An oddly specific fortune reveals one parent's desire...
"You could make a name for yourself in the field of medicine."
from a recent Chinese food dinner (fortune cookie's prediction or ...wishful thinking?)
Sunday, December 29, 2013
Thursday, December 19, 2013
special prize...
There should be a special category of creative misspellings, solely reserved for
incorrect words used on signs/sign boards for houses of worship.
Unfortunately I don't have photographic evidence of this but there was a sign
outside a local church advertising the upcoming sermon about our "savivor"
Oddly (and amusingly) enough, on the OPPOSITE side, the word was spelled correctly?
So, either two different people assembled the sign or one person who had selective spelling
problems?
How odd!
incorrect words used on signs/sign boards for houses of worship.
Unfortunately I don't have photographic evidence of this but there was a sign
outside a local church advertising the upcoming sermon about our "savivor"
Oddly (and amusingly) enough, on the OPPOSITE side, the word was spelled correctly?
So, either two different people assembled the sign or one person who had selective spelling
problems?
How odd!
Thursday, December 12, 2013
Thursday, December 5, 2013
wishes
I wish there was a drive-thru bagel shop.
For those days when it's 13 deg. out and you don't want to get
out of your car again but you want a bagel.
For those days when it's 13 deg. out and you don't want to get
out of your car again but you want a bagel.
Saturday, November 23, 2013
Just like home, you don't always get what you want...
That is the motto at the local diner...
During breakfast today (home of the "giant" pancake) at the local diner, a great mystery ensued.
It seems there was quite a sticky situation created by the mystery of the syrup that could not be located. Apparently at this diner, which has all of about 6 tables + counter seats, each table should have one large bottle of maple syrup (the real stuff too). We were sitting at the counter and I noticed one of the young waitresses whispering furtively to the owner (Larry). Then Larry started eyeballing the tables and came out from behind the counter, bent down, and looked under a table, to the surprise of the customers. Soon the story came out, a bottle of that syrup was missing and unaccounted for.
Had it been misplaced? Had a sticky-fingered customer purposely walked off with it? Seems like it would be awfully hard to conceal such a large syrup bottle unnoticed.
The mystery remains...after trying valiantly to finish off my strawberry rhubarb pancake, and settling our bill, the syrup still hadn't been located...
the mystery continues...
During breakfast today (home of the "giant" pancake) at the local diner, a great mystery ensued.
It seems there was quite a sticky situation created by the mystery of the syrup that could not be located. Apparently at this diner, which has all of about 6 tables + counter seats, each table should have one large bottle of maple syrup (the real stuff too). We were sitting at the counter and I noticed one of the young waitresses whispering furtively to the owner (Larry). Then Larry started eyeballing the tables and came out from behind the counter, bent down, and looked under a table, to the surprise of the customers. Soon the story came out, a bottle of that syrup was missing and unaccounted for.
Had it been misplaced? Had a sticky-fingered customer purposely walked off with it? Seems like it would be awfully hard to conceal such a large syrup bottle unnoticed.
The mystery remains...after trying valiantly to finish off my strawberry rhubarb pancake, and settling our bill, the syrup still hadn't been located...
the mystery continues...
Tuesday, November 12, 2013
too much of a language nerd?
I noticed one of the ads on the bus has a mistake in it. It's actually an ad by the bus service itself.
It has to do with directions for how you should exit the bus. I should take a picture but I'm not sure if I've been back on that same bus again.
On the sign, it tells you to exit through the back or something like that, unless you are "afraid of
a hoard of wild rabbits". But if they are trying to describe a large group or crowd, then the word
should be "horde". There is actually a noun form of the word "hoard" but it means something different.
Is it wrong that this bugs me a bit?
It has to do with directions for how you should exit the bus. I should take a picture but I'm not sure if I've been back on that same bus again.
On the sign, it tells you to exit through the back or something like that, unless you are "afraid of
a hoard of wild rabbits". But if they are trying to describe a large group or crowd, then the word
should be "horde". There is actually a noun form of the word "hoard" but it means something different.
Is it wrong that this bugs me a bit?
Monday, November 11, 2013
contrast...
Today in writing class I talked about the idea of doing comparisons/contrasts.
Here's an example:
Guy I saw at the bus stop: Wearing jeans, flip-flops (no socks) and no hat, his toenails painted purple.
Me: When it's 26 deg. out and snowing: Winter coat, gloves, hat, wool socks
Possibly purple toes if I was not wearing shoes and socks!
Here's an example:
Guy I saw at the bus stop: Wearing jeans, flip-flops (no socks) and no hat, his toenails painted purple.
Me: When it's 26 deg. out and snowing: Winter coat, gloves, hat, wool socks
Possibly purple toes if I was not wearing shoes and socks!
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
living in a phon(e)y world...
As is the case with many stories, today's begins on the bus.
If there is something strange happening or noteworthy, odds are good it is on the bus.
Today I witnessed the following:
As usual on the bus, many many people are immersed in their digital communication. Mostly people just looking at stuff on the phones, which doesn't make any difference to me. Because they are quiet.
Quiet is good. Today a guy got on the bus and sat down. The bus was not overwhelmingly crowded, no one standing in the aisles. He saw a girl he knew sitting in the seat across from him & wiggled his arm, kind of a wave in her direction. She did not notice him, as she was immersed in her phone. Guy gets bright idea-- takes out his phone and calls her. Several seconds later, girl's phone goes off & she looks up and around for a sec- then notices friend and laughs.
Actually that is a pretty benign story.
If there is something strange happening or noteworthy, odds are good it is on the bus.
Today I witnessed the following:
As usual on the bus, many many people are immersed in their digital communication. Mostly people just looking at stuff on the phones, which doesn't make any difference to me. Because they are quiet.
Quiet is good. Today a guy got on the bus and sat down. The bus was not overwhelmingly crowded, no one standing in the aisles. He saw a girl he knew sitting in the seat across from him & wiggled his arm, kind of a wave in her direction. She did not notice him, as she was immersed in her phone. Guy gets bright idea-- takes out his phone and calls her. Several seconds later, girl's phone goes off & she looks up and around for a sec- then notices friend and laughs.
Actually that is a pretty benign story.
Tuesday, October 1, 2013
Doe, a deer...
or six deer... Yesterday while inspecting the ruins/remains of the garden, I saw 6 deer, grazing and frolicking about in the grassy area adjacent to the garden. They were very pretty and cute looking, though probably the responsible parties for the decimation of the garden. One deer did seem to be looking pretty intently in our direction, as if just waiting to come by, jump over the fence, scoff at us, and eat the tops of all the plants.
The mutant preemie cantaloupes don't taste too bad, but the stunted watermelons aren't good.
The mutant preemie cantaloupes don't taste too bad, but the stunted watermelons aren't good.
Monday, September 23, 2013
the caffeiNation
Apparently, at 11:00 EVERYONE gets coffee.
This may be what happens at a place where morning classes mostly end at 10 til the hour.
So, at 11:00 a.m. there are NO short lines for coffee. Unless there is some secret "espresso" line.
I chose overpriced option #2, after realizing both campus coffee spots were hopping.
But go me, for knowing my Minnesotan trivia and remembering that UM's mascot is of course,
the gopher!
This may be what happens at a place where morning classes mostly end at 10 til the hour.
So, at 11:00 a.m. there are NO short lines for coffee. Unless there is some secret "espresso" line.
I chose overpriced option #2, after realizing both campus coffee spots were hopping.
But go me, for knowing my Minnesotan trivia and remembering that UM's mascot is of course,
the gopher!
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
the rain on the plain...
Well, yesterday broke nearly a month long dry spell, with much needed and hoped for rain.
Today back to heat and sun.
Wither goest the poor plants and dead grass...
Today back to heat and sun.
Wither goest the poor plants and dead grass...
Friday, September 13, 2013
Dialects...
In the Midwest? Is this a case of "invasive" dialects, encroaching upon the Midwest. How has this term found its way to Iowa? Land of "pop" and "sack" and the different pronunciation of vowels.
I followed this sign's arrow and came upon a very impressively sized "tag" (aka garage) sale!
Monday, September 9, 2013
Sunday, September 8, 2013
pick a pepper
There are some peppers growing pretty well in the Garden of Doom...
and very very small watermelons. Like the size of my fist.
and very very small watermelons. Like the size of my fist.
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
state fair bulletins...
Glad to report that Butter Cow is still intact. Now if a giant piece of toast came along, whose to say what might happen.
Here is a photo from the fair:
Here is a photo from the fair:
Monday, August 12, 2013
butter cow controversy...
http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/08/12/211386496/iconic-butter-cow-in-iowa-doused-in-red-paint
Won't somebody think of the children....
Because sometimes butter sculptures really arouse passions...
Won't somebody think of the children....
Because sometimes butter sculptures really arouse passions...
back to yames...
Back in Ames...the garden of doom is a weedy mess. The weeds and thistles are flourishing.
So far, it has yielded exactly one banana pepper. Carrots though are a later possibility. Hooray.
So far, it has yielded exactly one banana pepper. Carrots though are a later possibility. Hooray.
Monday, August 5, 2013
travelin'
Traveling is fun and funny. People start speaking to you in French and then you're like, I have no idea what you're saying so you must look slightly bewildered and say Sorry I don't speak French. One very determined young woman who wanted to tell me about puppy mills, and then switched to English to ask me to sign her petition, another lost looking woman, possibly trying to ask me directions to somewhere. Unfortunately could not help her. Big coffeeplaces and bookstore and restaurants, with occasional adult novelty shops with lingerie and XXX movies, thrown in here and there, and money changing shops. It's sort of like Times Square (before it was cleaned up). And
there was some accident, a big piece of construction equipment seems to have fallen into a hole in the road? Lots of people stopped to gawk and police have blocked off the road. I stop to look too. It must be interesting, right, if so many have stopped. Then I detour to walk up the side road. Oddly enough like an hour and a half later, upon walking back, the scene appears to be unchanged. People still gaping, some taking pictures with their phones, police and police cars still there.
there was some accident, a big piece of construction equipment seems to have fallen into a hole in the road? Lots of people stopped to gawk and police have blocked off the road. I stop to look too. It must be interesting, right, if so many have stopped. Then I detour to walk up the side road. Oddly enough like an hour and a half later, upon walking back, the scene appears to be unchanged. People still gaping, some taking pictures with their phones, police and police cars still there.
Monday, July 22, 2013
But wait, there's more...
More new foods to appear at the state fair:
- Carmel Apple Funnel Cake
- Strawberry Funnel Cake
- Maple Bacon Funnel Cake
- Jalapeno Cheese Corndog
- Fresh Tenderloin Sandwich
- Bratwurst on a Pretzel Bun
- Cajun Flavored Cheese Curds
- Deep Fried Prairie Oysters
- Fresh Wood Oven Pizza
- Graham Champion Fair Square
Sunday, July 21, 2013
Kori at the zoo...
A kori bustard that is...
We finally checked out the zoo in Des Moines, which is pretty nice. They have a great exhibit of African animals, including this bird, a native of Tanzania called: the kori bustard! Another highlight of the zoo, the free-range wallabies...
We finally checked out the zoo in Des Moines, which is pretty nice. They have a great exhibit of African animals, including this bird, a native of Tanzania called: the kori bustard! Another highlight of the zoo, the free-range wallabies...
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
Sunday, July 14, 2013
Show me the bunny...
Less than seven days now til the Bunny Hopping competition at the county fair...
Tuesday, July 9, 2013
Thursday, June 27, 2013
summer lovin'
Time to announce the new foods at the upcoming state fair:
http://blogs.desmoinesregister.com/dmr/index.php/2013/06/27/iowa-state-fair-announces-new-foods-shrimp-corndog-brownie-on-a-stick-and-more/article
To be fair, I was a little disappointed, I thought that there was going to be some sort of
monster shrimp corndog brownie (On a stick). These are apparently all separate, distinct
delicacies.
This does sound pretty sweet:
Soft Salted Chocolate-Dipped Almond Pretzel On-a-Stick: It’s a soft pretzel dipped in chocolate almond bark and sprinkled with slivered almonds and a dash of salt,
http://blogs.desmoinesregister.com/dmr/index.php/2013/06/27/iowa-state-fair-announces-new-foods-shrimp-corndog-brownie-on-a-stick-and-more/article
To be fair, I was a little disappointed, I thought that there was going to be some sort of
monster shrimp corndog brownie (On a stick). These are apparently all separate, distinct
delicacies.
This does sound pretty sweet:
Soft Salted Chocolate-Dipped Almond Pretzel On-a-Stick: It’s a soft pretzel dipped in chocolate almond bark and sprinkled with slivered almonds and a dash of salt,
Sunday, June 23, 2013
Pittsburgh pride maybe?
For a while I kept seeing a car with a Steeler's plate frame parked in our apartment parking lot so I knew there must be a Pittsburgher among us ;)
But I never saw the person/driver associated with this car, so I could never comment on it. And in
a recent situation in which I did comment about someone's Steeler's apparel (actually a little kid), it turned out rather awkwardly that they actually had no Pittsburgh connection at all. But I digress...
Earlier I saw a woman in the lot wearing BOTH a Steeler's shirt and a Pirate's cap, and so yes, I knew they must of course be from Pittsburgh. So I did say something and the person seemed a little startled, even after I mentioned that I used to live there. Oh well, who knows what's up with people. It turns out she is the mother of one of my neighbors. But I don't really know any of the neighbors too well.
But I never saw the person/driver associated with this car, so I could never comment on it. And in
a recent situation in which I did comment about someone's Steeler's apparel (actually a little kid), it turned out rather awkwardly that they actually had no Pittsburgh connection at all. But I digress...
Earlier I saw a woman in the lot wearing BOTH a Steeler's shirt and a Pirate's cap, and so yes, I knew they must of course be from Pittsburgh. So I did say something and the person seemed a little startled, even after I mentioned that I used to live there. Oh well, who knows what's up with people. It turns out she is the mother of one of my neighbors. But I don't really know any of the neighbors too well.
little birds...
Yesterday was member appreciation day at the local co-op. One of the local to the area farmers
brings in his baby chicks and ducks, so you can talk with him (he's a really interesting and kind person) and hold adorable little baby chicks and ducks. I think he does it primarily for the kids who find it a mix of fascinating, although some seem a little thrown by the idea. But once they seem to confirm with both their parent and Mr. Olsen (the farmer) that it really, truly is okay for them to hold and pet the little birds, they seem happy with it.
Also there are always good free samples in the store, although this time there weren't any
ice cream ones from the dairy farm.
brings in his baby chicks and ducks, so you can talk with him (he's a really interesting and kind person) and hold adorable little baby chicks and ducks. I think he does it primarily for the kids who find it a mix of fascinating, although some seem a little thrown by the idea. But once they seem to confirm with both their parent and Mr. Olsen (the farmer) that it really, truly is okay for them to hold and pet the little birds, they seem happy with it.
Also there are always good free samples in the store, although this time there weren't any
ice cream ones from the dairy farm.
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Garden of eatin'
Well, the garden is being eaten, by bugs. At least the tomato plants are being noshed on.
So moral of the story?
Even with the bunny proof fence, there are still enemies!
So moral of the story?
Even with the bunny proof fence, there are still enemies!
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Funny things...
Cute: Woman checker at the co-op with little baby sleeping contentedly in
a baby wrap/sling while she rang up customers
Baby seemed oblivious to everything going on
People often compliment our reusable grocery bag!
Funny: talking with the cashier at the hardware store about the Minnesota State fair...
a baby wrap/sling while she rang up customers
Baby seemed oblivious to everything going on
People often compliment our reusable grocery bag!
Funny: talking with the cashier at the hardware store about the Minnesota State fair...
Friday, June 7, 2013
something I honestly overheard
In the waiting room at the doctor's office... the receptionist takes a phone call from someone
calling from a beauty shop, saying that a woman who is a patient of one of the doctors has
swallowed her hearing aid.
I can't make sense of this but this is what I overheard.
calling from a beauty shop, saying that a woman who is a patient of one of the doctors has
swallowed her hearing aid.
I can't make sense of this but this is what I overheard.
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
tornado warnings...
Just read this update:
They used to only use the warning sirens when tornadoes were spotted. Now they use them for tornado warnings, winds equal to or exceeding 70 mph, and/or hail equal to or exceeding 1.75 inches in diameter!
They used to only use the warning sirens when tornadoes were spotted. Now they use them for tornado warnings, winds equal to or exceeding 70 mph, and/or hail equal to or exceeding 1.75 inches in diameter!
Sunday, May 19, 2013
like scary close...
Tornado watch came AWFULLY (uncomfortably) close to us tonight...
It was very warm & humid earlier in the day and this evening, temperature
dropped about 20 degrees and thunderstorms and then Tornado watch for our county (Story).
Came to the next town over!
We even heard the sirens, although apparently they are also to warn of very high winds.
Phew... Still...
It was very warm & humid earlier in the day and this evening, temperature
dropped about 20 degrees and thunderstorms and then Tornado watch for our county (Story).
Came to the next town over!
We even heard the sirens, although apparently they are also to warn of very high winds.
Phew... Still...
Monday, May 13, 2013
new things
Things which I learned today:
I knew I had come across Carnegie libraries in random places, like in the Northwest
I just didn't realize quite how far his span reached, nor did I know the original Ames library (now under renovation), is in fact funded by Carnegie
- Iowa has the sixth largest amount of Carnegie-funded libraries (by state), with 108
I knew I had come across Carnegie libraries in random places, like in the Northwest
I just didn't realize quite how far his span reached, nor did I know the original Ames library (now under renovation), is in fact funded by Carnegie
- A crow, sitting down, will take up the entire area (sq. footage) of our bird feeder - after many starlings and some lovely finches visited, today I was startled by a loud noise and saw a big crow taking up residence in the bird feeder. He really went to town and just decided to settle in there for a while!
Friday, May 3, 2013
scenes from a strange May snowstorm
A starling braves the cold and wet conditions to stop at our snowy bird feeder:
Thursday, May 2, 2013
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Thursday, April 18, 2013
Monday, April 15, 2013
Rinse, lather, repeat
I'm beginning to feel like a broken record here but...
why is there SNOW in the forecast for Thursday?
why is there SNOW in the forecast for Thursday?
Sunday, April 14, 2013
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
Saturday, April 6, 2013
Monday, April 1, 2013
April (no jokes)
April, one of my favorite months, I disagree with T.S. Eliot's assessment, not the cruelest month.
It's starting off nicely, with warmer temperatures and glorious welcomed sun.
And orchid has opened one lovely flower!
It's starting off nicely, with warmer temperatures and glorious welcomed sun.
And orchid has opened one lovely flower!
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
multi-taskers
Today: woman on exercise mat at the gym, doing sit ups, while talking on her cell phone. Maybe
the cell phone was supposed to count as a weight, as she held it up to her ear. Maybe she was calling
her personal trainer...
the cell phone was supposed to count as a weight, as she held it up to her ear. Maybe she was calling
her personal trainer...
Sunday, March 24, 2013
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
dollar store displays...
the "at home" drug test kits (for marijuana)
next to ovulation prediction tests
the dollar store never fails to amuse and confound me
next to ovulation prediction tests
the dollar store never fails to amuse and confound me
Friday, March 8, 2013
orchid
On the other hand, my long dormant orchid (ie. has not had flowers since Summer 2011), has
made a remarkable comeback. I don't want to jinx its progress but it looks like it has 3 or 4 almost
buds, which may flower.
Go Team ORCHID!
made a remarkable comeback. I don't want to jinx its progress but it looks like it has 3 or 4 almost
buds, which may flower.
Go Team ORCHID!
Monday, March 4, 2013
where
Where is the SUN?
I think it was out for a while on Saturday, otherwise it has been MIA for many days.
My poor plant is hanging on, just barely, looking sad and withered. Even with its special
plant light bulb, it looks pretty pathetic.
I think it was out for a while on Saturday, otherwise it has been MIA for many days.
My poor plant is hanging on, just barely, looking sad and withered. Even with its special
plant light bulb, it looks pretty pathetic.
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
meanwhile
Today's non-predicted snow storm has taken everyone by surprise... it hasn't stopped snowing
since around 8:40 this morning!
since around 8:40 this morning!
Friday, February 22, 2013
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
You've heard of pork barrel spending...
but this is ridiculous...
An article in the local (freebie) paper:
"Students attend Pork Congress"
An article in the local (freebie) paper:
"Students attend Pork Congress"
S2.0
Awaiting Stormaggedon, 2.0
Predicting over 7" of snow...
Always good to have plenty of soup on hand...
Predicting over 7" of snow...
Always good to have plenty of soup on hand...
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
More birds..
But different kinds of birds.
Today I ran into a classmate of mine when I entered the building where our class meets. She said, "There's a bird in the 5th floor window of the bldg, looking out! I took a picture of it". We had some time before the class began so we decided to investigate. We went up to the 5th floor and peered into the office and lo and behold, there was a HAWK in the window! (On the outside).
Weird. Maybe I will see if she sends me the picture if I can post it here.
Also I ran into a friend of a friend who is raising a sheep.
Today I ran into a classmate of mine when I entered the building where our class meets. She said, "There's a bird in the 5th floor window of the bldg, looking out! I took a picture of it". We had some time before the class began so we decided to investigate. We went up to the 5th floor and peered into the office and lo and behold, there was a HAWK in the window! (On the outside).
Weird. Maybe I will see if she sends me the picture if I can post it here.
Also I ran into a friend of a friend who is raising a sheep.
Friday, February 15, 2013
Birds at the feeder:
one bird
two birds
flock of birds
attempts to descend on feeder
scared birds?
one lands
one approaches
skittish
all birds fly off?
more birds approach
chaos!
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
a curiosity Pittsburgh-style?
Being a former 'burg resident, of course I am familiar with the much debated "sweeper" v. "vacuum" debate and the linguistic intricacies therein. And while I consider linguistic variations to be
pretty interesting, I'm left to wonder if perhaps the young man working for our property management company is taking this particular regional variation a bit too literally? Earlier as I left my apartment, I saw a young man literally SWEEPING the carpeted hallway floor WITH A BROOM. Ignoring my eastern-bred contention that, well, sweeping is really only done with a broom and not a "sweeper" as yinz folks in Pittsburgh like to sometimes call a vacuum cleaner ;0
I wonder why he was trying to clean the carpeted hallways in that manner?
Especially because I have heard others vacuuming the hallways many times before!
Of course, a broom is a lot easier to carry up a flight or two of stairs, so maybe that is the answer.
Anyhow, it was vaguely amusing and perplexing at the same time. It was like a Pittsburgh/Ohio idiom brought to life!
pretty interesting, I'm left to wonder if perhaps the young man working for our property management company is taking this particular regional variation a bit too literally? Earlier as I left my apartment, I saw a young man literally SWEEPING the carpeted hallway floor WITH A BROOM. Ignoring my eastern-bred contention that, well, sweeping is really only done with a broom and not a "sweeper" as yinz folks in Pittsburgh like to sometimes call a vacuum cleaner ;0
I wonder why he was trying to clean the carpeted hallways in that manner?
Especially because I have heard others vacuuming the hallways many times before!
Of course, a broom is a lot easier to carry up a flight or two of stairs, so maybe that is the answer.
Anyhow, it was vaguely amusing and perplexing at the same time. It was like a Pittsburgh/Ohio idiom brought to life!
Monday, February 11, 2013
The Pittsburgh connection continues...
more evidence of the Pittsburgh diaspora, far and wide...
I saw a Steelers bar in Austin, TX!
I saw a Steelers bar in Austin, TX!
Sunday, January 20, 2013
Sunday, January 13, 2013
Snow "removal" and redistribution
I found out where all the snow goes-- they simply drive it to the other side of the bldg and dump it around the perimeters of the parking lot, making giant snow mounds.
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
an exercise in perpetual motion?
Right now, it is zero (0) degrees outside. There is a front-loader machine/truck picking up piles of snow, although there has not been any new snow, and moving it (where?). The machine picks up a shovel-full/front end part of snow, and then dumps it into this truck. What the point of this is, I am unsure.
The streets are already plowed and are fairly clear now (ie. before this). Weird.
The streets are already plowed and are fairly clear now (ie. before this). Weird.
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