more, she floods my senses with her naked charms. I hear the ever-present, endless thrum of distant truck and car As they ply the Dan Ryan with siren accent. Traffic pulses to the red light beat. The sight of sleepy sailboats, chafing at marina moorings and Silhouetted by the luxurious sunrise, buoys my morning spirits. On steamy summer days, I step straight off sizzling sidewalks To dip at Montrose beach. The twinkling, blue-violet waters Feel like wintergreen, all fresh and sudden cool on my skin. The grains of sand part and squish up between my toes, And I feel refreshed, rested, revitalized. One season gives way to the next, and When wicked winter wind blows In through urban canyons and Stings my cheeks with icy grains of snow, I spend banked memories of warmer times along the waterfront. I love America's Family Picnic on Chicago's "front lawn." Taste of Chicago floods Grant Park with folk, exotic food, and fun 'Neath the watchful gaze of Sears Tower and Big John. Energetic joggers lug along in full stride on Lincoln Park paths. A city of contradictions, brooding, bustling, she has a beating heart, sure. A crucible of peoples, a Mecca, a mass of throbbing humanity, Melding and marrying to blur distinctions, is this town. She is awake and wide-eyed, drinking deeply from life's cup. In all her disparate and divergent glory, Capone to tres chic, She owns my heart. And she holds her own with the world's best. ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** Barbs10 |
 CAN YOU HELP?? I've found a raffle that someone's running to pay for their upgraded membership. Half of GPs go to prizes, and half to the upgrade.
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| December 31, 2006, my 92-year-old aunt who lives with us suffered a stroke. The fact that we had her in the ER within 30 minutes, has allowed her to make a nearly full recovery. She was lucky. Do you know how to spot a stroke in yourself or another? There are five signs of a stroke. Heed any one of them. They are: sudden weakness or numbness in face, an arm, or leg. loss of balance or coordination difficulty speaking, confusion, slurred speech loss of vision in one or both eyes sudden unexplained headache These can vary depending on what part of the brain is affected. To help evaluate yourself or another, perform three simple tasks. They are: smile raise both arms together slowly recite a simple sentence Inability to respond to any one of these directives requires immediate action. DO NOT DITHER! Minutes count and saved time can mean saved brain function. Call 911 and proceed directly to your local Emergency Room for care. The critical window for treatment is only three hours from the onset of symptoms. If appropriate, your physician can administer medication that can save valuable brain tissue. Share this information with your loved ones and friends. You could save a life. |
To those of you who read this blog, I want to warn you, I am taking the gloves off as of today. No more Mrs. Nice gal. If it's controversial, oh, well. Don't read it. And, I want to hear from you. What do you think about my topics? Let me know, please. Thank you. Today, it's congress, the legislative kind. I am thoroughly disgusted with the men and women that sit in Washington, DC and run this country on our behalf. They are, to a man, a bunch of twiddlers and silly hearts and about as effective as a paperclip holding a bed sheet in a hurricane. It would seem that the only time they are able to accomplish anything at all, is when one of their frequent extended breaks is looming, and failure to act would result in the abbreviation of said vacation. Yesterday they spent time passing a bill to make English the official language of the United States. Fluff! Today they managed to pass a provision that would require any relief agency to affect the evacuation of pets in future emergencies. This in order to qualify for FEMA funding. Yup, pets matter, but where is the solution to the looming Social Security crisis? What should we do about our schools? The fact that an obscene percentage of high school students fail to graduate or cannot find Texas on a map is a disgrace. And then there are the issues of health care costs, unemployment, illegal immigration, and a myriad of others to work on. But no, the most they can squeeze out is a bill to make English our official language. I would favor tossing out the whole lot of 'em. The obstructionists and the do-nothings alike. There, I said it and now I feel better. |
| Do you love to sing hymns? As a past church organist, I have always been interested in hymn singing as a part of the Sunday service. There is a long-standing tradition in Central Wisconsin that speaks to that interest. As it occurs in many locales, the area Welsh Heritage Society plans and conducts an annual Welsh Hymn Sing. This event celebrates and carries forward the strong Welsh tradition of four-part hymn singing. The one that I have attended is located in an old Welsh Chapel near Pickett, Wisconsin. While this is not the only one to be found in the state, it has an authentic feel. The small Peniel Presbyterian Church is located on Hwy FF just 0.5 miles west of Hwy 26 between Oshkosh and Rosendale. This tiny white building situated in the Wisconsin countryside was built in 1856. It is equipped with internal petitions common in its day when it was constructed. Every 4th Sunday in August, people come from miles around to participate in this event. The little church fills and singers spill out onto the surrounding grass. And the singing begins as the old favorite Welsh hymns rise up. It is a very moving experience. While most hymns are sung in English, some are sung in Welsh for those who still speak the language. Welsh hymns are among the most powerful of modern hymnody. If you are in the area or want to experience something truly unique, make plans to attend this gathering. Starting time is 2:30pm. Bring a lawn chair in case the building is full. The contact person is Ilah Morgan, 1.920.748.6237. You won't be disappointed. |
| You can give the gift of life. If your health is good, please explore the possibility of becoming a blood donor. A safe supply of bank blood is critical to the delivery of modern medicine. I hope that you and yours never need to receive a transfusion. Unfortunately, the unexpected can and does happen to us all. Your hospital is prepared for such emergencies. It maintains a supply of blood that can be given to you in a life and death situation. That banked blood is there through the caring generosity of your friends and neighbors. They have given because they know how important it is to have this vital supply available. If your health permits, step forward at the next blood drive in your community, and donate a pint of your blood. Someone's life depends on it. Thank you. |
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Thanks for these Barbs, we really miss you around here! Update us on everything some time alright! 
