Rhythm and Booms Grand Finale

This was from last year...saw it for the first time this year...ummmm, it was the most amazing fireworks show I have ever seen. People just drive and park their cars all over the madison area, pop open their tailgates, and crank their radios to watch this thing 'cause it's set to music that is broadcast over a public radio station. one half hour solid of grand finale quality fireworks.

Nobody does it like Wisconsin!

Neighborhood Jam Session

Last Saturday, about six houses got together with some added friends for a neighborhood potluck/jam session. We had the pleasure of having Shannon, our neighbor one street over join us on clarinet. She just started playing a year or two ago...and she had no fear, she just jumped right in!! Hooray for music! Yes, Todd is playing a "washtub bass"...you can also hear my new washboard in the background.

Lake Delton Breach

Here are some more photos that show where the house in the video below was. The lake waters busted right through the land and the highway into the Wisconsin river after the storms last weekend.

Storm damage 1 hour north

Are we in Oz yet?

So we have survived our first Midwestern Tornado Extravaganza. This past weekend there were multiple tornadoes in the area, one of which was spotted a mile from our house. Sirens were going off non stop. Rain and winds pounded the crap out of Wisconsin, causing much flooding, some evacuations, some injuries, some destroyed houses and flipped cars...holy crap. It was scary out here. As soon as I heard there was "tornadic activity" in the town next to ours and it was headed my direction, I grabbed the dog, a blanket, and a couch cushion and headed for the basement. The news said to "take cover" so that's what I did...however, as I settled myself in the basement, it was difficult to feel safe with hundreds of sharp tools, multiple bicycle parts, and about six 4 by 6 pieces of wood laying propped against the walls. I received a text message from my neighbor asking if I was home alone...I called back and said yes, and she told me to come over. So I grabbed the dog and said "okay, open yer front door, I'm running over!!" I spent the next half hour or so with the neighbors and their kids watching the storm clouds and listening to sirens go off.

So Todd was on his way home from a 100 mile bike ride in the car and hit the black sky as the temp dropped 20 degrees...he pulled over at a rest stop. I was talking to him on the phone trying to give him and the other travelers updates on which way the storm was moving and how much more storm was left out there. Apparently Todd witnessed a funnel cloud hover over the highway about three stories off the ground where he was. Like I said...holy crap!! Todd was getting ready to corrale the travelers into the bathrooms at the rest stop...

Okay, so does everyone know my severe fear of tornadoes? Yep, it's bad...I freak out hardcore. I made Todd get a weather radio last year so we have all the immediate updates on severe weather in the area.

Oh, did I fail to mention the softball sized hail? Yep, there was some of that too...northwest of here though. And our neighbors backyard had a river running through it. And our other neighbors yard had a lake in it...

WoooHooo!!!!!!!

Summer's here!! Almost.

Warm summer nights have graced our presence finally, and the living creatures in our yard have bloomed. Evidence that they survived the winter. I am tired...and hungry...evidence that I survived the winter. This season will be too short, but it will only make us cherish it that.. much.. more. I look forward to late night fires, beers in the driveway after work while I watch the neighborhood come to life, weekend bike rides, fireflies, falling asleep to the sound of crickets and leaves...

Redneck Roundup!!!

Need I say more?? Okay...

SHooting...Rafting...Chopping down trees...Chili tasting...










Hatchet throwing...Fireworks...Fireworks......Blowing things up...Fireworks.
and a little bit of Texas flare. YeeeeeeeeHawwwww.