One of our mini off-season excursions. To Rotary Botanic Gardens in J’ville.
Now is not the best time to visit the Gardens. Over the holiday season, tens of thousands of lights and many thousands of visitors for the light show. Takes months to string the lights and then months to remove them. Likely a very nice place to visit when everything is growing and blooming—most plants, shrubs, and trees are labeled. Today, we strolled with only fish and geese for company.
The two teams we follow, Wisconsin and Illinois both played mediocre. Wisconsin lost, but Illinois squeeked by with a win.
Mostly sunny and cool (but above freezing) and good for several nice walks.
The snow that accumulates on narrow downtown streets has to go somewhere, so it gets trucked to the edge of town, where it takes a while to melt.
Perfect day for a walk. Below, a sunny dual selfie.
Shelly’s Ode To The West Wind.
The last line of the poem is: O Wind,
If Winter comes, can Spring be far behind?
Seems like spring is here in February.
Amazing group of (10) participants. Mostly retired professionals with PhDs or years working with the DNR. But also one high school sophomore. Not as smooth and polished as I used to be, but still pretty effective, and leading a group like this is a lot of fun. Anyway, how can you go wrong with the worlds’s best environmental literature.
Below (due to lack of pertinent photos), a shot of the little Ford truck which recently replaced the 9 year-old Chevy truck. A downsize, but a safer and more comfortable ride—plus it’s a hybrid with incredible mileage.
New class starting up tomorrow, and so far 10 signups. I’m betting on an even dozen by start time tomorrow evening. It is hartening to see interest in this topic. Tomorrow a little prep work. Got to be ready.
…of sails, refurbished at the UK loft on South Michigan Ave.
The drive into and out of Chicago requires nerves of steel and a certain sang-froid. But, home and happy.
…and though chilly, very nice.
Massive and ancient bur oak, just a little way around the block.
Take a walk, take a nap, bake some bread, clean the truck, do a blog, read a book.
Sue away, but not before rustling up a tasty quiche.
…and no sign of the sun.
Who has been rooting around in the garden?
And look at all the birch seed.
…Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
Completely off-the-rails experimentation.
In addition to King Arthur all-purpose flour, Bob’s Red Mill whole wheat, rolled oats, flaxmeal, chia seeds—along with sourdough starter, a little yeast, and a touch of honey and olive oil and salt.
The baker was thoughtless and careless, but the loaves turned out; and while heavy and dense, not only edible but tasty, with each slice pretty close to a meal in itself.
If the process is refined and controlled, this could be the start of something good.
…with neighbors at the Irish pub in Fort. Followed by a lively game of Schwoop.
Foggy, rainy, soupy.
And, about that word meh. Fairly new to me, but now everywhere. Apparently from Yiddish, but popularized by the Simpsons. Hope I don’t have to use it much.
Driveway good for skates this morning. Melting everywhere by afternoon.
Who needs bread when there’s a cookie baker in the house?
…briefly. And now a winter storm advisory.
Pagoda dogwood
Dove birds
Brisk SW wind trying to bring warmth up from balmier climes.
A few quotes from Shakespeare :
Barren winter, with his wrathful nipping cold,"
"Hideous winter."
"Beauty o'ersnow'd and bareness everywhere."
…and just a little ping pong.
While good for the environment, and for setting up ice for boating, not always the most pleasant or convenient kind of weather.
Lake Geneva, wide open.
Delevan, frozen and snow covered, but sailable.
…but not outdoors.
When riding indoors music is necessary, and today it was Bach. And that reminded me of visualized Bach. Extra special, imho, to both see and hear, and to try to hear all the (so visible) parts, and to anticipate what’s coming. Check the link. Toccata and Fugue
…if by circuses you me going to a bank and grocery store. But we did get a break from cabin fever.
Second attempt at baguettes. These look pretty good.