Takin' the Blog for a Walk

Nothing says free sample like the anniversary of a food store. After making my usual unhealthy choices at Pick 'N Save yesterday, I popped in to the third anniversary celebration of Good Harvest Market. I don't shop there but heard they were doing something special Friday and Saturday. Music from wooden flute players greeted me at the entrance as did samples of Guatemalan coffee.

The produce area and deli is the first thing you see inside the door and I sampled fruits, leaves and a jalapeno brat. A guy from Madison that makes whole grain crackers was there with samples as was Dean from "the cheesecake farm." Dean offers classes to Boys and Girls Clubs and Big Brothers / Big Sisters to educate them about whole foods through hands-on experience at the farm. He uses some of the homegrown food the kids helped with to produce the cheesecakes, which are later sold to help fund the program. Very good cheesecake with a good story behind them. (localcheesecake@yahoo.com)

In all I probably sampled 20 things; bread, chips, wine, caramels, most of which were produced locally. I guess that's the one best thing I learned; that many of the things Good Harvest carries is local, not just organic. I was pleasantly surprised that many of the people behind the free samples were the bakers or farmers themselves or at the least were employed by them. 

I was happy to see the gal from Natural Ovens there. For a while it seemed Pick 'N Save quit carrying my favorite granola cereal and I wanted her to check it out. I haven't seen it for sale since the store started their remodel a month ago. She did find it and called to tell me she located it in the cereal aisle. Good Harvest doesn't carry it because it isn't all organic.

Pick 'N Save normally offers more free samples on Saturdays, but yesterday all they offered was a taste of cereal. It would be nice if they occasionally offered samples of the unusual produce they carry.   

At the risk of sounding stupid writing about something so important and potentially controversial, I've decided to free write this one with the knowledge that it will sound stupid but still be OK.

my vist to body worlds friday by myself first thing in morning 9:00 first group to go trough avoids the crowds $21.00 ticket plus 10% internet ticket fee one week since it opened talked abnout going in blog museum docent told be admission to museum wasn't included in price of body worlds ticket but found out otherwise so I corrected him rented $5.00 audio tour to complement my experience but wouldn't do it again not necessary had two options for audio and chose basic our group was only about twenty or so goijmg in and made the right choice to avoid crowd if I went again I woundn't go at any other time I read about the exhibit and wes exposed to bodies at museum of science and industry so I saw nothing too shocking was surprised buy the amount of male genitalia as men far outnumbered women in exhibit we saw what we are made of good and bad and sometimes looked better than before as all fat is removed without skin there are no wrinkles or blemishes or body hair/ piercings/ though the last "p;lastinate was shown with skin and tatoos one of whick was of member from kiss rock band i went looking for things at the exhibit something that told their age or what they died from maybe have it pionted out what cause of death was from but not much probably to avoid controversy they weren't even called human but pp;lastinates which is ok because they aren't using bodies it wasn't physical bodies that went to heaven it makes it easier to understand if we thing of the exhibit as specimens and there were a lot more organ and bone specimens than full body there were no bike riders or archers but i enjoyed the skaters at they slowly spun an a pedestal even though ethe guy was wearing skaktes the female wasn't and so how can she be a skater there was no ordor or scent coming from the wexhibit as the plastination process uses acetone and temperature to replace water in cells then pressure and silacone to replace acetone leaving just a rubbery vein or whatever we were able to handle real organs and i found the lung very lightweight it was like a human sponge the only sound through mnost of the exhibit was from audio players and quiet talking one mom read display to young kid which interrupted my reading my reccomendation would be to find a sitter or go when they are in school the fetal exhibit was the only time i heard calming music like what might me heard at a funeral the display was sepatated from the rest by a block curtain wall so not everyone would wander in there accidentally it wasn't gruesome but probably not for everyone there were probably 20 fetuses from different stages and a full body platinate at 8 months pregnancy who's womb was disected to see the fetus enough about that there was a horse and rider that took about three years to prepair the other plastinated took about a year i was amazed by what i saw the delicate blood vesels the lab was able to plastinate just the vesels and remove everythins else through chemicals leaving such a delicate structure that it had to be suspended in water and if you look close in the water some of the tinies vesels broke off several of the alarge plastinates were nothing but vesells and bones and was amazed the concentration of vessels in the lips they are solitd vessels there are about four birds two doves a duck and a chicken that are nothing but vessels colored with red dye i guess i learned something one of the plastinates i'd seen pictures of with clamps all over and i didn't know why well the clamps show all the medical procedures they open up the muscle to expose where bones were mended with metal pins, rods, screws now did this one die in an auto accident or shortly after were all these breaks a bone condition we dont know there is a reason to keep these anonamous but at least tell us what it means several thousand people have singed the donor form and several hundred have so far died i suppose its the one change many will have to still be around when there name is finally called for the packer season ticket waiting list at the end of the exhibit just before walking out is four books for us to write in about our experience so i read a little and liked hearing what other people were seeing or feeling and they pointed out things i havent seen so before leaving i went back and took anbother look i didnt get everything i saw but learned enjoyed and got my $23.00 worth and would go again is someone needed a friend to go with after i left i went upstairs to look around the museum a little and one of the first things i saw awas a couple of wooden tubular painted containers which the exhibit told were for bones the dead person was first painted then left outside for a time and later the bones were gathered and carried around by a family mamber and i think i was more repulsed by that than the whole exhibit i just saw the plastinates freely donated their bodies and it's likkle different than donating them to science yea they put a hat on one of the plastinates and another is playing chess that probably never played chess in real life i learned that through smoking 20 cigarettes a year adds about 8 ounces of tar to our lungs a year there lungs are unever to make toom for the heart now i'm getting sloppy at any rate when i left i went to drink more beer than i'd hade in the previous year combined i think i think it numbed my brain from thinking about what i just saw i went on the miller brewerey free tour because i was so close and had time i had just three beers which arent a  olot except it was afternoon and my stomach was empty and i dont drink much i had lite and genuine draft and a dark one i'd never heard of double butt dopple bock by leinenkugels i preferred the genuine draft i learned that chicago drinks 200000 bottles of bear a day i enjoyed the smella of the brewerey really didn't see too many workers i hope you enjoyed this experiment and if i can help it i wont do it again

In my last post I placed a bet with no one in particular that we'd see shirtless fans within the first half hour of Sunday's Packer game. It seems cold weather always brings out fans with too much grease paint and beer on their bellies, and Sunday was cccccold. I lost the bet. We didn't see shirtless fans until an hour and a half into the game.

I have to say I was quite surprised by them. Not what I was expecting. Did they even qualify? No grease paint. Weren't drinking. Not completely topless. Not even guys.

I was one of the few, well, 49 million actually, who saw them and I guess they were noticed. Maxim Magazine, Inside Edition, Good Morning America and local programs were all interested in viewing and interviewing them. With Ashley, Liz and Jen just 20, 21 and 22, it's hard to believe there'd be such an interest.

I'm a fair weather Packer fan and this year the weather's been great! Last week's game was among the best I've seen and I'm looking forward to watching tomorrow's game on a new large screen TV. The temperatures will be below zero but I'm betting that we'll see some shirtless fans within a half hour of kick off.

The weather today was predicted to hit a high of 2 degrees. It was 5 below this morning and is up to 5 above right now. The temperatures were cold enough to cancel today's Alaskan Malamute Club of Wisconsin Dog Pull, if you can believe that. 

Last night's cold and wind didn't stop the 10 or so hardy souls from camping out at Lowell Park, however. I thought it might be a guy thing, "Freezin' for Hunger," but half the participants were women. This is the third year for the Food Pantry of Waukesha County fundraiser and the first time it was held at the park. They were dressed a lot warmer than those Packer fans in the stands tomorrow.

Do you ever think about who may have once spent, or lost, the money in you pocket or purse? If I see something old I'll sometimes think about which president could have held it. This morning I came across a 1909 cent ... in circulation! I was going through my wife's change cup for coins to fill up a baby bottle used for a fundraiser for the Pregnancy Support Connection, Inc.

My heart beat a little faster because I knew the 1909-S VDB was one of the rarest coins, and I'd never held any 1909 coin before. I could find no markings on it so I did a little research right here on the computer. I found out the VDB was printed real small at the bottom of the reverse side. Mine had none. I also found out it was the first year a coin had a president's image - Lincoln's to commemorate the 100th anniversary of his birth. It was also the first time IN GOD WE TRUST was added to coins. My coin is probably worth only $2.00 on the market but much more than that to me. When I think of all the famous people who owned it and the miles it traveled...

I haven't bought tickets yet, but I plan on attending the Body Worlds exhibit that began it's four month run today at the Milwaukee Public Museum. I've known for many months that I was going - I'd heard from others who had seen it when it came to the Museum of Science and Industry. 

A favorite of mine during my last visit to Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry were the body slice displays. It sounds like this new exhibit is educational and not at all gruesome. Besides, we've been viewing human bodies in museums for years just not with the soft tissue still attached. 

Now if I could just convince someone to come with me. So far it's three definite no's and one possible.

The mayor's blog is finally up and running, his first post was yesterday. The comments feature is turned off, but that's OK. The NOW sites started out the same way and we eventually got ours turned on. Give it some time and I'm sure he'll eventually have all kinds of links and pictures, etc.

Once again the Machine Shed has more to offer than just a good meal. I've always enjoyed the gift shop for it's unique offerings. The farm antiques lining the walls are always fun to look at and wonder what they were used for. The food is good, especially the Sunday brunch, and the portions huge.

I mentioned a craft demonstration there in April and thought it was a good way to add extras to an already interesting meal experience. We don't go to Machine Shed too often and haven't seen the demonstrator since, but we were there yesterday and saw something new.

A pleasant young woman hosts a "Kids Night" at the Shed every Tuesday night from 5:00 - 8:00, and has been doing it for over 6 months. Last night I made Playdoh out of real dough. Sometimes having fun is too easy. Just mix flour, oatmeal and water to the consistency of clay and you can shape it and let it harden, or seal it in a bag and keep playing with it.

Hey, adults can have fun too! Watch for "Soapy Snowmen" on the 22nd and "Sweet Treat Surprise" on the 29th.

She started by saying to anyone who'd listen - and I happened to be the only one around - "there sure is quite a variety here," and "I can't believe what you can get for one dollar." And that's how the conversation started, in the aisle between the toys and party supplies in the Dollar Store. Maybe it was the unnatural color of her hair or the way it didn't seem to fit quite right. It could have been the lipstick smudge on her chin. Whatever it was about the old woman, it kept me from hurrying along my way. 

I guess I must have just needed a laugh. I wanted to see what stories she'd tell, and she clearly liked to talk. I let her tell me all about living in Africa, Ireland and Jerusalem. About helping the British during WWII and meeting the first of four husbands, who happened to be from Milwaukee, there in Great Britain. She told me about secret intelligence and danger and spies. Her family of nine, her parents, grandparents...

I wasn't rolling on the floor but was clearly amused. What I could've avoided if only I had someplace else to be! A simple conversation with a stranger in a dollar store turned into a fifteen minute life story. She wanted to talk and, what the heck, I wanted to listen. She could've been troubled but I don't think so. Even though her stories seemed far-fetched, she made sense and, best part, was also interested in what I had to say. I told her she had enough for a book but she declined. Too dangerous, she said.

After awhile I managed to shake her and thought to myself, what a strange woman, but then had another thought. Didn't I meet this woman once before? Probably a year ago I met someone like her that was a world traveller with stories, a person I encountered in passing while waiting for someone.

Wanting to confirm if this was the same odd person I'd met before, I'd just ask her. I know she didn't leave the store just yet. But where was she? The Dollar Store is pretty small and I looked down each aisle twice. Was I dreaming? Was she an apparition? Neither, she's just so short I didn't see her on the other side of some shelves.

Yes, she is the same person I'd met before, and we have friends in common. She invited me to come visit when she moves to Tenessee. We exchanged information.

How odd it is when two odd people meet on an odd day at the dollar store. Looks can be deceiving.

I nominated Marty Frank for the Freeman's 2007 Citizen of the Year. It was unbelievable to me how many good things for the community he was involved with while still alive. He didn't toot his own horn so I didn't really find out about him until after he was gone. No one told me I couldn't nominate a dead person. And besides, I once voted for a deceased judge in Waukesha County!

Just in case the Freeman wanted to present their award to a living person, I also nominated Carol Lombardi, who I've always loved. She was an involved citizen while mayor and I know is still quite involved today.

Just in case Jay Walt doesn't want to toot his own horn, I'd like to mention that my fellow WaukeshaNOW blogger has been proclaimed The Freeman's 2007 Citizen of the Year. I had no idea Jay had created the popular and well-produced Celebration of Excellence fundraiser for the Waukesha Education Foundation just three or so years ago. It's so well done that it seems like it's been around for 20 years and I can easily picture it being around another 20. With all the budget cuts the state is forcing on the school district, it's a HUGE benefit to have a fundraiser like that to help with programs and equipment. 

After reading the Freeman story, I'm very glad Jay was chosen. He's involved in a lot more than I can mention, including the creation of a fund for the Waukesha County Community Foundation, and if I could link to the article I would. My suggestion would be to pick up a copy of Saturday's Freeman.

I hope The Freeman or Journal Sentinel doesn't object to my picture of today's Freeman. But as Jay would say, "no one told me I couldn't".

Takin' the Blog for a Walk discovered a new route to work this week. Every few weeks I ride the bus a couple extra blocks east for the next month's supply of Wisconsin Coach tickets from a little shop on Water Street. Instead of taking the sidewalk south past boutiques, salons, cafe's, galleries and restaurants, I decided to follow the boardwalk next to the Milwaukee River to see where it would lead me. I enjoyed it so much that I tried it again the next day -- on the other side.

I've been on the Milwaukee Riverwalk a few times. I enjoy the sculpture but never felt as enthused about the walk as I probably should have. It has variety and it's nice and wide with plenty of places to relax over the lunch hour. There's so much to see and, in summer with RiverSplash and other events, there's a lot to do. But it's still cement. It feels like a continuation of the street or sidewalk instead of a continuation of the river.

That's why I was thrilled to discover the Third Ward Riverwalk Tuesday. It begins at an interesting plaza across Water Street from the Milwaukee Public Market. 

The wooden walkway meanders south past bistros and condos. It has a much warmer feel than cement and I get a much different perspective of the river. It feels closer to the water and there's natural plantings and beefy wooden benches along the way. It seems quieter than downtown even though it's only a couple blocks from there. 

Condos are constantly being built along the rivers and I think I know why.

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From the prayer card at visitation:          

In Loving Memory Of Governor Lee Sherman Dreyfus

June 20, 1926 - January 2, 2008

"He has given us a 23rd Psalm place in which to live;

He has given us life and all the marvelous senses to savor it;

He has given us minds with unlimited capacity to imagine and create, and

He has given us a Saviour, His own beloved Son.

How he must love us."

-  Lee Sherman Dreyfus

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It's 52 degrees in Waukesha right now - the snow won't last long. At 10 feet tall my snowman may last until the next cold front. At 81 years old, Wisconsin's 40th governor wasn't going to live forever, but his memory just might.   

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All great men seem to die soon after they stop writing. In August I wrote about Lee Sherman Dreyfus discontinuing his Freeman column, and now he's gone. I don't know if it was T.V. that killed him, but I'm not taking any chances. I plan on blogging forever. 

I admired Governor Dreyfus greatly, but I didn't vote for him. I only came to know and love him these last 20+ years in sharing a community with him. I've always shared a name with him but one endearing thing I liked about him was that he chose Waukesha to live. The city was a better place with Lee Dreyfus living here. Not only was he kind and funny and smart, but he was such a wonderful example of helpfulness, besides faithfulness and stability in his long marriage. I didn't know him personally, but heard him talk and have seen his biography on Channel 10, not to mention years of incredible weekly Freeman columns.

Just the other day I was talking with a guy my age who's friend had recently been buried in Prairie Home Cemetery. The plot, he was saying, was close to the Dreyfus plot with it's seven foot red granite monument in the shape of Wisconsin. We both thought that was cool to be buried close to Lee. Even in death he brings joy.  

In many ways Lee reminded me of my own father, and I will miss him almost as much.

Please share your memories of Mr. Dreyfus by clicking the comment button below. thanks

Public visitation is Sunday at the Lee Sherman Dreyfus State Office Building from noon to 5:00 with a Masonic service and brief prayer service at 5:00.

Executive Order          TMJ4 video

As crazy as it sounds, I've often been tempted to jump into Lake Michigan on New Year's Day. A quick in and out and you're done. You want crazy? How about those fools at Packer games who go shirtless when the wind chill is below zero. Besides, I've seen the pictures of the Polar Bears in the media and they all look like they're having a good time. 

If I were to go in, I'd have to have family or friends there to support me (hold the blanket and Thermos) and verify that I did indeed go in. And once again, I couldn't even pay anyone to go with me. As a matter of fact, one member of my family said anyone who jumps in the lake in winter is a moron . . . plus they'd never talk to me again.

It wasn't that bad, Mom. It was still 23 degrees away from zero. I know you think I just did it as a stunt for my blog, and you're right! I joined thousands of other morons at noon on frozen Bradford Beach for the annual party. Maybe we could write to each other instead?

I learned this morning that an 18 year old I knew was going to take his first dip also. Could I possibly meet up with his family for mutual support and encouragement?  Tim is the young man I've mentioned once or twice before, and I was looking forward to seeing him and his parents again. If a young athlete with leukemia felt he could jump in, surely I, a middle-aged, out of shape blogger could join in the fun? Actually, I think a little extra body fat is preferable in this sport.

There must have been a thousand cold bodies there, half to watch and take pictures, and the other half going in. There were some tents and campfires but most people didn't use them. I parked almost a mile away at McKinley Marina and worked up such a sweat walking there that I was about ready to cool off in the lake anyway. Never found Tim and parents among the throng, though talking to him later by phone he did verify that he went in. 

I wore nothing but my swim trunks and went all the way under. Because I did a lot of barefoot walking on snow and ice, the only thing that got really cold were my toes.

The Polar Plunge is a huge party atmosphere, lots of "morons" there to watch. I'd go again, but would leave earlier to find better parking.