A FULL HEART

So many emotions and activities packed into not just one day but an entire birthday week. It definitely was a wild week of ups and downs which ended on a very sad note... 

I dedicate my birthday week to a dear friend, Marty, with whom our friendship grew these past 2 years. We will miss the man whose heart was so full it just gave out at 84 years young. We have so many nice memories spent around the table sharing stories, jokes and life due to his bride Karol who made their house alive again with company.    

This past Monday I brought milkshakes to the hospital only to find out the chest pain that had brought Marty in the wee hours of the morning unveiled a lot more going on... He wouldn't be polishing off the milkshake nor able to undergo any operation to alleviate the problems so the decision was made to go home on palliative care. From almost losing him that Monday night, each consecutive day he appeared stronger, more talkative, witty, hungry, and even independent. The man rallied and gave us all almost another week with him.

Besides short visits to their home,  I filled my week with attending a forum with our district's 3 candidates for the House of Representatives, viewing Mama Mia 2 with 10 of the Jazzercise gals (do note the Jazz hands), caught  4 more greedy mice in the garage,

made a new recipe of Zucchini Ravioli to share with Marty and his family, completed an overdue visit with my 91 year old friend, Jean, discussing everything from politics to family. That evening Natureman and I went to Moon Tunes to groove to MoTown favorites.



Natureman had a full day planned Friday for my birthday but one surprise he didn't expect was the joy of Natureman capturing of Raccoon #7. Unfortunately he also discovered our corn all gone... 
                                  Oh well, there was still
Jazzercise for me and a visit to see Marty sitting up having lunch, making my birthday lunch even lovelier on the patio of the Waterfront Restaurant and a birthday dessert of a delicious frozen chocolate mocha treat on lady fingers, followed by a Miata ride to Wabasha, MN for River Boat Days and then on to Elmaro Vineyards to end the birth day with a cheese tray and a birthday bottle of wine from buddy JoEllen,  Elmaro's  La Crescent wine while we fawned over the entertainment, Jo Ellen's husband David. :)

David dedicated Shangri-la to this bday girl...

 The birthday weekend continued on Saturday with services and another visit pleased to hear good news how Marty had eaten breakfast and  lunch in the kitchen no less. He was a bit restless and since he had other guests we headed over to the University Art Show. Glass artist friend Laurel bestowed upon me a lovely glass leaf necklace to match my dress. Sweeeet.


Sunday was a mixed bag as we received the call Marty had not awoken that morning... The early morning fog cleared and the skies were a beautiful blue. 
More music awaited us at nearby Branches Winery with locals Dan Sebranek and Mary Cortesi. 

 But what happened there is absolutely amazing as it concerns, Jordy, their dog.
 We had just sat down and gotten comfortable in our lawn chairs when this dog beelines straight to us and sits down inbetween Natureman and me waiting to be petted. Mary quips on the mike not to mind the dog as he's used to going with her to work, he's a therapy dog. Okay, somehow that dog sensed that we, of all the people there, needed to pet her as one, we had just lost Marty and two, our dog was put to sleep the week before.  It gives me shivers to think how intuitive Jordy was. Jordy didn't go to anybody else...

Sunday was one of those days we needed to be at more than one place so we headed to town.  Peoplefest was going on with 3 organizations we belong to as sponsors. 




The talent we saw was from China, Centro Latino, the Hmong Community and Congregation Sons of Abraham.

We ate our picnic dinner
and enjoyed the delightful presentations.



My birthday weekend wasn't quite over as Natureman had to leave for Tahara, the ritual bathing to prepare Marty for his burial. I, in turn worked on the condolence meal which will follow the burial.

What a birthday week to say the least and my heart is full.  

One never knows when it will be our last day so we have to do everything we can to make the most of each day... Marty, we will miss you.
   

FOTO FRIDAY: GOT MILK?

FOTO FRIDAY: Well, we might not have gotten to eat at the Blue Heron in Winona but these caterpillars sure did.  This milkweed plant was outside the restaurant's front door.  

Wow, obviously an amazing host for all these  hungry caterpillars.
 It could even be a book... Oh wait, it is! 

Hundreds of hungry caterpillars covered the plant one plant...

Milkweed really attracts butterflies especially Monarchs.

Anything chowing down on your garden plants? 

Last week's FOTO FRIDAY was BERRY RICH

TBT: BIRTHDAY JOY LOOKS GOOD ON YA

TBT: Birthdays have always been a big deal in my family. Today I take the opportunity to wish my first born, Lori, a joyous birthday. In the old days we didn't give babies sugar as a rule so the first time Lori tasted ice cream and cake was her first birthday.

'Captured her throwing her head back in joy. Ice cream face and all. 

Happy Birthday Lori! I am sure this birthday will look equally good on you 35 years later. 

                                      You know what?

I love you very, very much. XOXO Mom

PRIMARIES ARE IMPORTANT

One of the great things about American democracy is that just about any citizen can run for office (convicts excluded). Yet, that very same privilege got us into big trouble in the last presidential election. So it's our duty to learn all we can about those running for office. My time is running out as I have to vote absentee ballot due to being out of town on primary election day.

In less than a month it will be the primaries. State representative Nerison (R) from the 96th district, which includes parts of Crawford, Monroe and Vernon, our county, will be retiring. Three new faces to politics will be running with no state much less local government experience .

Tuesday evening a forum was sponsored to an overflowing room at the Viroqua VFW sponsored by Farm Bureau to listen to the 3 candidates: Paul Buhr (D), Alicia Leinberger (D) and Loren Oldenburg (R).  The two men are generational dairy farmers and the woman running is a community organizer. Buhr and Oldenburg,  have the advantage of name recognition whereas Leinburger is relatively new to the area in comparison but well known in Viroqua. 

Issues of concern centered around bringing broad band to all of the area, preservation of the small farm (we have one of the highest extinction rates in the state), water preservation, road repair, schools and health care and obtaining federal monies to support these. Sound familiar? Yep, the same national issues. 

Truth is we have lost 5% of our population and tax base due to folks moving in the last 15 years. That's a lot when a county isn't very largely populated to begin with.

So the question is who will best represent the people of our counties? 

It's our responsibility to vote for that person on Tuesday, August 14th. Voting matters and who you choose to vote for matters too.

Paul Buhr

Alicia Leinberger

Loren Oldenburg

Articles about candidates:
BUHR
    LEINBERGER
    OLDENBURG

SKINNY DIPPING IS OPTIONAL...

• Wiscoy Valley Cooperative was formed in the mid 1970's by 4+ adults and now has some 20 adults on the land cooperative of 358 acres in southeastern Minnesota near Winona. 
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• We witnessed the Co-op's mission statement in action during the open house as it was filled with fun - swimming and music, creative - in the food ingredient choices including the berry jam varieties and the organics ie: land management. Residents volunteered greeting, leading tours, answering questions, in food prep and serving guests.
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• The land is divided into 85 acres of native prairie, 5 acres of perennial fruits which are grown organically and the remainder is woodland and wild areas. 

We visited Wiscoy Valley Cooperative Saturday during their Blue Fruit Farm open house. Many enjoyed exploring the land and cooling off in  the creek fed swimming hole. 

BTW: The kiddos were the only ones seen running around in their birthday suits after skinny dipping in the pond.

 Tour guide, resident Jim Riddle shares

 this tri pod device which attracts insects

 to fake trunk, climbing into cone trap 

There were also Farm tours and we made it in time to join the last tour  (albeit a bit late) learning about the trials and tribulations of berry growing.

Signs marked the varieties of blueberries, elderberries and armonia . 

Unbeknownst to us one of Natureman's friends, Mike Breckel from our Coulee area invented an instrument used on the farm that detaches berries from their clusters. How cool is that?

Nets cover the entire berry crop to save it from  birds and other critters.

The outer fence (with sign) was an electrified 12 ft  fence  to prevent deer from jumping over. 

Resident Joyce Ford's dream of having an elderberry crop in the 80's came to fruition

We could taste test the berries in the field

Aronia berries
not ready til almost black

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• Jam Berry tastings and purchases were available in their berry work area.
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• In the community pavillion we enjoyed  a farm fresh salad with delicious Aronia berry dressing and a tasty bean salad.  
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• Three different desserts included a cheesecake with berry sauce, berry crisp and berry cookie. 
• We each took a different dessert to sample and share. 

• Members are required sign up for 4 work project/ cleaning days per year of various community areas.  Other projects depend on volunteers ie: this open house. Some work is paid for ie: bookkeeping/ maintenance with mowing, etc...
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• Wiscoy residents choose their own house style, 
  
• manner of income, diet and schooling for children. Current Residence types are single family homes. The property is Group Owned  by the entire community. Both solar and clean energy are used.
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• Consensus rules and while visitors are accepted through a process and a contact person, no new members are being accepted at this time. But if you were interested in being a member, it might take as long as 2 years as a trial member during which you must meet and get to know every community member and only be allowed to join if every member agrees. 

I've also attached another chart I found on line regarding Sustainability Practices.  

It might be difficult to live in a world of 100% consensus but wouldn't it be wonderful if we could all live in communities like Wiscoy where land and nature are respected. It's up to us to use caution on our daily demands and to be kind to the Earth because as if you didn't already know, it's the only one we've got.  

Sustainability Practices

• Energy Infrastructure:  both systems.

• Current renewable energygeneration: 50-75%

• Energy sources: Solar, Clean Energy from the Grid

• Current food produced: Up to 25%

• Planned food produced: Up to 25%

• Food produced locally:Between 26-49%

TIMING IS EVERYTHING BUT THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES

They say  (whoever they is) "Timing is everything." Well it sure made a difference for us Saturday evening about 8pm.

It was friend Lynn's suggestion to attend the open house at  Blue Fruit Farm on Wiscoy Ridge outside of Winona, Minnesota that afternoon. We thoroughly enjoyed our visit to perhaps one of the oldest cooperatives in the area (tomorrow's entry) but it is what happened after we left the farm and  detoured to Winona for some dinner that became our adventure. 

We were a bit disappointed we couldn't eat at the Blue Heron in Winona as it was closed due to a private party. Down the street we grabbed a bite at the Acoustic Cafe and before leaving town we did stop for gas. It was an excellent choice to stop then as we would soon discover.  

Our fate awaited us just less than 10 minutes later as the cars in front of us had come to a complete halt on the river highway. Obviously, there had been an accident.

We were in the left lane and very close to one of those few crossover places in the median where there's a sign saying it's illegal to make a U turn. I would say about a dozen cars road the shoulder behind us and even some in front of us made that illegal turn. My passengers and I decided to wait it out thinking how long could it be. And I should add a police car eventually parked there blocking and preventing folks from making that decision. 

Eventually we heard from one of the policemen that a semi had caught on fire not from an accident but from a faulty brake system and luckily no one was hurt. 

Night fell and the line of lights behind us grew out of sight. Numerous emergency vehicles passed us on both shoulders. Firetrucks, ambulance, police cars, a water truck and eventually a tow truck. Halleluyah, soon we'd be on our way.

No such luck even after the smoke ahead indicated the fire had been put out. Two hours had passed and then the water truck which had left, returned. Apparently the fire was not out and reignited.

During our stand still, windows were opened and closed, engine started and restarted numerous times to re-cool the car. We talked, laughed, played a car game, almost started the car trip singing, trying to make the best of the situation. 

Each of my passengers would feel the need to get out of the car to stretch and go talk to somebody else. Surprisingly enough there weren't many folks doing that. Since I had just seen a movie where a person opened their car door and had it ripped off by another vehicle and ended up in the hospital, you wouldn't have found me getting out. Thank goodness I had relieved myself at the restaurant and not drunken the entire glass of iced tea.

Three hours later we were finally on our way.  


I handed Lynn my camera quickly.
And as Bob Hope would sing, "Thanks for the memories. "

Poor semi

Later we would learn the highway had been closed and traffic rerouted to the other side of the river. Timing is everything, eh? No clue when that occurred but thankful there had been that gas stop/ we would have been out of gas.

FOTO FRIDAY:BERRY RICH

FOTO FRIDAY :  It becomes apparent how much some things just love the heat. Case in point: our bumper crop of raspberries this summer. Not much entices Natureman to move in the morning more than going out the door to pick fresh berries for his breakfast.

You can see why...

Nothing beats that freshness. We indeed feel 'berry' rich.

What do you find thriving in your gardens this summer?

Last week found me appreciating the humanoids: BUDDIES

TBT: FABULOUS FRENCH ADVENTURE

TBT: One year ago I embarked on the Fabulous French Adventure Filled with a Friend, Fun and everything French especially, Food and of course, Fabulous art. 

It becomes even more special as I have also through Facebook just reconnected with a Former student who I taught when she was in elementary school. Raquel (alias Jasmine) is continuing her passions in the Art field. I'm so excited to hear more and I dedicate this entry to her as she loves art.

In case you missed it/ want to visit France through someone else's experiences here's that beginning link. To continue if interested just always go to the bottom of each entry and press Newer Post. Bon Voyage. And when my other life interrupts it check for TBT. I can send you the links. 

It's time for me to assemble that scrapbook... Thanks for the impetus 'Raquel!'

FABULOUS FRENCH ADVENTURE

My most favorite part : LUMIERES

OPTIMISM IS WEAKENING...

Every household needs an optimist. In the End of the Rainbow Valley ours is Natureman. Well, that was until now.  It'd be nice to attribute it just to his social consciousness re: our country's political chaos and mishigas (craziness) of that 1%greed. BUT seriously that's just the same old, same old. So what rocked Natureman's optimism boat?

Was it this past week's issues of a house air exchanger dying, the weed whacker after a month in repair being unfixable, needing to replace a tractor tire and rim, kitchen floor choice discontinued, another periodontal visit, the lingering mouse smell in his new car, finding another dead chicken, the raccoon invasion, having to put our dog to sleep/ a cranky partner? 

Money can fix many of these things but the emotional ones are another issue. When the outside world and your own personal world emotions collide,  balance is interrupted. The End of the Rainbow Valley has always been his sanctuary, an escape from the outside world.

Maybe he will awaken today with optimism renewed/ maybe it will take a little longer.  Perhaps seeing raccoon #6 in the trap this morning will help. Gee, one of us needs to see the glass as half full.

WORSE THAN SKUNKED

Here in the End of the Rainbow this gardening season has been a  disaster as we have been inundated by chipmunks, squirrels, bunnies, deer and raccoons. This critter population explosion happens when one's sentry ie dog is too old to pursue the creatures wreaking havoc. 

Destruction in the vegetable garden has included decimation of the peas, beans, broccoli, cauliflower and greens. It doesn't take much for a deer to jump a 4ft fence nor for raccoons to scale that same fence/ for bunnies to find enough space to crawl under the fencing to help themselves to the buffet line. 

Then take one evening when both a big and small trap were set by the chicken coop as we had discovered a dead chicken that morning. Upon checking the cages's status the following morning, the small trap had been sprung and the large trap was missing. After scouring the area there on the opposite side of our large garden bed was the missing trap. Obviously the captured soul had dragged it, determined to escape. She was successful both in escaping and trampling an entire row of greens. 

Now I don't mind sharing but destroying my favorite flower planters after knocking them over looking for grubs is plain rude. Don't you agree? There's not one planter left that hasn't been glued back together. 

Well, after one week 5 raccoons have been captured at the coop and relocated together.  We don't believe in separating parents from children. Just saying.

Mama Raccoon and her 4 offspring have been relocated together.

When you live in the woods you always know you're on someone else's turf.  You have to adapt ie taking in the jelly for the birds and getting to the corn before those four legged creatures beat you.  Sometimes you may lose the entire crop. Well, maybe those working cats will help a bit after they are acclimated. 

Never a dull moment here in the End of the Rainbow Valley. 

DRIFTLESS ...

We definitely drifted in the right direction westward on Saturday afternoon with the clouds to Viroqua and the 7th Driftless Music Festival.  

It was an afternoon and evening filled with free great music and entertainment for the community sponsored by individuals and businesses. 

 

Predicted rain avoided the area and the park provided nice shade and what was really 'hot' was the music by the late afternoon groups we heard -

- In Black 'n White  

and  

Cedryl Ballou and The Zydeco Trendsetters.

Besides music, fun for the kids included bubbles, juggling and the park's terrific jungle gym equipment.

There was also a raffle drawing inbetween our stay of the 2 musical groups which included certificates for a one night stay in a local AirBnB, eating at the Rooted Spoon, a massage, the James Beard award winning Driftless Cafe, and the banjo pictured above.  

Enjoying moving to the music 

To combat the day's humidity volunteers flitted about with  water bottles offering spritzing  whether one was dancing/ just listening/ watching from lawn chairs/ blankets. 

Of course, there were also food vendors offering all types of yummy food and drink for the hungry/ thirsty.  
The reggae and cajun music had me yearning southern eats so I tried the pulled chicken dinner which also included rice and bean and slaw. YUM. Like a true southerner I asked for extra hot sauce. 
In addition to southern fare bar-b-que there were hotdogs, wood fired pizza, burgers, italian beef sandwiches, ice cream and kettle korn...

Tacos were also being sold by the Youth Initiative High School. Look at their impressive Mission Statement below- 

And how many festivals do you attend where you can buy locally made organic soda ?



A community event in Viroqua would not be complete without ecological messages with some dedicated souls raising con-sciousness to make this world a better place.  Thanks for your efforts!




As usual it was a wonderful community music filled gathering. Where else can you rub elbows with the town and farming community, artists and local politicians while listening to good music? ( Viroqua Mayor Karen Mischel and her pooch were sitting behind us) 

Word is getting out about the great talent at this local music festival as I met folks from all over and attendance appears to be growing.  From my postings you probably realize if you haven't already, you really need to visit southwestern Wisconsin...