Bowling Green Ohio

BOWLING GREEN 15th - 19th



Kay invited me out to speak to the librarians at her new job. She's the Dean of Bowling Green State University (BGSU). The idea was for me to present on my sabbatical and inspire them to go out and find new ways of doing things. On Weds September 15th I drove down to SLC to stay with Jessica. I had a lovely visit with Jessica, Doug and little Rachel. Rachel is sooo adorable. She's learning sign language and was signing and speaking. In the morning the girls drove me to the airport and I was off. Kay picked me up at the Detroit airport, which is freaking huge. It was quite the walk just to get out of there. We chatted and she drove us South towards Bowling Green. We stopped in another nearby town for some great Italian food. Next was a stop at a nearby Walmart for candy, pens, post-it notes and poster board, all things I needed for the presentations but didn't want to bring on the plane. Then she dropped me at my hotel (Holiday Inn Express) which was immaculately clean and pristine.



In the morning she picked me up and we drove to the library. The first session was packed with people. And it was FUN. I know that librarians are the most fun to be around, but it's always a mild surprise at how interactive, curious and fun they can be. I LOVE my peoples. Lunch was on campus at a great little place that had a flashmob dance thingy nearby. Kay had invited most of her key people and the conversation was great. Then came session two, and surprise, more great people attended. I think I learn as much as they do. Afterwards I crashed. Kay drove me back to the hotel so I could nap. Later she picked me up with her sister Karen and we went to dinner. We had planned on going to a local diner (Easy Street Cafe), but it was packed with football fans visiting for the big home game. Next door was a soup/salad place (Panera Bread Cafe) that served great food, and wasn't over-run by nostalgia fans.



Saturday and Sunday blend together now. I know we went to the Schedel Arboretum & Gardens which were AWESOME!! See photo set on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jsemenza/sets/72157625368778079/



And we toured the library extensively, see photo set on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jsemenza/sets/72157625368619369/ and blog posts on Library Banter http://librarybanter.blogspot.com/. We shopped for miscellaneous stuff at Home Depot, worked on unpacking clothes, talked, laughed, and generally had a great time.



Saturday night we finally got to have that dinner at the diner. Karen arrived Friday night then took of Saturday morning to take her loom to Michigan for repairs. She got back in time for dinner with us that evening. She and Kay are quite the pair. They remind me of me and any number of sisters.



We had another nice drive back to Detroit then I had the long plane ride to SLC. When I got there, Rebecca and Kristi Red Hair picked me up and drove me to Jessica's to get my car. The plan was for me to spend the night with R. Unfortunately I just wanted to be home. And the SLC valley was filled with smoke from a huge fire. See: http://www.cachevalleydaily.com/news/local/Utah-fire-burns-hundreds-of-acres-threatens-homes-103260174.html It burned hundreds of acres and two homes. So I sang and drove and stopped and drove and got home in time to crash into bed.

(Written Dec 2010)

Journal Entry - Fair & TV

EASTERN IDAHO STATE FAIR



Nick came to visit and we took a morning and went to the Eastern Idaho State Fair in Blackfoot. I made us leave super early so that we'd be there when they opened. I wanted to watch the Stock Dog Competitions again. They are so awesome. First the dogs herded sheep around then they herded cattle. The cows were much more frisky and argumentative than the sheep. One cow did a bunch of dog chasing. Behind the bleachers the dock dog people were set up and testing. Nothing like launching a dog out across the water... Those dogs really could move. We looked at travel trailers and horses.



I fell in LOVE with the Norwegian Fjord horse http://www.nfhr.com/catalog/index.php. I want one so badly. We ate bad fair food and looked at lots of stuff. I ended up having to buy a hat because the sun was more fierce than I was. It was fun to hang out and enjoy each other. We headed home in the early afternoon, worn out but happy.

Image from: http://www.zazzle.com/norwegian_fjord_power_house_card-137184665408827815

For more images from the state fair see:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jsemenza/sets/72157625368901137/with/5218756622/

CLEANING THE CARPETS


We should have a rule. After the carpets are cleaned, I'm not allowed back into the house till all the furniture is back in place. Last time we cleaned it all out and had the carpets done I wouldn't let the sofas back in. This time, it was the TV. Shanna and I had been cleaning out and cleaning up all summer. We had removed plants and a bookcase and knick knacks and I knew that if I replaced my big square of a tv with a flat screen I could clean it up even more. Well, seeing it all empty I just couldn't take it. AND worse still, I had the money in my checking account. I went around and around with myself but ended up buying one from Walmart, the biggest and best I could afford. It is AWESOME. (Sanyo 46" LCD 1080p) I'm calling it my birthday present. Nick studiously avoided giving an opinion on the whole thing. I finally asked him if he thought it was a good decision or not and he admitted that he wanted one badly and did not want to influence my thinking too much. :) I love him.

(Written Dec 2010)