Soldier’s Grove, Wisconsin
I worked in Soldier’s Grove today with Nicole and Helena. There is a river there called the Kickapoo River and they say it is the oldest river in the world. Any takers on researching this? Here is the co-op in Gays Mills where we did an install next door and then ducked in for some organic snackin’.
Then on the way home we drove through a very quaint one store town where we were inspired to pose for a picture:
Onalaska, Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a lot prettier than I expected it to be. I had already visited the eastern side of the state with Jeff, but I hadn’t noticed how many rolling hills and trees and beautiful farms made up the state. And the Amish. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve gotten stuck behind a horse and buggy on long roads where you can’t pass. It’s really hard to make your minivan go 5mph. And folks, that is officially how fast a horse and buggy go. Trust me.
Speaking of the Amish. Can someone fill me in on what they believe? Because apparently they will ride in a car if someone else drives it and I saw a group of Amish kids playing with nerf baseball bats and such. I wish I had a camera and could have sneaked a picture, because seeing these kids in their drab clothing in front of their little farm swinging the flourescent orange bats and throwing the big bright yellow nerf balls was quite the sight.
Salisbury, Maryland
I went to D.C. this weekend and was met with the best weather I could have asked for. Sunny and warm. Warm for me anyway. I could wear my coat or not and still be comfortable.
Hung out with Nicole, Ruth, and a couple of Ruth’s friends. But mostly wandered around seeing the classic D.C. stuff.
My library from Thursday and Friday was great and they had birds that added to the atmosphere. I told them I had heard of library cats, but never birds. They couldn’t believe a library would have a cat and I looked at them quizzically and said, ” but you have birds?” They thought it was hilarious. Great group. I thought is was funny that two of the birds were love birds, but they were in separate cages. The woman who took me over to introduce me to the birds told me not to get too close because they were mean as hell. I said I didn’t think they were so much in love then. Again, she thought that was really funny. So who wouldn’t like hanging out in a place where people are nice and they think you’re witty. Then as I was coming back on the second day, I noticed the sign welcoming people to the town.
It all made sense.
So I’m 27 today. Wow. I feel so much older than that. Especially in the last two years. I remember when I started this job and I would be reading on the plane, people would always ask me if the book was for school and if I was on vacation. Now nobody even cards me when I order drinks. Argh.
Yesterday I had a great day. Brenda and I arrived in Bend Oregon and roamed the streets. What a great town! We had an amazing dinner at Merenda downtown. We shared Fire Roasted Mussels, an amazing veggie platter with acorn squash and brown butter, and a giant crab that was cooked in a way I’ve never had. SO GOOD! We shared a bottle of wine and some dessert as well. Really pampered myself, pre-birthday. Then moved on to Fiddy’s which was a total dive with local appeal, then on to the Winterfest where we relaxed in a Jazz and Java tent on this couch they had dragged in there. Then stumbled upon a martini bar where we really squatted for quite a while. A great time.
Today Brenda and Erin took me to the Deschutes Brewery which was great but we weren’t hungry enough for all the food we ordered. They also gave me bath salt, a barnes and noble gift card and two french translation and phrases books for my trip to Europe. I felt so special. I haven’t really celebrated my birthday in years so this was really nice. I can’t believe they got me gifts. Way too nice especially since I’ve been talking their ears off the last week and a half. They’ve got to be sick of me. 🙂
Thank you to everyone who called or e-mailed or gave me a shout out in their blog today. I’ve never felt so loved! Wow!
Now back to our regularly scheduled program.
My most recent addiction is Hot Tea. Every chance I get I’ve been ordering pots of tea. I love it. There is something extremely comforting in a hot pot of tea. I wish I had one right now. Usually in the hotel room I put the tea bag in place of a coffee filter in the coffee maker and it makes a nice big pot of tea. Unfortunately I don’t have a coffee pot in this hotel room. Oh the simple pleasures of life we take for granted.
One of my favorite trips was when I went on the Celestial Seasonings tour in Boulder. They let us go into their peppermint tea room that is sealed off. They have to seal it or else you would be able to smell peppermint for miles around, they said. Which of course would taint all the other tea in the factory. Very cool tour.
Besides, I have a fetish for factories. It dates back to Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood. Is it just me or did Lady Elaine in Make-Believe Land seem very much like a man. She reminds me of Eddie Izzard. Hmmm…
First off, check out my MOVIE LISTS on the left. Click the links and browse the crappy movies I’ve watched this year. Then feel free to make fun of me and trash my choices. Just know that I haven’t seen any other movies except what’s listed so I may be missing some amazing ones.
Where am I these days? Oregon. Baker City. Nestled in the hills. Kind of cute. I can just see me with my kids in the future as an old mom during a road trip through here, boring them with the tales of my life. Anywho.
Getting amped to go to London and Paris next week. It hasn’t totally sunk in. I’m still thinking of it as just another trip. But here and there I have moments where I remember this is not for work and I’ll have total free time. Very cool. Would love tips on what to do or see.
I’m wacthing the Osbournes right now. In the words of Erin Hawk, I heart The Osbournes. I just have a soft spot in my heart for Ozzy and Sharon. Kelly is throwing little temper tamptrums on this episode and all I can think is how much she is going to hate these episodes when she gets older. They showed an old documentary on the family from about 8 years ago. It was really cute. The kids were still sweet and Ozzy was a bit more coherent. But the patterns he had then are still true. I loved it. I’m pathetic.
Had a great dinner in the room with Brenda and Erin after The State of the Union. Here we are eager to eat:
