Friday Forecast

My fortune cookie forecast at lunch was a little too late. For my morning commute anyway.

I actually left for work early. But when I got onto the interstate south of Stevens Point, it wasn't long before I hit traffic. At a standstill. After inching forward, I finally saw the sign that said "Emergency Scene Ahead" and realized our slow traffic was merging to one lane.

I figured I'd still make it to work on time. But then they had a big emergency vehicle blocking both lanes and we were routed to the off-ramp. Closing the interstate? But that's the route I know!

Every time I see those striped bars that could close an interstate exit, I think of weather. Like big snowstorms that shut down highways. I forgot they can be used to route people around accident scenes – especially when it involves an overturned semi. That's the report anyway.

And it happened at 4 a.m. So there we still dealing with it 4 hours later. Wow. It was OK that I was a few minutes late to work. I was not the only one caught up in the traffic mess.

I figure my fortune cookie was trying to make up for that. Which is good timing, too, since hubby and I are traveling up to Luck Country and beyond tomorrow to visit my mom, golf, and see some family.

We hope the forecast means safe travels all weekend – and a fortunate Viking victory Sunday.

It is written. Let it be so. (Or SKOL!)

Back on the Chain Gang

Had one day on the calendar that I'd be able to shoot Assumption Middle School football for the yearbook. And I picked a good one. Perfectly sunny and gorgeous with temps in the low 70s. Awesome!

And the Royals had an awesome victory, too, beating Pittsville 28-8. Saw plenty of little brothers of both boys and girls who are currently high school athletes. But so many names I did not recognize. That's OK. It was just nice to see a full team and some good talent coming up the Royal ranks!

I stood by the chain gang guys to not block anyone's view. Plus give myself a decent one, of course! Ended up shooting some 400 frames so I just go those sorted and am uploading for yearbook as we speak.

A few of my faves though...

A Royal interception and...

Almost a touchdown.

Stopped just short of the goal line!

A touchdown celebration later in the game!

A sack.

Ouch!

And the final huddle.

Just in time for this photographer's bed time. Tomorrow it's back on the chain gang. Otherwise known as a day in the office! Finish strong.

Just Bork It

Sorry to offend anyone, but really, really just had to share this. I know there is serious division out there over a certain athletic shoe advertisement. But this made me giggle.

As the Swedish Chef always does! Bork Bork!

And I might have to make this my new logo for my fantasy football team – the undefeated Swedish Chef Mafia! Hey, a 1-0 record still counts as undefeated. But I will say that my matchup this past week probably yielded the lowest scores. I don't know who else the SCM can beat this year, but everyone has a hot week once in awhile.

I'll hold onto that hope. And when all else fails, I'll just Bork Bork Bork it!

Yah, hey.

Keep Blooming

Of course we'll never forget 9/11 or the days and weeks surrounding it. For me, it meant lots of long hours in the newsroom. Writing, reading or hearing stories of sadness and shock. But there were also seeds of hope.

That's what I don't want to forget.

How we came together as one. One community. One nation. Caring for each other. Respecting each other. Uplifting each other. I want that back. Can it happen again without a tragedy? Can we learn from nature that even after the cold, dark winter, spring and summer come with light and warmth and a chance to bloom?

Despite all the images of remembrances today, the 17th anniversary of the tragedy, I did see signs that hope can bloom IF it is planted.

This guy was buzzing next to me while I was eating my lunch in the courtyard at work. He and a lot of his buddies were zooming from flower to flower, taking advantage of a gift staring them in the face.

Tonight at golf league, my game was not looking pretty, but our course always does.

Our signature Flower Hole at SentryWorld has some 30,000 flowers in bloom. Despite the fact we're way past peak. And the nights are getting cold.

All these flowers today just show me that if we are resilient in the tough times, we can rise from the dirt, grow, and eventually bloom.

I want that. I just hope we can get there because we want to. Not because we have to.

Walking Talk-Ohs

My mom joined me for my lunchtime walk today. Well, virtually joined me.

Did you know these new-fangled cellular telephones can be used just about anywhere? You don't have to call from your livingroom in the evening. You can dial up your mother during your lunchtime walk and she can join you for a walk-and-talk.

It works! I tried it!

I seriously always just call her at night. Which is weird because I always, always have my phone with me. Duh.

Of course, I had to assure her not to be alarmed that I was calling in the middle of the day because of an emergency. Was just checking in to hear about the county fair and her class reunion and all that good stuff. I just let her do the talking and I did the walking.

And yes, I know my bright pink shoes don't match with everything. Today they did not match my pants, but they did match the flowers. So we'll take that.

It was another glorious late-summer day. Temps in the low 70s and sunny. Gotta get out while I can! And make time for that.

Just like seeing Mom. I told her we'd run up there Saturday to visit. Gotta see her while I can! And make time for that.

That's my Monday advice: Take time to stop and smell the flowers – or take pictures of them. And call your mother!

Have a good week.

Getting My Clicks In

Normally I shoot for 10,000 steps a day. But 10,000 clicks? Well, yes, a little far-fetched. But I have taken 1,100 photos since Friday night. In case you were wondering why I was too busy to blog.

It was just a booked up weekend. But in a fun and productive way!

Yesterday went something like this...

Left the house at 8 a.m. to go over to Standing Rock Park for the Stevens Point cross country invitational. Shot pictures of our middle school and high school runners. See above in my Royal Blue shirt (and pony tail). Proof I am on the job.

It is a beautiful and insane meet. Twenty-two schools so hundreds and hundreds of runners! Was a fun challenge finding our Royal Blue runners in the crowd when other schools – Auburndale, Amherst, Merrill, John Muir, etc – wear the same color! Since I know the route from when Carter ran there, I knew where to stand to get pictures. And sometimes that meant running to them. Well, jogging.

Still, I left there with almost 8,000 steps!

Went straight from there to a senior photo shoot at 1 p.m.

Again, I have proof! Ha! We did not get to finish since our last location had a wedding there (which I didn't know about). So we'll finish another weekend.

Went home and had 60 minutes to bake a cake for a church potluck today, visit with a neighbor that stopped by, and change into Colin Reffner Racing gear. Jim got home from his parents (anniversary day) and we headed down to Wisconsin Dells.

Saw lots of standing water on the way and it turns out the race track had had quite a bit, too.

The water in the infield doesn't matter. They were concerned about "seepage" at the bottom of the track (bottom of photo in Turn 1). So they were drilling holes and stuff to drain it more. Racing started two hours late. At least.

Colin qualified with the fastest time so he got to carry the flag during the National Anthem. So that was awesome. And he finished 6th in the race, which had so many cautions and crashes, it lasted a long time.

And it was chilly. Despite my sunburned face from earlier in the day, we were cool with the breeze blowing and temps in the mid-50s. And just the fact it was 11 p.m.

Got home after midnight. Got up for 8 a.m. church. Had service projects we did in the community as part of God's Work, Our Hands. Did not have to do any physical labor. I was one of two photographers so I went to four of the sights to shoot pictures. After that, we had a lunch.

I stopped home to change clothes, watch a bit of the Vikings game since it was on TV here with the Packers playing tonight. Then I had a senior photo shoot from 2-5 p.m. Went very well. Gorgeous weather today!

After that, I got myself a Pumpkin Pie Blizzard for supper! Came home, uploaded all the sports pictures from the weekend and now I'm going to watch TV and/or read. Am not going to got through the senior pictures until tomorrow. My recliner is calling me.

And Mr. Deck Chair refuses to talk to me after I stood him up today! There will hopefully be more opportunities!

Furry Forecaster

Punxsutawney Phil ain't got nothing on Psychic Sylvester.

Sure in the dead of winter he can predict the coming of spring – because it's always 6 weeks away. But we know it's spring when Sly hops up on window seat and begs for it to be opened. She needs her fresh air to keep her complexion looking young.

We also know when it's summer because on especially warm days she presses the leng of her body against the living room wall. The one facing north. It must offer some coolness we humans know nothing about.

And we humans know it's fall when football season arrives (great game tonight, Royals!). But Psychic Sylvester knows when fall is coming because she starts to wear hoodies!

As much as I love my hoodies, I am not ready for overnight temps in the 40s just yet.

But I guess that's what electric mattress pads and Pumpkin Spice Lattes are for!