Tilting windmills...

Tilting windmills...

I went on line this morning to the websites of both of my senators and my congressman and sent them the following emails. Probably a waste of my time, but I did it anyhow. Maybe if you do the same something will happen.

Senator Lugar,

I'm deeply concerned about the health care debate.

We need health care reform and we need a public option of health insurance. I urge you to support the public option for health insurance. This is a matter of justice. We need affordable health care for all in our country.

I know you're concerned about the cost of a program. I am too. But I'm more concerned about the cost of continuing our current path.

I'm tired of being manipulated by special interest groups who stand to gain from blocking reform. I'm sure you've read of Wendell Potter, the former Cigna VP of Marketing. If you haven't, I encourage you to watch this interview: http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/07102009/watch2.html.

Please support health care reform.

Health care debate...

Health care debate...

If you're unsure about the health care debate, watch this.

Eagle Marsh...

Eagle Marsh...

I'm in Ft. Wayne on business. Been here since Wednesday night.

Before you say, "So sorry to hear it..." I want to tell you about Eagle Marsh. My hotel is in classic hotel row within whining distance of the Interstate. But last night while I was looking for nearby restaurants on Google maps I saw this big open space. So after dinner I took a walk and discovered this rather large wetland that has been reclaimed in the last few years. I think the satellite image on the map was taken before the wetland was reclaimed.

It is about 1/2 mile wide by 2 miles long, and it is a beautiful space filled with lots of interesting wildlife. I spotted a couple of herons and a great egret. There was another bird that I could not identify. I had a very nice sunset walk.

The website provides a lot of information about the reclamation project, and the history of the valley. Turns out this was a major transportation route in the early exploration of this region.

Bad influence...

Bad influence...

Lizzy Comet and her mom stopped me on the street this morning and told me she is going to start Suzuki violin next week.

I told her she could come down and practice on my porch anytime.

All done...

All done...

For those of you who have been following my trials with a certain pair of #@&%#n' Canadian @$$#**s, we have reached a resolution. While I'm not entirely happy with the conclusion, I come away with the things that are most important to me intact. I can live with it.

How to get to heaven...

How to get to heaven...

Here are step-by-step directions to heaven. If you have trouble locating the ingredients, let me know and I'll see what I can do to help.

1. Pick one hand full of fresh raspberries from the crop that is about to explode.
2. Place 1 double-chocolate brownie in a bowl and microwave for 15 seconds.
3. Remove from microwave and test temperature with finger.
4. Microwave for another 15 seconds.
5. Place 2 scoops of vanilla ice cream on top of brownie.
6. Scatter raspberries artistically over ice cream and brownie.
7. Eat after sunset under a clear summer evening sky, but before the mosquitoes come out.

Ahhhh...

Why should we wait 'till we're dead?

Repurposing...

Repurposing...

A couple years ago L did an extended research project on recycled art in West Africa. One of the things I learned in proofing the paper for her is the difference between recycling and repurposing. Recycling is where the original material is ground up or melted or reconstituted in some way to make into new material. Repurposing is where you take something that has served one purpose and use it for another.

This weekend I went out and bought the smallest chest freezer I could find. My fridge freezer is jam packed with applesauce and strawberry jam and blueberries, and I want to be able to add some other stuff when I see it on sale, or while it is fresh.

So today I borrowed Kevin's truck, picked up my shiny new 5CF freezer from Sears and hauled it to the basement. As I was cutting off the cardboard carton I was thinking about recycling and repurposing, and how my kids used to love big cardboard box forts, and my 2 year old next door neighbor. I went up and asked his folks, and they were all delighted. In 5 minutes dad had windows and a door cut into it and little Nahum was all smiles.

Its a cheap thrill, but its nice to be someone's hero for the day.