Archive for the ‘Bric-a-Brac’ Category
August 29, 2010 – About Those Eggs…
I thought I should chime in on the factory/commodity egg recall. To our customers, the stories from the Iowa egg factories do not come as a surprise – hens in cages so small they cannot even spread their wings, piles of manure 8 feet tall leaning on the doors of the buildings, maggots crawling on ...Read more.
August 18, 2010 – A Tale of Two Deliveries
Today there were two deliveries at high hopes. A pair of Birkenstocks for Linda delivered by Fed Ex and the package was left in the mud room attached to the house. And this box of thin balsa-wood like unassembled berry boxes delivered (in a manner of speaking). For some reason the UPS driver thought that ...Read more.
July 4, 2010 – Are You Smarter Than The Dean of Agriculture at Iowa State?
Before you read, quick, what have cows eaten for the last few thousands of years? Remember that later on in the post. Iowa State deservedly so received a black eye in an article regarding the search for a new director for the Director of the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture. The Chronicle of Higher Education ...Read more.
July 2, 2010 – Love to the Brotha
While at work yesterday, my bro emailed me this photo of a fish he picked up earlier in the day while fishing on Lake Minnetonka in the Twin Cities. It’s a nice scene – an empty lake, blue water, blue sky, and an unexpected fish on a Thursday morning. Can’t say I didn’t wish I ...Read more.
June 15, 2010 – In Case of Fire
OK, so of all the photos Claire’s taken in India, the “in case of fire” sign has been most interesting to me. I am particularly impressed with the first instruction, which is usually left off similar instructions in the US – that is to yell “AAG AAG” or “FIRE FIRE.” Come on admit it, if ...Read more.
May 4, 2010 – Thoughts on Youth Coaches
I didn’t think I’d write about a situation Martin was put in by his little league coach last year – but the triangulation of a few events, brings it finally to bear. Martin played t-ball for a couple of years and last year was in his first year of real pitching ball – at seven ...Read more.
May 1, 2010 – High Hopers Featured on Dock Jumping Blog
Someone googled and found our dock jumping pics from Kawishiwi Lodge in Northern Minnesota and asked for them to be included on his dock jumping around the world web site. So now there the girls are on the dock jumping site – it’s a fun place! one year ago…”Dinner with Oprah Food Editor”
April 27, 2010 – A Late President’s Day Message
Even though February is but a distant memory, I recently ran across this video of the President of Macalester College on President’s Day and thought it was blogworthy in addition to providing good humor as well! one year ago…”Energy Group”
April 13, 2010 – New York Farm Workers Bill
An article in the Fruit Growers News caught my eye this week. A bill is before the New York State Senate to grant new protections to farm workers. “If passed, the bill would give farm workers rights to overtime pay, a full day off every week, freedom to form unions and other benefits.” According to ...Read more.
April 7, 2010 – Random Advertising Thoughts
What’s the deal with the cell phone commercials I saw during the NCAA tournament? I was especially struck with a commercial disparaging phones that were incapable of surfing the web while you talked on the phone. So, if I’m understanding this correctly, first cell phones become ubiquitous and allow you to ignore those you are ...Read more.
April 4, 2010 – Signs of Early Spring
Spring is on the verge of busting out very quickly. This bumblebee finds some early season nourishment on this shrub. Aspen catkins fly in the wind. Finally, the old alder catkins hang on while the new catkin emerges. one year ago…”Conference Day 2 – Ice Breaker”
March 22, 2010 – Paul Simon and Ali Farokhmanesh – Separated at Birth?
Did anyone else notice the startling resemblance of new-found college basketball hero Ali Farokhmanesh and singer Paul Simon? Ali (known as “Stroke” to his teammates) and the Northern Iowa Panthers shocked the college basketball world, when he hit the winning three-pointer in games against UNLV and Kansas, and brings his team to the sweet 16. ...Read more.
March 9, 2010 – Discarded Toyota Marketing Slogans
As the owner of a 2010 Toyota Corolla – the first new car I ever purchased, it is with mixed emotions that I relay the following abandoned Toyota marketing slogans. Once you start driving a Toyota, you’ll never stop! Toyota. Moving Forward. Whether You Want to or Not. Have You Driven into a Ford Lately? ...Read more.
March 7, 2010 – Real Life Marauder’s Map
For all you Harry Potter fans, here’s a real life marauder’s map! This is the “Sprint Family Locator.” It’s available on any computer or our cell phones. This shows on a map where two of our family members are at this particular time. The girls thought it was a bit creepy for us to be ...Read more.
