Caboose

Crossing railroad tracks is always dangerous. The endless stream of black coal cars, red cattle cars and bland box cars was mind-numbing ... Boring! So boring, passenger-car drivers would day-dream or even doze off waiting for the caboose to pass. The last car of a train is always the caboose. Always! This is my "caboose" …

New Year’s Toast

The New Year is always welcomed with a toast. If your holiday spending put a big dent in your budget, you might try cutting back on your New Year's spending. The traditional New Years toast MUST include champagne, but people generally don't pay too much attention to the snacks. Try Cheetos and give your budget …

Snow

Snow is coming -- it won't be long now. Thought for the Day: Dont complain about the snow on your neighbors roof when your own doorstep is unclean.  Confucius

Split, Croatia

Photo my Matthias Mullie Arrived at Split, Croatia mid-afternoon. Very anxious to see my own photos. Thought for the Day: It is better to fail in originality than to succeed in imitation.Herman Melville

Venice

We're in Venice, Italy today ... over 5,000 miles east of this sign, which is just a few miles west of Omaha, NE. Time for a nap. Thought for the Day: You cannoli imagine how excited I am to be here.

Potty Humor

Welcome to our new house. Make yourself at home; have a seat. Thought for the Day: I love to be alone. I never found the companion that was so companionable as solitude.Henry David Thoreau

Odd Ball

2022 There was a bumper crop of sunflowers this year. Thankfully, the Mexican Sunflowers held their own and added some nice contrast. Thought for the Day: Surround yourself with people who make you happy. People who make you laugh, who help you when you’re in need. People who genuinely care. They are the ones worth …

Summer Fun

Lake House, 2022 So many memories are made at the Lake during the summer. Now, it's back to school, fall colors, football and Halloween. Thought for the Day: What makes a child gifted and talented may not always be good grades in school, but a different way of looking at the world and learning. Senator …

Musical Chairs

Fort Robinson Rodeo - 2022 A rodeo was a natural event/activity at Fort Robinson; herding, roping, branding, feeding and moving the Park's livestock are necessary skills for many park employees. Musical Chairs on horses offers a unique activity to show off their skills. Thought for the Day: Horse sense is the thing a horse has …

Early, July 4th

8 AM - July 4th Beautiful clear day, slight breeze and full sun. The beaches are clean and dragged, the deck chairs are in position, no swimmers, no boaters -- not even a honking goose or quacking duck. It's just quiet and peaceful. The lull before the storm. Thought for the Day: Be Prepared!Boy Scout …

Reflection

Cedar Creek, 2022 After a long day of fishing, the neighbors decided to take a break. Time to reflect on success and failure. Thought for the Day: By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest. Confucius

Choke Cherry

Choke Cherries are aptly named. Fresh off the "vine", they are a "Wake-Up!" Their flavor is sharp and long-lasting as it sticks in the back of your throat. But, I thought they might mellow over the years and make a decent wine. WRONG! While the clarity is excellent, the color is uninviting. The aroma was …

Peach

Another batch of home-made wine started in the summer of 1970. Preparing peaches was much easier than the dandelions. My review: Beautiful color and very clear. Virtually no aroma, forgettable to the palette with a spiritless finish. Hardly worth the effort. Thought for the Day: Yesterday's home runs don't win today's games.Babe Ruth

Pear

Pear wine was my third attempt, hoping fermentation would relieve my general dislike for the fruit. My review: A rich amber color and obvious clarity, matched with aroma hinting of light butterscotch, teases the palette's anticipation. However, the lack of any bold flavor makes for a timid finish. Thought for the Day: I cook with …

Dandelion

After sitting for over 50 years, you can imagine the nervous anticipation of "popping the cork". My review: Delicious amber color, very clear, and decent viscosity ("legs" ... with crutches). Delicate aromas ... of dust on the bottle. Drinkable, but ambiguous to the palette. Conclusion: Dandelions are better for making wishes. Thought for the Day: …

2022

Tanzania, 2016 First post of 2022, and happy to see 2021 in the rear view mirror. I am looking forward to a healthy and happy new year. Thought for the Day: Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; but remember that what you now have was once among the things …

Christmas Cards

I'm working on our annual Christmas letter, which is always a struggle to get started. As thoughts swirl around in my head I get more and more frustrated. It takes awhile to organize my thoughts, which translates to, "relax, it's no big deal, blah, blah, blah". This was my first draft. Thought for the Day: …

Veterans’s Day

Raising the Flag Think about the American Flag on Veteran's Day. Why is it the most recognized flag in the world? The sight of the American Flag makes one think of: freedom, independence, liberty, justice, opportunity, hope, security, family, and friends. People from all over the world have been migrating to and settling this continent …

Nap Time

Too Much Fun! Romping around in the fresh air is a lot fun! I love the soft grass! I'm learning to fetch, it sure is fun!. I’m getting pretty good at it too! I love it … I could do this all day! But, a nap sounds pretty good too. Thought for the Day: Try throwing …

Pickle Ball

I took up Tai Chi about a month ago. It made me feel so good that I'm looking for another form of exercise, something to offset the boredom of the treadmill. Pickle Ball seems to be popular; the fastest growing sport from what I've heard. The word is that pickle ball is fun, easy to …