Post-Punk 'Pillar

Post-Punk 'Pillar
Posted by: wendylewis.

This little guy was napping on my garden digger this morning. You can't see it, but he had this little round peppercorn-sized, fire-engine red thorasic segment (meaning... head). Bizarre. The entomology geek in me googled... it's a white marked tussock moth caterpillar of the Lymantriidae family. They are destructive forest munchers with a taste for hardwoods and conifers, with preference to apple, basswood, elm, poplar and maples.... all of which we have in our yard and on the acreage. Maybe I should hunt him down now and squish him under my Montrail trail running shoes. Damn. He totally wowed me with his stylin' ways and now, the leaves will pay.

Speaking of worms (close enough), B sez, "Hey! What's that white thing coming out of Romeo's butt?" Vet sez, "Hey! That's the most interesting stool sample I've seen in awhile!" Not one, not two but THREE different intestinal worms abiding in the hairy toddlers. De-worming started immediately. Don't worry... I won't take fotos of what happens in the next couple days. Ack!

Breakfast

Breakfast
Posted by: wendylewis.

Grabbed all these on the morning walk. The black raspberries are everywhere, so I sez to B... I sez "Hey B.... what's the difference between a blackberry and a black raspberry?" He sez..."I dunno. I'll find out."

"Black raspberries look much like blackberries , though black raspberries taste more like and are hollow like red raspberries. In much of the Mid-Atlantic United States, black raspberries are simply called blackberries , even though they are not."

I don't know how much that helps but there it is. My morning field research finds that those big, orange-bodied daddy longlegs really dig those black raspberries too. I had to fight them off for my share.

They're Watching ...

I think this came from friend Jeff McCusker right here in Cannon Falls ... but, yeah ... I suppose it could have come from an alien. Either way, I'm ready for the alien probing ... or wait ... no probing, just ask me questions. Cool? Cool.

Kitty's LEAD SLED!

This beast was signed over so generously by Helen & Gary for Kitty after the Mayo got sandwiched. I was jealous at the time, since I currently drive my grandfather's 1989 Mazda MPV. All hail the Caprice. I think Kitty likes it a lot, but the Mayo probably got 8 more miles to the gallon or so ... teen freedom comes with a price sometimes, I guess.

Road to the Home Area

Wendy was sweating like a stuck witch today out in the garden (the good witch of the midwest). Neighbors (Merle and Choch) brought us a bale o' straw for the garden. Allis-Chalmers striped the crap out of the yard. Kitty worked at the pharmacy all day. Trimmed some cedar trees. Mixed myself a Jameson and sour. Time to ease on into the evening ... with my Scout.

Brent's Birthday Weekend Area

Meet Scott Andre, husband of groomsman Lynn.
Yesterday, Wendy and I caught Lynn and Scott doing some yard work and trellis building. They deserved a large beer (like this one). Then we ate some awesome Thai food and went to see nephew Chris Hoffman's band play for an hour or so (they rocked and rolled, but mostly rocked!). After that, it was back to Lynn and Scott's for some porch/yard hanging until 3am. We followed (from a distance) an obviously intoxicated or very tired driver home to Cannon Falls who was desperately trying to prove to us that he/she was able to drive (example: veering into the fast-lane and signaling at the last minute to make it look like it was intentional ... scary, yet psychologically interesting somehow).

The night before (my birthday), we had a party at the house. Thanks to my Mom and Dad, Kirsten and Chuck and Mitchell, Merle, Kevin, Chach, Bryan, Nissa, Chad, Sara, Billy, Matt, Wendy, Kitty, Maureen, Mary, Mary, Brad, and Jim for making it a highly entertaining evening. Thanks for all the gifts, people!

Chad and Bryan (in the photo below) were guilty of humor as usual (not to mention flattering themselves with self-portraits like this one).

Meet Cynthia: Sister & Guide to the Bride

Meet Cynthia: Sister & Guide to the Bride
Posted by: wendylewis.

My graceful, lovely & talented sister Cynthia did her best to teach me the ways of femininity from my earliest beginnings even if I was a bad student. In this photo, she was patiently pointing out the finer points of frills and fru-fru and while it seems I was paying attention, mostly I wanted desperately to get out of that itchy dress. Still, I loved her attention, which she has lavishly bestowed upon me from the day I was born. She has put up with my mercurial ways longer than anyone and miraculously loved me through it all. She is my hero.

We started road tripping together as kids (for a story, go to http://www.mentalcontagion.com/rus.html) and among myriad other titles (including Loyal Confidant, Best Listener, Steadfast Savior, Organizational Wizard, Queen of Hearts) has long been my favorite Road Warrior. We've logged in many miles together over the years surviving navigational mishaps, predatory gas station attendants below the Mason Dixon line, driving rain, traffic jams, food poisoning, NY city tunnels, lecherous truckers and always landed in some Denny's restaurant in the middle of nowhere at 3am choking on our eggs because we couldn't stop laughing and neither of us knew why.

She'll be arriving the week of the wedding just in time to gently shepherd me through the final days of preparations, reminding me of all the things I'd forget if she wasn't there. That's why I'm adding Bride Guide to her illustrious list of titles.

I love you, Cee. We can get anywhere together. When's the next beach trip?

xoxo Wee

contemplative house

contemplative house
Posted by: wendylewis.

Solstice

Soltice
Posted by: wendylewis.

Warwick Green and Dr. Chair Red

Warwick (filling Dr. Chair completely with his 6'4" frame) had a visit last night. We ate steak and marlin. It was good. He showed us photos from home (Sydney, Australia). We talked for long time. We like Warwick a lot. He surfs. Charlie don't, though ...

Futztuch Studio (Temporary Name)

Wendy and I both do the music thing, so why not have a little recording studio in the basement!? I did my first project this weekend with Tim O'Reagan from the Jayhawks. We mixed four of his songs and Wendy even got to do some unison Oooohs with Tim. I have to say that it is a pleasure to work at home -- walk outside the studio door and enjoy some fresh air and fine country sunshine. What a deal ... Tim and I worked all day Saturday, sat down in the porch for some dinner around 9:30pm (pork tenderloin that sweet Wendy grilled), worked again until 12:30am, and then - because we were having so much fun - the three of us sat on the porch talking about politics and music until 3am. (Tim said it was like a vacation, except that he doesn't have a day job, so ....). Good times. Finished up around 9:30 tonight and sent away a happy customer (Romeo wanted to go home with Uncle Tim, but it didn't work out).

Somebody Loves Makin' Stripes!

This machine stripes like a bat out of hell ... wait a minute ... this machine stripes like freedom!

Happy Birthday Mike (aka Zeke)

This is Bob "Buggy" Fales and Mike "Zeke" Lundell in my old '67 Plymouth Fury III circa 1989.

Today is Zeke's Birthday. He's 38 or 37 or 39. Somehow, he made it from the Fury III in '89 all the way to his current gig as a Brewer for Summit Brewery. Way to look, Zeke!!

(Mike is also the guy who suggested opening a brewery in Vasa, Mn to brew a beer called "Sir Vasa" ...)

Chalmers and Pile

Yesterday was a top-notch day.

First, we had the ol' ring fingers sized down at Chicago Ed's (or if you prefer ... Chicano Fred's) in downtown Cannon Falls, then painted the new shed door that Bob helped me make (or I should say: "that Bob made while I held stuff for him").

And then -- oh, about 630pm -- Bob comes driving into the yard with an unexpected truckload of mulch (see pile above). We unloaded mulch, put up the shed door (or I should say: "Bob put up the shed door while I held stuff for him").The Allis-Chalmers was then picked up around 830pm. Then, we had some Guinness and Jameson and tipped over around 2am.

Took 'er for a spin this morning. The hydro-static drive, full rollers across the back of the deck, and tight turning radius make this Allis-Chalmers Garden TRACTOR a serious yard-striping machine.

Meet Allis-Chalmers, New Garden Tractor

This Hot-Rod Tractor's got a 22 horse V-twin motor with competition steering-wheel, hydro-static drive, turns on a dime, and basically mows the shit out of stuff ... including poor Bob.

Women in the Yard, Men on the Trail

A lovely day today. I spent the morning in the garden, thinning zinnias and pulling weeds. The Wedding Committee meeting was disbanded awhile ago, but most on board came to the yard anyway, just for fun. Attendees: Rita, Rox, Mary, Helen, Kirsten and Meghan; also, Evelyn (last child of Rita) & her pal Matt who spent most of their time on the trampoline or playing guitars. Finally, Mitchell.... Official Wedding Mascot. Corks were popped before 4:00 (as I recall... but recollection may be foggy) and chi-chi snax were served. Just for the record, Mommy of Mascot, Kirsten & Grandma Helen did not partake in the wino fest and neither did Meghan, who is already learning the meaning of restraint, 10 weeks into the prelude to Mommy debut. Congratulations to Meggie & the husband. As mentioned today, your progeny will not want for baby sitters and a 1950's foto shoot is in the offing in your vintage house .... you in smocks and skinny skirts and pointy shoes, with a full belly, alien in tact.

Meanwhile, B, Gary & Chuck were bushwacking. Equipment: chainsaws & hauling equipment. Mission: clearing debris from the trails so that 4-wheeler & horseback riders will enjoy their pleasured endeavors. B came home sweaty, dirty and zoned out. But what he really came home with was a new hat.... as you can see. I will be doing everything to co-opt that hat. In any event, I'll be sporting it at the next show: Cedar Cultural Center, June 17th. He can't deny me.... and it's adjustable!

A lovely day ended in a lovely evening even if we missed the sunset on the prairie.... phone kept ringing, email kept coming in, stresses for next week were being sorted, eliminated and compounded. It's nothing any of you don't understand. Hope your weekends were splendid.

Minutes from The Tornado Room

There are no photographs with which to document the scene on Saturday night at the Tornado Room in Madison WI, so I'll begin the word volley, with hopes that those attending the First Annual Neutrino Achievers of America Conclave, will duly expound in the comment section here.

Trisha Corona (aka Byrdie) was in rare form (....except she always is), sporting a sleek, black crow-esque look. Having been flown there by the Italian family for weekend writing business (say more, Byrdie) she purportedly traded her Tornadic beef filet for an on-the-bone beef tenderloin, the size of which, upon arrival at table, frightened the soused Italian matriarch from whose plate she made the switch. After much Italian songmaking, during which time The Reverend Boyce Johnson, B & I took our table, ordering a "fun" table red our server recommended, they concluded their evening .... and ours began. Byrdie found us in the adjacent room shortly thereafter, leaving her benefactors on the sidewalk awaiting cab back to the plush hotel to which she and I would be chauffeured via sober Perrymobile many dreamy, hilarious and exhausted hours later.

I had over-eaten in the snack department at another watering hole down the street, so I ate a tasty Caesar salad, leaving the meat of the matter (two medium-rare 28 oz. on-the-bone tenderloins) to greater men than I, escorting Byrdie to the lounge for soire preliminaries. We were joined by two bloated carnivores 45 minutes later, drunk on Flintstone-sized beast intake. B was wordless for quite some time, rubbing his belly.

Topics for the evening included: Bydie's rundown on the Familia Italia; Madison history & geography lesson (given by The Rev); struggling to remember the "I Love Little Baby Ducks" lyrics; a lesson in neutrinos (given by Perry) followed by the Neutrino/Tuaca chant & sit dance (repeated several times) followed by the vestiges of Italian Tuaca liquer squeezed from a bottle our amazing bartender Mandy found behind the bar (mmmmmmm - carmely stuff); local and national politics; and myriad discussions and back & forth banter lost forever in the comfy corner of memory. A very good time was had by all. And Avedis, thanks for stopping by (if briefly).

The evening ended when we were told, again, in no uncertain terms, that it was time to leave. I spent the night in an expensive (free to both Byrdie & I) penthouse level room (her room key doubled as the elevator key), sharing a king sized bed of monstrous proportions and being read to sleep. We enjoyed a choice continental breakfast in the penthouse dining quarters, where I was introduced to the whole Italian family & posse, and a walk down the length of State Street afterwards. Brent spent the night (well, a few hours anyway) in an uninflated albeit inflatable kayak on the floor of The Reverend's quarters, after discovering that the box purported to hold the inflatable twin mattress hauled from home was filled instead with photographic archives. Thank god he brought his pillow, although I don't think it helped much. Had he not miraculously answered his dying cellphone around 11am, I'd still be sitting on my suitcase in the street wondering where The Rev's house was....

We stopped at the Hilldale Mall on our way out of town to see Hannah for 15 minutes before she headed to work after just returning from a weekend in Chicago with friends. Sounds as if they spent most of their money on parking ramps and the W Hotel, eating candy bars for nourishment and riding free tour trollies for entertainment.... among other as yet undisclosed events. (Hannah, weigh in here, wouldja?.... and no sugar-coating, please....)

Suffice to say, B crashed in the back seat of the Golf all the way home while Hannah's pal Courtney and I chatted up front. She told me all about her weekend in Nina (near Madison) with the new boyfriend.... he's quite the catch, from what I heard. We missed Chuck's birthday party (sorry, brother) returning home much later than we planned. That's adventure!