The comment below appeared in our Weekend Open Blog below:
"Anonymous said...
Pass the word that there is another alternative to The John Dickert Times in Racine.
http://www.racinecommunicator.com
"Hard copy newspapers are being printed, I believe, every two weeks.
Saturday, September 15, 2012
Friday, September 14, 2012
Four for Fridays
Hello everyone! Welcome back to Four for Fridays after what is seemed like a very quick week. It went so fast that it was a blur. Maybe it was the lack of work at work. Anyways some questions for you....
1) What are you looking forward to the most in the Autumn?
2) What was the most cash you have ever found at one time?
3) Do you drink bottled/canned beverages straight from the bottle/can or do you pour into a glass?
4) What kind of dressing do you like on your salad?
Enjoy your weekend!
1) What are you looking forward to the most in the Autumn?
2) What was the most cash you have ever found at one time?
3) Do you drink bottled/canned beverages straight from the bottle/can or do you pour into a glass?
4) What kind of dressing do you like on your salad?
Enjoy your weekend!
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Flowers From Horican Marsh!
This past Saturday Drew, his son and I took a ride up north between Lomira and Fond Du Lac. We went to Horican Marsh Wildlife Refuge. The place is really huge it goes from just south of Fond Du Lac to down by a town call Theresa. We went to the north side of it to see what we could find between the wildlife and the wildflowers.
We took Hwy 41 to Cty Hwy 49. When you get off at Cty Hwy 49 you go left and you come to a lookout point. I pulled into the parking lot and seen so many different flowers. I could not believe this it was just so awesome. The flower above is an Orange Milkweed flower. This is just the start of what we seen out there.
As we walked the path I was just getting to see so many different flowers. It was so exciting to be able to see the different flowers. The one above is an Ironweed flower. I thought this one was just beautiful and I had to take a picture.
We also seen Purple and Yellow Cornflowers. It was like a blanket of different kinds of flowers out there. I have so many pictures of the Cornflowers that is why I just picked this one. I was in heaven with all the flowers out there.
This is a Golden Ragwort. Between the Golden Ragwort, the False Dandelion and the Tall Golden Rod you could see this for miles they just blanketed the prairie. It was just so beautiful to see that out there. It was just a gorgeous blanket of yellow flowers to see.The one below is a False Dandelion and below that is Tall Golden Rod.
Then we left this area and we drove down the road to a marsh. I was driving on the gravel along the road and water looking at the wildlife in the water. This was just as beautiful as looking at the prairie of flowers. I was so peaceful out there listening to the calls of the wildlife. It was about a mile of driving and stopping for pictures.
Along the way I could not pass up this picture of the Cattail above. The two different colors of brown and tan on it. That was just so different for me. The only ones I was seeing was brown and fuzzy around here. You would see the Cattails along the side of the road with different flowers. The flower below the Cattail is a Chicory, Cichorium Intybus. It is really nice to finally see a lot of different flowers and they are so beautiful.
Down the road I seen this purple flower then when we came up to the flower I seen it and said I don't have this flower in my wildflower folder. So I took a picture of Purple Prairie Clover with False Dandelions. That looks like a gorgeous bouquet of flowers.
Then we went further down the road I seen a sign to turn left for an auto tour that takes about a half hour. Well with us it was a lot longer than that. When we keep seeing different wildlife and wildflowers to take pictures.
We came along the auto trail to find this flower Late Purple Aster. It looks like a daisy because it is in the daisy family.
Going down the road we seen a lot of different birds flying across the road like a Cardinal, Swallows and Starlings. Drew had the binoculars and in the distant he saw a Bald Eagle out there. There are lots of walking trails and a Boardwalk. We got out of the car to go by the Boardwalk and when we came back to the car I told Drew we had to start heading home. We spent about three hours out there and I promised Drew we would go back there. This was just one little spot that we spent three hours at. More to come from Horicon Marsh.
Dear Madame Zoltar
Hello, my gallivanting galoots! How are you?
Our weather has been seasonal and bittersweet. I love the warm days and cool nights, but, of
course, that signals a shift toward fall and winter. Autumn can be beautiful, but winter is
daunting. My garden has done well this
year. I hate to see it go.
As the whole world knows by now, our illustrious and
magnificent Green Bay Packers lost to the San Francisco
49ers this past Sunday. Oh my, what a
way to start a season. I would say that
our beloved Pack also lost a little to the officiating. Where did they get those replacement
officials from, the nearest bar? The
referee calls where late and confusing at best.
I don’t want to sound like sour grapes here; the 49ers had to deal with
the same officials. Our team was simply
outplayed. It broke my heart, but I
guess we got what we deserved. And now
the Packers face the specter of the Chicago Bears tomorrow night, at Soldier
Field. Oh dear, Green
Bay is facing their archenemy only a few days after
losing to the 49ers, on the Bears’ turf.
Go Pack! It’s all I can do to
stop myself from interfering with the outcome.
BTW, DID YOU KNOW THERE IS AN ELECTION COMING UP? I JUST THOUGHT I’D DISCREETLY REMIND YOU FOR
THE HUNDRED THOUSANDTH TIME! If all the
money that politicians spend on lying to us was applied to our problems, they
would be solved. Instead, the criminal
egomaniacs continue to steal our hard earned dollars. Such sad, selfish babies. We’ve lost our country to criminals. Wouldn’t it be nice to see a politician
actually do his/her job instead of trying to divide and separate us with lies?
Have you seen the latest internet meme? In case you haven’t, I’d like to introduce
you to “Gangnam Style:”
That’s silly and infectious.
There’s more here: http://www.youtube.com/user/officialpsy
Thank you my dear, dear readers for spending some time with
me today. I love visiting with you. You are my family.
Are you related to someone famous? Find out: madamezoltar@jtirregulars.com.
Enjoy the days, my regular irregulars. They’re getting shorter. Make the most of them. Take care of yourselves and be good to
you. Thank you for being here for me. Lacertilian!
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Useless Information
Did you Know:
Roscoe Conkling Arbuckle known as Fatty Arbuckle was a silent-film era performer.
At the height of his fame, he was arrested in San Francisco for the rape and murder of aspiring actress Virginia Rappe.
Arbuckle was later acquitted by a jury, but the scandal essentially put an end to his career.
Lets Never Forget
We all have many and different thoughts of this horrific event. One thing I hope we all remember is not to become to complacent as we were during this time.
........SER
SEPTEMBER 11, 2001
Monday, September 10, 2012
Horicon Marsh
Exited Hwy 41 north from Milwaukee just north of Lomira and then hung a left on 49. The rolling rural plains were dotted with towering wind turbines that kissed the sky. Rolled pass a little town called Brownville, making our way towards the western horizon. Coming around a bend we could see the vastness of the aviatory crown jewel of Wisconsin-the Horicon National Wildlife Refuge.
The Horicon is a vast sprawling wetland that covers over 32.000 acres in size, making it the largest freshwater marsh in the United States. The marsh provides habitat for endangered species, like the Whooping Crane and the Trumpeter Swan , and a critical rest stop for thousands of migratory ducks and geese coming from Canada. Not only waterfowl can be found here, nearly 300 species of birds, White Tailed Deer, Red Fox, River Otters, Muskrats, Snapping Turtles, Garter Snakes, and many other animals call the marsh home. It's an outdoor paradise!
Tender Heart, my son and mine's first stop was at an observation point near Wild Goose Road. Numerous wildflowers like the brilliantly beautiful Golden Ragworts, Orange Milkweeds, Pink Coneflowers, and Late Purple Asters blended with the lush green grasses and cattails, filled the countryside with a rainbow of color. A picture perfect moment! Just over the hill we noticed a small partially dried up pond with a Mallard a a couple of Blue Winged Teals. Fearful of the drought that had stricken Wisconsin, we were hoping this wouldn't be the extent of the wildlife we will see. Undeterred, we moved forward....
Exited the parking and drove westward on 49, thus came my first surprise-a Lesser Yellowlegs! (First picture below)I've only seen a couple of these before at Smolenski Park. The little guy kept walking around, wading into swallow pools, probing its long bill around in search of food. Behind him, were a count of seven Sandhill Cranes hanging around of couple of Canada Geese. Moving down the road along the gravel shoulder I could see the the pond widen up into a small lake. My mouth.... just... dropped!
A cornucopia of birds! It was like the Garden of Eden before my eyes as my count began... One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight Blue Winged Teal -the white crescent markings behind their blue beaks were distinct. Five Mallards were floating along. Oh wait! Another teal sunning itself on a waterlogged stump. A couple of Canada Geese swam by. As I peered into my binoculars deep into the flocks of waterfowl, I could see a Pied Billed Grebe (see first picture below) diving into the water. Safety in numbers they say.... A Great Blue Heron (second picture below) was standing close to the road waiting for a photo opportunity. My camera whirred and clicked in response.
As the car crept forward, I could the crunch of the gravel under the wheels. As the pond was getting wider and wider, the more abundant these winged wonders became...Three Northern Shovelers foraged the waters. Four more Pied Billed Grebes appeared. In the distance, I could see three American White Pelicans bobbing in the water. A Bald Eagle appeared and landed on a tree way in the back. Far too distant for a picture. Twelve Great Egret were sighted in a back swamp. I was starting to get overwhelmed here. Tender Heart grabbed a pen and a receipt from the glove compartment and started to write things down. Coots! (see first picture below) There had to be hundreds of them! I saw at least a hundred of Tree Swallows hovering close the mudflats. I wondered about this bizarre behavior. A Black Crowned Night Heron was sighted. A Double Crested Cormorant was sunning itself with its wings stretched out on a bed of Ring Billed Gulls. (see second picture below). Eight more Sandhill Cranes flew overhead. In the distance, I could see something in the tall grass with a long tan white neck and white body. A juvenile Whooping Crane? No. A later look in my photos revealed it was a Trumpeter Swam. A good find!
It took us an hour to cover a mile long stretch of road. It was time to seek out other places in the refuge. Westward we went again. We saw a sign that said Auto tours and trails. Interesting. Intrigued, we went along this half hour ride. The ride was scenic and serene. It offered a good view of the diverse countryside. Interpretive signs along the way pointed out the different sights to see-rolling prairies filled with colorful flowers, a brilliant red Northern Cardinal flew across the road into the woods and marshes were filled with Blue Winged Teals (first picture below) and Great Egrets (second one below).
Fascinated by a floating boardwalk sign at the end of the Auto Tour Road combined with the need to stretch my legs, a path over a marsh is a perfect place to take a hike. Zigzagging across a scenic march filled with Golden Ragwort laced mudflats, this wooden planked path not only exhibits an observation tower and bridges, but an excellent view of wildlife. By about this time, I had lost count of everything. I saw two more Lesser Yellowlegs. A lone Great Egret was preening itself on a mudflat. Dozens of more Canada Geese hanging with many more teals and Mallards. This is heaven I thought. Walking over a bridge, I heard a call of an Eastern Phoebe. Looking around and there it was, sitting on a branch. Snap! A picture was taken. Saw a Northern Waterthrush fly by. An Eastern Kingbird landed nearby. Snap! Another picture. A Sora Rail (see picture below) came out from the tall grasses and played hide and seek with me. Snap, snap! Another few more pictures - all in a few minutes of time! Just is too great to be true!
As we climbed back into the car, Tender Heart and I noticed the time. We had spent over three hours in this paradise. "It's getting late" she says, "and we have business to take care in Racine". "I know", I whined, "but I'm having fun!". "I know that, Babe, but we'll be back again, I promise", she answers. And we shall....For we haven't even barely scratched the surface of the Horicon National Wildlife Refuge, especially this early in the migratory season... Stay tuned!
The Horicon is a vast sprawling wetland that covers over 32.000 acres in size, making it the largest freshwater marsh in the United States. The marsh provides habitat for endangered species, like the Whooping Crane and the Trumpeter Swan , and a critical rest stop for thousands of migratory ducks and geese coming from Canada. Not only waterfowl can be found here, nearly 300 species of birds, White Tailed Deer, Red Fox, River Otters, Muskrats, Snapping Turtles, Garter Snakes, and many other animals call the marsh home. It's an outdoor paradise!
Tender Heart, my son and mine's first stop was at an observation point near Wild Goose Road. Numerous wildflowers like the brilliantly beautiful Golden Ragworts, Orange Milkweeds, Pink Coneflowers, and Late Purple Asters blended with the lush green grasses and cattails, filled the countryside with a rainbow of color. A picture perfect moment! Just over the hill we noticed a small partially dried up pond with a Mallard a a couple of Blue Winged Teals. Fearful of the drought that had stricken Wisconsin, we were hoping this wouldn't be the extent of the wildlife we will see. Undeterred, we moved forward....
Exited the parking and drove westward on 49, thus came my first surprise-a Lesser Yellowlegs! (First picture below)I've only seen a couple of these before at Smolenski Park. The little guy kept walking around, wading into swallow pools, probing its long bill around in search of food. Behind him, were a count of seven Sandhill Cranes hanging around of couple of Canada Geese. Moving down the road along the gravel shoulder I could see the the pond widen up into a small lake. My mouth.... just... dropped!
A cornucopia of birds! It was like the Garden of Eden before my eyes as my count began... One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight Blue Winged Teal -the white crescent markings behind their blue beaks were distinct. Five Mallards were floating along. Oh wait! Another teal sunning itself on a waterlogged stump. A couple of Canada Geese swam by. As I peered into my binoculars deep into the flocks of waterfowl, I could see a Pied Billed Grebe (see first picture below) diving into the water. Safety in numbers they say.... A Great Blue Heron (second picture below) was standing close to the road waiting for a photo opportunity. My camera whirred and clicked in response.
As the car crept forward, I could the crunch of the gravel under the wheels. As the pond was getting wider and wider, the more abundant these winged wonders became...Three Northern Shovelers foraged the waters. Four more Pied Billed Grebes appeared. In the distance, I could see three American White Pelicans bobbing in the water. A Bald Eagle appeared and landed on a tree way in the back. Far too distant for a picture. Twelve Great Egret were sighted in a back swamp. I was starting to get overwhelmed here. Tender Heart grabbed a pen and a receipt from the glove compartment and started to write things down. Coots! (see first picture below) There had to be hundreds of them! I saw at least a hundred of Tree Swallows hovering close the mudflats. I wondered about this bizarre behavior. A Black Crowned Night Heron was sighted. A Double Crested Cormorant was sunning itself with its wings stretched out on a bed of Ring Billed Gulls. (see second picture below). Eight more Sandhill Cranes flew overhead. In the distance, I could see something in the tall grass with a long tan white neck and white body. A juvenile Whooping Crane? No. A later look in my photos revealed it was a Trumpeter Swam. A good find!
It took us an hour to cover a mile long stretch of road. It was time to seek out other places in the refuge. Westward we went again. We saw a sign that said Auto tours and trails. Interesting. Intrigued, we went along this half hour ride. The ride was scenic and serene. It offered a good view of the diverse countryside. Interpretive signs along the way pointed out the different sights to see-rolling prairies filled with colorful flowers, a brilliant red Northern Cardinal flew across the road into the woods and marshes were filled with Blue Winged Teals (first picture below) and Great Egrets (second one below).
Fascinated by a floating boardwalk sign at the end of the Auto Tour Road combined with the need to stretch my legs, a path over a marsh is a perfect place to take a hike. Zigzagging across a scenic march filled with Golden Ragwort laced mudflats, this wooden planked path not only exhibits an observation tower and bridges, but an excellent view of wildlife. By about this time, I had lost count of everything. I saw two more Lesser Yellowlegs. A lone Great Egret was preening itself on a mudflat. Dozens of more Canada Geese hanging with many more teals and Mallards. This is heaven I thought. Walking over a bridge, I heard a call of an Eastern Phoebe. Looking around and there it was, sitting on a branch. Snap! A picture was taken. Saw a Northern Waterthrush fly by. An Eastern Kingbird landed nearby. Snap! Another picture. A Sora Rail (see picture below) came out from the tall grasses and played hide and seek with me. Snap, snap! Another few more pictures - all in a few minutes of time! Just is too great to be true!
As we climbed back into the car, Tender Heart and I noticed the time. We had spent over three hours in this paradise. "It's getting late" she says, "and we have business to take care in Racine". "I know", I whined, "but I'm having fun!". "I know that, Babe, but we'll be back again, I promise", she answers. And we shall....For we haven't even barely scratched the surface of the Horicon National Wildlife Refuge, especially this early in the migratory season... Stay tuned!
LADIES AND GENTS...
UPDATED
Ladies and gentlemen, hobos and tramps, Bug-eyed mosquitoes and bowlegged ants!
I'm about to tell you a story I've never heard before, So pull up a chair and sit on the floor. Admission is free, so pay at the door.
One fine day, in the middle of the night, two, dead boys got up to fight.
Back to back, they faced each other, drew their swords and shot each other.
A deaf policeman heard the noise, and saved the lives of the two dead boys.
If you don't believe my lies are true, ask the blind man, he saw it too!
A friend of mine sent me this link about the Rhyme, pretty interesting.
Folklore
Sunday, September 9, 2012
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