Frolicking In The River

Sometimes, the experience is worth sitting in the pouring rain . . .

Excavation

I've had some major work taking place at the house. The other day, I came home from work to find this monster in my yard. I'm having the broken drainage pipe that runs from the house to the ditch (did you know that was legal??) replaced.
For the last few years, the crawl space has been flooding. It has been a total pain to pump it out, particularly when the power goes out.
Hopefully, though, that is behind me. It sure was a big job, just for one little pipe . . .

Yogurt

I have a new project. I'm working my way through a 7-step Beginners' Cheesemaking Class. This is an actual course with a syllabus. It was created by a chemistry professor from the University of Cincinnati (where I teach my landlord class!). After designing the course, Dr. Frankhauser posted it online! (Don't ya just love the internet?)
I'm taking advantage of his generosity and beginning the course this weekend. Each step is designed to teach you the skills you'll need for the next step and it starts with yogurt.
If I make a mess, I'll post the pictures. If you'd like to try this yourself, you can find Dr. Frankhauser's course at: http://biology.clc.uc.edu/fankhauser/cheese/cheese_course/cheese_course.htm.

More Cats?

Early this summer, a kitten showed up at my house, with no mother to be seen. She was about 6 – 7 weeks old, too young to take care of herself. So, my housemate and I started scrambling an egg for her every morning; there’s no telling what else my roommate was giving her, but the cat really trusts her now.
If you’ve followed this blog for any length of time, you know that I’ve already done the feral/stray cat thing in my yard. I’ve spent lots of time and money feeding and fixing animals, taming and finding homes for any litters and agonizing over their illnesses and disappearances. The reason I have 6 cats in the house is because I don’t want to deal with a herd of them outside anymore. But, what can you do when a little one shows up?
So, my housemate named the kitty Frisky and she’s nearly an adult, now. She’s really only tame to one person, though, and I haven’t decided what to do with her when winter comes. I have an elderly cat inside that’s dying right now, and it seems unfair to make her adjust to a newcomer at this point in her life. Sigh . . .
But, wait – there’s more! Look what showed up two weeks ago. And just for good measure, fate made sure that I was unable to turn a blind eye by having them wander in at an even younger age than Frisky; they were about a month old. Now, at near 6 weeks, I can tell that there’s one male and one female. On top of that, the neighbor just spotted another coyote in the woods behind our houses, so I can't leave them outside.

Guess who's getting scrambled eggs now? Yep, they’re living on my porch and will probably become inside cats . . . As much as I don't want more cats and hate to see more strays born, it's such a joy to be around them at this age.
Got any suggestions for names for pure black cats of either gender?

Siena Heights University

I love the idea of being a “tourist in your home town.” There are so many things that we take for granted and don’t bother to really see.

While Adrian isn’t my hometown, it’s certainly familiar. On my last trip there, I visited the campus of Siena Heights University, a little Catholic school. Campuses are often so pretty and the religious ones really dress things up, it seems.


The school houses a cemetery, where you'll find this gorgeous Pieta:

A mesmerizing labyrinth:

The campus has different little pockets of beauty and solitude.
Pretty little garden:

A peaceful place to rest:

This would be a great place to bring a picnic and spend an afternoon!

Community Spirit

Aren’t small towns great? An event can include everyone in town, if they want. I recently went to a fair in Pemberville, Ohio, population 1371 (how’d you like to be the ONE registered sex offender there?). There was also a parade through town; apparently anyone can participate, including political candidates, anyone who can tack some fake turf to a wagon, and those Shriners in their crazy hats and tiny cars.
Flying batons -

All the downtown merchants had specials. Because the fairgrounds is right next to the American Legion, they offer great food selections, which is a big money-maker for them.
Girls ready for the parade -

Old men ready for the parade -

And, of course, the midway -

Broom Maker

You know those cool, old general stores that you can rarely find anymore? The kind where you can still purchase yesteryear items like meat grinders, tin campwear, lye soap and linseed oil? They’re usually in an old Main Street store front, with squeaking wooden floors and high tin ceilings. Well, I found an amazing one in Victor, Colorado. The proprietors were, by trade, broom makers. I’ve never met a broom maker, although my great-grandfather did it as a sideline for extra income.
These folks, just a solitary couple, make brooms using 18th Century equipment, in the traditional fashion. The machine she is using is pedal-powered, like an old sewing machine! They are also tinsmiths and candle makers, among other things.

Note the sign behind her, which reads: "You live in a $300,000 house and you have a PLASTIC broom?"
Look at the impressive broom collection they have!

You can order from them through their web site at victortradingco.com. Turns out, the lady is originally from Michigan!