PAUL SAYS HE CAN'T REMEMBER ANYTHING THAT FUNNY

C'mon, Paul.  No matter how you look at it, a table full of Solberg's is always funny.

A SUMMER PAST

I'D BREAK MY DIET FOR ONE OF THESE

Donnie wanted chocolate covered orange rinds for Valentines Day but I found something even better.  This looks so good it makes my mouth water.  Check it out here.

Of course, Paul and I would want to top it off with Reddi Whip.

A DRIPPING SPRINGS GATHERING

I couldn't help noticing that Paul and Dorothy look just about the same in Texas as they do in Wisconsin.

A NOTE FROM DONNIE

"We are enjoying a full week of wet weather--little real rain, but sustained fog, mist, drizzle, and nearly 75 degrees today.  Lots of porch sitting and tea.


Looks like the Solbergs will be here for coffee Saturday morning."

HOW MUCH EDUCATION DO THEY HAVE?

Here's a site you might want to click on. THE CHRONICLE OF HIGHER EDUCATION You'll find a state by state map that will show you how much higher education your state representatives have.

Another interesting statistic I found, while looking at the map, was that 45% of the people living in Wisconsin have no college education. That compares with 37% in Minnesota, 42% in Illinois and 44% in Iowa.

This, I guess, indicates that Paul and Dorothy moved to Minnesota to be with the smarter folks.

I'll bet I know where Paul and Dorothy are this weekend.

The Houston County Fair runs through tomorrow and, I think, they usually work at a booth or some dumb thing like that.

BLUEGRASS IN THE ROCKIES

Coming home from Paul and Dorothy's, a couple of weeks ago, Rita, Roger and I enjoyed a great bluegrass album that they had in the car.  They didn't know I love bluegrass the I didn't know they did but we sure did enjoy it together.

I can just imagine the three of us at the 15th ANNUAL BLUEGRASS AND BEER FESTIVAL in Keystone, Colorado August 6th and 7th.  I've been in Keystone several times and it's a fun place to be even when there isn't a big celebration.

I sure would love to attend that party!

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

Where would you go if you wanted to take a Musk Ox safari?

You'd go to NORWAY, of course.  In fact, Norway is one of the few places in the world where you can still see the musk ox.  The safari's are conducted June through September.  The height of the summer and they tell you to bring warm clothes so it sounds like the perfect trip for those of you who hate the heat.  If you want to know more, go to http://www.visitnorway.com/en/Articles/Theme/What-to-do/Safari/Musk-ox-safaris/

This sounds, to me, like something Paul would like to do.

Paul should take up animal photography.

He sure gets some good pictures. Yesterday he was telling us about a vulture mama and a couple of chicks that are living in a small cave on the hill above the house.  He said,   "There are two.  One is on the far right and the obvious one.  They are the size of a small chicken."

FUN SUNDAY

Went up to Rita and Roger's this morning after our heavy rainstorm.  It was wet but we managed to get out a little bit and check some of Rita's gardening efforts.  No doubt about it.  She's got a green thumb.

We stopped at McDonalds and had one of their big salads.  Those things are good!

Moving along, we crossed the river and ended up at Paul and Dorothy's where Rita got some more flowers to plant.

Dorothy had some blackberries from their garden that she made into a delicious dessert topped with whipped cream.  It was so good I brought a piece home.

I always think it's nice when the family gets to see me.

A great story from Paul.

Dorothy and I had a rare experience. While leaving the valley I noticed a falcon eating a wood duck on the road. We had a camera with us so luckily were able to snap this picture. It is a peregrine falcon. This sighting has been written up in the local paper with this picture. According to the people that keep track of them, it is an unbanned female and is an unknown individual. They requested people keep an eye out for local nesting spots: cliff outcrops that one would need to repel down in order to get to the nest.

And, while we're on the subject...

Let me recommend this excellent book by Dan O'Brien.  Not only a great author, Dan is also one of the best known falconers in the USA.  He lives on a ranch, in western South Dakota, near Bear Butte.

Among the many books he has written is this one which I read some time ago.  I didn't know anything about falcons until I read this and I've been fascinated by them ever since.

If you want to read more about these birds and South Dakota and Dan's life with these great creatures, it's available at the La Crosse Public Library.

Dan's latest book, that I'm aware of, is "Buffalo for the Broken Heart".  http://www.randomhouse.com/book/123150/buffalo-for-the-broken-heart-by-dan-obrien

It's Dan's account of turning his ranch (The Broken Heart Ranch) into a home for the buffalo to roam.  It's also available at the library and I plan on reading that, later this week as soon as I finish the book I'm now reading.

I was just thinking....

These people look much too happy to be in a room filled with Norwegians.

This is another photo from Donnie and Linda's reception more than 20 years ago.