Coward's Corner with Luckie

YEAH! SOMETIMES I DO COOK...

2012-01-30T05:15:00.007-06:00

Room Avalable Light (2 overhead fluorescent light fixtures); actually the stool holding the dish was not directly under lights but off to one side of the main source of light. Might be a little brighterhad I chosen to be right under lights, but was afraid of shadows as I was standing above the dish with camera.
SOOC (Straight Out of Camera)

Most of you have read my repeated grumbling of my dislike for cooking. Not just you, my husband hears it, too. With two people from different US cultures and with different health needs, not to mention often diametrically opposite likes and dislikes of food, cooking is a chore, not fun.

Then if I spend a day, on my feet--more on than off-- I have some swelling--not bad, but nevertheless not good for the heart. And with A-Fib I seem to tire from a day full of chores, even though weight loss has helped lessen A-Fib attacks. It is just the nature of the beast, I am told.

Yesterday (Saturday) I decided to do more than usual for a church event called "Together Sunday" monthly potluck dinner followed by a wedding shower for a couple who had overcome untold health and monetary struggles to finally say "I DO.," We witnessed their determined, never complaining, efforts and planning to reach this point. There were many smiles and tears for this couple when they announced their marriage as we all knew the history.

My church has Life Groups (some religious groups call them cells or small group worship) as substitute for a second worship service the same day.

Now with that little bit of history, I decided to put more effort into a dish than my usual buying desserts at Sam's (I always have some pies and cakes in freezer which is my usual fare), or some exotic rolls I find at WalMart, etc.

We had hosted the Life Group (usually 12-18 people) the week before, and I fortunately had a 12" pecan pie, drinks, coffee, with some flavor additives, unsweetened tea ready. The group brought enough variety for a good meal.

"Together Sunday" attendance averages 75-125 people because it is following Sunday a.m. worship.

I had a frozen HUGE chuck roast in the freezer, I defrosted Friday night. It is one cut of meat I don't mercilessly ruin. I do not roast it in the oven. It becomes a pot roast. I know it is not the healthiest cut of meat. I cut off all visible fat before cooking. I have my own special formula dry rub (no salt, no tenderizer,no sodium, because of bans in my or other potential partakers' diets). I use on all meats, whether beef, chicken, pork or fish.

After rubbing in this dry rub on and in every crevice on both sides of roast, I brown in a large pot in a small amount (thin layer to cover bottom with Extra Light Bertolli Olive Oil on the stove top). After turning to brown the second side, I brush on Kitchen Bouquet Browning and Seasoning Sauce solution and add enough Kitchen Basics Unsalted No-Fat, Beef Flavor Cooking Stock. I don't cover the roast, but enough to simmer for several hours, probably 8-10 oz. Additional stock can be added if needed. I bring stock to boil and reduce to simmer.

I really cannot say how long I let the roast simmer but it was more or less for ll a.m. to about 3 p.m. it does not lose flavor because of the stock and rub, it is so very tender; no one believes it is chuck roast. I strain off the stock and meat fluids and put in freezer to separate the fat, for a interesting sauce.

Then I had chosen some vegetables to accompany the roast, but I don't cook them with the roast. My experience is cooking with the roast makes the veggies less appealing to the eye. I steamed some broccoli cuts to tender. I prepared some boiler onions. I had two packages of potatoes in packages which cook 8 minutes each in the microwave and then peeled when cool. Then I had 2-3" cuts of peeled carrots and de-stringed (somewhat) celery which I boiled in Kitchen Basics Unsalted, No Fat Vegetable Flavor Cooking Stock. I drained and saved the stock.

I decided to make 2 cups (1c meat, 1 c veggie) sauce, using part of each to make a paste (roux) with cornstarch and thickened in pasmall pot on stove. It made a perfectly smooth caramel colored sauce.

Then I separated the meat into serving pieces, placed in a Corning dish which has a cover and heating package to keep it hot. I arranged the veggies around the meat, making a colorful looking dish. I drizzled the sauce over everything, and a alittle extra to take separately for those who like to drown their food in sauce or gravy.

This took most of the day, but there were some intervals I sat down to read the daily newspaper, finish my coffee, eat a light lunch; we used a small amount of the meat and veggies for dinner.

When I got to church several oohed and aahed over the dish. I jokingly said if it was leftover, I saw a good start for beef stew. The entire church kitchen counters were covered with casseroles, salads, crock pots, and and two extra tables had drinks and desserts. I was overwhelmed with the turnout of both food and people.

We had a great time. When I went to get my dish to take home, shockingly it was washed clean. One of the ladies who heard my joke, said, ""I don't see much there for a start of beef stew!" So my cooking isn't poison I hope. Stay tuned for any fast-breaking news.

Also, there was very little leftovers for anyone to take home to my amazement. We are sure little piggies. I think gluttony is considered a tad on the lack of self-control side, but maybe there is an exemption for potlucks(?)!

Now I have written all this so I can show the photos I took of the dish, with and without flash. I have always been an advocate of "available" light photography, i.e., no flash basically. [Some of you have asked if I have used my new Nikon D5100--these two photos are #2 & #3. Just can't get everything done each day like I used to be able to do.]

I first became acquainted with available light concept in the days of film photography. Then the "speed" of a film was expressed as a number called ISO (won't go into what that stands for) but the high number ISO allowed camera settings which made decent pictures under less than ideal light conditions. Of course there were things called f-stops and shutter speeds involved, but I am talking about an average situation. In films very hi-speed produced grainy photos; in digital photography there are also drawbacks to extreme ISOs, too.

Average to me is in house with room lights like today, which was two overhead fluorescent fixtures. The dish was placed on a small stool so I could mainly have just the dish in the picture. Each picture tells how I took it.

Dish/stool not moved but flashed turned on. Truthfully I would have preferred something in between the two photos, but if I have to choose between the two I would choose the first. However each has its virtues. at least there is no "flash burn in this phot Both would easily be fixed with Photoshop Elements or other photo editing program--not even a complicated program. I don't see as much detail in this photo myself.
SOOC (Straight Out of Camera)

P.S. Some of the higher end, but smaller digital cameras have the capability to turn flash off and on in their menus.

PHOTOS: by NitWit1 unless otherwise attributed.

SPEARFISH CANYON AND LEAD, SOUTH DAKOTA

2012-01-26T16:51:00.000-06:00

Spearfish Canyon (Lodge), South Dakota

Spearfish Canyon South Dakota
Hwy 14A, National Scenic Byway

Spearfish Canyon and Lead, (pronounced Leed), South Dakota are the last of our vacation spots that I will blog in detail.

Spearfish Canyon was so-named because Native Americans came down into the canyon along the creek (also named Spearfish) to fish by spearing. The canyon is located near Spearfish, S.D. along the northern edge of the Black Hills National Forest. Within the forest is Harney Peak which is the highest natural point in South Dakota and east of the Rockies.

The 22-mile road trip through the canyon on US Hwy. 14A was a lovely September day with the leaves beginning to show their lovely yellow and orange tints of coming autumn. There are numerous waterfalls, and everywhere there was the bubbling sound of Spearfish Creek which runs through the canyon. Some beautiful homes built to fit into the environment were scattered along the route. US 14A is designated a National Scenic Byway.

Spearfish Canyon, South Dakota
Bridal Falls

There were towering rugged cliffs, sparkling waters, forest stands of pine spruce, aspen and birch. The Canyon is about 62 million years old, 12 times older than the Grand Canyon.

A family that enjoys outdoor activities would love Spearfish Canyon with over 700 campsites, 450 miles of trails including the Mickelson Trail named after the golfer, several smaller cities of tourism like Deadwood, Hill City, and Lead, and other famous sites with short driving distances.

Hiking, jogging, walking bicycling, horseback riding, bird-watching and fly fishing are popular activities. Some activities of note are National Trails Days, Spearfish Canyon Half-Marathon and 5K Walk, Ladies Marathon and Half Marathon, the Dakota Five-0.

Spearfish Canyon South Dakota
Hwy 14A, National Scenic Byway
SOOC (Straight Out of Camera)

Frank Lloyd Wright's parting words about Spearfish Canyon: "..a stately exposition of what decorated walls on enormous scale can do and be...how it is that I've heard so little of this miracle..."

Lead, at the end of US 14A , is the home of Homestake Gold Mine, closed in 2002. Founded in 1876 it was sustained for 130 years as the richest gold vein ever unearthed. Today the many abandoned underground tunnels and caverns are contributing to the future. In 2007 the National Science Foundation selected Lead for the Deep Underground Science and Engineering Laboratory.

Where else has a progressive little city found a way to promote abandoned tunnels and caverns? Sometimes communities whine and complain, instead of spending time in creative, positive discussion and exploration.

Our tour stopped at the Homestake Visitor Center located on the edge of the Open Cut where gold was first discovered and last mined.

Homestake Mining Co.
Open Pit Gold Mine
Bottom - 800 ft.

Although our stop was only for the Open Cut mine bought by mining magnate George Hearst near the end of the Black Hills gold rush, the mine is only a part of the beauty of Lead. The town's architecture is a rich heritage. A walking tour of 20 buildings of extraordinary design is a feature of Lead. From photos I have seen, (1) the Finnish Lutheran Church Building (now a gift shop), (2) Glover House-home of George W. Glover, son of Mary Baker Eddy-founder of Christian Science Church, and still a private resident, (3) Christian Science Church, (4) Revell House/Main Street Manor, and (5) Homestake Powder House (transfer house for explosives-now a private residence) would be my personal picks to tour of the 20 buildngs designated as a walking tour.

Homestake Mining Co Open Pit
Lead, South Dakota

George Hearst, a mining magnate in a several fields including silver, copper and gold was the father of newpaper magnate William Hearst. Both had investment holdings in various enterprises.George Hearst had a successful political career also.

Dirt/Gold Cart, Homestake Mining Co. Pit
Lead, South Dakota

However, the years Hearst owned Homestake Mining Co. marked the beginning of a story of nearly 126 years of accomplishments, both civic and technological for Lead, SD.

Much of the area of South Dakota from Deadwood, Lead and Spearfish Canyon, with its settlers, celebrities and activities were depicted in an HBO series entitled DEADWOOD.

Closeup Hauler Wheel
Homestake Mining Co. Pit
Lead, South Dakota

Attribution: Material for this post has been assimulated from the Internet, Lead South Dakota Walking Tour of Historic Buildings brochure by Lead Historic Preservation Commission, Exploring The Black Hills and Badlands (The Great American Road Trip) and our Road Scholar guide.

Photos: by NitWit1 unless otherwise attributed.

Homestake Mining Pit - Lead, South Dakota
Photo by Husband

Spearfish Canyon, South Dakota

Spearfish Canyon, South Dakota
Imagin the height of the evergreen in the
foreground, as the photo does not show
the base of the tree.

Spearfish Canyon, South Dakota
Hwy 14A, National Scenic Byway
Photo by Husband

WHERE DID THE WEEK GO?

2012-01-23T09:26:00.001-06:00

A whole day whisked by faster than a sweep on a broom by an industrious well-organized housekeeper. I washed three loads of clothes, usually only have two. With a my Life Group meeting at my house yesterday, I had to pickup and decide where to move each pile of clutter off the dining and serving services. Hope I find it all again.

Luckie had to have a bath, scheduled for Saturday.Then there was the usual phone calls about what may be going on in a our small town, mainly 3 new eateries, even though there is a surplus already for a population that is declining in general with a large number wintering over in other states.

And 4 hours on Thursdays is devoted to church office duties as a volunteer. Tuesday the housekeeper was here. My duties those days are to answer questions, clean the washroom and usually the kitchen/den table where we do our daily dining.

When Friday arrived I began to panic. I made a trip to WalMart for last minutes items I don't usually keep, like International Delight flavors for coffee. I also had a dental hygiene cleaning and a date for an allergy shot.

Fortunately weight loss, albeit incremental, has helped my heart behaving acceptably for several weeks now--a few minor breakthroughs for about 45 minutes or less--not the 2 hours like I had in the beginning. But then I am now equipped with medicines to knock it back into rhythm; also some techniques call vagal maneuvers, and several relaxation techniques like hot showers which are surprisingly effective.

My nurse practitioner recognizes I am wound tighter than an alarm clock almost 24/7 and includes a medicine to be taken 3x a day, but I rarely take a mid-day dose. However, on busy or stressful days like Sunday was, I do take it and it does cut the hot salsa back a tad.

SO what did not get done? Well I missed getting by the upholstery shop to select fabric for my lift chair. That is on for this week. I have found pacing, myself instead of pushing myself are much better for my over all well being.

I fuss and worry over Luckie's somewhat dislike for men but she behaved very good, only begging for food, and finally settling down for a nap after our dining. She was in an enclosed room until the actually dinner was over. She immediately check us all out upon release and the sniffed out all the crumbs on the kitchen and dining floors, saving me considerable time for cleanup today.

A friend came over also last week and encryted my router/network as too many unknown persons were using my open (public) network. I know some neightbors are mad, but I tolerated it until they were telling all their friends of its existence. It is a form of stealing, if you gett really technical about it.

Internet Photo

THIS WEEK: Let's see: laundry,cook two different dishes (one for potluck Sunday and one for our frozen storage at church for emergencies (like sickness and death in families), the upholstery shop, bring my finances up to date in computer, and an invitation to eat at a newly discovered catfish house in Gainesville MO, a friend has discovered, church office, and bread outlet. Some of these will be combined into one trip.

When oh when, will I get to play with my new camera?

FOOTPAWS IN THE SNOW

2012-01-14T18:16:00.000-06:00

Luckie's small foot prints compared to her somewhat
German Shepherd body. Taken with my new
Nikon 5100 with only cropping. Not much of a
photo as it has been a busy week for and old lady.

This week my part of north central Arkansas had a skiff of snow, a term I learned here; I call it flurries to a light snow which nearly covered everything but streets. Further south of me, but still called north central Arkansas, there was some treacherous ice. In fact an ambulance en route to a call slid into a ditch and was rescued by a fish and game officer who carried them to their destination. There were a few slide-offs and minor collisions but thankfully no major causalities.

I received my camera last weekend and discovered I had a 263 page manual to digest so I am plowing through major points. Since it is same make as my former camera, some features are similar or the same, others entirely new. One feature is I can set auto flash in the menu and turn it off with a knob on the exterior of the camera without plowing through dozens of menus. It also has a video feature. T.here are many other features I have not yet begun to explore.

The worst of the week was today when I discovered my YAHOO mail account has been hijacked. I spent the day tracking down e-mails sent in my name which I knew nothing about. Very few of my blog readers are in my YAHOO address book. My blog is with GMail and it is not affected.

I have changed my password that may not solved the problem. The perpetrator seemingly is also a YAHOO subscriber and I have supplied what is called the complete header to YAHOO tech support. However I cannot use the account as the header that goes out on my e-mail has all the perpetrator's info on it.

I have had this account for 8-plus years without any problems-only a SPAM once in awhile. But for about a month it seems on weekends, I received about 20 a day. Somehow I am sure this is related.

As soon as I can figure how to salvage addresses and some saved files I will create a new account. It is the only solution. I am sure the 106 addresses that woke this morning to SPAM in my name for CIALIS, VIAGRA, etc from a Canadian pharmacy with my name and e-mail were a tad shocked. Actually about 40 addresses were no longer valid which were returned to my account by that fellow DAEMON.

I cannot imagine people fall for these fake ads, because the products are largely tainted; some have absolutely no therapeutic effect even though they are made to mimic the original product remarkably well..

SOooo, my day has been brutally crushed by a malicious person.

I am thankful my blog and GMail are unaffected. Stay warm. Tomorrow is projected to be warm and Monday, too, with some rain.

PHOTOS: NitWit1 unless otherwise attributed.

BRIEF LUCKIE UPDATE

2012-01-10T08:46:00.002-06:00

It is like and infirmary here. Between my medicine routine and Luckie's medicine and water intake measure, we need a chart system.

Luckie has to take Pepcid an hour before antibiotics. Seems she also has a sensitive stomach which may have contributed to her early rejection of food. She is eating like a horse now.

Her water intake has returned to normal for her size/weight. She played pitch and retrieve her surgically modified soft porcupine.

But I see this is going to be a long recovery from reading and talking with persons who have had dogs with chronic Ehrlichiosis. Some have treated their dogs with antibiotics for over two years until they get two straight negative blood tests.

In between all this vet medical routine, I have my own. I surely keep the two sets of medicine entirely separate both in storage and dispensing. I don't need any mix ups. Further we both are on Doxycycline right now for different reasons--i have a sinus infection.

I hope Husband stays well for a season, but he manages his medications himself. It is called "don't take it if I don't want to theory." Sometimes I cannot argue with it.

My new Christmas present has hardly been touched--a new Nikon D5100 which can almost function without human hands. It has a GPS feature for geotaging, but at this time I am unwilling to forfeit my flash shoe for this feature with limited importance to me. I check all GPS accessories, both NIKON and other brands which work with same camera. None had very positive review, so I'm saving my money. This is relatively new in lower tiers of cameras for advanced amateurs like me. SO I PASS.

If I just had to have GPS, I could carry a handheld one and actually but the data on the picture---too much trouble. I bet nobody wants to know exact coordinates of where I took that closeup of a butterfly on a posy!!!

By the way, I finished reading a TALE OF TWO CITIES. There is a lot allegory in Dickens's writing but I really am scared our populace is descending into an abyss of desiring anarchy instead of rule of law. Excesses at either end of the spectrum is dangerous and incites unrest.

When I was a city alderman, I had a phrase, of which I am not the author, when used when faced with decisions concerning enforcement issues: "justice tempered with mercy." Many judges use this phrase, but there is often circumstances and hardships which arise and were not considered when regulations and laws were written.

Last two paragraphs are my personal opinion only.

A SHORT REPRIEVE I HOPE

2012-01-08T08:30:00.001-06:00

Luckie is ill and I have a number of obligations I need to take care of. Vet thinks Luckie has chronic erhlichiosis or maybe early kidney failure. I am having to keep track of her water intake and several other things. She vacillates between lethargic and her old feisty personality so it is hard to nail down the exact reason.

Will keep you posted. NitwIT1

THE CITY OF PRESIDENTS

2011-12-31T21:26:00.000-06:00

Pres. James Monroe
By Presidents Information Center
Note: Gold Railroad Spike

Rapid City, South Dakota is referred to as City of Presidents because one of their tw0 Historic Districts is the old downtown area with unique buildings and the Walking Tour of presidential statues, a remarkable 10-year achievement in of and itself.

In 1972 Rapid City experienced a devastating major flood along Rapid Creek, killing 272 people. Almost like the proverbial phoenix rising from the ashes, these hardy citizens decided to rebuild their city. Fortunately, the flood did not destroy a high percentage of their historic past, which was impetus for the two historic districts.

Central to their recovery was formation of a Flood Plain Development Committee which addressed concerns for any development in the flood plain of Rapid Creek. One result is development of green areas with flowering shrubs and flowers, bike and walking trails, peaceful parks and playgrounds. Yes, such can be destroyed, but are easier to reconstruct than lost businesses and homes. The result is a beautiful city.

I have failed to find the significance of the spike which
looks like a railroad spike. The First Transcontinental
Railroad was not completed during Monroe's terms of
Office. Monroe's primary claim to fame was
the Monroe Doctrine

Despite the devastating destruction, it gave city fathers and citizens, their government and planning commissions a fresh start in laying out an esthetically, lovely city with a population near 68,000. The City serves as a center of area tourism, but also well integrated hub of several industries.

The completion of I-90, the first east to west coast Interstate in 1978, certainly contributed to Rapid City's recovery success.

Rapid City has two historic
districts and touring buses
are available or you may
follow these signs and
map your own tour.
(Husband's Photo)

We viewed the Downtown Tour of Presidents late in the evening and our photos are not the best so I refer you to this link for complete information and pictures. Rapid City claims to be the only location in the world where all 43 presidents are displayed in life size bronze statues.

The seed of germination for a tour of US Presidents was born in a business man Don Perdue. There was a life-size seated Lincoln outside a hotel where the public interacted with statue, having their photos seated on the bench beside him. Sharing his idea with Dallerie Davis, a realtor and activist of the artist community, the two committed to a 10 year time line for the project.

Rapid City Historic Building
(Husband's Photo)

Seven South Dakota artists/sculptors formed the team. Each artist's commission included extensive research into the presidents' lives of their work.

Pres. Harry Truman Holding
Infamous Newspaper
Published Before Final
Electios Results An-
noucing His Opponent
Winner

For example, President Harry Truman is depicted holding a newspaper with the headline that Dewey won the election. President William Taft was a former baseball pitcher and is sculpted in a pitching position with a baseball in his hand behind his back. President Dwight Eisenhower is shown in full military dress with feet planted on a platform with a map of Europe.

There is a historical building downtown that serves as the Presidents Information Center. The center contains biographies of all the Presidents and maquettes (smaller versions of the actual statues), other memorabilia and souvenirs.

Certain events provoke additional activities. Veterans often gather at Eisenhower's statue on D-Day. On International Women's Day, posters of all First Ladies are displayed by each President. And some devotees of the project wrap scarves around their favorite Presidents during the cold North Dakota winters.

Another Historic Building in Rapid City
(Husband's Photo)

Boy Scouts care for the appearance of the statues. In October 2010 when the last four statues were unveiled, the Scouts paid tribute to Mr. Perdue's dream by reciting, "I will follow my dream--because I can."
The Dream was completed in the 10th year as dreamed by its founders. I believe the very friendly lady at the Information Center said a non-profit foundation was formed. $2 million was raised in private donations.

I, as a former city official, am really impressed with this project, which shows what a small core of committed, devoted people can create, be it a significant historic project, or restoring a near destroyed city with economic impact to its public and private sectors.

Again, Rapid City is a place I would have loved to have the stamina and time to explore.

I plan a FLICKR slide show of the Presidents even though it is not even close to good photography and only presentable through heavy use of Adobe Photoshop Elements. If I knew more of the programs features I probably could have done a much better job. We literally took some of these shots after dark (and I forgot to remove my polarizer which cuts out some light).

As a "flicker" of the slide show I present Pres. Taft, the baseball player. As a younger man he was very athletic. Even after his athletic endeavors were abandoned for politics with its many dinners, potlucks etc., he considered himself "in good shape." a delusion many of us portly people maintain. He was and still is the heaviest man to be President.

Pres. William Taft in the Pitcher's Position
Shaking Off the Catcher's Signal
(Husband's Photo)

Pres. William Taft
Different View
Baseball View in Back

Photos by NitWit1,

unless otherwise

attributed

President William Taft
The Pitcher's Grip
Is It Going to Be A
Slider, Sinker,
Fast Ball?

President William Taft
Alternate View of Baseball
and Hand Grip
(Husband's photo)

CUNNING SPAM

2011-12-30T08:25:00.001-06:00

It seems each year around New Year's Day there is a surge of questionable comments, or downright spam. Today I received a new twist.

A seemingly positive comment, perhaps more sarcastic than positive, appeared by a person/site under name of "gclub." Within the comment were two hyperlinks in a foreign, seemingly oriental, language. Not having Google Translate immediately available I clicked on one which lead to a gambling site. I did not click on the other as I am afraid I might get a virus. My fairly rigid BitDefender did not pop and sock the first one.

I did not post the comment and marked it spam. The comment was on the recent blog about Mammoth Site; it referred to the fact I had used an You Tube movie for my information and made an oblique comment I was relying on the info of the movie. I had a several of my own pictures.

Most of these travelogues rely on information gained at visit, my own photos, and brochures received, plus Internet to back up my information and links provided for those seeking more information. The YOU TUBE was simply for your enjoyment and may have contained more information.

This blog is an effort to record my own life experiences; advertising. overt or covert, is never welcome. Subjects of my blog, the places I visited, and other topics might be construed as advertising, but it is a stretch. I certain am not receiving monetary value or collected any vast number of "hits.". In fact, we PAID a fairly expensive package vacation fee which included these sites.

There is also some comments going around using aliases for legitimate bloggers. If it sounds odd, e-mail the blogger.

This criticism is not aimed at those of you who are fortunate to offer gifts and give aways. You are open about your activities. I am referring to subversive, hidden activities.

Have any of you received this kind of spam? I wonder why a blog with less than 50 comments per post was singled out?

Be sure to read post before this; I just wanted to interject this friendly warning.

The Other Mountain of Tribute in South Dakota

2011-12-28T05:15:00.005-06:00

Crazy Horse Memorial - face is completed; the white paint designates the 45 ft. ear
and 16 ft. wide eye of the 22 story-high horse. SOOC (straight of the camera)
taken from the parking lot at the Welcome Center.

Welcome Center
Husband's Photo

Prototype with Mountain Carving Progress on Mountain
in Background. Made from Viewing Veranda

I started to name this post: Dueling Mountains, but I have already posted Mount Rushmore, a tribute to four Presidents. This post is about Crazy Horse Memorial, a mountain sculpture tribute to the culture, traditions and heritage of American Indians; in particular the spirit of a legendary Lakota leader, Crazy Horse (Tasunke Witko).The Crazy Horse Memorial, when finished, will stand 641 feet long and 563 feet high, exceeding Mt. Rushmore. In fact it is claimed to be the world's largest carving.

Mt. Rushmore inspired Chief Henry Standing Bear and Lakota leaders, that "red men have great heroes also." They chose sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski to create the statue of Crazy Horse. Korczak had won 1st prize at New York's World Fair for his sculpture: PADEREWSKI: Study of an Immortal in 1939.

Before his death in 1982 Korczak did much more than rough out the contours of the carving, starting in 1948. He established a museum and a scholarship fund for American Indian students. He inspired his wife and 7 of his 10 children to continue the memorial's mission with a non-profit Crazy Horse Memorial Foundation. He twice refused federal funding as he believed the intersted public should build the memorial.

The Crazy Horse Memorial Foundation is the heart not only of completing the sculpture, but starting the university courses, a Cultural center, enlarging the Indian Museum of North America, opened the Indian University of North America and its first student Living and Learning Center in 2010. The Scholarship Fund of the Foundation has awarded more than $1.5 million since Korczak's original $250 in 1978.

Funding is entirely by visitor admissions and donations. No federal or state funds have been given to this massive project! It is a non-profit, education and cultural project financed primarily from an admission fee.

On the grounds of the memorial is Korczak's studio, home and workshop; Indian museums and Native American Cultural Center. There are optimistic plans for a medical training center to diseases peculiar to the Native American.

In an excerpt from an article by Sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski about Crazy Horse, the Indian leader insofar as can be determined never signed a treaty or touched a pen. Crazy Horse was born on Rapid Creek in the Black Hills of South Dakota, about 1842. He died by a stab in the back by an American soldier, Sept. 6, 1877 at approx. age of 35 at Fort Robinson, Nebraska which was under a flag of truce.

The statue depicts Crazy Horse with his left hand thrown out pointing. Someone derisively asked him, after the government agents and army defeated the Lakota tribes, "where are your lands now." He replied , with his outstretched arm is pointing to the plains, "My lands are where my dead lie buried."

He lost his leader Conquering Bear who was exterminated by treachery. A treaty guaranteeing Black Hills (Paha Sapa) would forever be the land of the Sioux was broken. Government agents' promises included meat, clothing tents--all necessities for existence were worthless; the deceit was only realized after they relinquished their lands and retreated to the reservation located in the southern part of the Badlands--near worthless land. His people's lives were ravaged and destroyed.

In 1891 another Lakota, Red Cloud, said, "They made us many promises, more than I can remember--The never kept but one: they promised to take our land, and they took it."

I loved this place, maybe because I have a little native American (Cherokee) in me, but not of the so-called plains tribes. I loved the Indian Museum of North America, The Native American Cultural Center (friendly Native American artists and craftsman plied their trades here) and the sculptor's studio home. I would have loved to spend an entire day here absorbing the culture.

Before I end I must tell the story of the blue beads. There is a huge room of beads on exhibit and to sell. However, there a case enclosing a string of blue beads with a story that only a few were made, and sold. Until all the beads are together again, the monument will never be completed. These beads were used by fur traders doing business with Native Americans. It is said Manhattan was bought with similar beads. However, many consider all of this a legend.

Because of a large number of photos I have created a FLICKR slideshow. Click on FLICKR link in previous sentence and select (click on) slideshow in upper right of screen. Some of photos in this post are also there. But 16 photos a bit much for a post.

Further today Blogger will not let me put the photos on this post where I want them nor can I move them around. And the new composing window is difficult to see and read with stuff scattered all over the web site, not designed for a neophyte like me.

PHOTOS by NitWit1, unless otherwise identified.

Information garnered from our Road Scholar Guide, Exploring The Black Hills and Badlands (The Great American Road Trip), Rapid City Visitors Guide, Crazy Horse Brochure (Crazy Horse Memorial Foundation) and Internet.

TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS

2011-12-24T05:15:00.199-06:00

It is time for my annual Twelve Days of Christmas, a musical ditty that has fascinated me since childhood. In some ways it is a boring round type song, but the gifts fascinate me, especially so many birds; yet the 8th round introduces humans with maids a-milking and a large mammal-cows.

Another audio-visual appears at the end of this post.

The Twelve Days of Christmas (12 Days of Christmas)
On the first day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
A partridge in a pear tree.

On the second day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the third day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the fourth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.
On the fifth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the sixth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the seventh day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the eighth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the ninth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the tenth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Ten lords a-leaping,
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the eleventh day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Eleven pipers piping,
Ten lords a-leaping,
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the twelfth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Twelve drummers drumming,
Eleven pipers piping,
Ten lords a-leaping,
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree!
There are a few variations in the rounds, i.e., calling birds are colly birds in some versions; round 10-12 may be rearranged. Numerous parodies have also been penned, as well as letters from recipient of true love's gifts.
So this year I thought I dream up a similar ditty for the unique state, Arkansas, in which I live. Instead of repetition, I'll list the twelve gifts.

1. One eagle nesting in a pin-oak tree.
2. Two wood-peckers
3. Three wild turkey hens
4. Four mourning doves
5. Five golden fishing lures
6. Six leghorns a-laying
7. Seven bass a-swimming
8. Eight fiddlers a-fiddling
9. Nine Arkies a-clogging
10. Ten hunters of deer a-leaping
11. Eleven Arkies' Dulcimers a-strumming
12. Twelve festival -participants with mobile outhouses a-parading

I would add another: American Flags a-flying and Patriots a-serving. I have lived several places and see more flags, at least where I am living, than any other place. As a whole we are proud to be Americans, yet very independent in thinking. yet respectful of our differences--not unlike many other areas of our country. With sorrow , deepest respect, and unspeakable thankfulnesss near wordless, we have buried our share of patriots who gave the ultimate sacrifice; also those who continue to served, and those who made it a career and retired in service to our country.

I know-somewhat amatuerish--I bet Jinksy of Napple Notes could whip out a better rendition in far less time.

An interesting fact I heard recently i'n this overtly political season with resounding overtures drowning out the reason for the season:' Of our entire US population, 97% have never run for office to serve their fellow citizens. I am pleased to have been part of the 3%. However, I fully understand why so few choose public service.

Audio-Visual - YOU TUBE:

#1- Mormon Tabernacle Choir; #2 - John Denver and The Muppets

AN EVENING TO REMEMBER NEAR RAPID CITY SD

2011-12-17T05:15:00.002-06:00

In keeping with the Western and historical themes of our Moroccan Reunion Convention touring, we had a dinner scheduled one night at Fort Hays Chuckwagon Supper and Show.

Chuckwagon (Internet)

First, I had to learn how the chuckwagon differed from other covered wagons that roam the western frontier. I found two links; one is linked in first sentence of this paragraph and the other is here.

Dancing With Wolves
Buildings (Internet)
Poor photo

Our group had reservations at Fort Hays Chuckwagon Supper and Show, 5 miles south of Rapid City. It is well-known as some of the scenes from Dances with Wolves, were shot there.

Fort Hays(Internet)
Horrible photo

There are a number of chuckwagon type restaurants in the general area, all of which have a show featuring folk, western and/or mixed music and comedy, after the dinner is served.

The Wranglers
[Photo Husband]

Young Teenage Fiddler

Fort Hays has on its campus several buildings used in Dances with Wolves, as well as other early western frontier turn-of-the-century buildings:tin shop, rope shop, blacksmith shop, sawmill, penny press.

As you walk into the dinner theater you are confronted with long rows of sturdy wood "picnic-style" tables. See this link for some very good photos. I had considerable difficulty maneuvering my prosthetic legs under the table as there was not much space for me to do it. The placed was packed. But our esteem Road Scholar acquired the front two rows of tables--great for the show, and also the first served.
When the dinner bell rang (and it was a loud sucker!)we were provided a tin (aluminum) plate and lined up in a long queue table row by table row to the"chuckwagon" kitchen.

Young Teenage Vocalist

The first item on the plate was a huge baked potato which the food handler smashed on to the plate. Better hang on to the plate because that potato is mashed in one strong smack. There were the expected baked beans and choice of sliced beef in BBQ sauce or baked chicken, along with chunky applesauce, biscuits w/honey, coffee or lemonade, and spice cake.

Young Teenage Vocalist

I did not see anybody getting seconds of anything but coffee or lemonade! I was somewhat uncomfortably full.
When all our plates were empty and cleared from the tables, the show began. As expected the music was decidedly country and western, but a variety of other music was sandwiched in to please all of us.

The Wranglers- Grandpa

I was impressed with the skills of two female teenagers in the 14-15 year old range: a fiddler who nearly set the bow and strings of that bow and strings on fire, and a lovely soprano songbird.

The hall was filled with tour groups, including an USS Hawk ship reunion and our Moroccan Reunion of military and US civilians who had lived in Morocco. Some special requests were taken, and patriotic music included. The show concluded with I Love the USA.

We all stood when a gigantic US Flag was unfurled.

The Wranglers - Vocalist
(Photo - husband)

Yes, all in all, it was a evening to remember!

PHOTOS: by NitWit1, unless otherwise identified.

The Chuckwagon Supper and Show

NOTE: Internet photos: I have not often used Internet photos because they are very low resolution photos which save time in loading a web page. Some of them are so low resolution when you enlarge them you think you may need glasses, or new lens!
In the case of Fort Hayes, the crowds were so dense There was no where to get a photo unless I climb as utility pole! Not an option!

This is another place we might have enjoyed having more time
to explore.

THE BADLANDS OF SOUTH DAKOTA

2011-12-12T05:30:00.000-06:00

Badlands National Park

Of all the tours we experienced on our vacation, the Badlands National Park is the most difficult t0 describe, partially because we only toured the northern part of the 244,300 acres, called the North Loop Road and the Badlands Wilderness Area which probably encompassed about 66,000 acres.

In 1935 Frank Lloyd Wright, the notable architect said, "I've been about the world a lot, and pretty much over our own country, but I was totally unprepared for that revelation call the Dakota Badlands...What I saw gave me an indescribable sense of mysterious elsewhere--a distant architecture, ethereal..., an endless supernatural world more spiritual than earth but created out of it."

The Badlands National Park is a treasure trove of geology, paleontology, and history but its formations are an ever-changing example of water (rain) and wind erosion. The rock formations are very fragile. In a short length of time persons who regularly study these formations can accurately show these effects.

The cardinal rule for tourists, bikers, hikers, and explorers, ADMIRE BUT DO NOT TOUCH, and reports findings and formations you may think of importance to the entities doing on-going research studies. An 8 year old girl did just that; her find was part of a prehistoric animal whose skeleton was then recovered intact. SHE DID THE RIGHT THING and her name and discovery will be honored when the skeleton becomes a part of a new display to open in 2012.

Warning to those who may be considering hiking, biking, camping, there is NO POTABLE water or food. Be prepared and watch weather forecasts as very severe thunderstorms and other extreme weather may occur suddenly.

Badlands National Park

The majority of the remaining acreage encompasses the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation of the Lakota Indians.
There are three units to the Badlands National Park (BNP): North Unit and Badlands Wilderness Area, Stronghold Unit (also called the South Unit) and Palmer Creek Unit. The latter two are within the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.

The Sioux Nation is composed of 3 major divisions: Dakota, Lakota, and Nakota. BNP reservation occupied by the Ogala band of the Lakota division.

Although the buttes, mounds, and colored striations of the peaks of rock formations, which I would incorrectly call mountains, are the immediate, awe-inspiring sights, a majority of the acreage is prairie with 60 species of grass which form the foundation of a complex community of wild plant and animal life.

The shaping of the land and life in the Badlands is about 75 million years old when the Earth's climate was warmer than today. Hmmm, wonder if the Warming Climate Green enthusiasts know this--don't think humans existed, maybe so-called humanoids, if you believe in such, but I digress.

A shallow sea covered the Great Plains from the Gulf of Mexico to Canada and western Iowa to western Wyoming. This sea teemed with life. Today the bottom of that sea is represented by a grayish-black sedimentary rock called Pierre shale which is as rich source of fossilization of creatures that sank to the bottom when they died. Inside and outside BNP Pierre shale has yielded abundant remains of ancient fish, giant marine lizards, huge sea turtles, flying reptiles (ugh), a diving loon-like bird.

The Earth's continental plates pushed and shoved as eons passed, which produced the ancestral Rockie Mountains and causing the land under the sea to rise and the sea retreat and drain away. Thus the Badlands area was exposed to air and sunshine. The climate was humid and warm with much rainfall, creating a subtropical forest which flourished for millions of years.

Bandlands National Park Overlook
(by husband)

But then the climate COOLED. (where are the current ecological nuts???) and dried. Savannas formed as the forest receded. The savanna then became much like the grassland prairie it is today. This band in the rock formations is reddish in color and more visible after a heavy rainfall.

Most of the array of fossils are extinct animals from the Oligocene, a geologic epoch 23-35 million years ago.

Oh yes, a river runs through it--NOT THE MOVIE of the same phrase--but the White River which meanders through most of the acreage.

What about humans? The Badlands area has supported humans for more than 11,000 years, followed by nomadic tribes who settled along the White River and were replaced by the Sioux/Lakota in the mid 18th century and flourished in the region for about 100 years.

And then explorers came, followed by French fur trappers, soldiers, miners cattle farmers and homesteaders who changed the prairie forever; the groups battled over the land for 40 years, culminating in the Wounded Tree Massacre.

For more information and history of the Lakota/Ogala and all related to the Pine Ridge Reservation got to this very complete link.

I am including a few photos we made, but because of the nature of the subject matter, I made a Flickr slide show for those of you who might be interested. For some of you a series of similar photos becomes monotonous.

Photos/FLICKR: by NitWit1 unless otherwise attributed. [FLICKR Slide show should work- Click on slide show in upper right part of page; let me know if it does not. There is a click to detail and attribution of photos in the slide show]

Information attribution: BADLANDS, National Park Service, US Department of Interior brochure, Internet, our esteemed Road Scholar (tour guide) and my observations.

Badlands National Park

FIRST SNOW!

2011-12-08T05:15:00.003-06:00

Yucca in the Snow

Snow in Arkansas is not a novelty, but it is not a winter season-long event, either. Some years we receive one snowfall which last a few days; the rest of winter is just gray, wet and something we don't like -- ICE.

The first snow is exciting, and it has come as early as November BUT today, Monday, Dec. 5, we received our first significant, ground-covering snow in north central Arkansas.

It was somewhat surprise, even though some weather reports across the northern state line had it in the forecast. We live slightly south of the state line.

Winter Caught Some Flowers
And Bushes By Surprise

After my early morning coffee, reading e-mails and getting dressed for a glaucoma eye appointment, grumbling to myself how often I had to repeat these appointments a year, Husband (H)and I walked out to very cold rain and sleet, temperature - 34 degrees. Handicapped ramp was covered with sleet. I carefully edged my way down the ramp holding a cold, sleet covered rail. It was 8:30 a.m., appointment at 9 a.m.

It sleeted all the way to the physician's office which is in a town east of my little 'burb.' He drove under the canopy so I could disembark, and then parked in a handicap space, waiting for my return. YES I have a handicap plate.

I was called into the exam room rather quickly. Last I looked out the weather appeared to be the same and H was smoking outside the car.

This was a full checkup, glacoma check, refraction, and exam by physician. All was stable except some membrane affected by my cataract surgery is slightly clouded and may require laser surgery later, or sooner if it bothers me. I made up my mind it ain't gonna bother me. I don't need any more medical procedures than I already face.

After checking out for at least 6 months I hope, I wrapped up tight, especially my head as I am combating a sinus infection, I headed out the door at 10 a.m..

LO! and Behold! The whole world had turned white in an hour. As we headed home some roads were nearly covered, and the landscape became whiter and whiter.

Rails Stacked With Snow--That Summer
Flag Is Probably In Shock!

What a nice early Christmas surprise from Mother Nature. Accumulation looks to be maybe 1-2 inches.

It seems like a day to be cozy, read, catch up on reading and writing blogs, drink decaf coffee, and complete a few minor household duties--which is mostly what I contentedly am doing.

And if this hangs around (current weather report does not support this) I might decide to cook something--not a chore I enjoy.

Fortunately I have some home-made Chicken Noodle Soup frozen, which sounded just right for tonight...and meets my WW criteria as I know what's in it.

After arriving home I grabbed ye ole camera and snapped a few pictures to share with you.

OOPS! Hope No One's Head Is Buried in the Snow!
A Gnome? A Cherub? A Munchkin?

PROGRESSION OF THE SEASON

2011-12-05T05:15:00.001-06:00

Just to emphasize and clarify we do not check out on Christmas, as some may have gathered from my recent post, I decided to add a postscript. You might call it that.

This week we completed our Christmas Wish selection and delivered it to the center for distribution. We were amazed at the wonderful and very busy volunteers who seemed very happy to be working so hard. At the center is a huge area of donations of items and new or old clothing, toys, and miscellaneous items which might be used for Christmas decorations. Each Wish recipient is allowed to chose items from the vast array of donations, according to certain Wish guidelines.

We also delivered a bounty of surplus men's clothing and miscellaneous other items to our favorite 4-legged charity so our beloved rescue, Luckie's friends may have the hope of a "forever home."

The next three weekends we are treating families in our various circle of friends to dinner at a nice restaurant for fellowship and good food (not exactly what I need) but it is Christmas....Tonight (Friday) is the first of the three evenings.

Christmas Tabletop

Today I am setting up two Christmas tabletops which is the extent of our decorations. One is a small fiber optic tree and the other is a lighthouse with a beacon, both cheerful.

Luckie' Christmas Stocking

Luckie has a sock hanged but empty. I dare not put anything in it until Christmas morning or she will find a way to consume, or otherwise tear it up. If she steals any more of my graham crackers on Sunday she may find that big sock barren, or full or running vacuum cleaners, the sound of which she detests.

Three Christmas Cup floral arrangements designed by myself were placed on a china closet/buffet.

We still have 2 Life Group meetings to complete our providing Christmas for 3 families selected from 3 area schools. This Sunday we finalize what still is not done, and next Sunday we wrap and arrange delivery. I was in hospital the very first meeting so I haven't caught up on everything, except we are furnishing 3 boxes fully cooked Christmas turkey w/4 sides/2 pies dinners from a local grocery store and contributed to purchase of clothing and gifts.

Three Floral Cups For the Season

The 3rd Sunday before Christmas we are caroling at area nursing homes, assisted living homes and any special requested visits. If this is at night we may be unable to attend. I cannot stand long periods of time so would have to take rollator which is somewhat a nuisance if we are riding with others.

But I have a personal observance of Christmas I've done for years, some of which began in childhood with the reading of the Holy Scripture of the birth of a Savior. I do it on line or on my Kindle these days. After all I live in a digital age with everything at my fingertips.

Other things I do is read Dickens's A Christmas Carol (Tiny Tim) on my Kindle and anything else Dickens may have written. I have his complete works on my Kindle.

Cover

I will probably read The First Church's Christmas Barrel by Caroline Abbot Stanley (illustrated by Gayle Porter Hoskins-3), a simple story about giving with Mother's personal signature, I found among her belongings after her death. I loved its simplicity, probably written for children.

I loaned it to a friend who claim he lost it, which crushed me since she had a personal love of books so much she signed her name in every book she owned to proclaim possession.

After much searching I found an original copy at Alibris, a web site where rare, or out-of-print and used books may often be found. I bought the same edition, exactly as the previous book which was some solace, except it did not have her signature. It can be downloaded from Google Books to computers or some e-readers. I did not see Kindle or Nook among them.

This "illustration" is one of only three
in The Furst Church's Christmas barrel
All three are sepia toned but are some kind of
paintings, from which plates were probably
made for printing. In 1912 publishing and
illustrating a book was much different
than today.

I also have Handel's Messiah playing on my computer's DVD player. I believe it to be the highest classical piece of music ever composed by man, except, perhaps that of angels. I am not the only one who has an high opinion of this music; King George II stood for the entire performance of the the Hallelujah Chorus, setting a precedence which all knowledgeable classical music aficionados follow. Stand when the Hallelujah Chorus is performed.

A few years ago 3 friends and I attended a performance of mixed Christmas music in Branson. When the musicians began the Hallelujah Chorus we stood like lost soldiers for a few seconds, before the huge crowd got the point. I learned that fact in choir as a child. It seems my generation forward has little respect for any subject: our National Anthem, our Flag, our Pledge of Allegiance, much less some piece of music they may not appreciate.

I usually have other Christmas music playing on my laptop, too varying to Carols to tradional seasonal music. Two of my favorites are O Holy Night /JoanSutherland and The Holy City /Charlotte Church.

2nd Illustration - Barrel On
Back of Horse (this did
not make a good photo
nor did Photoshop help.

[Links are to YouTube renditions- if you don't like operatic voice, search YouTube and there are multiple fine selections; my husband literally turns off his hearing aids when I play this kind of music. I had my favorite opera singer Marilyn Horne singing Carmen/Bizet, particularly Habernera, which I played in car-actually attended a performance of Horne/Carmen in Dallas many years ago!]

To pacify the more perverse humor of Christmas, in my opinion, I have the DVD of National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. Despite unnecessary foul language and gestures, it typifies all that could possibly go wrong at any celebration.

I am hysterically laughing at the snow saucer ride headed downhill at exhilarating speed head-on to a WalMart store; the aunt (I think) singing the Pledge of Alligence for grace (prayer) at Christmas dinner and later The Star Spangled Banner, as a cigar ignites sewer gas and launches the smoker skyward. Although the electrified fried cat is funny, I am sure PETA does not. PETA must not have been around when that movie was made.

3rd Illustration - The First Church's Christmas Barrel

COOK! COOK? Not me! Any of you who follow me know that is not a favorite thing. On Christmas Day I will warm up one of the same pre-cooked dinners mentioned above from the local grocery store. It serves 8-12 so I share with neighbors and friends.

As I think of childhood Christmas events, I may add a blog or two, but I am back to researching the BADLANDS of our vacation.

I also am having a very hard time with Blogger locking up on "error in saving." I tried immediately publish and then edit. But I lose a lot. I guess I am going to have to change to the newer composing window, which I tried and did not like.

Rewriting and rewriting is not at all pleasant.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE - THANKSGIVING REPRISE - ENTER CHRISTMAS

2011-11-28T09:18:00.003-06:00

This and/or similar observations of our English language circulate the Internet, but I find this one uniquely, partially set to rhyme. As it came the circuitous route of "forwards" no author was listed. Just in case there is one, apologies for no attribution.

An Ode to the English Plural

We'll begin with a box, and the plural is boxes,

But the plural of ox becomes oxen, not oxes.

One fowl is a goose, but two are called geese,

Yet the plural of moose should never be meese.

You may find a lone mouse or a nest full of mice,

Yet the plural of house is houses, not hice.

If the plural of man is always called men,

Why shouldn't the plural of pan be called pen?

If I speak of my foot and show you my feet,

And I give you a boot, would a pair be called beet?

If one is a tooth and a whole set are teeth,

Why shouldn't the plural of booth be called beeth?

Then one may be that, and there would be those,

Yet hat in the plural would never be hose,

And the plural of cat is cats, not cose.

We speak of a brother and also of brethren,

But though we say mother, we never say methren.

Then the masculine pronouns are he, his and him,

But imagine the feminine: she, shis and shim!

Let's face it - English is a crazy language.

There is no egg in eggplant nor ham in hamburger;

Neither apple nor pine in pineapple.

English muffins weren't invented in England

We take English for granted, but if we explore its paradoxes,

We find that quicksand can work slowly, boxing rings are

Square, and a guinea pig is neither from Guinea nor is it a pig.

And why is it that writers write, but fingers don't fing,

grocers don't groce and hammers don't ham?

Doesn't it seem crazy that you can make amends but not one amend?

If you have a bunch of odds and ends and get rid of all but one of them, what do you call it?

[N.B.: I would call it the odd one at the end.
If teachers taught, why didn't preachers praught?

If a vegetarian eats vegetables, what does a humanitarian eat?

Sometimes I think all the folks who grew up speaking English,
Should be committed to an asylum for the verbally insane.

[N.B.: Maybe we were, and just don't know it.]

In what other language do people recite at a play and play at a recital?

We ship by truck but send cargo by ship...

We have noses that run and feet that smell.

We park in a driveway and drive in a parkway.

And how can a slim chance and a fat chance be the same,

While a wise man and a wise guy are opposites

You have to marvel at the unique lunacy of a language in which your house can burn up as it burns down, in which you fill in a form by filling it out, and in which an alarm goes off by going on.

And in closing, if Father is Pop, how come Mother's not Mop?

No wonder it is difficult for legal immigrants to learn the language before they can become American citizens! --NitWit1

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After a lovely meal with church friends who have embraced us in the tradition that the Christian belief teaches, and, later, an afternoon and evening watching my favorite sport, football, where most of my favorite teams won, I read a few chapters of my current book, TALE OF TWO CITIES.

This is a rather dark setting of two cities, London and Paris, during the French Revolution. Despite its ominous setting, it is a characteristic of much writing during this period that I term morality themes, mostly how human beings treat each other. In this story, it was less that decent--in fact downright evil.

Afterward, I reflected how thankful many of us are who live in countries, where human decency encompasses compassion for us when we err, even court systems which provide a decent trial of peers. It is by no means perfect, and sometimes errs in its decisions, but it is the best that man has determined.

The setting is 1775 and the "American problem" is vaguely mentioned in the TALE.

My reflections included my personal year of frequent mountaintop to valley experiences, the wonderful vacation despite my infirmities, our humble contributions to those less fortunate than myself, the deepening of my health problems, and the continuing joy of having found fellowship in a caring church family after searching most of my life, which may be no reflection on any certain church as my finding some peace within myself.

Some facets of these experiences have been shared with you, often with humor pointed at myself. Once in a while I whine, but laughter at my own infirmities and shortcomings is far more palatable.

Now we are entering the season of remembering the season where emphasis is good will and giving which are supposed to reflect the message of the belief, not only of the Christian belief, but also other beliefs.
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Now, with this long soliloquy finished, I am now transitioning Christmas Season which all to often becomes frenzy, madness, depression and utter lack of its original intent.

We feel most blessed to have arrived at old age, with reasonable stability, to be able to share with those who have not been so blessed. We have changed our focus over the past years to a far more gratifying mission of spending more of what we allotted to so called Christmas frenzy, to the many opportunities help others anonymously.

We have settled into a routine of (1) adopting a Christmas Wish family (more description) later, (2) assisting in fulfilling the needs of 3 families our church Life Group adopts from area schools, and taking close friends to dinner so we all enjoy friendship, (3) taking a few personal couples to a special restaurant for good food and fellowship. (4) Decorations are nil. (5) Christmas Day-duel solitude and reflection. (6) Gifts?

These ideas are further detailed below -if you care to read them:

(1) One of the charitable ventures we choose at Christmas is sponsored by the area daily Baxter Bulletin newspaper of Mountain Home, AR called Christmas Wish. The program started as a way to manage needy persons who slip through the usual charities to find some help. It mushroomed so greatly, it was morphed into a charity whose goal is to provide families with children some semblance of Christmas. Their entire focus is on children, other than some food provisions.

Christmas Wish participation may be in several ways: (1) adopt a wish, (2) provide items needed, (3) volunteer. Therefore, persons who do not have sufficient funds participate in some way, like volunteering--always needed, or buy some only a few items that may be needed by dozens of wishes.

How they do it I don't know, but the 400 plus wishes will be fulfilled in some measure before Christmas Day. I love this program, because it gives people several ways to contribute--not just money and shopping. They always need more volunteers who have time to help sort, the multitude of merchandise given them, sorting gifts, calling the families requesting help.

We have chosen to adopt a family this year. My husband picked one family out of the 400+ letters submitted. The family had one boy and two girls, and wanted help with a Christmas dinner as well as clothing and reasonable personal list of items for the children. The program has shopping guidelines for those who adopt a family which makes the adopted families wishes conform similarly to those not adopted. anonymity is carefully guarded.

My husband (H) picked the Christmas Wish letter he wanted to adopt. Being childless, we are not accustomed to selecting clothing, much less toys. He picked one that the children were older and did not have a long list of toys.

H did his shopping early for the boy-having no trouble with a male teenager. He finished on a couple of hours one morning, and picked up one more item later.

Now to my shopping trip on Black Friday. No, I did not participate in any midnight sprees. A decade ago I did stand in ques to fight over deep cuts in merchandise, often on ourselves vs. the true spirit of giving.

A decade ago I did stand in ques to fight over deep cuts in merchandise, often for ourselves vs. the true spirit of giving. But I did venture to the king of merchandising, WalMart on Black Friday afternoon to shop for a family we adopted via a very successful charity established by our area newspaper.My trip caused more angst and anxiety, than pleasure, as I obsessed on being sure I got the appropriate requests an sizes right.

I can barely shop clothing for myself being very short and chubby. The females on our Wish request were a subteen and barely a teen, both, apparently large. I drove the ladies at the dressing room desk nutz! nutz! nutz!, before I left. I also bought two, what I perceive to be, wallets for them. Then I had Best Friend (BF), who works for the Baxter Bulletin, re-check my purchases the same evening.

Sunday BF and I returned to WM for one additional "feminine" gift for the girls-makeup kits. This week we will carry our bounty to the Christmas Wish center for distribution.

(2) Our Life Group has adopted three families, one from each of three schools in our area. H an I provide a fully cooked Christmas Dinner boxed by a local grocery chain. We bought 6 which is 1 extra, and one for us. We have given funds for other in the group to shop. We also contribute to the purchasing of gifts, while blessedly we have others who like to shop, usually in Branson, and wrap packages.

A Life Group shares in all facets of a project. Some cannot provide funds themselves, but they will shop, or wrap packages, deliver, etc. Some are able to do many things. We choose to give monetarily on gifts, but have tackled some sticky problems like last year we found a good used bicycle for boy. H cleaned it up and touched it up. We happen to know a citizen who renovates bicycles. Everyone shares as they can; no one is judged by what they do, or don't do.

(3) Then we take some couples from our circle of friends to dinner at a well-known fine restaurant, instead of buying gifts. This way we have the joy of their fellowship and friendship. This has proved more satisfying than gifting.

(4) After years of storing and putting decorations outside and inside, we gave away most of our outdoor decorations to a neighbor with children. We can enjoy them from afar. They live behind us. I put up two tabletop LED Christmas items, IF there is a clean table for them. If not, no big deal.

(5) Christmas Day, we lounge around, and I cook a box precooked Christmas turkey from local grocery chain. It has servings for 8-12, which we share around the neighborhood and with best friend, who is food editor where she works. She COOKS all year, as anything she prints she first runs a trial effort. Not to cook a huge dinner for two is relaxing, and she probably enjoys a day from doing work, but she does love to cook. Occasionally, we have all bought dinners at the local VFW, too.

(6) After years of trying to get appropriate gifts for each other, a couple united from diverse heritage, education and culture, we agreed to personally purchase one "gift" for birthday and one for Christmas. These are not necessarily done at the specific date, nor is there any price limitations. However, I usually mention my choices. My birthday is Oct. 13 but this year I purchased a new lens for my camera in August so I would have it for our Sept. vacation. Christmas will probably be a camera body which will also fit the same lens. No doubt this purchase will be made after Christmas.

And if something else pops up, we help, too. This goes for the whole year. Yes, we have been scammed a few times, but we learn to discern, without judgment.

For me personally this year, my part in these efforts has been somewhat tiring, but it is a pleasant "tired."

Hanging over our heads is the limitation the present heart medication is effective has expired; I can tell the next step, whatever it may be, is looming, probably this coming year. I have had a few fibrillation episodes through this drug routine, but they have been short. The episodes are becoming longer but so far, no more frequent.

I hope to be back with another episode from our trip, probably the Badlands.

BLESSED THANKSGIVING - FAMILY AND FRIENDS

2011-11-24T05:15:00.004-06:00

Bountiful Thanksgiving
[Broderbund ClickArt]

For all who cross my post today, I wish you Peace, Gratitude and Blessing. Whatever your or my lot in life today, I realize many in my own town, maybe my own family, my country, and, by extension, the planet, who are not as fortunate as we are.

As we observe an age old tradition, not only in America, but other countries have rituals of Thanksgiving, too,-- may we go forth tomorrow to embrace the larger world of family and friends, especially those who need us, too.

Interestingly in our language Family and Friends both begin with F. In my life there have been those where the line of definition is all but the same, and I feel doubly blessed.

BLESSED THANKSGIVING DAY FOR ALL WHO READ POST TODAY.

-- NITWIT1 & LUCKIE of Coward's Corner with Luckie.

A TALE OF TWO CITIES AND TWO WOMEN - PART 2

2011-11-19T05:15:00.014-06:00

Deadwood Street Scene and Trolley

The second city is Deadwood, South Dakota and its woman of note is commonly known as Calamity Jane. While Dorothy Hulstead might be universally viewed as an inspirational, devoted wife with a common sense idea that grew wings, Calamity Jane defies defining with adjectives, yet in some moments of her life, she, too, inspired some groups of people.

Deadwood Hotel Awnings

Deadwood is National Historic Landmark whose early highlights were 3 Gs: Gold, Gambling and Gunpowder, all of which created both real and legendary events immortalized in books, movies and tales regaled from generation to generation.

In 1874 the presence of gold was the principal attraction which drew people to the area, and precipitated gunfights and gambling. The news of gold seems to spread even overseas to places like Scandinavia. After all America was always the 'Land of Opportunity!' Gold was found in a gulch filled with dead trees and a creek full of gold; thus Deadwood was born.

Mustang Sally's [We Ate Hot Dogs Here]
[Husband's photo]

There were few restrictions mining gold; people of all stripes and persuasions found themselves striving for a piece of the action from bull train freighters, Chinese laborers, hard rock miners, cavalrymen, merchants, madams, gamblers, merchants. Some came to mine or pan for gold and others came to cause the fortune finding miners to part with their prized findings.

In nearby Mount Moriah Cemetery many victims as well as some famous outlaws found a final resting place. A short list of legendary characters include Wild Bill Hickok with Calamity Jane buried next to him.

View From Our Outdoor Table
At Mustang Sally's

Other legendary personalities were Madam Dora DuFran, Potato Creek Johnny, Preacher Smith, Seth Bullock, Al Swearington and Colorado Charlie Utter. All created legends as much as history; it is difficult to sort it out fact and fiction.

Wild Bill Hickok came seeking fortune, but died at the hands of gunslinger Jack McCall in Saloon #10 while holding a poker hand of aces and '8s', forever after known as Dead Man's hand. Besides his exploits making him a folk hero, he was a peace officer. Hickok was famous for his accuracy with a Navy revolvers, his weapon of choice.

Deadwood Street Scene - Colorful Storefronts

Although linked with Calamity Jane, any infatuation was on her part, not his; Hickok is reputed to have disliked her more than a little bit. She is buried beside him, supposed as a perverse joke by those who laid Calamity Jane in her final resting place. Although she claimed a child by him as well as marriage there no reliable records supporting the claim.

Here We Are At The Stockade;
Guess We Didn't Pay For
Hot Dogs
{Passerby Took Photo]

Deadwood's famous woman was Calamity Jane, a.k.a. Martha Jane Cannary Burke, born in Princeton MO, then Virginia City MT, Salt Lake City UT and Piedmont Wyoming. Her parents died early, leaving Calamity Jane in charge of 5 other siblings. At or near age 16 she worked whatever jobs she could to feed her siblings and herself: dishwasher, cook, waitress, dance-hall girl, nurse, ox team driver and finally scout at Fort Russell. Also in this time frame she was an off/on prostitute at Fort Laramie Three-Mile Hog Ranch. (This link is quite interesting, too.)

When you compare the lives of Dorothy Hustead and Calamity Jane, most of us would probably hope we compared favorably with Dorothy, at least I would. Yet I am a tad ornery and suspect there is a little more than I would ever admit of Calamity Jane in me.

Deadwood Brick Street
[Husband photo]

Her unconfirmed claim to the name Calamity Jane is she rescued a Capt. Egan before he hit the ground after he was shot in an Native American uprising. However, she was known to prefabricate and/or exaggerate stories about herself. This is her story and no evidence exists she and Egan were ever together in any unit.

Deadwood 4-Way Stop

Even when her parents were alive they seemed to move a lot across the western frontier without putting down permanent roots anywhere she could call home. She lived by her young wits, growing up without tutelage among men who were often interested in their own immediate pleasures.

She gained fame claiming to be an acquaintance of Wild Bill Hickok and a professional scout fighting Native Americans. Her infatuation with Hickok was not mutual according to others.

Besides gold prospectors there were the Indian Wars, a wild frontier, some of which was yet to experience statehood. As she matured she was also known to show extraordinary kindness and compassion to the sick and needy. Education wise she was illiterate, so she lived by her own wit, developed by personal experiences.

"Wild Bill Hickok' Outside Saloon 10
[Husband Photo]

The above seemingly at odds personality traits made her both famous and infamous. She wrote her own autobiography, most of it unsubstantiated by facts. Under other circumstances, she might have been a novelist as her imagination and exaggeration of facts, or completely falsified reasoning made for a larger than life reputation of a frontier woman who survived to age 51 by wit and life experience.

View Up A Side Street
Note Deadwood Is Built
On Hill Sides

It is believed she married as many as three times but even that fact is not well documented.
Calamity Jane at least provided fodder for many films, books, music and even a comic book.

So believe such a person did exist, but a historically correct biography will probably never be written, which always seems to be the case for a person who become larger than life, a legend.

Our tour bus deposited us at Saloon #10 which is still a saloon offering card games and slot machines. A man dressed similar to images of Wild Bill Hickok sits on a bench outside the saloon, talks to tourists and allows pictures to be taken.

Deadwood Building Date with
Decorative Gold Trim

Husband and I were really tired as this was 4th day of touring and we had a banquet still to attend that night. We were content to walk a block or two, eat a hot dog at a outdoor restaurant and observe the unique architecture. Climbing the hill to Mt Moriah was not even given a thought.

The main street is still red brick. The sidewalks are jammed with tourists. I bought a souvenir shirt. We had our picture by a giant statue outside a "stockade." The architecture is very interesting.

Most of our group headed to the top gambling spots, so we enjoyed the street scenery. There was a free shuttle bus tour but we weren't sure we'd be back in time for our bus, so we stayed in same general area.

This was our last tour stop and time for reflection. We realized we could stay in that area for a month and see something different every day. Somehow I never thought of South Dakota as a tourism mecca.

'Romeo and Juliet' Balcony
Deadwood -Same Building
As Above w/Gold Trim

Photos by NitWit1, Except As Noted

A TALE OF TWO CITIES AND TWO WOMEN - Part 1

2011-11-12T20:41:00.007-06:00

Photo of Map in Wall Drug Store Brochure
[I hope you can enlarge it.
It is like touring a maze.]

NO! not the classic by Charles Dickens [A Tale of Two Cities] about London and Paris during the French Revolution!

This 2-part post is two small cities with different stories to tell of their existence in South Dakota: Deadwood and Wall, SD. (Which reminds me, I added the Dickens' book and his complete works to my Kindle (99 cents) as some of the classics's precepts remind me of the current uprisings of today in US and around the world.)

(I made photo of picture in brochure)

Both S.D. cities show the very different aspects of settling (or maybe a tad unsettling), evolution and determination of participants in U.S. frontier.

One city is Wall, South Dakota. Wall, SD,only a speck on the map, became famous by the idea of a pharmacist's wife, Dorothy Hustead, who simply tried to help her husband keep the doors open of a very small pharmacy, Wall Drug Store, population 326 'poor people' in a very small town in 1931 during the Great Depression. Its citizens and surrounding area were near destitute from drought or the Great Depression.

The setting: In or near winter, 1931, a pharmacist, Ted Hustead (with wife, Dorothy), bought a small pharmacy in Wall. He had worked for other employers for two years, and lived in Canova, SD. Then his father died leaving him an inheritance of $3000, which was a lot of money in 1931.

When he embarked on hunting a place to make a living, Dorothy had one criteria--there must be a Catholic church nearby for daily attendance, Ted preferred a small town. They toured Nebraska and South Dakota in a Model T. Personally, I might add, almost every pharmacist, more commonly called druggists in those times, dreamed of owning their own store. [I am glad my dream was unrealized. My life has led me in so many diverse directions I would not trade it, for being chained to a demanding regimen required to operate any successful entrepreneur endeavor, chained to ever increasing federal and state regulations.]

Wall Drug Store Scene Backyard of Horse-Drawn
Western Wagon Railroad Station

Wall met the Hustead's two requirements, but their families were skeptical with discouraging analyses, as 'God forsaken,' 'middle of nowhere,' and people were 'flat broke busted.'

After devout prayer by all their families, they forged ahead with their plans to set their fate in Wall. Dorothy chose to forfeit her talents as a teacher in literature, to work in the drugstore that seem doomed to failure. Ted taught himself veterinary medicine, increasing his area of expertise to fit the area's unique needs. They lived in a make-shift apartment created in the back of the store.

Wall Drug Store Backyard -White Object
in Background is Huge Jack Rabbit with Saddle.
A One-Ton Petrified Log Is Visible at Left.
*See footnote at end of post.

A five year time-frame was set to determine their success or failure. In 1936, nearing the end of their self-imposed time-frame, plus two children, business had grown only slightly.

On a hot July day, Dorothy was unable to nap with the children because of traffic noise outside. She returned to the store front and with a single sentence that changed their world said: "I think I finally saw how we can get all those travelers to come to our store."

One Ton Petrified Log
There Was a Petrified Area of Wood Somewhere
But Was Not On Our Tour Agenda
(Photo by Husband)

The idea involved a near free item, but scarce to find for the dusty, weary travelers and/or tourists on the road by their small store - a free glass of ice water.

With some skepticism it is said, Ted and a high school boy made and posted homemade signs. Before all the signs were posted, thirsty, dust-covered people began to stop for the free ice water.

Before the day was over Ted was chipping more ice off the ice blocks, and travelers were even buying other items like ice cream cones.

Train Schedule
(Photo by Husband)

When the day was over, the couple on the verge of failure were reflecting on the astoundingly successful day and, no doubt, gave thanks their prayers were answered.

As any spunky wife would do, whose idea had been somewhat dismissed, said, " I guess the ice water signs worked."
Quite an understatement! especially during the Great Depression in a 'God-forsaken, 'middle of nowhere' little town named Wall with 'flat broke busted' citizenry.

The next summer eight girls were hired to handle the summer touring season.

Today, Wall Drug is a complex, similar to a mall, with many shops, some catering to souvenirs for tourists, various food shops, and a Back Yard Mall addition. It is a medley of tourist knick-knacks, several eateries, artisans, history, artist and various craftsmen galleries, historical relics and quite a lot of humor and a small pharmacy that really filled prescriptions. There was supposedly a pharmacy museum, but like so many of our stops we did not really get to see all we wanted to see.

Wall Drug Store Totem Pole
(Huge *Jack Rabbit on the
Back of Pole -I don't know
significance. See footnote at
end of post)

The complex is still in the family. It is located off the service road of Interstate 90, still in town of Wall, SD. You will not miss it as the signs are so numerous, you would be blind to miss them!

Ted and Dorothy died in 1999 and 1996, respectively. Their son Bill assumed management along with his wife Marjorie. Bill died of Lou Gehrig's disease. Marjorie and their sons, Rick and Ted plus their wives are still active in operations. The sons, (grandsons of Ted and Dorothy) are Chairman and President of the Board.

Ted and Dorothy would be both humbled and proud!!

The sign idea grew, much like the Burma Shave signs; Wall Drug Store signs, a la Burma Shave signs, with mileage to the store have been seen in other countries including Germany. The original jingle read: 'Get a soda...Get root beer....Turn next corner...Just as near...To Highway 16 & 14.. Free Ice Water...Wall Drug.' [Links provided are Wall Drug's own web site and Wikipedia, both well worth checking out!]

Free coffee and donuts are offered even today to veterans, military personnel en route to their assignments, honeymooners, and other special groups. One cafe alone seats 530. On a very good summer day 20,000 people pass through Wall Drug Store's door.

I visited the pharmacy which is only a very small portion of the complex . I chatted with a FEMALE pharmacist, which fits in the not too subtle theme of this post: the POWER and INFLUENCE OF WOMEN.
All pharmacists who stopped by the pharmacy sign a register and the school or university of their training, as did I. (My graduating class at UT-Austin in 1960 contained only 5 women; someday I may write a post on the discrimination and sometimes humiliation women pharmacists suffered in the workplace.)

Wall Drug Store Statue
Tribute to the
Ranch Cowboy

Today, Wall, SD has a population of less than 1000, and the number of households hover around 400. Yet the family owned pharmacy still exists, albeit not the crux of their highly successful tourism business. The pharmacy seized the success and tradition of free ice water, added items that attracted tourists and became a unique, enjoyable tourism stop in and of itself.

And the signs multiplied faster than rabbits or possums reproduce, or flies and ants invade an outdoor picnic!

Wall is one of several gateways to the Badlands and within driving distance of Rapid City, and several cities with appeal to travelers/tourists. Fortuitously, it is just an exit off the heavily traveled I-90, the first East-West completed Interstate.

Wall derives it name from the fact it is build on the edge of the northern extension of the "Badlands wall."

NOTE: This history post is based on Internet reading and the brochure handed to our tour. A part of the brochure history contained excerpts from Guideposts Associates, Inc. Carmel, NY.

All Photos by NitWit1 unless otherwise identified.

Hint to PART 2: The other city is Deadwood, South Dakota; its woman of note is commonly known as Calamity Jane. While Dorothy Hustead might be universally viewed as an inspirational, devoted wife with a common sense idea that grew wings, Calamity Jane defies defining with positive adjectives, yet in some moments of her larger than life biography, she too inspired some groups of people.

Rabbit Spotted on grounds of Chapel in the Hills
(SOOC-Straight Out OF Camera)

*We were bombarded with so many facets of South Dakota in a compressed 4 day tour, that I must have missed the significance of the huge jack rabbits at the Wall Drug Store complex. The map included with the link provided does include South Dakota as the range of the jack rabbit in US.

Texas has jack rabbits, a very large wild rabbit with seemingly out of proportion huge ears, but despite all Texan bragging, the state does not have a monopoly on the species which is a desert animal.

I saw no jack rabbits in our short drive through the Badlands, Custer State Park, or other tours where wildlife was present. I saw a small wild rabbit at the Chapel in the Hills, cute but not a jack rabbit.

The New Math of Old Age 2 + 2 = 1

2011-11-09T13:18:00.000-06:00

Tikosyn 250 mcg. x 2 = 500 mcg. b.i.d.
(twice a day).

Yep! my math skills have only been average from 1st grade. In fact I was more skilled in geometry and trigonometry than plain ole 1,2, 3 and algebra. I made "A's" in 'trig' & 'geo' subjects at the college level but college algebra was a nemesis. I finally took it in summer school where it was taught with a different slant. My grade transferred to UT at Austin as a "B."

I am being a tad facetious here, but I can count to 100 so I passed pharmacy school and for reasons unknown, am very good at compounding which requires weights and measures. In fact I was the only student in history at the time who graduated with a perfect score in compounding lab at the University of Texas School of Pharmacy.

But the allegedly simple manipulations of common numerals was never good and certainly not in my head. [Thank goodness for small calculators (early in my adult life) and later computer programs]. I use Quicken to keep my checkbook in balance and even then it is a challenge.

However, paradoxically, I made 'A's in accounting in both high school and university levels where we were allowed calculators at that time span of my education.

I suppose, like many professors I knew, I understood the principles, but application and manipulation were different stories. Who knows?

I am not sure my deficiencies in numerals led me to a potentially deadly mistake Saturday morning. I think not, but my other deficiency, an inability to multitask, probably did.

I have a number of chronic diseases; hence, I take a handful of medicines; all twice a day, my favorite medication regimen, short of once a day. [I have one COPD inhaler that is once a day.]

Those who follow me semi-regularly, as that is how I post, know I have a common heart rhythm irregularity know as atrial fibrillation. Since I live in a rural state with few high faluting heart institutes like Cleveland Clinic, I rely on the best care available. In this case a cardiologist, specializing in heart arrhythmia flies into my area twice a month. He is well known in Arkansas.

His theory of treatment is first try the non-invasive treatment before the more invasive ones, a common sense approach by most physicians. After a myriad of tests, he determined to try me on a limited distribution drug called Tikosyn. It has some potentially deadly side-effects, so I was admitted to the Arkansas Heart Institute to initiate treatment, which was non-eventful.

I have been on this medication one year and carefully set an alarm clock that sounded like a fire bell, since it was most effective taken at evenly spaced intervals twice a day[not with my usual twice-a-day medications, nor same time]. Each dose is comprised of two capsules. I have had few heart episodes since we finally eliminated some other medications that deterred its absorption.

This type of drug is usually effective for about a year then the heart rhythm mechanism finds a way around them. I have passed one year.

However, there are capitalized, italic caution paragraphs in the provided literature NOT to take missed doses, if realized, etc. just wait until next time.

Original setup each morning.

Saturday was a hectic day. My husband had made arrangements for a farewell dinner at Cadron Fish House in Harrison which is 50 or so miles away from home; hence a car ride. A church friend of ours spends 6 month/year here and 6 months in Arizona.

My fatigue in riding has not yet subsided since our 3000 mi. road trip vacation.

Then Sunday we have church and Life Group. The latter includes a meal to which we all contribute food. I hate to cook so this is stressful, but I had assembled ingredients for an old recipe of my mother's that required no cooking. But part of it required assembly on Saturday and finished Sunday morning before leaving house for church followed by Life Group.

All this was on my mind upon awakening. My usual early morning routine is set out my day's medications, feed dog, make coffee, read e-mail, etc.-- sort of wake up slowly.

I take some of my meds during this time frame and then wait for the alarm to go off. However, the alarm is so loud, it awakens my husband, I often take the dose a few minutes early and turn the alarm off, to reset later for evening dose. I followed this action Saturday morning. Bad mistake since the alarm is a tool which increases lucidity and consciousness.

I settled in for more coffee and e-mail. About 30 minutes later my brain wires criss-crossed and went crazy; I thought I haven't heard the alarm and I'm 27 minutes past time to take the Tikosyn. Without a second thought, I jumped up, went to kitchen, grabbed the medicine cup and swallowed the pills. I stayed up doing some minor chores and went back to kitchen, only to realized TWO medication cups were empty.

Panic attack! However, I maintained enough presence of mind to call 911 and awakened husband. In a rural area the local rescue unit arrives and does what little it can, until ambulance arrives. In this case it was administer oxygen, take vital signs and wait. An average wait for ambulance is 30 minutes; Saturday was no different.

The sum total of it all resulted in a 3 day stay in hospital for observation, after a few hours in ER.

This drug may cause torsades de pointe, a deadly heart arrhythmia, much more serious than atrial fibrillation. Rather than a long technical explanation of this phenomenon, read link provided.The part of a EKG which was carefully monitored is known as the QT time or interval.

In the end my QT time did elongate but not drastically. The net result was the incident scared the bejeebies out of me, but otherwise I escaped other possibly deadly events or consequences.

New set-up with morning (AM)
dose already taken.

To aid in preventing a subsequent repeat of this error, my best friend provided me with two different colored cups like used for side sauces and about the size of medication cups for me to use. I mark one AM and one PM. I take one dose and turn the cup upside down.

All my other oral medications are in regular medication cups, the AM meds in one cup and the PM, in another.

Properly humbled and chastised, I was discharged Monday with increased respect for one definition of a drug I learned over 50 years ago in pharmacy school: a drug is a controlled dose of poison.

Over the years we become too lackadaisical and comfortable about drugs we ingest and their warnings; even the high tech insecticides, fertilizers, household cleaning supplies, etc., even our utilities, such as electricity, gas, or water and sewer we encounter DAILY. I am just as guilty as the next person, maybe more so.

The only medication advice to myself and everyone, is to BE CONSCIOUS and EXCEEDINGLY CAREFUL, but not paranoid! TRIPLE CHECK what you are about consume, via oral, nasal, rectal, vaginally, eye, ear or topical routes!!!

Photos: NitWit1

Apologies that this post is not Tale of Two Cities and Two Women as promised but it is in the works. LIFE HAPPENS!

Also, there is another trip to Little Rock VA Nov 21-23 for husband to receive new hearing aids. I'm forever hopeful they will be better and more comfortable for him than his present ones, so that he might wear them more. [Luckie gets another visit to her unfavorite spa.]

MEDICAL INTERLUDES

2011-11-01T08:15:00.000-05:00

Modern Rendering of TeePee Tribute
To Indian Culture at I-90 Rest Stop
[SOOC Straight Out of Camera]

Although I am in the midst of a series of posts based on our Moroccan Reunion Tour in South Dakota, I am forced to take an interlude this week, due to medical appointments in Little Rock, and our beloved Luckie's illness, plus no housekeeper, I being the very poor fill-in.

Husband (H) has hearing recheck at VA in Little Rock; my Best Friend (BF) and I have appointments with our asthma/allergy/COPD physician in Little Rock on the same day. For once we got it altogether and did not have to make separate trips.

BF and I have used the same physician together since 1991. I seriously doubt I would be breathing today, were it not for his diligent, persistent care in seeking solutions since I have all three maladies....and this week will learn about my heart problems.

This physician puts us in the same room at the same time and we 'entertain' with some of our escapades as he examines us. We only see him once a year, unless one of us as a severe change in our condition.

Luckie, our beloved, spoiled rescue dog, now about 13 years old, went off food/water Saturday and i noticed she and difficulty urinating...like two drops. Since the vet's office is only open 1/2 day on Saturday I quickly called for appointment and headed out of town. It is about a 15 minute drive. Thankfully Monday, she is much better, eating, drinking, and eliminating, however had regurgitated some grass early Monday a.m. So Doc wanted to observe her a few more hours.

Plaque Accompanying Above Teepee With Info About
South Dakota - SOOC [Straight Out Of Camera]

When I remembered our out-of-town trip, I told them to keep her until some time Thursday. Doc was pleased, hopefully for Luckie's well-being, not $$$, but then that is involved!!!

I think she has continuing erhlichiosis. This tick-borne disease can become chronic in a dog. Re-testing is futile before at least one year has past, as you get a lot of false positives.

So I am behind in reading (posts and books) and writing. To tease your expectation, the next post is entitled A TALE OF TWO CITIES AND TWO LADIES.

Also, I have started reading CARAVANS by Michenor. The setting ins timely-Afganistan. Since Michenor writes epics, I feel sure I'll be on this one quite awhile. I like the way he intertwines his settings in detail to the story.

BF and I are carrying our Kindles as we expect some sitting time everywhere. A new area library has partnered with Amazon to allow check-out of digital books for two weeks, much like the library card, except there is a fee of $30 (I think). I am not sure if the fee is annually, or a one time fee.

We may be hillbillies living in the mountains, but we have no excuse to not be educated!

WHERE THE BUFFALO (BISON) ROAM, AND OTHER CREATURES

2011-10-27T05:15:00.004-05:00

Bison Herd Custer State Park

Surprisingly our Moroccan Reunion Tour had long segments of bus-riding with intermittent stops at tourism centers, designated overlooks or pull-over spots. This was OK with me, as getting on and off the bus with my short legs and short breath was the hardest effort of the day on me.

Bison - Custer State Park

Thus were the the tours through Wind Cave National Park, Custer State Park, Spearfish Canyon and the Badlands. For me these were good touring days and I still have some good but not excellent photos, most of which were taken while the bus was moving, or through bus windows. This post will be Wind Cave National Park and Custer State Park. Spearfish Canyon and the Badlands may be one or two other posts. I also have Deadwood and Wall SD, too, as well as two nights dining.

I like to provide historical backgrounds; Four different histories would be a lot to digest in one post.

Bison - Custer State Park

The tour through Wind Cave National Park and Custer State Park was a bus ride with few stops. It was designed to see the natural wild life of South Dakota. The two drives connect with each other.
Wind Cave National Park does have a cave; in fact it is the 4th largest in the world with 135 miles of passageways. However, this tour was not the cavern, but a warm afternoon drive to hopefully see the abundant wildlife in both parks, like bison, elk, deer, antelope, ferrets, prairie dogs and coyotes. During this drive the sightings of wildlife were sparse; it was a very warm afternoon.

Burro - Custer State Park
SOOC (Straight Out Of Camera)

There are campgrounds, a visitor's center, bike trails, and Ranger discovery programs of 2-hour prairie hikes. A Junior ranger program is provided for ages 6-12, as well as evening programs at Elk Mountain campground on subjects like history, geology, wildlife and the prairie ecosystem during the summer.
The CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps), one of Pres. Franklin Roosevelt's more successful "alphabet" efforts to provide work during the Great Depression, contributed to the creation of these parks. The laborers planted trees, paved roads, constructed parks,etc.
Since the roads we took for Wind Cave National Park and Custer State Park connected to each other I will not be able to tell you exactly where the bison/buffalo were taken. We sighted a variety of deer, but not near enough to get pictures through a bus window.

So about all I have are a few bison and the burros; the burros are not native to the park but added entertainment as they love to snitch treats, especially carrots from tourists and occasionally nip you, if you are not watching. We were not otherwise allowed off the bus, as the wildlife, especially bison are dangerous and temperamental.

All I had heard was prairie rattlesnakes, and so I stayed within the confines of the rules laid down for our safety.

Bison is the correct word for the species that roam America's prairies. Because they resembled African and Asian buffalo, early explorers (and myself) called them buffalo and the misnomer became interchangeable with bison. Bison have a large shoulder hump.

Burro Begging For Treats From Tour Member
Custer State Park

In Custer State Park, the 2nd largest state park in the U.S., there are 1300 free-roaming North American bison. These bison were/are used in many movies.

Once a year there is an annual roundup, a great event that draws many tourists. The bison are tested, vaccinated, branded and some sorted out to sell at the annual auction. There is a video clip of the roundup at the link given for Custer State Park.

Baby Burro - Custer State Park
I Thought Look Lethargic And Ill

The wildlife in both parks are relatively the same, but we saw more this particular drive in Custer State Park, which also had some impressive lodges providing a variety of accommodations and full service dining. There are campsites, camping cabins and several scenic roadways. I think the one we were using was The Wildlife Loop Road.

The amenities of both Parks are similar: hiking trails, climbing, bicycling, camping, campgrounds. The Custer State Park was nearer the town of Custer, which offers shops and other local color for tourism.

A tour director tries to choose a variety of sites, so the majority of the tour members will be pleased. However, controlling where wildlife will be at any given time of the day, is not easily determined.

Mama Burro Trying To Entice Baby With Carrot
To No Avail - Custer State Park

Other Burros Not Interested In Treats
Custer State Park

PHOTOS: Photography all by NitWIT

Please watch video at link for Custer State Park as well as read history. I wish we had not been so tired, because we were in still in Rapid City the day of the Buffalo Roundup.

The amenities of both Parks are similar: hiking trails, climbing, bicycling, camping, campgrounds. The Custer State Park was nearer the town of Custer, which offers shops and other local color for tourism.

A tour director tries to choose a variety of sites, so the majority of the tour members will be pleased. However, controlling where wildlife will be at any given time of the day, is not easily determined.

MAMMOTH SITE - A GLIMPSE BACK 26,000 YEARS AGO

2011-10-22T05:15:00.069-05:00

Columbian Mammoth

Have you ever stood by a giraffe, elephant or even a multi-story building and realize how small human beings are in reality. Suddenly our egos exit. We realize our intellect is all that keeps us at the top of the heap of living creatures that now exist, and/or once existed on our planet.

This realization came to me as I stood before several Ice Age animals at the Mammoth Site near Hot Springs, South Dakota. I would loved to have had more time at this location. But as I have said before, group tours are scheduled and you move when told as there usually is another group tour arriving behind you. If you have not already read the link provided, it is well worth your time.

Husband & I In Front of Same Mammoth In Picture
Above [Picture Taken For Feature in Area
Newspaper Called"Where In The World
Is the Baxter Bulletin?"

Paleontology is simply define as the study of prehistoric life, but it has many subtypes, not just bones and fossils. Superficially, one would think this site is just that, until you see and read about its discovery and history.

Giant Short-Faced Bear Skeleton

The Giant Short-Faced Bear Plaque

The Mammoth Site is the world's largest research facility which claims to have discovered about 58 Columbian and woolly mammoths, as well as other prehistoric animals like bears and hippopotamus.There are other mammoth sites in U.S. at Waco, Texas and other sites in Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, Texas, South Carolina, Utah and Virginia,Wisconsin and Washington, as well as several in Kenosha County, Illinois. I may have missed several other sites.
Some of these sites are more the prehistoric human, predecessors of an earlier generation of Native American than those occupying the land when America was settled.
The Mammoth site in South Dakota through a series of climate changes became what is known as a karst sinkhole, which was a steep hole, a watering hole or pond for thirsty animals. The huge mammoths would enter the water to quench their thirst, eat or bathe. But their bulk and weight prevented them from getting a foothold to climb out the steep banks. The animal would become exhausted from their many attempts and falling, until fatigue conquered and the animal drown.

The sinkhole became a mass grave for mammoths and other prehistoric beasts. and finally filling the karst with a wealth of prehistoric bones fauna and other natural wealth, well entombed and protected by silt and mud.
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Almost Complete Skeleton Imbedded Mammoth Site In Karst Sink Hole

Upon discovery the edge of the karst sinkhole was determined and housing was built over it to prevent erosion. It is a remarkable sight to see. The discovery was by chance when heavy equipment was excavating for a housing development, but instead found South Dakota's greatest fossil treasure.

Partially Exposed Skeleton in Mammoth Site Karst Sink Hole

The Mammoth Site is not a part of the National Park System but a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Besides the indoor fossil bone bed, there is a working paleontology laboratory, Ice Age exhibit, ongoing research and education, and a Junior Paleontologist Program (June 1- August 15). There are teaching materials, "Mammoth in a Trunk" teaching kits with teacher support materials, video teleconferencing, and Boy and Girl Scout Merit Badge classes.

Embedded Tusk - Mammoth Site Karst Sink Hole

The Site has co-hosted international conferences and publishes scientific Quarternary research materials. "Quarternary" refers to the Ice Age prehistoric natural history; in this case, emphasis is on the late Pleistocene age.

Mammoth Site has received many accolades, including 2009 Distinctive Destination by National Trust of Historic Preservation, AAA "Gem Attraction" and the Great American Road Trip-Black Hills-South Dakota.

Overview Of About 50% of the Mammoth Site Work Area

There was much more than I could absorb in the hour and 15 minutes allotted our tour. We followed a bus tour and another followed us. So we had to keep moving...to a nearby restaurant named "Woolly's" in Hot Springs, SD, which was a sandwich bar with salads, dessert and non-alcoholic drinks. [could not find an Internet link that exactly matched the restaurant.]

Enjoy the photos. Click and enlarge to see details you may not see in blog size.
This tour and Crazy Horse Museum I wished for much more time, but am blessed I was granted health and relative stability to make the trip and essentially complete the tour as well as the road trip to and from Rapid City South Dakota.

Below are two YouTube videos of Mammoth site in Hot Springs, South Dakota and Waco, TX.

YouTube - Mammoth Site SD

You Tube - Waco TX

Photos (except YouTube) made by NitWit1

[I encountered some problems with formatting; don't know if it is me or Blogger. Since I have had two different composing Windows for whatever reason since In returned home, I tend to think it is Blogger. It is always interesting to see what Blogger will throw at me next.]

MOUNT RUSHMORE: REPRISE

2011-10-19T05:15:00.012-05:00

Classic photo of Mount Rushmore

Photo From Mount Rushmore Brochure
Showing Sculpting In Process - (Appears
To Be Thomas Jefferson)

I know I released a photo of Mount Rushmore Sept. 23, but this is a more detailed post, the highlight of our bus tour. You can find hundreds of hits on the Internet. Its inception was by South Dakota's state historian Doane Robinson, who, in 1923, suggested giant statues be carved in the Black Hills to draw tourists.

Husband at Mt. Rushmore

As with all big ideas there were scoffers to downright hostility to a new, different ideology. There are outcroppings of tall, thin peaks, called the Needles, which resist erosion in the Black Hills. Robinson's imagination was the Needles were a parade of Indian leaders and American explorers, shaping the American Frontier. [I saw some of the Needles, but failed to get a photo. Some Needles' shapes reminded me of stone thin evergreen trees.] Here is a link to a YouTube film clip of scaling and climbing the Needles

You would not find me trying to scale the Needles; I cannot scale a Porta-Pot without falling--maybe the key for me is some equipment!!!

An unconventional sculptor, Gutzon Borglum, sculpting in the shadow of brother, Solon, was making a name for himself at Stone Mountain Memorial in Georgia. He was patriotic, beginning to create a reputation by sculpting 'the celebration of things American' which meant BIG.

NitWit1 at Mt. Rushmore; the Rollator
Was Great To Help Me In Walking,
Carrying Camera, Oxygen, Emergency
Medicines And Warm Apparel.
This Was the Highest Altitude Of
The Trip. I Had Lots of SOB, But
Recovered Quickly With Several
Whiffs of Pure Oxygen.
[Photo by Husband]

After determining the granite of the Needles did not meet Borglum's criteria for large sculptures, he began scouting other locations for another solid durable granite mountain. He chose Mount Rushmore named in 1885 for New York attorney Charles E. Rushmore. His criteria included the exposed granite face southeast to receive sunlight most of the day.

Borglum envisioned four Presidents in commemoration of the foundation, preservation and continental expansion of his beloved country.

He chose George Washington [head dedicated in 1930] as liberator and First President to anchor the left position. Washington deeply believed in liberty and the Republican model of government entrusted to the American people. (paraphrased from his First Inaugural Address].

Gutzon Borglum
[One Place I Should Have
Used Polarizer To Reduce
Reflections Shown On Plaque]

Beside Washington is Thomas Jefferson [head dedicated in 1936], chosen for his influence and writing of the Declaration of Independence, his two terms as President and mastermind of the Louisiana Purchase.

Mount Rushmore
and Avenue of Flags

Sandwiched between Jefferson and Lincoln is Theodore Roosevelt with mustache-somewhat thicker than I remember [head dedicated in 1939] who promoted progressive causes like conservation and economic reform, and expanded the country's influence by promoting the construction of the Panama canal.

T. Roosevelt had a sickly childhood, suffering severe asthma. As was his mantra, he took the"bull by the horns" and converted his image to an outdoorsman, who once owned cattle ranches in the Dakotas.

Mount Rushmore - Avenue of Flags
Long View

Anchoring the far right position is Abraham Lincoln with beard, albeit shorter than I remember [head dedicated in 1937], whose leadership restored the Union and ended slavery.

Dedication apparently did not mean the sculpture was completed. It appears it meant a commission was let to begin the sculpting.

The memorial was completed in 1939. However the memorial site was dedicated by Calvin Coolidge in 1927. Actual carving took only 6 years, but it took 14 years to completion as funding had to be found. Borglum lobbied from state to federal officials in a manner he called a "one man war" to fund his work as a national memorial. Finally $836,000 of federal money brought the final cost to nearly one million, a tidy sum in 1930s, but not today.

Another Classic View of Mount Rushmore

Borglum died in 1941 before completion of the memorial, but son, Lincoln Borglum supervised completion. Although Gutzon Borglum had dreams of an entablature engraved with a brief history of the country and a Hall of Records to preserve national documents and artifacts, work stopped in October 1941; the time was nearing for his beloved America to defend the very principles his memorial exemplified and preserved in the granite of South Dakota.

Final dedication was held in 1951. I do not remember this but I was a teenager in that time period, probably not pursuing history.

We missed the evening lighting ceremony as it is conducted in an amphitheater nearer the monument. There was no way I could navigate the steps of the theater. I understand it is inspiring. But I am thankful for having seen one American National Memorial I admired. There is a Presidential walking trail to an area near the base of the monument, a Sculptor's Studio, visitor's center, visitor's services, Lincoln Borglum Museum, gift shop. book shop, audio tour building, and restaurant. We took in the visitor's center.

Mount Rushmore and Avenue of Flags
Note: Arkanas Flag - Up-Front on Left!

Statistics of George Washington's head:
Tall as a 6-story building.
Nose length - 20 feet (I guess we can call him Pres. Long-Nose, Indians might use such nomenclature.)
Mouth - 18 feet, again Mr. Big Mouth.
Forehead to Chin - 60 feet.

Question 1: Have you figured out what's missing on all 4 Presidents? What else may be missing from one President? [it is hard to tell from photos]

The Avenue of Flags was added in 1976 for the U. S. Bicentennial celebration. Was I every surprised to see Arkansas's flag, front and center on the first of the two multi-sided column rows of flags. Above link is incorrect in that at least Arkansas was on the 'Washington' side. However I believe the placement, which is alphabetical, started with the columns near the monument--not sure, but seems the only way Arkansas flag would have the position it had from position I took the photos.
All my photos plainly show the Arkansas Flag.

These Two Huge Rock Formations Reminded Me Of Two
Comical Old Men Watching over Mount Rushmore! This
photo was taken looking across street of entrance
to Mount Rushmore.

QUESTION 2: There 56 flags for each state, district, commonwealth and territory. If 51 account for 50 states and district of Columbia, what are the others?

Question 3: If a similar sculpture were created today, what Presidents do you think might be chosen today?

Mount Rushmore and Avenue of Flags
Arkansas Flag Prevalent in this Photo
(my favorite of this shot)

Construction of Mount Rushmore
Photo of Government Provided Brochure
You May Be Able to Enlarge and Read
The Print on the Right of Photo

PHOTOS: by Nitwit1, unless otherwise noted.

Some phrases and information attributed to Mount Rushmore National Memorial South Dakota (brochure), provided by National Park Service, U.S. Department of Interior, GPO 2010-357-940/80401 Reprint 2010, printed on recycled paper. I found no copyright; our taxpayers footed the bill, so I don't think I am in violation of any law, especially with this attribution.

Answers to questions 1 & 2

1. Missing on Presidents: (a) EARS; (b) Theodore Roosevelt wore Pince-Nez eyeglasses in nearly all photos I've seen. However, Sculptor Gurzon Borglum knew him personally.

2. Flags (not 50 states or District of Columbia): Common Wealth of Puerto Rico, Territory of Virgin Islands, Territory of Guam, Territory of American Samoa, Commonwealth of Mariana Islands.

3. Opinion - mine only:

George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt [for reasons already stated] would probably make the list.

Add Franklin Roosevelt - held the union together through Great Depression, WWII

Ronald Reagan - led the union through stagnation of economy, ended the Cold War

Possibly John F. Kennedy - equalization of races continued by LBJ after JFK's asassination, but certain decisions began to stir Vietnam conflict. My brother was a Navy radioman privy to top clearance; after discharge he declared JFK was responsible for starting war in Vietnam. His response to certain foreign affairs initiated certain events leading to conflicts.

I considered Dwight Eisenhower as the Interstate Highway System began under his watch and provided many jobs, but his WWII service seemed to overshadow his presidency which was considered mediocre by some historians.

History is not complete on Bill Clinton or Barrack Obama for me to make a decision; I lingered on Lyndon Johnson as he created Medicare/Medicaid, but he escalated the Vietnam War, IN MY OPINION.

However, sculpting a memorial of even 4 presidents, much less adding 2 or more would never happen in our current political environment and economic instability. I can hear the yowls if Congress was asked for such funds with a 14+ trillion dollar debt to service and pay, looking them in the face.

Another link with interesting information is here.

I reallly recommend a visit here and plan to spend a day to take advantage of the amenities offered. A large number of hotel/motels are located near the memorial. It is a national park so senior citizen passes are recognized.

WHERE IS DON QUIXOTE?

2011-10-15T05:15:00.002-05:00

Wind Turbine I-90 (Husband photo)

When traveling home across lower Minnesota and upper Iowa, I was reminded of Don Quixote, man of La Mancha, who among other feats battled windmills in the two volume classic written by Miguel de Cervantes. Cervante's two volume The Ingenius Gentleman Don Quixote of La Mancha is considered a founding work of Western literature and often appears on many list of best literary works and basis for musicals and other works of art, including Picasso.

So what triggered my memory of Quixote?

Windmills of course, except they were wind turbines, allegedly to be the modern salvation of energy for electricity, or at least subsidize present sources of electrical power. Texan T Boone Pickens, an oil millionaire, but surprisingly an environmentalist, is a proponent of wind turbines, natural gas as major substitute for many crude oil uses, a grid of electric recharging stations for electric cars and preserving/distributing clean water.

Wind Turbine Field I-90

Wind turbines were on hills and open land along wide spans of I-90 and into upper Iowa along I-35. Husband [H] and I had never seen so many wind turbines located along a single span of highway. Texas has wind turbine farms, especially in West Texas, I have heard. [See another wind turbine at end of this post with a question.]

Iowa Roadside Park (Husband Photo)

Along I-90 in lower Minnesota, at a very nice rest stop, H discovered this plaque about the connection of I-90. A large plaque marks the area and gives a history of completion of this important east-west interstate highway. [See
photo at end of this post.]

Iowa Roadside Park (Husband Photo)

If you thought you had heard the last of the porta-pot, husband (H) needed rest stop in Iowa somewhere south of Des Moines, I think. The condition of the ROADSIDE PARK sign at the designated area should have said "keep on truckin" but we stopped.

There was an ancient red house, with every entryway boarded and, yes, an ancient porta-pot in the back yard. I learned my lesson to avoid porta-pots earlier in the trip. H did not use the porta-pot, and obviously the house was not accessible.

Iowa Roadside Park (Husband Photo)

Truthfully, I think Roadside Park and (Roadside) Rest Stop are different genre along highways and byways. Roadside parks usually have picnic tables but not necessarily other facilities. Oklahoma has lots of roadside parks and their signs add 'no facilities.' Rest Stops have facilities, usually outdoor tables, and sometimes places to walk dogs for doggie relief.

Iowa Roadside Park Porta-Pot -Wonder How
Many Snakes Abide Inside/ Outside Here?

We discovered a new food restaurant chain on the return route called Perkins Restaurant and Bakery. The food is reasonably priced; generally two can eat for about $20. The tip may run it over a bit.

It seemed to originate in Iowa and prevalent in the Midwest. There are several in Missouri and one in Blytheville, AR. See their site for locations.

Their specialty is an all-in-one dish served in a huge biscuit shell. I did not try that-too many calories. I consider it a personal triumph to have only gained 2 pounds on this near 3-week tour.

Our arrival in Springfield and then home went as planned. We arrived home prayerfully thankful for a trip filled with memories for the rest of our lives and gratefully to be all in one piece.

H drove every mile and his back suffered some discomfort. My heart-asthma-COPD acted up, but I was prepared with medications to subdue them, nor did either of us miss but one scheduled event.

Luckie Dozing On Our Covered Deck

Luckie, for once did not pout after her long stay, but she is still a bit apprehensive when we both leave, either together or separately. This is somewhat normal for her as she has anxiety syndrome when left alone. The syndrome is much better than her rather destructive behavior when she was younger.

Posts still to come: Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse Monument, Mammoth Site, Custer Park, Spearfish Canyon, Badlands.

How many forms of energy being generated, consumed or possibly becoming a source of energy or recycled energy,can you find in the above photo. My list below next photo. You may find more!

Plaque At Rest Stop And Junction Where East-Bound
and West-Bound I-90 Were Joined. Very Interesting!

My answers.

1. Wind turbine garners wind energy.

2. Power lines carry energy to designation end user.

3. Trucks [left lane] using diesel or other form of petroleum, and various petroleum lubricants, which can be recycled.

4. White line on horizon may be jet contrails; hence aeronautic petroleum use.

5. Car [right lane] very edge of photo, petroleum or hybrid today; hydrogen, electric or natural gas in the future.

6. There is a crop which appears to be corn in the field which possibly is used to make alcohol to be mixed with petroleum products for vehicle consumption, or, depending on purity, might be used in other commercial products.

7. In the very far distance I believe there is a clump of trees. Regardless, trees, weeds, grasses all could be used to provide heat by burning.

8. The sun was shining this day and photo was early morning. Solar energy can be converted to several kinds of energy.

9. I wonder if atmospheric carbon dioxide, which is supposedly causing the 'green' effect, can be converted to something positive? [Maybe we should be looking at that instead of scaring bejebees out of us!

CORN PALACES, RINGS AND TIN POSTCARDS

2011-10-12T05:15:00.002-05:00

Days Inn Range Country, Murdu, SD

As we packed to make the long journey home we were not quite through with our sight- seeing and souvenirs.

My husband (H) wanted to revisit the motel we stayed in Mardu for some tin mailable postcards he had seen. This Best Western had an unusual lobby and common area with numerous mounted animals lining the ledge of below a high ceiling and small windows for natural light.

Sign at Days Inn Murdu, SD

I will scatter some photos throughout this post. The motel was independently owned as most in the chain are. The manager was very pleasant and helpful.

The original owner was a hunter extraordinaire and the motel appeared have been a hunting lodge at one time. I am not a hunter nor have a hunter's mentality for trophies. We generally put fish back for someone else's enjoyment. It is consider the best policy rather than killing them and then they are discarded due to freezer burn.

The Hunter

If trophies annoy you, scroll down to the Corn Palace photos.

A tip from my best friend's mother, I should visit the Corn Palace in Mitchell, SD, so it made our stop agenda for the first day's journey home.

Both places were on I-90 before Sioux Falls SD, our first destination night on the return trip home. Because of closings along I-29 due to Missouri River flooding, we could not depend on being able to deal with too many detours. As fate would have it, the morning we set out for home all of I-29 was opened.

Open attic display of South Dakota game

After rechecking the room for items we may have overlooked in repacking, I made one last attempt to eliminate morning decaf coffee,washed my hands and exited our 10-day room-away-from-home.

South Dakota Flying Game

Somewhere before Mardu along I-90, I needed another pitstop, so we pulled over to an unmanned rest stop, with a entrance sign: "Beware of rattlesnakes!" I carefully stayed on concrete walks, checked out toilet area and sinks before I used the handicapped stall. It was a very short stop.

More South Dakota Game

We entered Mardu and H got his tin postcards[ sort of neat] of Mt. Rushmore, and some regular cards of buffalo. The manager recognized us and pleasantly inquired about our trip.

Then we were back on the Interstate headed for Mitchell and the Corn Palace. [ please read link as I cannot regale all the interesting features.]

Just as we approached the exit for Mitchell, the second near-disaster struck. I notice I was missing my engagement/wedding rings. I hesitated to wear them on this trip. I had not worn them for years, until last year I had them stretched to fit my ring finger which had an arthritic knuckle as well additional flesh--translate fat.

Left: my missing engagement/wedding rings;
Right:Husband's ring which does not fit and he left home

Of course, I panicked. My handwashing ritual is to take the rings off as soap residue creates a rash on my skin. I figured I left them at the rest stop. As it was unmanned, we could 'color them gone.'

We passed the Dept of S.D. Transportation as we entered Mitchell. I asked H to stop and let me talk to them. If a patrolman was in that area, he might miraculously retrieve them.

A patrolman just happened to pull in. We told him our problem and he called two units to check two rest stops as we were not sure the exact location where we stopped. There were two possibilities. Suddenly we were not hungry, not too interested in the Corn Palace, either. Fortuitively, we did, as you will see in a bit my memory had a critical but accurate moment.

Ear of Corn Welcoming Statue

From childhood my life is littered with my left-behinds. My mother was frustrated with the numbers of sweaters and head scarves I lost. I've left my purse in more Wal-Mart carts than I can count. I can attest there are many honest people around as I have always retrieved it. At home my husband deals with misplaced glasses (now readers or sunshades) or car keys. I don't think this is hereditary, but is a lack of attention, I suppose, maybe adult attention deficit???

However, something led us to continue to the Corn Palace which was interesting. The exterior is covered with huge murals made of corn. I did not know there were so many colors of corn. In fact another building is being built next to the Corn Palace and seemingly connected to it. Somehow, I was under the misconception the entire building was corn.
The murals are kept in exceedingly beautiful condition and new designs regularly approved by a mural committee.

Light pole with flowers and
corn isignia a base

The building is multi-purpose with many events occurring here.

There were other interesting tourist attractions across the street, some related to the Corn Palace. Somewhat SOB (short of breath) I sat on a bench to regain my mental and physical composure. I mulled over the rest stop and did I have my rings at that point? Or had I washed my hands before this point? YES! before we left our motel room. Hope reigns eternal. My spirits lifted.

When we returned to the pickup I used our cell to call the Best Western Ramkota Hotel in Rapid City. When the phone answered, I told them who I was. Before I could ask a question, in an unusual happy tone, the receptionist said, "we've been expecting your call."

Indeed when I asked if a set of wedding rings had been left in our room, it had, and our maid whom we had left a nice tip, immediately turned them in. They were returned COD so as to know we received them. The rings were with all our mail held at the post office for pickup on our arrival home.

Front: Corn Palace (Husband's photo)

We relaxed after knowing the rings were probably safely on their way home and we proceded to Sioux Falls, SD for a night's rest!

PS: I had nurse practioner check the knot near a bruise from my porta-potty fall. It is a hematoma, but near surface and not the dangerous kind that is like to move around the body to lungs, heart or brain. She said those kind are usually located in the area behind the knees.

Right Front Mural

Left Front Mural

Middle Front Panel
(May be my or my husband's photo)

Be sure to read Corn Palace link and see other murals. All sides of the building has murals made of corn! It was too hot to walk around it with my shortness of breath and the fact I was distraught over my missing wedding rings.

Photos: all by NitWit1, except as noted.

DONKEY WINE - A TAIL OF GREAT EXPECTATIONS

2011-10-09T05:15:00.000-05:00

Has this ever happened to you?

A vacation, tour, wedding, party, or some very big event is planned for weeks and weeks. Certain facets of that event are expected to be the highlight of the event: something occurs, or an event intervenes, or a subject jumps in, which never would have occurred in the planning; it becomes the memorable event, instead.

After months of high expectation our great road trip to a Moroccan Reunion finally got underway. We drove a pickup because I had to carry a oxygenator about medium luggage size with me for night-time use. I could have had it sent to our end destination except I had to have it for six nights' lodging (round trip) on the road. We might could have traveled by air, but we had too much to carry. We could have shipped our luggage by UPS, but overall, we wanted to see the countryside, as the states through which we traveled were a 'first' for one or the other.

Husband (H) did the driving so I enjoyed the scenery. We split mileage into three days driving an average of 350 miles per day. I know this seems minuscule, but we are in our mid-70s; our attention span, reaction time, etc. are not what it used to be.

We traveled I-35, I-135, US 81, and I-90 en route to Rapid City. We spent nights in OK City, York NE, and Mardu, SD en route. I have already regaled one near disaster in Kansas. [See PORTA-POT SAGA CONTINUES - AN EMBARRASSING MOMENT] In upper Kansas; in Nebraska and South Dakota I was impressed with plentiful amounts of bales of hay and grain already harvested, lying in the fields and the highway right-of-ways. I wondered who got the right-of-way bales?

My sister in Texas knows a man who drives to SD for those huge round bales; he sells them and turns right around and goes back for more. Not all livestock has been sold off, but what is left will be expensive when sold.

As designated navigator in charge of GPS, I, of course, checked surroundings to be sure the GPS and our route were coinciding. One way was to read billboards about various subjects ahead.

Naturally, there were hundreds of Wall Drug Store signs, a place in Wall SD we would later visit. These signs reminded me of the Burma Shave rhyme signs throughout the South and Southwest during the '40s--'50s.

But there was one sign that really caught my eye which said something to this effect: 'Visit Prairie Berry Winery, Hill City, SD, home of award winning Red Ass Rhubarb Wine.'

I leaned over so H could hear me. "Who on earth would name a wine RED ASS?" I said. There were several such signs driving into Rapid City.

The first touring day, we traveled through Hill City en route to Mount Rushmore. As our female tour guide mentioned the multiple award winning Prairie Berry Winery as we passed by, the whole bus hooted "Red Ass Rhubarb Wine" so we weren't alone in our interest of the name. Poor tour guide--this was her first bus tour, a military group at that. I bet she reverts to smaller groups after this 4 day ordeal.

The third day lunch was at a lovely German restaurant in Hill City. By now the poor woman tour guide was tired of hearing about the RED ASS RHUBARB Wine every other breath, I guess. When we again boarded our bus she announced we were going to stop at a convenience store nearby and paused. I thought, 'why are we stopping at a convenience store, we just ate?'

She then announced, this store had 21 bottles of Red Ass Rhubarb Wine. We had 30 minutes to make purchases. Nearly half of the 42 tourists exited the bus including H who bought 2 bottles. After the group returned to the bus, they were giddy and raucous as if they had consumed their purchases. They half-listened to the tour guide the rest of the day, and we had an evening at a chuck wagon style restaurant with a western band that night yet to attend with same tour guide.

Our two bottles were for my best friend (food editor for local newspaper) and a couple who were her close friends. But by the time we e-mailed around, everybody wanted to try the strange named wine, so I called liquor stores in Rapid City and found a case which we brought back to Arkansas.

The 4th tour day several mentioned tasting the wine, but one guy said he drank the entire bottle the night before and it was "pretty damn good!"

The biggest paradox was two teetotalers buying 14 bottles of wine with a less than proper name back for souvenirs. We laughed about it all the way home.

Two bottles went to my half brother and half sister in Texas; two bottles went to our neighbor (helped water or new landscaping) and his sister who recently moved to Arkansas: two bottles went to two long time female friends the 31 years we've lived here; one bottle went to a couple who helped water our new landscaping. Of course, best friend got her two bottles, too.

Then at church Life Group, the house vacated of men after our communal meal and before our lesson; we women looked outside. H was dispensing 4 bottles of wine, and another man was displaying some beautiful hand-made knives. I think we have one bottle left which H says he is keeping for now.

So much for uplifting fellowship.......

The Red Ass Rhubarb Wine is only 10% alcohol and made from raspberries and rhubarb. I have dispensed cough syrups with alcohol content as high as 47% in my early years as a pharmacist. There is very little alcohol in cough syrups these days. Elixirs were known for alcohol but that has been reduced, too.

Another winery in Hill City is named Naked Winery. I wonder if we have to strip naked to tour or buy their wine? Can't be too careful with these winemakers! I believe I will stick with the donkey wine.

I hope our female tour guide and coordinator did not resign after this ruckus bunch of retired military persons. She was used to guiding smaller tours. We were her first bus tour. Her knowledge of the history and the area was outstanding. I learned a great deal; she was open to questions, too.

Whatever gave me the idea Mount Rushmore would be the highlight of our tour?

PORTA-POT SAGA CONTINUES - AN EMBARRASSING MOMENT

2011-10-05T16:48:00.000-05:00

Roadside Rest Stop In Kansas [I think!] Photo By Husband

It seems I cannot escape the porta-pot escapades, or porta-potty (which seems to be the preferred word). I previously mentioned a vicarious outer space lift-off when a Civil War cannon fired, while I was perched upon a porta-pot seat.

Porta-pots were not a factor in my mind when we commenced our anticipated Moroccan Reunion Tour in Rapid City, SD. For various reasons we chose a route through Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska to South Dakota using I-35, US 81 and I-90.
Somewhere along the long stretches of corn and grain fields of US 81, I needed to eliminate my early morning decaffeinated coffee comsumed in OK City, and additional cups along the way. The LDS phone number on the units is Ardmore OK which is near the Kansas state line.

As we pulled in, we noticed the rest area regular restrooms were cordoned off and only a line of porta-pots available. It was mid-morning; there were a cars and 18-wheeler trucks already using the facilities. We parked in front of unit #527 [far right].

Porta-pots are not handicap accessible; nor was our parking spot, but I was desperate. My husband (H) would not remember fondly, if I messed up his truck. A man and his truck are sacred and should not be desecrated.

My bionic knees and certain medicines make me less than steady walking, balance or gait. We bought a rollator for touring, but did not anticipate needing it earlier.

First, I had to get over the curb by using front end of truck and side-stepping up to the sidewalk level. As I walked toward #527, Husband lit up a cigarette and walk a short distance away so smoke would not bother me.

I opened #527's door, only to be confronted with a higher than expected step-up from ground level. Please note the units also have a small space between ground and unit. The door had no inside grab bar, so I held on to the sides of door opening and began to lift myself inside, only to catch the toe of one shoe under the unit's front edge above the ground.

I fell on my butt on #527's floor with one leg wedged against the left side wall and the other leg somehow stretched and tucked outside under the door. I am fairly sure the truckers were getting a show to tell when they reach the next truck stop.

H came over to try to help me untangle myself. People who have knee prostheses usually have to get themselves in a position for help. I managed to nearly get in this position where I could raise myself by holding onto the porta-pot seat (ugh!!!), using one leg to raise myself, while resting on the other knee. But prosthetic knees are painful when kneeling on hard surfaces.

While my exceedingly wide butt stuck out the door of #527, H went to his truck for a neck pillow for my knee. Thankfully, it was not packed, as I used it for back comfort.

When he returned, I put the pillow under one knee, and, with some difficulty got myself erect, shut the door and finished my mission. [At home I use a WalMart foam garden kneeling pad and a heavy oak chair butted against a wall, if I fall.]

Needless to say, I carefully exited #527 and quickly returned to the pickup. I didn't want to add to the truckers' comedy.

I had bruises across my butt and lower part of one leg. The leg bruise has not completely faded, and I may have it examined to be sure I do not have a blood clot; it is in the danger area of blot clots due to poor circulation.

Inside the truck I grabbed my Germ-X from my purse to wipe my hands and exposed skin. When we stopped for the night in York, NE, I cleansed any and everything I suspected exposure to the hell hole of germs. When I got home I cleansed the neck pillow. I cannot imagine the germs associated with porta-pots.

If you have knee prostheses, but sure to ask your orthopedic physician or physical therapist what to do, if you fall. I have used this method several times, and been able to get myself up, with little or no assistancefrom another person. Even a very sturdy folding chair with someone holding it will work. We carry one in each vehicle. There was no way to use it in this situation, but the method still worked. Remember some knee pads, too. The garden pads are great and economical.

After this disconcerting event, I wondered what else was in store for us, as we had not even arrived at the Moroccan Reunion headquarters in Rapid City, SD!

CHAPEL IN THE (South Dakota) HILLS

2011-09-30T05:30:00.000-05:00

Chapel In The Hills, Rapid City, SD
Note Jet Contrails!

Chapel In The Hills, Cupola(?), Rapid City, SD
Note Dragon-like Carvings Each Side
[Straight Out Of The Camera]

Chapel In The Hills, Rapid City, SD
Dragon Figure Detail
Straight Out Of The Camera

Chapel In The Hills,Rapid City, SD
Note Jet Contrails!

Chapel In The Hills, Rapid City, SD
"The Stubbur " (Visitor'sCenter)

Chapel In The Hills, Rapid City, SD
(My Favorite of the Photos)

The Chapel in the Hills of Rapid City, SD is an exact replica of the famous Borgund Stavkirke Norway. Built in 1969 it served as home for the Lutheran Vespers radio ministry. The Chapel is a special ministry of the South Dakota Synod of the Evangelical Luther an Church in America (ELCA).

The Chapel attracts vacationers, sightseeing expeditions and local residents alike. It is the lovely setting for many weddings.

The Visitor’s center, known as the"Stabbur" greets arrivals and offers a variety of literature and a gift shop with a wide assortment of Scandinavian theme items. Stabbur is an authentic grass-roofed store house built in Norway and assembled on site.

A log cabin, which serves as a museum, was built by a Norwegian gold prospector who arrived during the Black Hills gold rush days. It houses articles of the 1800s brought over by Norwegians or Scandinavians.

The Chapel’s construction is unique in that the majority of its components are held in place by wooden pegs. Protective materials are applied at regular intervals to protect it from South Dakota’s harsh weather.

Norway’s form of church architecture, the "stavkirke," or stave church was fir wood, The Chapel in the Hills uses Douglas fir from the Pacific Northwest.

Read much more about the Chapel in the Hills here. 

HOMEWARD TUESDAY MORNING

2011-09-26T17:05:00.000-05:00

TOMORROW WE BEGIN THE LONG JOURNEY HOME TO ARKANSAS. WE ARE HAVING TO RE-ROUTE THROUGH LOWER MINNESOTA AS THE RAGING WIDE MISSOURI RIVER HAS PARTS OF I-29 BLOCKED BY DEBRIS OR WATER IN KEY AREAS WE PLANNED TO TRAVEL.

WE ARE LOADED WITH TWO SHORT REMAINING SIGHTSEEING EVENTS.

RAPID CITY IS KNOWN AS THE CITY OF PRESIDENTS. THERE IS A STATUE OF EVERY PRESIDENT BEFORE PRESIDENT OBAMA ON TWO STREETS IN DOWNTOWN AREA. I AM TRYING TO GET PHOTOS OF ALL THAT HAVE SERVED AS PRESIDENT DURING MY LIFE TIME. I CAN'T REMEMBER, BUT THINK fRANKLIN ROOSEVELT BEGINS THE STRING AS I WAS BORN IN 1936.

IN MITCHELL, SD THERE IS A CORN CASTLE BUILT ENTIRELY OF CORN SO PLAN TO STOP THERE. I HAVE HEARD THERE IS ALSO ONE SOMEWHERE IN NEBRASKA, BUT HAVE NOT FOUND IT ON THE INTERNET.

WE ARE TRYING TO MAKE SIOUX FALLS, SD-TUESDAY NIGHT, DES MOINES-WEDNESDAY NIGHT, SPRINGFIELD, MO-THURSDAY NIGHT, AND HOME!!! ON FRIDAY AFTER SHOPPING SAM'S CLUB IN SPRINGFIELD. HOPEFULLY WE WILL ARRIVE IN TIME TO SPRING LUCKIE FROM HER SPA STOCKADE. I HOPE SHE DOES NOT SULK FOR A WEEK LIKE THE LAST LONG TRIP WE TOOK.

I HAVE BEEN IN MINNEAPOLIS MN A VERY LONG TIME AGO. HUSBAND NEVER HAS BEEN IN THE STATE. WE WILL BE CUTTING ACROSS A SHORT AREA OF THE LOWER BORDER TO GET TO DES MOINES. WE EACH WILL HAVE BEEN IN, OR THROUGH, AT LEAST ONE STATE WE HAD NOT SEEN BEFORE.

LOOK FOR BLOGS ON CHAPEL IN THE HILLS AND CITY OF PRESIDENTS.

AND THAT IS ONLY THE BEGINNING.............

Chapel In The Hills, Rapid City, SD
Note Jet Contrail Upper Right!

Franklin D. Roosevelt
Rapid City, SD
City of Presidents

AGE OF MAMMOTHS AT HOT SPRINGS sd MAMMOTH SITE

2011-09-25T05:15:00.002-05:00

Mammoth on Display in the Ice Age Room
Straight Out Of The Camera

Same Mammoth As Above
Straight Out Of The Camera

This amazing archaeological excavation site is indescribable. At least 59 mammoths [in North America probably the woolly mammoth] have been discovered and research is ongoing. Other extinct animals and descendants of many species such as bears and rhinoceros have been found. The site was a sink hole at some point in the evolution of time and climate. The rim of the sink hole was identified and completely encapsulated with a building to protect the dig from further deterioration of climate changes. I have many amazing shots from the dig which is still in progress. Mammoth Site Link. There are many other links to mammoths on Internet.

Crazy About Crazy Horse

2011-09-24T08:41:00.001-05:00

Crazy Horse Memorial
White Model In foreground.
The partial completion in the background;
Straight Out of the Camera Through
Large Glass Window of Museum

You can read about Crazy Horse here and here. [3 links] There are many more links. The museum center there was fabulous, better than Mount Rushmore, and a place I wish we stayed longer.Have many more pictures of here and Mount Rushmore, Badlands, etc. The disadvantage of bus tours is schedule is crammed with sites and you have to keep moving on schedule. But I am thankful even for this trip at age 74, with all my health problems. The employees of buses and tour guides are extremely helpful with handicapped people-both needs and equipment.

Plus here bus tours are following each other in some cases. Tourism is a major resource of Rapid City, SD.

I have a Cherokee heritage, but the Indian Heritage of the Northern Plains Indians do not include this tribe.

RUSH TO RUSHMORE

2011-09-23T09:06:00.001-05:00

Mount Rushmore
Do your know what is missing on the faces?
STRAIGHT OUT OF CAMERA-needs some
light and shadow work.

We arrived and are touring a full 8 hours and pretty tired. I an doing better than I anticipated but still need oxygen. The hardest thing climbing in and out of the bus! I immediately need a whiff of oxygen.