Dumped On

Last night the thunderstorms rattled the windows with their big booms, lighting up the night and dumping rain in a driving wind. Our porch took a big wet lick, but when I checked the rain gauge, I wondered whether I'd filled it up half-way before I went to bed. But nope. It's reading--4.5 inches overnight. I think three separate storms rolled through, each pouring more rain onto our yard that had been getting blown dry for several days as the hot winds blew.

Little W doesn't like storms, and these had him in a near panic state--not a pleasant situation the night before classes all begin.

Signs of the End of the Empire

What do you see when you spot a little red wagon like the one in the photo, a Radio Flyer that has stood up over the years and pulled many a kid through many a yard?

What, you see a burden, a load too hard to pull? A barge too heavy to tote? Bring on the Razor, the electric wagon (junior) like the one I spotted outside Lewis Drug today. Why is it better?

Here's your answer:

Add a boost to your kids' traditional wagon ride with the Razor Jr. electric wagon. Perfect for walks in the neighborhood with your kids in tow the wagon is equipped with dual 30-watt motors that cruise at up to 3 miles per hour--an ideal cruising speed while on a stroll. The long-lasting batteries meanwhile keep the wagon running for up to 90 minutes at a stretch. And thanks to the pair of built-in seats and the blow-molded plastic wheels the wagon is comfortable and smooth throughout.

In other words, you don't really have to PULL the wagon. Keep the batteries charged up and it will follow you. Just don't get crazy and try to walk four miles per hour. Somebody save us.

In a related story, the NY Times reports that new military recruits are bigger lard buckets than ever.

The Weight of a Good Party

We hosted a party this weekend for members of the College of Arts and Sciences at DSU, and it's a happy thing to have it be so successful that our lawn furniture just couldn't bear the load.

Folks from the old College of Liberal Arts and the College of Sciences, now combined into the one, have managed to come together. Since there's no college of engineering, or any of the "applied" arts, I'm going to have to remedy the old picnic table myself. No sweat. Unbolt the two-by-four, cut a new one to match, and bolt it back on. We'll be ready for next time!

Walter and the Bluebird of Happiness

Walter loves the little toys that crackle inside and have a tough canvas outer. The toys mostly appear to be designed as road kill, so that makes me like them, too. Here, W guards his bird.

Walter also has a frog from the same FatCat toy manufacturer. They come with my highest recommendation!

Prairie Village Horse Caravan 2010

Cleaning in the yard yesterday I heard the clatter of horse hooves out on the street and ran to get my camera, as this year's edition of the Prairie Village caravan of buggies, wagons, and riders came by. It was a warm afternoon, but these folks were clearly having a good time, headed for Prairie Village Days this weekend, out west of Madison. It's been a warm and windy few days, so I hope they have a great time out there. Snowcone, anyone?

Got Your Pencils Ready?

School's about to begin. Have you prepared your writing instruments?

Digital Cookery in Our Old House

It was time for an update in the kitchen, and Lakebrook appliance store downtown Madison had the answer, a new LG stove that offers an easier, more efficient, and more variable cooking experience. The guys from Lakebrook came and set it up and took the old stove, and the wife got right to some salsa canning this afternoon. Goodbye, old stove.

The Pasta Queen and Her Noodle Prince

That's me, the noodler, with the shiny chromium Pasta Queen, which recently rendered the live Queen's dough into noodles. They may look wimpy here, but wait until they stiffen up!

At the End of a Long Day, Tomato Heaven Awaits

Yes, it's been a while since your two lucky stars have shone upon you, but then something comes along that cannot be denied. The B, the L, and the elusive T. When they come together, it's a little mouth festival. Where shall we set up the tent? How about, over here by the beer? What's that? Chips as well? And homemade bread? I must be living right.

I Write Like

I write like
Stephen King

I Write Like by Mémoires, Mac journal software. Analyze your writing!

Righto. Thanks, I Write Like. Don't I wish? Meanwhile, my brain is Cujo brain.

A 35 Mile Pencil, With Ants

Back in the old days, a Cracker Jack box contained a toy. Yes, sometimes there was a little lame tablet or flip book, but often, inside the little package was a snap-together toy car or action figure, not big, really, but a tiny little plastic toy that you had to put together. Not any more. The candy-covered popcorn still seems to taste the same--yay!--but the "toy inside" is always a lame little bit of paper like this "pencil topper" that really makes my pencil look like it has ants on it, right? Right. Has anyone had a real toy inside lately? If so, tell me.

I did learn that a typical pencil could make a line 35 miles long or write 45,000 words. But, I have to supply the pencil, and the ants do squat.

Our Own Recovery Plan--Completed

Our home's previous owners Francis and Nancy decided their dining room furniture looked just fine in their previous home, so when they gave us call, we jumped at the chance to put furniture and dining room back together. But we wanted different covering on the seats, so a trip to some "fabric barn" in Sioux Falls got us this nice print, and we transformed the chairs with a little elbow grease.

Best of Craigslist--The Camera Thief

On Craigslist, if you don't know, viewers can recommend posts for the "best of Craigslist" category, and this one from a guy in NYC who's torqued because someone stole his cameras I thought was a fun rant against the thief. Here: You stole my freakin' cameras.

Spicy Library Commercial

I love this version of the Old Spice ad, touting the value of studying in the library. Thanks, Lea!

Los Lonely Boys and Other World Wonders

Here are some images from our two days at Jazzfest in Sioux Falls, both with great music, good food, good times. The music was consistently amazing. My favorite and a cool surprise for me--Los Lonely Boys. They were tight and energetic, cool tunes, fun, playful. They put on a great show. But the lineup was outstanding, the best yet in my book. Now, next year!

Tonight We Run with The Wolves

Los Lobos, that is, along with Davina and the Vagabonds and Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue. Sweetness!

Here Comes the Trekkie

Here's my new Trek 1.1 road bike, just after the first ride of about 18 miles. It's a sweet machine, only 22 pounds (much less than the 31 of my previous machine, durable as it has been). I'm very fond of it so far. I need to learn a little more about its shifting characteristics to keep things smooth, but the rest is very fine. Aluminum frame, carbon fork, and very road-friendly.

I got the bike at Scheels in Sioux Falls, which I did not expect to do. I checked the local bike shops, but their prices were higher and some of the phone conversations were unpleasant. Too bad. Some were very good. Anyway, the Scheels folks treated me right from start to finish (or at least until now). Thanks, Travis and Matt!

I'm looking forward to seeing how this changes my biking!

1st Ever Bike Race, Senior Style

After hemming and hawing all day about whether I was going to take my bike and ride in the Heart of the Lakes Senior Games, I guess I hawed. I took the old Schwinn World (circa 1970's) and zipped through the 10K in 18:49, clocking a 20.1 mph average, not too shabby, worth the $1.00 entry fee and the sweat on this fine summer evening. It was a small field, only me and two others on the 10K, with each of us winning our age groups. Sweet!

The Pressing Matter of Flowers

The wife has been braving the skeeters and came back in with a range of flowers to press. Here's just some of them. What will she do with them? We'll have to wait and see.

The Jacks Put the Hammer Down

Here's a photo of brothers Jay (left) and Justin (right) with their band The Jacks, playing at the Sockeye in Boise, Idaho.