happy birthday, Jack!

Jack turned fifteen years old today. We think he's pretty old now. Walks are slower & shorter. He often likes to sit & rest on these short walks. When he commences to lie down I remind him that we are on a "walk" not spending time in the back yard. Often when he is in the backyard he likes to just lie down & watch the birds & squirrels. He long ago gave up chasing anything but he certainly knows how to relax & take it easy.

tree of life

Some of the photos in this video have been on my blog in the past. But I couldn't resist making this video. I had previously made the video with a different piece of music but couldn't post in Youtube due to copyright infringement. I found this copyright free tune & it works pretty well. I don't believe the banner is completed but I enjoy watching the progress being made here. These kids make some amazing art work thanks to their talented teacher.

mercury

Today I finally gave my mercury thermometers to the hazardous waste collectors. They've been lying in the back of a bathroom drawer for years. As a nurse & mother they bring back some memories. I even had to shake the mercury down just to remember how that felt (and worried I'd drop it & end up with the hazmat team at my door).

a summer wedding

Don & I attended a wedding this past Saturday. Kayla, the daughter of my friend, Joan, married Jason at St. Mary's Catholic Church across the street from the state capitol. We lined up outside the church to sign the guest book & it was an opportunity to photograph this beautiful church. Then we got hustled inside before getting the book signed as time was running out.

The reception followed a couple of hours later & was held at Sheldon Art Gallery. The decor was stunning. Linen napkins. Lots of fresh flowers.

Sheldon at night.

Following the reception a dance was held on the stage at the Lied Center. It was decorated for a carnival theme. Live music. An evening to remember.

Harald cooks again

Last month Don went on a motorcycle trip with his brothers & Harald, his friend from Austria. Upon their return to Lincoln, Harald volunteered to cook supper for us one night. That was an offer we weren't going to refuse. Harald did not mind that I took a few photographs. Rex, Don's brother, accused me of making a documentary. Either way, Harald did not disappoint with this fish soup he called "goulash".

I sliced two leeks (white part only) which Harald sauteed in hot olive oil (lots of it) along with some diced red pepper & garlic.

I also diced 3-4 tomatoes. That got added along with 1 tsp chicken bouillon granules & 1 tsp brown sugar.

Zeke could smell something good cooking.

He also added a can of diced tomatoes & a can of crushed tomatoes. And 3/4 bottle pinot grigio wine.

Harald used compact white fish: tilapia & catfish. Seasoned them with Webers zesty lemon seasoning.

The fish were fried in more oil & then cut into chunks.

He let the soup simmer for 30 minutes. Seasoned with salt & pepper.

Harald also made a first course of salad & shrimp with asparagus.

Don introduced Harald to red beer.

We also had some bruschetta made with lots of tomato & garlic. It was a great meal.

clothespen

Union Bank is having a photo competition. They asked people to use their ubiquitous pen in a photo. No photoshopping. I had a couple of ideas & finally settled on this one. There are a lot of fun photos posted. Voting by the public started Wednesday & continues through August 31. Click here to see my entry. There are a lot of fun submissions!

Beartooth Highway

Don returned a week ago from a motorcycle trip to Yellowstone & then on to Sturgis, South Dakota. He has a small camera he fits on the front of his motorcycle & he made this video with the pictures it took every two seconds while riding on the Beartooth Highway in Wyoming. It's amazing how much real estate can go by in two seconds.

the Kensington

Dad's new home is an old hotel renovated into an assisted living facility. It is a fun building to spend time in & worthy of a few photos . . .

Dad lives on the fourth floor. These are the stairs I take when I leave.

These stairs are leading onto the second floor.

The view onto the front entrance from the second floor. I love the chandelier.

Elevators on the second floor.

Just off to the upper right is a table where Dad reads the Omaha World Herald after eating breakfast.

The front desk. I see them offering popcorn or root beer floats on many afternoons.

The dining room. Most people sit in the same place every day.

A corner of the dining room where coffee, fruit & soft ice cream are available most of the day.

The stairs from the second floor to the first floor.

The first floor elevators.

Halfway down this hallway on the first floor are the mailboxes.

Hope you enjoyed the tour.