Strange finds in unexpected places.

When we first moved here, we noticed lots of round-ish rocks, which we later found out were "geodes." They are generally hollow inside, and contain crystals of calcite, amethyst, or other minerals. In fact, there's a house not far from here where the entire central chimney and front porch structure are made from geodes. We're using them for landscaping all around the house.

Well, one of these has been on the back deck since we moved in. Just the other day, I noticed (and Barry photographed) something unusual on the surface of the geode.

A bit of research (isn't Wikipedia wonderful?) shows that it's a fossil trilobite, a little marine creature much like a modern horseshoe crab. There are over 20,000 species of trilobites and they range in age from 250 to 500 million years old.

A bit more research and I sort of figured that our little trilobite died and was laid down in the sediment at the bottom of the Ordovician ocean about 450 million years ago. At that time, most of the US and Canada were submerged under a shallow, warm ocean somewhere near where the equator was then.

You never know what's out there until you open your eyes, I guess.

Hummers are back!

Well, at least ONE is back. Barry and I were sitting out on the back deck looking at the garden and the bluebirds nesting in the cleveland pear tree when all of a sudden there was a "whizzzzz" just near where the hummingbird feeders were last year. Sure enough, it was a little (or is that redundant?) hummingbird who REMEMBERED where the feeders were.

So in a jiffy I came in and, following Barry's expert culinary guidance, made my first batch of hummingbird food. Four cups water, one cup sugar, boil and simmer, and put into the feeder when cool.

If you have a feeder DO NOT USE RED FOOD COLORING. It harms the bird's liver and can actually kill them. The feeder, being red, is what attracts them. Other red flowers will do the same.

The window boxes are done, with red and blue petunias and white alyssum, and Barry planted red salvia and red impatiens around the bird bath as well. The early garden is all in and we've already had a few servings of spinach, chard and lettuce.

Now, Spring can officially begin!

A freeze scare...

We've been spending a great deal of time watching the weather reports -- the other day it was 76 and sunny, and I got the front lawn mowed. Sunburn was a real possibility, but the lawn looks great.

Last night, with the peach tree budded out and the strawberries beginning to bud, we were supposed to have a hard freeze. Luckily, temps only got down to 32 -- which is WAY cold for this time of year here. And we actually had SNOW on Monday -- a whole 1/4 inch!

Everything looks OK today, and it is warming up slowly.

Last week, we had a round of severe weather, with an EF1 tornado touching down in Casey County, about 30 miles south of here -- it was only a little one but it did over $1,000,000 in damage, destroyed 2 barns, killed 2 horses, and one woman's heart attack was directly related to the storm. Luckily again, all we got here was lightning (enough so that we didn't need any of the lights on in the house), and a wind-driven, pelting rain, for about 3 hours.

SO many people down here are "sick of winter" -- I wonder how they'd survive in Maine!

This weekend, it's a spring tradition here, the Spring Meet at Keeneland Race Course. We're going up to Lexington for Friday and Saturday's races. On Friday, Maker's Mark, our favorite Kentucky bourbon (Barry and I are both MM Ambassadors) is hosting the Maker's Mile, with a purse of $300,000 (divided among the top 5 finishing horses), and on Saturday, it's the Bluegrass Stakes -- one of the most important preparation races for the Kentucky Derby.

Hopefully, I'll win enough at the races to pay my income tax bill!

Outside Cleanup and Possible New Neighbors?

The ice storm here in early February tore the heart out of many people with all the damage it did to the trees. We were spared most of the damage -- only lost two trees completely, one mostly, and several partially. Barry's been itching to burn the debris ever since. The County is picking up the branches, but one has to live near the road and we don't so burning it is about the only option. Unfortunately, it's been too windy to do much -- until recently. This is the last of the brush to clear up around the house. There's more way out back and down in the Salt River, but that's another day. We've replaced the Bradford Pear with a Cleveland Pear -- sturdier and more able to withstand the wind. We also have an apple tree coming shortly, buying grapes probably this week, then that's it for perennials or trees. At least until next time...

We also had the first prospective tenants looking at both of our "Bluegrass Bluebird Apartments". He'd try the house out for size while she watched. Then she'd fly around looking at the neighborhood and the landscape. I didn't see her poke her head inside to check out the interior decorating, window treatments, or appliances though.

They went back and forth from one apartment to another, chasing off any other potential undesirable tenants like the starlings, but in the end, they apparently decided not to move in today. We'll see if they found better "digs" somewhere else. They certainly won't find NEWER birdhouses anywhere in this neighborhood!

Visiting Cairo, 11 March

Have you ever thought about what racism and bigotry can do -- not just to people, but to a city? Well, take a look around at Cairo, IL (pronounced KAY-row, like the corn syrup).

I had heard about Cairo years ago, and since we were in Paducah this past week, we took the day to go over. This is the river city which was the inspiration for Edna Furber's book, Showboat, on which the musical and movie were based. The Lewis and Clark expedition stopped here on its way west. Grant headquartered here in 1861. It was a major lumber port for 30 years handling lumber from southern Illinois, eastern Missouri, western Kentucky and the entire region. I imagined a nice little city like Paducah, only smaller. After all, it DID have two of the world's largest rivers to the east, south and west of it.

This river city, located at the confluence of the Ohio and Mississippi SHOULD have grown into a prosperous river town. And until the 1950s, it was that. A population of 15,000 in 1920 has now dwindled to just under 3,000. Why?

Economics are part of it. The river traffic has moved elsewhere and centralized, causing a downturn in Cairo's economy. Interstate-57 is several miles away from the city. But more to the point, in the late 1960s, racism and discrimination reared their ugly heads.

The business in town were basically all white. The city hall and police/fire departments were all white. The schools were segregated, white and black. Public housing was segregated.

As blacks in Cairo joined the civil rights movement, racism surfaced. Most whites pulled their kids from public schools when they integrated, leaving mostly blacks there. Blacks boycotted businesses which refused to hire blacks -- and that was ALL the businesses. So whites organized a KKK-like organization, marched down the main street with swastika-decorated posters, and the deterioration, which had begun in the 1950s accelerated. Burning crosses, arson, looting, shootings, all were part of Cairo's landscape for several years. White-owned businesses packed up and left, or simply closed. The city isn't even trying to board up the abandoned buildings any more.

Along the riverfront, there's a 6-story apartment or condo building that's fairly new, in good condition, and outside are parked many fairly new cars. But a block north, a dog lay dead in the street, in front of several derelict buildings.

Today, Cairo has probably the lowest per-capita income in Illinois; the highest unemployment; the most poverty per capita; the lowest educational attainment level; in short, Cairo leads Illinois in all those measures that signify failure.

There isn't even a Wal-Mart within 20 miles.

Yet the architecture and history of the city show through the broken windows and burned shells of downtown. There are mansions along Magnolia Street which would beautify any town in the US. And right across the street, there are rotting, decaying Victorian hulks which are probably beyond repair. Many of the properties in the city are selling for under $40,000, some WAY under, like $5,000 or less.

Racism and discrimination can do a number on people. They can also destroy a once beautiful, bustling city.

Cairo, IL. -- R.I.P.

Charitable donations and exploring the countryside

We went down to Liberty, Casey County, today. Seems there are lots of attractions in our former county because we've been there several times in the past month or so.

To start off, the weather was beautiful. Upper 60s and low 70s, sunny after last night's torrential rain, grass greening, trees budding, daffodils out -- they grow wild along the road here. Anyway, I had gone through my books and clothes once more, seeing what books I didn't need any more, or what clothes didn't fit any more (it's all the fault of Barry's cooking).

We dropped the clothes off at the Liberty Trading Post, which is run by the Galilean Children's Home, an iconic charity around here. Gerry and his late wife Sandy Tucker began taking in "unwanted" children many years ago -- you can read about it by clicking the link above -- anyway, it's such a worthwhile charity and does so much good, I'd much rather my too-small clothes go to them. I was amazed and surprised at the quality of the clothing there -- no Goodwill or Salvation Army here -- anyone could put together a very nice look for under $20! I mean, first quality, look like new, button-down oxford shirts (my favorite) for $1.99! I almost came out with more than I brought in!

Then it was off to the Casey County Public Library. Casey is one of the poorest counties in Kentucky, being part of "Appalachia" (pronounced down here as "apple-LATCH-uh". Fewer than half the county's residents have graduated high school, yet the readership statistics at the beautiful and modern county library are among the highest in the Commonwealth. So whenever I have books, that's where they go -- where they will be the most appreciated and will do the most good. This time it was books, videos and cassette tapes I no longer need. The gal at the desk was thrilled. I felt good.

Then of to the settlement of "Phil", the beginning of the Casey County Amish region. We've been down there three times this spring to buy food at Sunny Valley bulk foods, Amish-run, and have stopped at Hillside Nursery twice, also Amish-run. We bought the broccoli, lettuce, and horseradish plants, which Barry may put in the ground tomorrow morning (before we head to Paducah to do more exploring in the western part of the state).

Finally, we drove around some back roads through the knobs, the community of "Teddy", and back home. All in all, it was a beautiful day, saw some good looking country (without leaves to obscure the view), and came home.

Is it Spring, yet?

Girl Scout cookies have arrived. I was good. Only ate half a box in 2 days. Usually I go for the whole thing at one sitting. Two boxes are in the freezer where I will probably forget about them for awhile.

Barry planted the peas and spinach on the 5th. We're not supposed to have any temps below 32 for the next ten days, so they should germinate just fine.

Over the past 10 days, temps have been from 5 to 72 (right now) -- and it seems the wind has never been under 20 mph. So even when it was 64 yesterday, it just felt cold.

The lilac leaves are about 1/2 inch long, and we're seeing different birds from mid-winter, so things are changing.

Request from a soldier...

A former student of mine, James Williford, recently sent me (and several others) this email. I thought I would share it...

=============================================================
hey all, I am deploying yet again.... Well, here's my address. Will be RIP'ing out with 4/101 sometime next month. Won't be at Salerno, but all of our mail will be routed through there. Will be at a COP or JSS somewhere in Khost province. Back to my old stomping grounds.

James R Williford
A Co 425th BSTB
FOB Salerno
APO AE 09314

Hey all, I know i don't really keep in touch with many of you. Some of you might care less I am deploying. But hell, support a soldier. Some of my men don't really have much for family or extended network of friends. Things that are good are non-perishable snacks (crackers and jerky are great, as is easy cheese in a can), Smokes or dip (hey you can hate it and choose not to support it, but if you wanna really perk up soldiers, send tobacco), padded insoles (preferably any size fits all. Foot movements in excess of 15 miles and over 10,000 ft elevation change during movement are not uncommon), and baby wipes (cuz water isn't always a basic thing while deployed). If you don't care, delete this. If you wanna help out, just send stuff. Once, once a month, once a week, whatever. Any helps out and it's nice to get mail. If you want the specific name of a soldier who might not get stuff from family, lemme know, otherwise i will distribute to those not getting anything by who's just not getting shit. Trust me as a veteran of two deployments and a recipient of the purple heart, when you are going out day after day and risking your ass and getting told it's for the US's safety, it's nice to know that it's not all smoke and people, not just churches and schools that do it cuz it's prolly a tax break, actually care that young men and women are downrange enduring often miserable conditions to come home and see people protesting the place they just lost some dear friends.

-Tango Mike
SGT Williford, James R
"Sapper 2"
========================================================

Florida and Citrus Overdose!

Just posted some pictures of our February trip to Florida on "Facebook" but the link to the album is here:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=8778&id=1662484128&l=422b4

That should allow those who are NOT on Facebook to see the album.

We went down just after our ice storm here. We were cold and in the dark for 3 days, and decided to get away for awhile. Well, wouldn't you know, when we checked into the motel, there was no heat. SO many people checked in, and it was SO cold (record), the hotel's electrical system couldn't handle the strain. They did get it fixed the next day but it sure made for an unpleasant evening.

While there we visited Plant City and 9,000 acres of strawberries. MMMMMM.

Then over to Tampa to the Seminole Hard Rock Casino. We had a $20 "free" spin on the machines, and Barry won $28, so his Hard Rock Tampa t-shirt didn't cost anything. I didn't do quite so well, but didn't lose much either.

Back then to Orlando and Hard Rock Orlando, in Universal City, or Studios, whatever. Two Hard Rock Cafes in one day -- that's a record.

We drove around some of the back roads in the Brevard County area, just to get a look at the countryside few tourists see. Drove up the A1A Highway toward Cape Canaveral, and the Patrick Air Force Base beach, Cocoa Beach, Indialantic, and Merritt Island.

We went for oranges. Boy did we bring some back. Plus, there was a place advertising "Pick your own" but no one was home. Well, we went back the following day, and totally to our surprise, it was Mr. Bunkley -- who gave us a tour of his orchard way back in 2004! It was like meeting an old friend. Anyway, we stocked up on his fruit, and visited 3 other orchards, coming home with enough oranges, grapefruit, tangelos, honeybelles, lemons, tangerines, and pomelos to give both of us a case of "the runs" for months. Is it possible to overdose on Vitamin C? We sure plan to try!

Now, we stay home for a few months ... then planning other trips to Maine, and New Orleans, and Virginia Beach, and Chicago, and Gettysburg, and ...

Picking up and packing up

Yesterday, Barry cut what was left of the Bradford pear down. That way, we won't keep saying "we miss it" and can get over it. Most of the flowering plum came down today, but we can probably still save that. Another Bradford pear got a limbing, as did a dogwood. The mimosa is next -- RIP, mimosa.

The whole area looks like a series of tornadoes came through -- except that the damage is much more widespread, and the trees are broken off in all directions. So sad to see people with trees on their roofs, electric service ripped from their houses, people dying of carbon monoxide poisoning because they don't know NOT to place generators OUTSIDE! Schools here in Boyle County have been out since before the ice storm -- they lost ALL week last week, and today and tomorrow as well. We're still under a boil water advisory, and probably will be until at least tomorrow...we'll see.

Putting everything in perspective, no power for 3 days but we were never really cold; lost virtually NO food, only damaged three trees seriously. There are still 250,000 people here without power, and for most of them, freezers full of food are now gone; in western Kentucky, many people aren't yet able to get home, and the National Guard is patrolling the streets.

The overall damage here in Kentucky is much worse than it was in Maine in '98; the big difference is that the pain won't last as long -- in another month, temps will be getting up into the 50s and 60s regularly, and even yesterday it nearly topped 60; with sun and south-facing windows, we got it up to 76 inside yesterday without the heat on.

That said, we're packing for Florida. We're going to drive down, stay in Cocoa 4 days, pick up some oranges, lemons, grapefruit, etc., and just bum around central Florida, maybe even get a side trip to Tampa or Vero Beach. It'll be a brief but welcome vacation.

The Cat is getting used to his "kitty kondo" at the Heartland Vet Clinic's "Crowbar Motel", as Barry calls it.