Fun at Dinner

We went out to dinner tonight at Texas Roadhouse with our friend's Traci & Clint and their 3 year old son Greyson. (I had the Dakota fillet and a big margarita and it was delicious; Andrew had prime rib and a long island iced tea). Greyson, who is a good natured and well behaved young man, provided the dinner entertainment. We have not laughed so much in a long time. He ate his broccoli, took our photo on Traci's iPhone, sang songs, and posed for a characature portrait drawn by a young artist who came to our table and asked if it was ok.  We had a nice time. On the way to the car Greyson invited us to his house to play Wii.  To him the night was young (of course he was napping on the way in)  We told him maybe next week....

Knee Injury Prevention

In March 2009, the National Athletic Trainers’ Association and American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons jointly launched a public service education campaign on ACL injuries and girls.

Today our physical therapist and licensed Athletic Trainer emphasized knee injury prevention in her kinesiology class. I photographed the class and while I was at it listened to her very informative and engaging lecture.

Like a Fire in the Sky

This was the scene this morning when I stepped out the door to go to work.  You know the old saying...Red sky in the morning...sailor take warning...wonder what's coming weather wise?

Rejuvenating the Prairie

Last week Andrew took advantage of the decent weather we were having and rounded up a crew to help burn the Apostle Prairie (planted by James and Andrew) at one of the parks. Prairie burning has to been done under optimal wind, weather, and ground moisture conditions and those conditions don't happen very often. Local fire and environmental agencies have to be notified that a burn is going to be taking place and where it is located. Here he is setting some dead foliage on fire with a special torch. Prairie burning, as a wildlife and land management practice, has been done for years. The fire helps eliminate undesirable plant species (that have not adapted to the heat) and the leftover ash helps fertilize the ground. Later in the summer this prairie will put on a spectacular show of flowers for the visitors to enjoy.

Spring is in the Air

Andrew went out yesterday on a salamander safari for work. He was lucky and found a spotted, which really isn't too surprising for this time of year. Isn't he a cute little fellow? For those of you who are interested here is some information on the Spotted Salamander. Spotted salamanders are found all over Ohio in low-lying moist woodlands that are close to swamps, ponds and creeks. They get their name from the bright yellow spots that are on their body. They are very secretive creatures. They like tunneling under ground and they can only be seen active during spring nights. They lay their fist-sized eggs in masses of almost 100 eggs and they are attached to submerged sticks or plants. (Denny)

Progress Report V

My new Mac is getting delivered today so hopefully I'll be back in computer land by tonight. I painted the den and Andrew installed the book shelves and built the window seat which will be lined with hand milled cedar and double as a blanket and sweater storage area. I painted the room and trim. He still has some finish work to do and then we will white wash the unit. Probably about 2-3 weeks from being complete.

Schleich Rabbits/Hutch

How cute are these? I got them online from Amazon/Target. I saw the set at the PA rabbit convention on the auction table and decided I had to have them. Schleich makes a couple lines of theme sets such as farm yard animals, horse related, cowboys and indians and middle ages. P.S. My iBook is officially dead. It was 6. RIP.