In the event of a close encounter of my own personal kind, I have busied myself learning the 5 musical notes from the movie, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, and their corresponding Curwen hand signs.
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| (One Octave Lower) |
Monday, August 6, 2012
Shady Oaks International Airport
Just down Shady Oaks Road, across from Shady Oaks Campground, which I call home for the summer, is a new landing field. The Shady Oaks International Airport, with it's inviting, well manicured landing strip is just waiting for air traffic. Although I haven't seen anything coming or going during the day, I am quite sure ETs and alien space craft are considering it a strong possibility for a landing site in the near future.
In the event of a close encounter of my own personal kind, I have busied myself learning the 5 musical notes from the movie, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, and their corresponding Curwen hand signs.
In the event of a close encounter of my own personal kind, I have busied myself learning the 5 musical notes from the movie, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, and their corresponding Curwen hand signs.
Sunday, August 5, 2012
Where Do The Children Play?
This is what greeted my sister last week when she went to work. My sister is a principal of an elementary school with a staff of about 65 and 350 students. Teachers are scheduled to report to work Aug 15 with the first day of class Aug 21.
This mess is the result of construction being done to a school administrative building next door to the school. The dirt area was, prior to being ripped up, the north play area at her school. The playground was blacktop and there were several painted games on the surface such as hopscotch and several poles and baskets for ball games. Obviously the play equipment was ripped out when they tore up the blacktop. Does this mean the construction company and/or the school district is going to provide NEW playground equipment?
The doors leading to this play area are also fire exits – and the sidewalk is part of the handicapped accessible entrance. Obviously there is no longer access to a handicapped entrance and the area, a construction site, is not suitable as a meeting area for children in event of fire.
Students in the building are pre-kindergarten to 4th grade. Just how easy is it going to be to keep kids that age from heading right for the ‘dirt pile?’ And there are plenty of dirt piles, including a PIT where they had to dig out the old boiler heating units for the building next door.
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| The brick building in the bacck is the school building. |
Seems to me someone in school administration or on the school board failed to read or understand the contract and specifications adequately; the construction company did as they darn well pleased regardless of the specifications; or, there are a whole lot of folks that just didn’t give a damn!
As I see it, there are less than 15 days to get that area resurfaced suitable for children to play, replace the missing activity equipment, repair the handicapped accessible entrance way and clean up the construction site adequately for the safety of children. I wonder when the Fire Marshall is scheduled to inspect the building for readiness and safety.
"I know we've come a long way,
We're changing day to day,
so tell me, where do the children play?"
~~ Cat Stevens, 1970
Saturday, August 4, 2012
Starting August with a Day Trip!
Had planned on signing up for a one day quilting class at the local college, but when I went to register, I found that I would end up spending way too much money for the supplies required -- not that they required that many supplies, but I would have to buy some tools and equipment that I already had but just didn't have with me - hadn't planned on doing any quilting! AND, then I realized it was more geared to machine quilting -- I could have adapted to hand quilting -- my poor Mother would have rolled over in her grave if she thought I was doing ANY quilting on the machine! So quilting class is out this summer. Wish they had more adult courses offered at the local college during the summer - most are fall and winter and I'm not here.
Didn’t get to Indianola to watch the balloons lift off last year, it was on my list for this year, but again the “schedule gods” weren’t aligned! So, will put it on the list for next year!
Friday the 3rd I headed out to the Highway 141 garage sale. About 100+ miles of garage sales in and around the communities along Highway 141. Was grateful to get home without accident or injury!!
Since I’m really a ‘back roads’ kinda gal (when I’m not towing a trailer!) I decided not to take the interstate over to Hwy 141. I headed west on Highway 30, south on Hwy 65 from Colo, picked up route 210 at Maxwell and headed west to Madrid, then south on route 17 to Granger.
Just after I left Madrid, something gleaming from the field to my right caught my eye. A Hindu Temple in an Iowa field? YUP! By the time I realized what it was, I had to turn around and go back – got lined up on the side of the road for a picture or two – no camera! WHAT! Me without a camera! That’s right, I couldn’t find it in my purse or on the seat. Disappointed, turn around and head to Granger. While in town I looked for somewhere to pick up a ‘use it once’ develop the film kinda camera. Ended up finding a ‘going out of business sale’ at the Pamida store. Picked up a digital camera CHEAP – obviously not a fancy one!
I had picked up Highway 141 at Granger so decided to continue west then pick up the Hindu Temple on the way home. Traveled down the road watching all of the “Sale” signs as I drove by. Vehicles parked on both sides of the highway, lines of people around the tables. Tents and awnings set up in driveways, city parks, parking lots. With Iowa’s narrow shoulders on the road, there were places that was just wide enough for one vehicle to go down the road. I’m surprised more folks aren’t rear-ended or people hit! I slowed down considerably when I realized that many people just wandered out in the middle of the road to cross to the other side. WHEW! And I have to mention the brilliant guy that pulled over, opened his door, got out and left his door wide open! Veer to the left and avoid that!
The further I went down the highway, the heavier the crowds and traffic. And then, at a small town called Jamaica, population 237, my air conditioner died! Well over 90 degrees, not a cloud in the sky, sun beating in my windows, I’m without an A/C!
Decided to pull out of the rat-race and go into Coon Rapids, called it a day on the sales. I hadn’t found a thing to eat – plenty of vendors but each one had a line to long to wait in standing in the sun! So my diet consisted of two 44 oz ice teas and a can of Pringles! Oh, and a chocolate chip cookie. And what was your Carbohydrate count on Friday?!
Are you ready to Day-Trip with me? Now you see why my sister isn’t too excited about these trips!
Heading west on Hwy 141 a few miles to Hwy 71, take that north to Carroll. And, there it was – on Highway 141 – a barn quilt!
At Carroll, I head east on Highway 30, the old Lincoln Highway. At Grand Junction, I took Route 144 back down to Perry. I think they should rename route 144 Wind Turbine Alley!
Then headed east on Highway 141 headed back to Granger for a couple of pictures, then up to Madrid with a stop at the Des Moines River for a picture. I can’t believe the water level is so low. The riverbed is mostly grass. Just north of the river bridge was the Hindu Temple and Cultural Center. Pictures taken, I head back the way I came – to Madrid, to Maxwell, to Colo and back to Marshalltown.
Didn’t get to Indianola to watch the balloons lift off last year, it was on my list for this year, but again the “schedule gods” weren’t aligned! So, will put it on the list for next year!
Friday the 3rd I headed out to the Highway 141 garage sale. About 100+ miles of garage sales in and around the communities along Highway 141. Was grateful to get home without accident or injury!!
Since I’m really a ‘back roads’ kinda gal (when I’m not towing a trailer!) I decided not to take the interstate over to Hwy 141. I headed west on Highway 30, south on Hwy 65 from Colo, picked up route 210 at Maxwell and headed west to Madrid, then south on route 17 to Granger.
Just after I left Madrid, something gleaming from the field to my right caught my eye. A Hindu Temple in an Iowa field? YUP! By the time I realized what it was, I had to turn around and go back – got lined up on the side of the road for a picture or two – no camera! WHAT! Me without a camera! That’s right, I couldn’t find it in my purse or on the seat. Disappointed, turn around and head to Granger. While in town I looked for somewhere to pick up a ‘use it once’ develop the film kinda camera. Ended up finding a ‘going out of business sale’ at the Pamida store. Picked up a digital camera CHEAP – obviously not a fancy one!
I had picked up Highway 141 at Granger so decided to continue west then pick up the Hindu Temple on the way home. Traveled down the road watching all of the “Sale” signs as I drove by. Vehicles parked on both sides of the highway, lines of people around the tables. Tents and awnings set up in driveways, city parks, parking lots. With Iowa’s narrow shoulders on the road, there were places that was just wide enough for one vehicle to go down the road. I’m surprised more folks aren’t rear-ended or people hit! I slowed down considerably when I realized that many people just wandered out in the middle of the road to cross to the other side. WHEW! And I have to mention the brilliant guy that pulled over, opened his door, got out and left his door wide open! Veer to the left and avoid that!
The further I went down the highway, the heavier the crowds and traffic. And then, at a small town called Jamaica, population 237, my air conditioner died! Well over 90 degrees, not a cloud in the sky, sun beating in my windows, I’m without an A/C!
Decided to pull out of the rat-race and go into Coon Rapids, called it a day on the sales. I hadn’t found a thing to eat – plenty of vendors but each one had a line to long to wait in standing in the sun! So my diet consisted of two 44 oz ice teas and a can of Pringles! Oh, and a chocolate chip cookie. And what was your Carbohydrate count on Friday?!
As I entered Coon Rapids from the south, I was greeted with the sculpture Hybrid Icons by Iowa artist David Dahlquist. The silo-like structures contain representation of corn DNA. They celebrate Coon Rapids' role in the production of hybrid seed corn as well as international relations in agriculture following the visit of Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev in 1959. (That grass should be green, not brown!)
Pulled of the road in Coon Rapids to call my sister and tell her I was heading back, no A/C. As I got out of the truck, I spilled my ice tea for the second time – can you tell this was a good day!? And there it was – between the seats, my camera. Now I have two cameras but can’t find my cell phone! Had my TracFone in my purse – out of range, no service. The day was getting better. As I got back in the truck, after sweeping out the ice tea, there was my cell phone under the seat! It had evidentially fallen on the floor and when I was trying to kick my ice tea mug to the upright position, I must have kicked the phone under them seat. Are you ready to Day-Trip with me? Now you see why my sister isn’t too excited about these trips!
Heading west on Hwy 141 a few miles to Hwy 71, take that north to Carroll. And, there it was – on Highway 141 – a barn quilt!
Then headed east on Highway 141 headed back to Granger for a couple of pictures, then up to Madrid with a stop at the Des Moines River for a picture. I can’t believe the water level is so low. The riverbed is mostly grass. Just north of the river bridge was the Hindu Temple and Cultural Center. Pictures taken, I head back the way I came – to Madrid, to Maxwell, to Colo and back to Marshalltown.
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| Granger, the old and the new. That little water tower just couldn't handle the job! |
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| Des Moines River. The rock should be the bank! |
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| Hindu Temple & Cultural Center |
285 miles later, I had supper with my sister at El Portal for shrimp quesadilla. She had already called the auto repair place and I have an appointment for Thursday. They can’t have it any earlier – I have a lunch date with Ingrid and Sherri in Pella on Wednesday!
Kalona's Sidewalk Quilts
With a rich local quilting heitage, Kalona has long been considered the Quilt Capital of Iowa, and the placed quilters go for supplies and shows. Now, the town has taken its love of quilting to a whole new level, incorporating quilt blocks into the sidewalks downtown.
Considering the town's long connection to quilting, when it was decided to improve the main shopping area, incorporating quilt block designs into the new sidewalks seemed to be the appropriate thing to do. There are 42 blocks embedded in the sidewalk. Each 6 ft x 6 ft quilt block was built into the sidewalk using a variety of color infused bricks. Quilt patterns selected are reminiscent of the Amish and Mennonite heritage and quilt blocks from families around town.
Grinnell to Pella to Newton and Home
July 18, Bea and I headed off on another road trip. I was still without my truck and Bea was at the wheel! Definitely cannot come to Iowa without Dutch Letter Pastries from Jaarsma Bakery in Pella, so off we went. Enroute, we stopped in Grinnell so I could get some pictures of the Sullivan "Jewel Box" Bank.
Located in downtown, Grinnell, The “Jewel Box Bank” is one of the small banks designed by Louis Sullivan between 1909 and 1919. Built in 1914, the original part of the bank now houses the Grinnell Chamber of Commerce.
A “Victorian” architect, Sullivan was born in Boston and studied at MIT and in Paris at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts. As a founder of the “Prairie School” of architecture, Frank Lloyd Wright was one of his students. Additional photos can be seen at this website: http://www.galenfrysinger.com/iowa_grinnell_merchants_bank.htm
A “Victorian” architect, Sullivan was born in Boston and studied at MIT and in Paris at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts. As a founder of the “Prairie School” of architecture, Frank Lloyd Wright was one of his students. Additional photos can be seen at this website: http://www.galenfrysinger.com/iowa_grinnell_merchants_bank.htm
Then on to Pella to the bakery, to Ulrich's meat market for some ring bologna and bacon as only made in Pella and to the Windmill Cafe for a piece of sinfully delicious buttermilk pecan pie!
On the way back to Marshalltown, we drove through Newton, IA to locate some of the wall murals painted by Carl Homstad. An artist from Decorah, Iowa, he received his BA in Art from Luther College (Decorah, IA) and continued his studies in Europe, China and Japan. He has painted more than 40 large outside murals over the last 30 years.
We stopped at Montana Mikes for a late lunch/early supper and headed home. Once back in Marshalltown, we drove downtown to see the murals Homstad painted in Marshalltown.
July 24, 2012 RAGBRAI Comes to Marshalltown
Started in 1973, the Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa is a non-competitive recreational bicycle ride across the state. Traditionally, the ride starts with the rear wheels of the bike in the Missouri or Big Sioux River on Iowa’s western border and ends on the eastern border with the front wheels in the Mississippi River. The route changes each year and averages 475 miles. Eight "host communities" are selected each year; the start community, 6 overnight stops and the ending community. Each day’s ride averages 65-70 miles. This year’s route totaled 471 miles.
Limited to 8,500 week-long riders and 1,500 day riders, unregistered riders can double that number. This year they came to Marshalltown from all over the United States and from every Continent.
Traveling just ahead or following the riders are the team support vans, buses, RVs, and trailers. Teams add a non-cycling aspect to the event.
Many bikers travel with teams, readily identifiable by their matching jerseys, hats, etc. Over the years, some teams have gained a well-deserved reputation for hard partying and hearty drinking; however most are a little more serious about the trek across the state. Teams often customize old school buses and vans which serve as transportation to the starting point , serve as ‘club house,’ supply and parts room and many times sleeping areas, then provide the ride home aft er the end of the ride. Most can be identified by their paint jobs, team logos and the bike platform and rack on top and back. Many also carry large plastic barrels full of water. During the day the water warms and at the end of the ride a hose is attached and it magically becomes a shower!
Probably the most visible was Team Cow. The bikes are painted in a black and white “Holstein cow” motif and the rider’s jerseys and riding shorts sport the same design.
Bicycle clubs and for-profit companies provide support for riders. For a fee, “Charters” transport riders to and from the ride, secure camping areas, pitch tents, provide some bicycle repair services, and offer additional evening activities. Porkbelly Charters promises, “Live like a pig on RAGBRAI!” Probably the “classiest” group was Team Gourmet. Partially sponsored by Heineken’s, they had their own chef traveling as part of their support team and a full gourmet meal was prepared and served each evening.
With temperatures reaching triple digits and heat index close to 110 degrees, many in town made sure the scorching hot temperatures didn't get the best of riders as they had hooked up their garden hoses and sprayed and misted the riders as they rode into town. One rider commented to the local newspaper, "That was the best introduction coming into a town that we've had. There were 50 people squirting us with water. That was awesome."
Along with welcome signs in many languages, and crowds of city folk setting in lawn chairs along the route cheering them on, on one corner several people had formed a band and played patriotic tunes as the riders came down Main Street into town.
Once in town, volunteers were on the corners handing out directions to camping areas, food, recreation activities, etc. Nearly every street corner had homemade signs directing the various biking groups and clubs to their meeting areas. Designated camping areas were Riverview Park, Anson City Park and the Central Iowa Fairgrounds. Riverview Park hosted thousands of riders as tents popped up all over, including the dog park. I certainly hope the city had their pooper scoopers out there early!
Setting on a street corner in the middle of town was a 7 ft tall metal “red Solo cup.” The Logo of the Marshalltown RAGBRAI committee, it was actually a sprayer with a continual misting of cooling water.
From Indiana, Randy Frey and his daughter Abigail wanted to do something as father and daughter and chose to ride RAGBRAI. Mrs. Frey came along as the “support team.” Frey and his wife are both cancer survivors and ride with the group, Spokes for Life, all cancer survivors.
The youngest riders, Carson and Clayton Drummond, 9 and 12, from Sanford, FL rode with their 11-year-old cousin Christian Diack, from Daytona, FL. Miles of hills and heat didn't scare 3. These kids took off an headed to the front of the pack and stayed right there. "The heat didn't bother us; we're Floridians," Christian said. "Everyone's really nice here, it just smells different," Carson said. Welcome to Iowa, Carson!!
The Rainout! Severe thunderstorms hit just around 8:45 p.m. The weather halted most of the live entertainment on the courthouse lawn. As wind, rain and lightening arrived, riders who were camping out were sent to shelters at their campsites or shuttled by bus to other shelters in town including The Salvation Army and local churches. The only reported damage to any campsites was at the fairgrounds.
No injuries were reported because of the storm. The Medical Center reported 20 heat-related illnesses related to RAGBRAI and about 10 others with various injuries.
Nearly 75 % of the riders were on their way by 8:30AM, Thursday, and headed through Garwin and several other small town before the next overnight stop in Cedar Rapids.
Why would people subject themselves to sleeping on the ground with no air conditioning during a heat wave, major physical exertion pedaling long days and up hills – then call it a vacation? For the thrill of it all! As on rider from Mesa, AZ put it, “You can either have adventures or you can have regrets!”
A rider from Houston TX said he could handle the heat and the humidity, but in Iowa, “there is a third H. HILLS!”
As the riders pass thru the various towns along the route, residents provide a wide variety of pastries, baked goods and local foods. Home-baked fruit pies have become nearly synonymous with RAGBRAI. One rider was overheard commenting, “These grandmas can make the best pie!”
Team Canada consisted of 4 riders from Manitoba, Newfoundland and Ontario. One commented: ‘You can train for the mileage and the hills, but you can’t train for the humidity and the wind.”
Limited to 8,500 week-long riders and 1,500 day riders, unregistered riders can double that number. This year they came to Marshalltown from all over the United States and from every Continent.
Traveling just ahead or following the riders are the team support vans, buses, RVs, and trailers. Teams add a non-cycling aspect to the event.
Probably the most visible was Team Cow. The bikes are painted in a black and white “Holstein cow” motif and the rider’s jerseys and riding shorts sport the same design.
Bicycle clubs and for-profit companies provide support for riders. For a fee, “Charters” transport riders to and from the ride, secure camping areas, pitch tents, provide some bicycle repair services, and offer additional evening activities. Porkbelly Charters promises, “Live like a pig on RAGBRAI!” Probably the “classiest” group was Team Gourmet. Partially sponsored by Heineken’s, they had their own chef traveling as part of their support team and a full gourmet meal was prepared and served each evening.
With temperatures reaching triple digits and heat index close to 110 degrees, many in town made sure the scorching hot temperatures didn't get the best of riders as they had hooked up their garden hoses and sprayed and misted the riders as they rode into town. One rider commented to the local newspaper, "That was the best introduction coming into a town that we've had. There were 50 people squirting us with water. That was awesome."
Along with welcome signs in many languages, and crowds of city folk setting in lawn chairs along the route cheering them on, on one corner several people had formed a band and played patriotic tunes as the riders came down Main Street into town.
Once in town, volunteers were on the corners handing out directions to camping areas, food, recreation activities, etc. Nearly every street corner had homemade signs directing the various biking groups and clubs to their meeting areas. Designated camping areas were Riverview Park, Anson City Park and the Central Iowa Fairgrounds. Riverview Park hosted thousands of riders as tents popped up all over, including the dog park. I certainly hope the city had their pooper scoopers out there early!
From Indiana, Randy Frey and his daughter Abigail wanted to do something as father and daughter and chose to ride RAGBRAI. Mrs. Frey came along as the “support team.” Frey and his wife are both cancer survivors and ride with the group, Spokes for Life, all cancer survivors.
The youngest riders, Carson and Clayton Drummond, 9 and 12, from Sanford, FL rode with their 11-year-old cousin Christian Diack, from Daytona, FL. Miles of hills and heat didn't scare 3. These kids took off an headed to the front of the pack and stayed right there. "The heat didn't bother us; we're Floridians," Christian said. "Everyone's really nice here, it just smells different," Carson said. Welcome to Iowa, Carson!!
The Rainout! Severe thunderstorms hit just around 8:45 p.m. The weather halted most of the live entertainment on the courthouse lawn. As wind, rain and lightening arrived, riders who were camping out were sent to shelters at their campsites or shuttled by bus to other shelters in town including The Salvation Army and local churches. The only reported damage to any campsites was at the fairgrounds.
No injuries were reported because of the storm. The Medical Center reported 20 heat-related illnesses related to RAGBRAI and about 10 others with various injuries.
Nearly 75 % of the riders were on their way by 8:30AM, Thursday, and headed through Garwin and several other small town before the next overnight stop in Cedar Rapids.
Why would people subject themselves to sleeping on the ground with no air conditioning during a heat wave, major physical exertion pedaling long days and up hills – then call it a vacation? For the thrill of it all! As on rider from Mesa, AZ put it, “You can either have adventures or you can have regrets!”
A rider from Houston TX said he could handle the heat and the humidity, but in Iowa, “there is a third H. HILLS!”
As the riders pass thru the various towns along the route, residents provide a wide variety of pastries, baked goods and local foods. Home-baked fruit pies have become nearly synonymous with RAGBRAI. One rider was overheard commenting, “These grandmas can make the best pie!”
Team Canada consisted of 4 riders from Manitoba, Newfoundland and Ontario. One commented: ‘You can train for the mileage and the hills, but you can’t train for the humidity and the wind.”
July is Winding Down
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| Judi Cook Britt |
Again with my sister driving – we went to Pella on the 18th so I could get my Dutch Letter pastries and some good bologna at the Dutch Market, then on to Grinnell to see the Sullivan “Jewel Box” Bank architecture, then off to Newton to see the wall murals painted by Carl Homstad. We stopped at Montana Mikes for a late lunch, early supper and headed home. Once back in Marshalltown, we drove downtown to see the murals he painted in Marshalltown.
Had an appointment with Dr Thomas on the 20th – just keeping an eye on things since the stent placement; will see him again in September unless I’m on the road back to Texas. I so appreciate the fact that he agreed to take me on as a patient so I have someone to depend on while I’m in Iowa!
Wednesday the 25th RAGBRAI arrived in Marshalltown as an over-night stop. Amazing what an influx of about 20,000 can do to a town! Wednesday nite a storm, winds, rain, hail rolled through scattering the bikers in their tents into shelters. Must have been a short night for them; back on the road by 8AM with 60+ miles to ride to Cedar Rapids. At least the storm brought some cooler weather for their ride on Thursday.
Saturday the 28th Bea and I went to Stringtown Grocery at Kalona. I love that little Amish bulk grocery. Stock up on herbs, spices, some baking supplies and of course pick up some fresh baked goods! Not too sure my sister was really impressed, probably won’t do any of her own shopping there – but she did pick up a peach pie! Then into Kalona so I could get some pics of the sidewalk quilt squares in the main business area. Some are ‘memorials,’ others are sponsored by various businesses and families. Had a nice lunch at the Family Restaurant, stopped in at The Bakery and the General Store. Love shopping in that little town! I can always find something in Kalona that isn’t usually found in other stores.
Info and pics on the trips to Grinnell, Newton, Kalona and the RAGBRAI when I can get my darn picture program straightened out! A computer whiz, I'm NOT!
And July comes to an end – still needing a cool front and rain, lots of rain. At least 10 inches just to catch up…but certainly don’t want it all at once!
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