Dreamkeepers

Half-way between our house and the State Capitol building, just off the bike path, nest the Dreamkeepers, two massive iron birds and a gaggle of their chicks. I used to be terrified of these sculptures, particularly on dark, moonless nights when I scurried by these sentinels with the car windows securely closed, until I learned that they were created with the intent to protect sleepers from restless dreams. As an incurable insomniac, I've found some solace from these creatures that protect and, admittedly, at times, terrify.

K & I rode past the Dreamkeepers on Saturday when we biked to the farmer's market. We locked our bikes and then joined the throngs of thousands who made their way to the Square on this Memorial Day weekend. We often get frustrated with the crowds, the slow strollers and the red wagons that run over our toes, but we found our patience this weekend and moved with the flow. We ate a leisurely breakfast, ran into friends and made a list of herbs that we want to plant in our garden later in June. It was a great morning and was a fitting way to ring in the season.

Congratulations, Rowdy and Dan!

Three cheers for my soul-brother, Rowdy, and the beautiful, lucky, Daniel. I have extensively written about this joyous event in my Book of Schemes. Please let me know when you want me to deliver a stellar version of "You are the Wind Beneath My Wings" at your tasteful, seaside ceremony. This has been a week of wonderful news! Thank you, California!

Welcome to the world, Baby Kai!

I already love you very, very much, Precious Kai.  Some day I promise to dance and twirl with you under Finger Lakes skies, but until then I'm sending my love to you and your parents in Corning, NY.   I can't wait until I meet you in person and hold you in my arms.  I'll tell you about all your wonderful parents and how much I miss them each and every day.  

Happy Birthday, Dad!

Take some time to relax and enjoy your special day, Dad.   We promise to give you a break and will not ask you to help us build fences, lay floors or install new electrical outlets on your birthday.  Kevin will move this giant concrete tube all by himself today.

Happy Mother's Day, Mom -

Cheers!  

Aren't you glad that you're in balmy North Dakota instead of freezing your toes off in WI this weekend, Mom?

And very special Mother's Day greetings to Kersten, Kip and Mosie!

Monty's for dessert

If you're looking for some standard diner fare in Madison, you can't go wrong with stopping at Monty's Blue Plate Diner for a cup of vegetarian chili, a down-home meatloaf platter or a piece of carrot cake.  While there's better food at other restaurants in town, the atmosphere at Monty's is quintessential quirky Mad-Town.  Those of us who live in the neighborhood know that Dobahn and the Mermaid Cafe are actually the best places to spend Sunday mornings, but we rarely steer our friends away from The Diner.

Kimi, this one's for you.  I hope that all the Madison natives enjoy this photo of Monty's in the spring.

Adventures in remodeling: chapter 1 - Insulation!

In late 2004 Kevin & I moved into my dream house.  We now live in the house that, when I was in graduate school in the mid-90s,  I used to imagine being mine - someday.  In 1994 our house had two large topiary trees in the front yard that were trimmed into the shape of giant teddy bears and the house was called, fittingly, The Teddy Bear House.  These trees are now long gone, removed by the previous owners, and K. and I have spent the past 3 years working on the interior and re-landscaping the yard.  This summer we're turning our attention to the exterior and plan on painting the house and adding columns to the front porch to add era-appropriate elements to our 1924 craftsman bungalow.

Our 84-year-old home, a house that has withstood many Wisconsin winters, has never been insulated and we decided that we needed to insulate the house before we paint it.  Gentle giant men arrived late last week to begin the insulation installation and I was fascinated by the entire process.  I was especially excited to see the original wood siding that has been covered for 50 years by the current siding that we'll paint later this summer.  Beneath a layer of 1950's mint green (probably lead) paint we found hints of the original color of the house - a beautiful rich, golden ochre.

The exterior work is our project for the summer and I'm sure that I'll be boring everyone to tears and talking about nothing but column construction and how difficult it is to choose the perfect shade of warm woodsy green for the main exterior color.  But for now, check out the exciting 17-second video of the insulation installation.  For a moment, I thought that it was snowing again and that winter had returned.  Don't worry, environmentalists - the guys cleaned everything up very well at the end of the day.  Dad - I know that you'll dig this video!

Spring has sprung

Spring is finally here to stay in Madison.  Our tulips are fading and dropping their once brilliant petals and I'm waiting for the lilacs to bloom. We need flowers and color after the long, cold, snowy winter.  It was an extremely difficult season, one of frozen kitchen pipes, tired car batteries and ice-clad city streets.  We're all tentatively venturing from our homes, blinking at the sun and green grass, and sharing stories of winter heroism.

Spring is a good time to begin new projects, so I'm starting this blog as a way to keep in touch with my dear ones in all parts of the world, to share Madison anecdotes with friends who have moved away from the city and as a very public writing exercise.  

Thanks for joining me on the ride!