Wall-E

While visiting my old hometown, La Crosse, Wisconsin, a few weeks ago, I finally had a chance to drive up to Grandad's Bluff.  Bliss Road, the winding road leading up to the top, has washed out & crumbled over the past few years, and they finally have it (permanently?) repaired.  The visitor area at the top has been remodeled with a new shelter house, bathrooms, safety fencing, and robotic telescopic view finders - which as you see from the photo, are reminiscent of something out of the movie "Wall-E" !

I will post more vista views over the next few days.

Go Forward

A few weeks ago I attended a fundraiser in La Crosse for an amazing young man named Casey Davis.  His mother, Nancy, is one of my good friends from childhood.  Casey and his equally amazing wife Carolyn, are shown above.  His story is one of courage and determination that few of us could manage to achieve. Injured in a forestry accident, he suffered great injury and pain, resulting in the paralysis of both legs.  However, from what I witnessed at the event, it is not going to stop him from setting and attaining lofty goals in his young life.  I think the kids receiving wheelchair rides while others raced to catch up with him could attest to that fact!

When I first heard Casey's story, I recalled that a half-dozen years earlier - after the untimely death of Christopher Reeve's wife, Dana - I had donated to the Christopher Reeve Foundation.  One of the perks I received was a cool "Superman" dog-tag necklace.  I thought it was time to give it a new home with Casey - someone who possesses the true spirit and determination of a Superman! (He's wearing it, above.)

Birthday Present

At the end of April, I received a coupon for a "free lunch" at the Chocolate Factory from our insurance agent.  It's a cute little restaurant across from Pewaukee Lake. The neat thing is that my husband - whose birthday is 12 days after mine - received one, too. Of course, there is no such thing as a free lunch... they were really just worth $2 each.  Still - it was nice to go out on a date for a sub, some fries, and a little home-made ice cream for dessert!

X Marks the Spot: SkyWatch Friday

These contrails aren't really that unusual, but it still amazes me every time I see them.  I'm always wondering just how close they really are as they pass over and under each other headed in opposite directions.  If you click to enlarge the photo, you can also just barely see the crescent moon near the top left-hand of the "x".

See other SkyWatch Friday entries here.

Theme Day: Bakeries

Delicious!  It's the first and only word that comes to mind when talking about Simma's Bakery in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin.  The lovely wedding cake above was made for a friend of my daughter's special day a few years back.  The display below shows just a few of the many options available on a daily basis at Simma's shop.  A picture of Simma posing with Julia Child (bottom) is on the wall in her bakery.  Since her retirement, Simma's daughter manages the busy little bakery, which in 2007 was given the "One of America's Top 25 Bakeries" award by the International Restaurant and Hospitalities Rating Bureau.

Talking Turkey

I know these images are more appropriate for Thanksgiving rather than springtime, but it's mating season for the wild turkeys around here now.  While walking Nik the other day, I saw two Toms (above) putting on quite a show for the "ladies" - and the one below appears to have won.  (Sorry - I had to use my cell phone, and so these aren't as crisp as they could have been with a regular camera.)

Amaryllis

As my last post mentioned, I am gearing up for the gardening season again this spring and in sorting through old photos, found one of this beautiful lime green amaryllis from last winter. It was grown as an indoor potted plant, but can also be grown outside in the summer. The contrasting colors were so brilliant, especially in the sunlight, and helped brighten up our dreary Wisconsin weather!

Remembrance

With all the hectic things happening in my life these past few months, including the loss of my beloved mother of 95 years back in February, it's been a while since I've had a chance to post. In reviewing a few images from the past I've selected this one to post in her memory.  It was taken by my father, Oscar, back in the 1940's. He was a professional portrait and landscape photographer in the La Crosse, Wisconsin area during the mid-20th century. He learned the trade from his grandfather, Ole E. Flaten, who was quite a photographic pioneer in the Moorhead/Fargo area back in the late 1800's and early 1900's.

You can't tell from the B&W image, but Orvie had dark red auburn hair and aqua green eyes. Note that she is wearing white gloves - very popular with the ladies back in those days. I absolutely love that hat and the sparkle in her eyes, which she had until the end.

Now, in this new spring, I look forward to gardening again, which was one of her passions.  We cherish the memories of the past, but look forward to the promises of the future.

Happy Anniversary!

This month we'll celebrate our 34th wedding anniversary. I just love the smiles on our faces in this vintage photo as we walk down the aisle as Mr. & Mrs. As with any relationship, there have been many ups and downs, and we don't always see eye-to-eye. But it's been said that a good marriage is not based on how much you agree, but how you manage things when you don't.

In Like a Lion

Ok - technically this was March 2nd, but the snows came overnight and made our rural community a winter wonderland! However, today's near 60 degree temps melted just about all of it. Let's hope that March's weather continues to be gentle as a lamb. :-)