Sneaky UFOs (Unidentified Farm Objects)

We're basically on the eve of Spooky Season. And I've already been spooked a few times!

You can refer to yesterday's blog to see what non-fiction UFO-related book I am currently listening to. So here I am driving in the thriving metropolis of Plover on my way to work today and this gigantic foreign object sidles next to me at the stoplight.

Yes, I flinched.

Basically this BAT (big ass tractor) scared the crap out of me. He could roll over all of us little vehicles and looks even more sinister when the light changed to green and continued toward what was a glorious sunrise.

Those darn Unidentified Farming Objects!

There is so much to unpack and I still have 3 hours of listening to go. I dread what dreams I'll have tonight. 

Unrelated (just kidding), are the old X Files episodes streaming anywhere?

Be careful out there. Sincerely!

Some Real Close Encounters

Eleven years ago I went on a road trip out to our nephew's in Rapid City, S.D., with my mom and 2 sisters. We eventually made our way into Wyoming, too, just to say we did. And to see Devil's Tower.

Whether you saw the 1977 movie "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" or not (I didn't), the merchants in the area were quick to remind you the tower is the focal point of it. And they'd try to sell you some outer-space trinket. I didn't buy anything but really should rent the movie at this point – now that my tower tour is over and I won't freak out having a close encounter with it!

But... then there's book club. So I might freak out.

This month, we are reading Imminent by Luis Elizondo. We don't often do nonfiction and I never would have thought to pick this one up. Not my area of interest. But it is freakin' fascinating! And I've learned the UFOs (Unidentified Flying Objects) are so 1970s. Now they are UAPs – Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena, which are unexplained objects or phenomena observed in the air, sea, or space that display unusual behaviors or performance characteristics not attributable to known technology or natural causes. In other words, they do more than just fly!

And yes, I'm getting some freak-out goose bumps because people I know have had interesting "encounters" with 100% UP (Unexplained Things)! Including hubby. 

Our neighbors reminded me that when Jim went with them kayaking by the Port Edwards/Nekoosa area of the Wisconsin River a few years ago, they all say a strange, rectangular object in the sky that just hovered there. The whole time they were paddling. Of course I wasn't with them with my super-zoom camera so I couldn't capture a photo! But so strange.

Plus our neighbors also had an "orb" experience in their house. Just across the street! As I am reading the chapter now about mysterious light orbs (random floating, fuzzy round lights), I have double the goose bumps.

Like I said, not something I've ever been interested in. But I sure the heck am now. Maybe not enough to go back to Devil's Tower. Not sure I have bravery for that yet! But this book is pretty good. I'll give you an update when I'm done. (Whether you're interested or not.)

Any of you have any "encounters"? Would love to hear about it! I think.

Sacred Saturday Vibes

Saturday was a weather perfect day to witness the marriage of two "kids" we have been privileged to see  grown up and together. Ending up in holy matrimony. 

So I first met the groom when he was a new member of Carter's cross country team at Assumption. Of course hubby knew his parents and family because they had been at AHS together. But then, it was a sudden friendship into Nicholas' family. And coincidentally about the time I invested a lot more time into being a school sports photographer. 

I am sure I have decades' old photos of the groom and the bride, but I will not share it here.

The amazing parents of the groom! 

The new "sisters"! So lucky!

The bride's two brothers who can't decide who's taller. I vote older brother Nick based on hair product today!

Great photo op with the groom's parents and our mutual friends Sean and Michelle.

This new venue had a mostly black and white feel which worked great into the plan of black and white tuxedos and black bridesmaid dresses. Perfect.

Since this was our final of 5 weddings this summer, we can say that every wedding had at least one over-the-top item. This one was shooting/throwing out wedding t-shirts during the dance.

How fun – especially after I snagged one!

A great departing gift! Today, Sunday was surrounded by my Vikings game at 8:20 vs. the Steelers and that got exciting after singing in church choir -- then sad, per usual. 

Sad to the Vikes. And sad to U.S. Ryder Cup team! 😢

TDF (Technical Difficulties Friday)

Honestly it wasn't a hard day, just a long day. Which I should have realized when my work laptop needed a lengthy security upgrade. 

Then I had a meeting about a website launch that I heard 10 minutes before that that I needed to write some copy for by end of day Monday. I was not feeling any Friday vibes.

To sort of cheer myself up, I caught the end of today's Ryder Cup action at the end of my workday. That didn't go as well as I hoped. Let's go, USA!!

After running a few weekend errands in town, I figured I would relax with the remote since hubby's keeping stats at the Royals' football game in Edgar.

Unfortunately after watching Pretty Woman more times than I can count, I realized I used our non-cable remote to watch it on some unknown channel. And it took me a more-than-frustrating hour to figure how to get our TV back to our expensive cable channels. I was ready to throw so many things at the cable box! Life should not be so complicated when it comes to marrying cable and streaming channels!

Disclaimer: Jim considers me the IT/tech expert in the house but it's time to hire someone younger. I especially realized today I have official old person no-patience vibes running through my veins. And I'm not as smart as I thought.

I've also gotten sideline reports from Edgar that our Royals aren't doing so hot. Right now I'm just wishing we all have a great Saturday! 

Annual Checkup Challenges

So step one of the annual physical is getting some blood drawn to capture your current body situation as it relates to cholesterol and various unnamed things.

I fasted Tuesday night and went there Wednesday morning to "donate" blood. I have acknowledged many times over the years that I faint either at the sight of blood – or the lovely needle. So why stray from that pattern? 

So here I was and they poked my right arm... then my left arm... apparently I inherited tiny veins just like my previously mentioned tiny Hedberg eyes. Then I acknowledged I may faint soon and the ice pack for my neck became a reality. This is old habit for those of us who always faint.

Unfortunately, the phlebotomist then said the only option was the more painful blood draw from my hand. And it was. But I got a firm compression bandage and juice box out of it to keep me upright. Yay for physicals.

Of course, one of the outcomes of a physical at a certain age is the dreaded colonoscopy appointment. Sounds simple-ish but when you have to get in the drive-thru line at the pharmacy, you realize everyone on the planet needs their drugs, er meds.

I mean, I waited in line for close to 40 minutes for my "prep medications" and there were cars behind me. I feel bad for how much our society needs and relies on medications of some sort.

Unless we're all in line to clean out our plumbing in 2 weeks. 

Forever in Blue Jeans

Canadian tuxedo (noun): a denim jacket worn with a pair of jeans: if you can wear denim to the office, then you can wear a Canadian tuxedo.

I'm sure you feel like you've waited decades for one more great photo of a Canadian Tuxedo. I honestly didn't realize it hit legit dictionary word status, but it has!

I think I mentioned previously that we had a lot of different dress-up days (opportunities) during our United Way campaign. One of those was team spirit day. So while another writer and I were in San Francisco riding street cars, they voted on an All-Denim Day vibe (or Canadian Tuxedo Day). 

I knew I must have a jean jacket somewhere among my 42 jackets in the house. And sure enough I found it the morning of! Naturally, when we work in marketing we have the photo and video studio at our disposal. So here is the official team photo....

We were missing 2 writers gone to a conference but otherwise the rest of us were all in on the all-denim.

Then we decided to do a super cheesy photo (because we are fun-seekers, after all) and we call this one our Sears Catalog pose...

And if you recall Sears Catalog, you may also have Neil Diamond's Forever in Blue Jeans song in your head right now. If you didn't, it should be there now! 

🎶 Money talks... But it don't sing and dance and it don't walk.... And long as I can have you here with me, I'd much rather be forever in blue jeans... 🎶

Also, I love this team! Also, we do have an opening for a PR Specialist on our team if you and someone you know is looking to be as cool as a Canadian Tuxedo!

Winners for the Win

My lucky fox talisman is on fire this week! I mean I did get a win a BINGO Sunday and my Vikings got a victory, so I have to give somebody or something the credit!

As for central Wisconsin, both the Packers and my Vikings were playing at noon so I hoped that would increase my odds if I went to BINGO. Turns out it might have. There were more than 100 of us so the larger jackpots were in order. And here I am winning the "kite formation" BINGO for $70. Works for me!

While sitting there and dobbing my heart away I knew that my Vikings were somehow winning and my fantasy team was on fire, too. Maybe I should credit going to bed at 1 a.m.!

Got home after BINGO and took a picture of our flag at the end of the driveway before I even pulled into the garage. Gotta keep the good vibe going!

And it worked for once! A 5-star re-run, if I do say so myself. Jim enjoyed it too after his return from golfing in Minnesota this weekend. I'm like "thanks for leaving the good vibes there"!

Tonight, after some "winning" (I think tennis matches), I'm about to embark on the next season of The Voice. Where I will wait for quite sometime before I declare a winner!

Mommies Seeing the Mummies

 
Back in the days when hubby and I commuted to work in Iola, nearly an hour drive, we listened to the Bob and Tom Show on the radio in the mornings. Their often close to R-rated programming format is showcasing lots of comedians and bands that also could pass as comic relief. 

That's when we first heard Here Come the Mummies. We immediately liked and were entertained by this eight-piece funk-rock band of 5000-year-old Egyptian mummies with a one-track mind. So this summer, when I saw they were playing in Wausau at The Grand Theater this fall, I bought tickets as a birthday or anniversary gift for Jim.

Fast forward 2 months and he scheduled his guys golf weekend at the same time. So I had to find a backup date in short order. You know who works well for that? Golf partners who also share an occasional raunchy sense of humor. So it was Molly and I – two mommies – off to see the Mummies tonight!

It rained all the way up there but it stopped so we could walk around near The Grand and get something to eat. Ended up eating at The Limerick, an Irish pub a couple blocks away. Good stuff.

The concert was almost like a micro-music festival with opening sets from TWO (very loud, rock-heavy) bands – Platinum Moon and Lachy Doley. It after 9 p.m. before HCTM took over and we could party like it's 1999 B.C.! 

It was impossible to get a decent shot from the upper balcony, especially since lights were constantly changing colors or flashing. But you can see they ARE dressed as mummies! And they played until 11 p.m.

They are such a talented and entertaining group. I'm glad one of us could enjoy our anniversary. Ha. And Molly did, too! Now to get the funky dance tunes out of my head so I can sleep fast for church choir in the morning. 

30-Minute Rule

The good news is that I finally have a weekend at the homefront so I can attend and photograph multiple Royals sporting events. The bad news is that Mother Nature did not get the memo.

As much as I hoped the weather forecast would change for tonight, this is the current radar and we are 3 minutes from the alleged kickoff. I decided not to even chance it with my photographic equipment. Even an umbrella and rain jacket wouldn't give me comfort.

And since I'm still hearing constant thunder (which rules require calls off action for a required 30 minutes), I have doubts there'll be anyone else along the sidelines either.

Tomorrow isn't looking much better.

With hubby out of town and out of state on a guys' golf weekend, I figured I'd knock off football on Friday, cross country Saturday morning and tennis Saturday afternoon.

I figured.

Right now it's looking like the only plans I'll keep are a Saturday night concert and Sunday church choir and school BINGO. Fun still, but grrrr. 

I thought a good backup plan would be Hallmark tonight. But then the remote (which I rarely have in my hands) didn't work. Are you kidding me? Thank goodness just perfectly timed dead batteries. I swear. This is going to be a long weekend alone!

Hoping for a little sunshine for all of us! 

Micro Family Reunions

I hope the above GIF works on this blog because it's so awesome and appropriate today!

So my first disclaimer is that as one of the youngest 2 of 8 kids and my dad was young in his 9-kid family meant my cousins' kids were pretty much close to my age – not my actual "first" cousins. 

So what year is it now? Oh wow. So some 5+ years ago my first cousin Gene's GRANDSON from my old Up North stomping grounds was attending college at UW-Stevens Point. Mere blocks from my workplace.

Then COVID happened and we didn't get to see each other as much as we expected. But I was there for his graduation. And now my cousin (or 3rd cousin once removed??) Luke is back at UWSP for his Masters program and student teaching. 

Fresh new neighbor-ish.

Me: "No pandemic now, we are taking advantage of this this time! I am your only family less than 4 hours away!"

So we met for dinner tonight.

It was awesome. He's fresh off a new engagement announcement (yay!) and just a few weeks into his new role at college. So easy to talk and talk for 90 minutes. I think our family has a few traits: We're well versed in the art of conversation. And many of us have tiny Hedberg eyes.

This has been a running a joke so here we are with our Tiny Hedberg Eyes...

And the alarming NOT Tiny Hedberg Eyes...

Laughing out loud. But I'm also smiling because a relative of mine raised a tiny human who grew up to be a great mom who raised another amazing human to appreciate family, humor and the art of conversation.

My heart is full and I can't wait for many more micro family reunions! 

What Are The Odds?

 

What are the odds I'd have a glorious sunrise commute two days in a row? I mean I couldn't stop myself from taking a picture!

Also because my sleep has been lacking this week, I enjoyed the sunrise and stopped at a gas station for a mandatory sugar-free Red Bull. Hey, the sun is inspiring to take on the day!

Our United Way dress-up day today was literally United Way T-shirts of any kind if you have them. That was not me. I did however "support the kids" by visiting the King Cone ice cream truck! Hey, we walked across the street to our other office so we not only enjoyed ice cream but we got lots of steps!

Today I also learned that our friends' at the Feltz Dairy Farm Store have a ton of pumpkins and pumpkin stuff. When I asked if they had my "pumpkin spice eggnog" I loved last year, I was thrilled to see them reply: "It just arrived today." 

Thus my after-work detour to Feltz's! 💛

Tonight was also my return to church choir practice. I missed the first week because I was in San Francisco. Then last week I spaced it out and missed it because it wasn't part of my usual routine yet. So I got the music at church on Sunday and plunked my way through this coming Sunday's song on Carter's Casio keyboard.

And I think we'll be fine Sunday.

Got home in time to wonder what I could wear tomorrow for our United is the Way campaign that involves a Stars Wars themed dress up. There may be something in the works. I'll keep you posted.

Pretty Tuesday

 

Although I hated to hear the alarm this morning after so few hours of sleep (I think it's an age thing). But Got rewarded me with a lovely morning commute.

It was just pretty and gave me some hope that another week of work in the office. Of course, it's still our jam-packed United Way campaign going on, so it was fun today. We got some cool pictures of our team. But I'll have to wait and share them tomorrow because I didn't get all of them from our photographer. Oh yes, when you work in marketing you can have professional photographers take your picture and not just a phone! 😁

Tonight after work I headed to Girls' Night Out at the new Rodeo Tex Mex Grill in the building formerly occupied by Polito's. Yes, second night in a row of Mexican food. If you haven't been, check it out. You wouldn't even recognize it as the same place. Secondly, my food was delicious. I got the Chori Pollo (which is spicy chorizo with chicken) and it was excellent! Nice to have a few new options at relatively the same price points as El Mezcal.

Also, great to see the lady friends!

Got home and just fielded a catch-up call from my baby boy so my day is literally pretty and pretty good!

This Whole Monday Thing

This was a little bit me today but it was lot bit our Wifi router today. I was trying to have a productive day after being off for Eric's wedding on Friday. But I just kept getting kicked offline countless times (yes, I lost count) for usually just short stretches of time. Like less than a minute.

More annoying than anything else. But that's what Mondays are!

Let's level set here and be honest that part of my bad attitude was also attributed to Sunday Night Football. Nothing more needs to be said about that. And my fantasy team is hoping to hold onto a slim lead after Monday Night Football part 2. Two games on a school night?! What madness.

My after work fun was stopping to take some action photos at middle school volleyball, then heading to Book Club. Yes, my social calendar is off the charts, isn't it?

This month's book was another by my favorite Swedish author Fredrik Backman. He wrote A Man Called Ove and Beartown among others that we've read. Those two were amazing and this even tops that, in my opinion. Mostly a 5 out of 5 rating all around. 

I highly recommend. I mean, if you had a perfect childhood, you might not identify with it. But for the rest of us, we can connect to a lot of the emotions of all the characters. This is the audio book that had me crying on the way to work and wishing I brought my makeup bag. Some authors just make the connection!

Side note: We met at El Mezcal and I had my predictably good favorite Pollo El Camino. For free. Yup. Sometimes I get gift cards as thank yous and my people know what I like! 💖

Hope you get a nice treat of some kind this week, too!

Young Love

Had a great Friday and Saturday in Minnesota to witness and experience young love. And it had nothing to do with any sports teams!

Yesterday we drove to our hotel in Eagan and took a shuttle to the Genesis Ranch in Rosemount, MN, for our nephew Eric's wedding. Despite a lovely weather drive over the Cities, the rain hit right when we arrived at the venue!

It was a gorgeous venue and they had to move everything under the rain protected pavilion where we were to just eat and later dance. It all worked out fine. And to see my nephew Eric so happy and in love was worth all of our rain-drenched hair for a family photo!

Everybody's looking at a different camera here but groom Eric and his momma my sister Romey are smiling so it's all worth it!

Here's my date and I after initial rain but ready sit for the ceremony and dinner.

And my other better half. My twin. Rainy hair. Don't care.

It was a great time. And this morning we got to meet up with Casey and Emily (who are about to celebrate their 2nd anniversary) for brunch at the Stray Dog in Minneapolis.

What a treat to see them and spend some quality time with them and...

See and snuggle and pet our number one grandpup Rey! She is the bestest!!

After seeing Casey and Emily's nice apartment with a clear view of U.S. Bank Stadium 💜💛💜, we got a nice escort back to our parking spot! 

After that is was just a 3 1/5 drive home and trying to catch what was an unusual summer-like day. Hoping Sunday is a repeat!

Just Your Garden Variety

 

I'm patting myself on the background for keeping this flower bouquet alive since I received these fresh cuts Saturday evening. 

I was particularly interested with all the angles around the vase. 

I loved that no matter the angle, it was a pretty splash of color.

And that the Glads made my hubby say he was happy to give me some GLADness with flowers. Well done!

Behind The Scenes Behind Bars

Welcome aboard for your very unofficial tour of Alcatraz! First off, the Alcatraz City Cruises company does a great job of jetting you over to the island – and they leave about every half hour during the day AND accommodate more than 200 passengers per trip. Win!

Before you board, you can get a "paper mache" type layout of the island. It's not a huge island but all the buildings are squished in there somehow.

Beautiful waters despite the ugly destination.

My co-worker Tom and I feeling rebellious going to prison!

Alcatraz was a federal penitentiary until 1963. In 1969 Indigenous activists occupied Alcatraz for 19 months.

A guard's watch tower that at first looked like a lighthouse to this lighthouse fan.

The official "welcome" entrance to Alcatraz.

A former "officers club" that burned in a fire either caused by Indians or hippies. The jury is still out on that.

Lovely sign on the roof so you know you do NOT want to land there.

Just an artsy shot.

The model industries building.

The current state of electrical...

...And plumbing. In case someone has this crazy idea to reopen this place!

More from the Indian occupation.

Well of course there's a morgue. Not everyone can survive these luxurious island accommodations.

In the cellhouse now.... no privacy for showers or anything else.

My childhood dream house had spiral stairs. But yeah, not so sure in this setting!

The narrators in our fascinating audio tour of the cellhouse...

Who knows how they got former inmates to participate, but it added a real-feel element to the tour.

Three levels of cells. My first thought was Shawshank Redemption! Such a similar look and feel. And Al "Scarface" Capone was here!

Cells were 5 feet wide so even I am too tall to sleep in the "width". Not by much.

I can smile when I know it's just a tour and I don't have to spend extended time here. Of course, women weren't welcome anyway.

Solitary confinement is as bad as it sounds. 

The prisoner on the audio tour said he'd just have to adjust to the dark and pretend to play a TV screen in from him to visualize something – anything. 

Oh just me looking at angles and finding something pretty – architecturally. 

Prison library again reminded me of the Shawshank movie!

Free time for most included smoking – they got a lot of cigarettes – and hobbies like chess and music.

The escapees in 1962 made fake mask heads to put in their beds while they burrowed out of prison via the tunnels they dug with spoons. There were three of them and they were never found.

Prison cafeteria offering a balanced meal!

The kitchen crew made sure there was a knife matching each black outline on the cutlery board. Should I be alarmed they were all missing?!

Random beauty because prison gardens were actually a thing.

An artsy shot of the Bay Bridge.

A light house that appears to be more used by birds than anything else!

Evening view of the Golden Gate Bridge from the island.

Oh yeah, we're in California. There are palm trees here! 

More surprising garden work.

And a little bit more.

Another artsy shot of the Bay Bridge over to Oakland.

Our ride.

View of the San Francisco shoreline. It's definitely a compact city on a hill for lack of a better definition. 

Thank you, Congress, for making Alcatraz part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. And thank you for coming along on my virtual (surely incomplete) tour of Alcatraz.