A busy Minnesotan

My friend Bunny shared her mom's email with a group of us. I found it very humorous, a insight into mother and daughter, and a slice of life. Here is Bunny's email (with permission) with her mom's email in the middle of it:

hey, everyone. i emailed mom my regrets that i wouldn't be coming to ely for the "harvest moon festival" this weekend, and i got this reply, which i'm sure you'll enjoy, too!

i'll miss seeing you but i understand...sat
morn i have to take requests for Polka
don, in the afternoon from 2-4 i have to be
in the ely winton hysterical booth and then
all day Sunday i'll be in Biwabik for the
SWU minnesota days.....so i'll be busy but
i'll still miss you!! mom

oh, so you know, polka don hosts a 3-hour polka only radio show. in my family "historical" and "hysterical" have always been interchangeable words. SWU is 'slovenian women's union". don't even ask:) anyway, she's busy, so don't bother going up there! bunny

Who needs to travel for true wildlife

I was driving down my alley yesterday and there in the middle of the alley was a peregrine falcon with its tallons embedded in a bird. The falcon was still in the process of killing the bird and was not about to fly away just because this big green thing was heading toward it.

I tried driving around her/him but was a bit afraid of pissing it off. She got a good hold on her prey and flew off.

A few years ago a was walking in the neighborhood and saw a falcon swoop and grab a pigeon on the fly. I thought that was astounding. I wonder if it is the same one.

Labor Day week working from home

Working from home this week. Yeah!

Back to Dallas next week. Dallas is going to be the location for while I think.

Chicago (actually Northfield/Northbrook/Des Plaines)

I was in north Chicago last week for work. You may have read or seen on the news about their flooding. I didn't see signs of flooding though I did see very high water on the Des Plaines river.

There were a lot trees blown down and the electricity was still out for thousands of homes from the storm the week before.

My flight home is usually around rush-hour time and it just isn't worth taking the toll road because of backed-up traffic and construction. So I take the drive over local roads through Des Plaines. Along the way is the original McDonald's Restaurant built by Ray Kroc.

Don't blink though or you'll miss it. There is a newer McDonald's right across the street and the intersection right here is kind of tricky. The original McDonald's is not open.

I took this picture while driving by using my cell phone, of course. I do not recommend this technique but the pic really came out pretty good.

A few blocks before the McDonald's is a very large cemetery on one side of the road and a hospital on the other. I've always thought that kind of morbid. If I were to have to go the hospital, I think I'd ask for a room on the non-cemetery side.

The hospital has a time and temperature sign. While I was stopped at the light, I knew it was hot but this hot?

Glacial Lakes State Park

Last weekend I drove about 2 1/2 hours west of Minneapolis to hike in Glacial Lakes State Park. There is an interesting self-guided hike that describes the various features of the park.

It was a good challenging hike as there are hills and valleys and wide-open spaces. One of the big features is Mountain Lake. It has no inlet, no outlet and is spring fed.

The woods are mostly made up of bur oaks. These are medium to large trees with really rough bark. There weren't as many acorns as I would have thought given that the oaks were about the only tree. These trees are known for withstanding forest fires because of their thick bark.

These same trees were mentioned in the Toronto Lake area where Mom, Spade and I were for Memorial weekend.

There were also lots of flowers which attracted lots of butterflies. Maybe it is Monarch butterfly migration time because I say lots and lots of those.

Dallas night skyline

Catching up on some photos in my telephone. Here is the Dallas night skyline as seen from my favorite Dallas hotel, Hotel Anatole.

A lot of the buildings use lights to outline their shape. It is really nice.

Rabbit and Squirrel

My backyard is over run with squirrels and at least one rabbit. Between the squirrels digging in the yard and the rabbit eating my flowers, I've just about had it.

Then today I discovered my rabbit, which I've always suspected was a female, has indeed had a baby bunny. While cleaning up "the back 40" I almost stepped on a tiny tiny bunny. It hopped away all back feet and legs. It was the same color as the dirt and I couldn't find it again.

No getting rid of the rabbit now. I sprayed my new aster plant with a concoction of hot sauce, red pepper powder and dishwashing liquid. Let's see if that keeps her away from that plant at least. Why doesn't she eat weeds!?