The Windmills of My Mind

Train Travel

2011-01-14T20:32:00.001-06:00

My spouse, her sister and their mother are taking a train to California. I dropped them off earlier today at the terminal.

I just received a MMS Photo of a picture of their berth in the sleeping car. A couple of minutes later I received another picture stating "this" is our room.

Curiosity got the better of me so I called...It seems that she was in someone else's room and after she took the picture she rang for the porter and asked about their luggage - like where was it?

Her luggage was in her berth - in the next car...

The Toilet

2010-11-10T00:40:00.000-06:00

Old Throne

Last Sunday as I was leaving the church I needed to make a quick restroom stop. I closed the door to discover that someone had put paper towel into the toilet (the church has a cistern system and we have paid thousands of dollars for one problem or the other this year alone. Paper towel going down the system creates difficulties.) At any rate - I fished it out and then went to flush the toilet to discover that it was busted. They just don't make toilets like they used to...

I called the church to let the Church Secretary know about the issue and then later in the day sent an email to the priest to let him know as well.

It seems that he had 7 or 8 people tell him while he was still at the church, and received another 1/2 dozen or so emails later in the day. When I spoke with him the next day he simply said, "I wish I could get that quick of response from a stewardship letter."

Early Bird Gets The Worm

2010-09-23T19:39:00.000-05:00

I heard an interesting quote today... "The early bird may get the worm, but the 2nd mouse gets the cheese."

Perhaps I need to get over my need to be first in line...

The Last Thing You Want...

2010-09-17T22:02:00.000-05:00

I was making a trip from Waterloo, Iowa to Ankeny, Iowa and as is typical - I waited until the last moment to take a potty break. The LAST THING I needed to see was a bus, filled with football players pull in just ahead of me... One of the few times I encountered a line into the men's room. The line was sooooo long I was contemplating a tree...

Iowa Back Roads

2010-09-03T22:59:00.001-05:00

A friend of mine turned me on to this site -CLICK Here for Iowa Backroads - a photo a day from Iowa's back roads or click on the orange title of this post. Worth a visit (the site and Iowa)!!

Fountain Prank

2010-08-20T23:27:00.000-05:00

Fountain in Cedar Rapids

A coincidence I SWEAR!! Those who know me are aware that during my college days I placed a box of tide into a fountain. The story can be found on this blog The Bubble Bath. As it turns out my wife and family were having lunch across the street from the soap filled fountain. The owners of the fountain had a sense of humor about it - something I did not encounter in 1969.

Kids Say The Funniest Things

2010-08-08T07:22:00.001-05:00

Looking for Lunch

Four of our seven grandkids visited for the weekend and to keep them entertained we took them to a couple of museums. At one of the museums there was a snake exhibit. Grandma has a great fear of snakes and the closest she would get to the snakes was the top floor (snake exhibit was in the basement) and if she could have had a choice - the building next door would have been too close. Grandpa was elected to take whoever wanted to go see the snakes - (oh joy).... One of the girls want to go see the snakes so off we went and we were ever so lucky (sarcasm) a demonstration was starting in 5 minutes where you could "pet" the snake if you wanted to...

The guy who was the snake handler came into the room with 2 pillow cases and one very large container. There were probably about 15 kids and 5 adults in the room. He proceeded to take the snakes out one at a time and explained about their origin, what they ate, etc. It was interesting - even though I didn't particularly enjoy being in a room where I could "be" lunch. He let the kids touch the snakes if they wanted to...

Right after he started the presentation a little girl, probably about 5 or 6 years old raised her hand and asked him, "Do you have a snake in your pants?" You could tell from his reaction that this was the first time he had been asked this question during a demonstration and after an awkward moment he patted his pants pockets and said, "No, I don't think so."

The adults in the room were stifling giggles as the handler squirmed as the girl continued, "Then why is it wiggling?"

This nearly put the adults over the edge, and made the handler stutter as he tried to figure out what the little girl was talking about and then it dawned on him. It was one of those "light bulb moments" where you could see the exact moment he figured it out, "Do you mean the pillow cases?"

"Yeah, over there they're moving!"

He was relieved that the moment was over and continued with the demonstration. I enjoyed it, learned some things about snakes I didn't know and had a good giggle at the same time.

A Day In An ER

2010-06-14T21:38:00.005-05:00

My spouse was having severe abdominal pains this morning so we rushed her to the ER. Starting at the end of the story - she has a severe abdominal infection and is receiving antibiotics via IV and will be in the hospital for about 5 days.

Now, back to the beginning. We arrived at 8:40 AM to a not very busy ER, but that quickly changed. We had been there a short while when we heard a woman wailing, "...That's my little girl...why won't he let me say goodbye?" She wailed and wailed. I cannot imagine the heartbreak she was feeling. Someone else was screaming in pain, and yet another went buy our room unconscious.

Then there was a guy who arrived in an ambulance with his finger arriving later in a separate vehicle; the county sheriffs were there for (Or were delivering) someone, and I believe one gentleman passed away from complications of a heart attack. Another lady was having chest pains and was prepped and taken for an angiogram. I watched one EMT take 2 hours of verbal abuse from an obvious drunken (or crazy) man. It was abuse, mean spirited, vile, nasty and on occasion physical. If had been the EMT I would have decked him or tied his ears to the table...I saw the EMT later in the day and told him, "Whatever they're paying you is not enough - thank you for what you do."

Ambulances came and went all day - broken this, broken that, fall here, fall there, fainted female, cut male - the tragedy went on and on and on...

My youngest daughter is an ER Nurse and during a break today I asked how she could stand all of the human tragedy? She simply told me the rewards far outnumber the bad moments and that I had just had a glimpse into her life.

Through the entire day the nurses and doctors, while not as attentive as I'd like them to have been (I understand others had more serious problems), they all had a smile, were caring and were genuinely concerned for our welfare.

We were there for a shift change and we saw a bunch of tired people leave - and a new energetic group arrive. I imagine their night shift will be as busy as the day shift, but with perhaps an added stabbing or gunshot wound.

Memorial Day 2010

2010-05-31T22:35:00.007-05:00

I am always amazed at the twist and turns my life takes. Last fall I had visited a grade school classmate of mine and during our visit she told me about the town of Williams, Iowa (where I grew up until I was 10) and the Veteran's Monument the town had erected and celebrated on Memorial Day 2009. Several months after that conversation I had been visiting the farm where I grew up on (taking photos and remembering my jump off the windmill) and I decided to stop in Williams and visit the Monument. While I was sitting on the stone bench reading the names, and at the same time remembering those that I had served with, a gentleman came up to me and introduced himself. He was a WWII Veteran, member of the local American Legion and one of the "shakers and movers" who brought the Monument from idea to reality.

We exchanged stories and he knew my folks when they lived in Williams and after I told him I had served in the Navy for 30 years he said my name should also be on the wall. True to his word he added my name as you can see in the above photo. We attended this year's Memorial Day Services in Williams and then travelled around the area visiting the cemeteries where my grandparents, parents and aunts and uncles are buried.

We stopped by the Boondocks USA for brunch and sat next to a guy who everyone called "Bob". He struck up a conversation and we visited while we ate. It turns out that, "Bob" was the owner of the Boondocks and the hotel and has been since the early 1970s. When I told him my name he asked me who my Dad was and I said, "George Hill".

"Did he work as an accountant at Kramers Corner?" I said that he had indeed worked there for a while after he had sold his farm. Well... he then proceeded to tell me a story about my Dad.

I didn't start the day expecting to hear a story about my Dad from a complete stranger - literally in the Boondocks - but I did and it made for a great Memorial Day 2010.

Silly Sign

2010-03-24T06:51:00.003-05:00

I like to pont out stuff that is, well, less than bright. This was a sign located in an exam room at my doctor's office. Now, it seems to me if I am reading this sign in the exam room, and I feel like I have H1N1 symptoms, than I am ALREADY in the building. A bit late don't you think? Perhaps I should have called the office and let them know that was in Exam Room 7?

Snake Vs Mouse

2010-02-25T23:45:00.003-06:00

This story is to good not to repeat - my youngest daughter is visiting from Minnesota and told us about a friend of hers who has a pet snake. Her friend had been feeding the snake "freeze-dried" mice for it's meals, but suddenly one day the snake stopped eating them. After several days she took the snake to the vet and the vet told her she would have to switch to live mice.

Being a bit on the squeamish side she didn't want to witness the mouse's demise so she turned out all the lights and went to bed. In the middle of the night she heard a racket and banging in the living room. When she went to check out the noise she discovered it was her snake banging it's head against the cage frantically trying to get out of the cage...it seems that the mouse had a grip on the snakes tail and was eating it like corn on the cob. She said the mouse ate all the way to the spine. She quickly dispatched the mouse and took the snake to the vet the following morning. It seems that this not unique behavior on the part of the mouse or the snake. The vet told her she had to give the snake a benadine wash to keep the wound from becoming infected. So...she prepared the solution in a tub of water and dropped the snake in.... What she did not realize was that the variety of snake she owned did not know how to swim so the snake was thrashing around and drowning. By the time she got the snake out it was limp - not dead - but, exhausted from being nearly eaten to death and then drowned.

She ended up putting a compress on every day and the snake got over his refusal to eat "freeze dried" mice. He probably didn't want to face another snake eating mouse. To me...it ll seems fair that occasionally the mice get to eat the snake!!

Consolidating

2010-01-05T08:30:00.003-06:00

I am currently experimenting with Wordpress as a publishing option and have “sucked in” two of my Blogs - “Windmills of my Minds” and My Daily Project 365. Take a look and sign in to keep updated... PHOTOSBYRALLENHILL. There is a META box on the bottom right hand side where the first option is Register. It allows you to comment, and I believe get email updates - more on that later...

Cast In His First Production

2009-12-02T23:15:00.003-06:00

Daniel Mason, my newest grandson, has been cast in his 1st theatre production. He was born on the 7th of November and has been cast as the "baby Jesus" in a live Nativity in Corraville, Iowa. It will be fun to watch him grow and see what he becomes...the other 6 grandchildren provide as much entertainment and keep us guessing. We may have musicians, scientists, inventors, gymnists, artists - who knows? It's fun to watch...

Comments

2009-11-27T09:01:00.003-06:00

I apologize for the new Comment Controls on this blog, but I have been getting spammed by a Japanese Porn Site. I removed the post it was consistently appearing on (in excess of 50 times) and have instituted a new comment process where after you use the "funky" word thing I will have to approve the comments before they appear. I will delete all Japanese Porn messages!!!

Virginia Harlan Myers Hill

2009-10-22T22:05:00.002-05:00

July 13, 1915 to October 22, 2009
I had to attend a credit union meeting in Des Moines today and on the way home I felt an over-whelming urge to stop in Iowa Falls. We had put my mother in Hospice a couple of weeks ago, and as I was returning to Waterloo this afternoon I wasn’t going to stop in Iowa Falls because I had a board meeting to attend – but I felt compelled to stop.

When I arrived at the nursing home I could tell that my mother was in her final stages. I sat with her about 10 minutes and at the encouragement of my youngest daughter (via phone) I took her hand and told my mom it was ok to go. I told her to make sure to say hi to Uncle Oliver (he died 2 weeks ago), to Dad and to Jesus...she took one more breath and was gone.

I believe 4 things (1) there was Divine Intervention in my urge to visit Iowa Falls, (2) my Mother was waiting for me to tell her it was ok to go, (3) there was a flock of people waiting to meet her in heaven and (4) my last words to her were, “Say hi to Jesus.” And she promptly delivered the message.

It’s been a long week and a very long day. We will be having her services on October 31st – yes, Halloween. It’s All Saints Day plus my mother loved to dress up for Halloween – when I was younger I sometimes think she enjoyed Halloween more than the kids. So – next week remember Virginia when the Goblins come calln’ at your house...one of those ghosts - you never know...

Right Baby

2009-10-12T07:58:00.002-05:00

My Uncle Oliver passed away a week ago. He was 89 years old. He had been doing some yard work and had bumped a wasp nest and they subsequently stung him over 40 times.

He went to the hospital and because of the stress caused by the wasps he had a heart attack and passed shortly thereafter. The funeral was held Saturday, October 10th, 2009. He was not the first Uncle or Aunt to pass, but it is the first time in quite some time that all of the 1st cousins have been together and it was great catching up on 40 some years. The picture is where we are waiting to have our picture taken.

So, what does that all that have to do with "Right Baby"? When I was young I had 2 dolls and I had called one "Right Baby" and the other one had come to be called "Wrong Baby". Ann, one of my cousins, remembered those dolls, as they had once been hers (something I just learned) and asked me, "Bobby, why did you called one of those dolls "Right Baby" and the other one "Wrong Baby"?

"Did you love one more than the other?"

It seems she had thought about this every once in awhile over the last 40 years. Ann and her sister Judy Lee frequently took care of me when I was little. Their Mother, Aunt Mildred, kept me supplied in comic books. I was a sickly kid and spent a good portion of the 4th grade in and out of the hospital. Aunt Mildred would visit me frequently, especially when my Mother couldn't get into town. And ever time she came she came loaded with comic books and I guess at some point in time the "Babies" came into my possession. Both babies did well and I loved them both the same.

"No, Ann, that wasn't it at all. I was sick one day and threw up on one of the dolls and she started to smell so I called her "Wrong Baby". It didn't matter how much my mother cleaned the doll she still carried that stigma [and smell] of puke with her. I ostrazied her and made her sleep at the foot of the bed and when all of the other dolls and stuffed animals were having a party she was never invited. She had to sleep at the foot of the bed."

"Oh..." Ann seemed a bit disappointed, but was glad the mystery had been solved for her.
I still have "Right Baby", "Wrong Baby" has long since passed.

"Right Baby" is the ugliest doll I have ever seen and she curretly resides in a box with her head wrapped in plastic (her head started to melt several years ago). I won't be taking her picture as I want to remember her as she was before her head started to melt.

Carded

2009-09-27T07:34:00.004-05:00

I was speechless and flabbergasted last night. I was at Target and had to by some canned air to dust off my keyboards and screens. Upon check-out the girl asks, "May I see your ID Please?"

"My ID?," I ask, "For what?"
"The air, sir."
"The air. You're kidding right?"
"No, sir, I need to see your ID.

She then made me take my license out of my billfold, she looked at it and then scanned it into their system.

Still speechless (or at least nearly), I managed to ask her what this is all about. It seems that people buy air to get high and that the state law enforcement authorities track those who buy air to make sure they are not buying an exorbitant amount.

I have never heard of such a thing. I have for meth ingredients, but air? How do you get high on air? Can't you just take a deep breath and be high on life? I don't get it...

So, what about the air hose at the gas station? Do people addicted to air sneak into the station in the middle of the night and stuff the hose up their nose? I don't think I have ever read about anyone busted for possesson of air?

Solution to Health Care

2009-09-20T19:43:00.006-05:00

Bicker...bicker...bicker...that's all I hear about health care reform. They said, he said, she said...bicker...bicker...bicker.

In his morning homily today our priest suggested that the health care debate could be settled by the teaching, "..the last shall be first and the first shall be last." I have thought about what he suggested all day and that is if the voters could (sadly we cannot), vote to suspend all of the Senators and Representatives Health Care Plans they could experience life without health insurance. It just might be an impetus for them to move faster. It seems alot of them are getting up there in years and are probably taking a ton of medication for a variety of ailments. If they had to worry about how to pay the bill, perhaps their sense of urgency would be faster.

The congress should listen to the adage, "...walk a mile in my mocassions...". They should visit a Walmart, or a Walgreens pharmacy and observe the people who have to make a choice - do I eat or do I buy medicine? I've witnessed an elderly man choose - eat, because he couldn't pay the cost of the prescription.

Perhaps the congress should also visit an emergency room and observe all of the people who use these facilities as their "primary" caregiver, because they do not have insurance. Stop the line of people who are testifying before comittee, after committee and go out and stand in line in an emergency room.

Both the Republicans and Democrats agree that something needs to be done. However, (isn't there always a however?) each party is so busy "defending" their point of view that they are not aware of the people who have very real medical insurance needs.

My message to the Congress - don't use your health care plan until you come up with a plan for everyone. Plus, each member of congress should go to an ER on a Friday night and sit and watch. Dress down so no one knows who you are and just watch.

As my grandmother used to say to me, "Come now, get busy!!"

Fame

2009-09-12T21:40:00.004-05:00

I had dinner this evening in a Boston's Restaurant in Coralville, Iowa. While I was in the restroom (a nice remodeled restroom) I noticed that someone had scrated their initials into the top if the urinal. I guess I have a couple of questions: (1) Why? and, (2) What were they thinking - that they'd gain some sort of urinal fame? Well, Mr. SU and Mr. MR you have found fame on the internet...

Minnesota Rude

2009-09-06T07:27:00.003-05:00

I've been attending the Minnesota State Fair for years and have always been impressed with "Minnesota Nice". This year, however, was "Minnesota Rude". I was pushed, pulled, bumped, prodded, and cursed at. Perhaps the economy and national health care debate has everyone on edge and grouchy - but, hey, no need to be rude. Being nice is easier

Plain Cheese Burger

2009-08-22T22:18:00.003-05:00

Be careful when you order a plain cheesburger at Wendy's. My wife ordered a plain cheesburger, "Plain cheeseburger, just bread meat and cheese. And a diet coke please."

I sure don't know what the cook was thinking when he made a "plain" CHEESEburger without the cheese...? Am I wrong - doesn't that make it a plain hamburger?

Successful Class Reunion

2009-07-12T07:27:00.005-05:00

We had a great 40th Reunion July 3-5 filled with a lot of activities. We started Friday with a sit down dinner, followed by a dance that broke up at 1:00 AM Saturday (it nearly killed me to stay up so late). There was a Silent Auction where posters and mementos from the the 60s were auctioned and we raised nearly $2,000 for our Memorial Arboretum Project.

On Saturday we had a memorial service in memory of our 14 fallen classmates which touched the hearts of everyone who attended. There was not a dry eye in the place. I heard the service described as the "heart and Soul" of our reunion.

We had lunch at the Princess Cafe in downtown Iowa Falls, took a walking tour from the Old High school to downtown, and toured the new museum housed in the old Carnegie library. We then had a wine and cheese tasting party follwed by viewing the Iowa Falls fireworks from the best place on the river.

Sunday morning we took a cruise on the Iowa River enjoying a great view with perfect weather. After the cruise we had a picnic in Foster Park where again we ate and had a chance to visit with our classmates.

Our next reunion is in 5 years and it will probably take me that long to recover...

40th Reunion

2009-07-02T07:39:00.002-05:00

My 40th Class Reunion is coming up this weekend and somewhere between the 35th Reunion and now I managed to find myself on the defacto planning committee. It has been a great experience. The committee has grown close over the last 2 years and while we knew each other in high school, we were not close. We are now close.

During our planning stages what has surprised me the most are the grudges and hidden feelings some of our fellow classmates still carry after 40 years. I've got to say - we are not the same people we were 40 years ago, we have grown, and we have cool stories to tell.

During our planning an idea was floated that we should do something to remember our deceased classmates. The short version is that after discussing and cussing several ideas we ended up arranging a sponsorship of a walking Arboretum at the Calkins Nature Center in Iowa Falls. The Hardin County Conservation people picked out and planted and will care for our trees. It will be designed so that over time all of our 159 classmates will have a memorial tree - a living tribute to the memory of the Iowa Falls Class of 1969.The response from families has been nothing short of amazing and we expect a large attendance on Saturday morning as we remember our classmates. I'll probably be an emotional wreck.

One short story here - we have been soliciting donations from the class and have been successful in raising funds (need to raise more funds so that number 159 has a tree) but people are giving from their heart. One of our classmates who is down on their luck, has been saving money so that they could give. He who had little - gave much -

So, what does that have to do with the photograph? We are staying with one of the committee members in Clear Lake making our final battle plans - and this was the view last night. I'll have additional observations so stayed tuned...

Generations

2009-07-01T07:03:00.003-05:00

We went to a picnic a couple of weeks ago and I caught this moment where a Grandpa is explaining the finer points of throwing a football to his Grandson. I'm envious of the moment (from the grandson point of view) because when I was growing up I did not have a Grandpa that was capable of passing along his "secrets". My Grandpa on my Father's side was long gone before I was born and my Mother's father was either unwilling or unable to relate to a child.

I have a few memories of my grandfather - the smell of tobacco from his pipe, the fact that he had lost 2 fingers on the farm - and that he didn't talk much.

Grandmothers on the other hand - taught me alot - not one of them showed me how to throw a football, but if I ever need to darn a sock - I'm there!!!

Ye Olde Drug Store

2009-06-30T07:29:00.002-05:00

This building is in Williams, Iowa. Up the street from here is the Methodist church where I attended as a kid. The building is currently a small store, has a few groceries, has a few antiques, plus you can buy ice cream (that much hasn't changed in 40 years).

I have a vivid memory of getting in trouble here when I was 5 or 6. I had been fussy in church and my grandmother brought me here and bought me an ice cream cone. Now, the lesson she taught me was that if I don't want to sit in church, all I have to do is be fussy and I'll get to leave and get a treat. Lesson learned...

The following week I tried out what I had learned from my grandmother on my mother... well, the getting out of church part worked, but as soon as we hit the outdoors - SWAT on my behinder!!! New lesson learned - you can get away with more with grandmothers than mothers...

A Memorable Moment

2009-06-23T23:16:00.008-05:00

A friend of mine sent me an email this evening regarding an old Brownie Camera. It seems that the camera was 68 years old and still had film in it which when developed revealed pictures of the attack on Pearl Harbor from 1941. I was interested in both aspects of her email - the Navy history and the fact a Kodak Brownie camera could survive 68 years and still yield photos.

Her email did spark a memory regarding Pearl Harbor. Most of the time I spent in the Navy was in the Continental United States and during the first part of my career on 3 cruises to the Mediterranean. It wasn’t until my last tour when I was serving as the Command Master Chief of a Recruiting Detachment in Alameda did I make a trip to Hawaii.

I was there visiting the recruiters and made it a point to visit the U.S.S. Arizona. A commander I once worked for had an uncle entombed in the Arizona and I promised him I would pay my respects. I went with the local supervisor, a Chief Petty Officer, and we were both in our summer whites (quite a spiffy uniform)... at any rate, as we were getting off the launch after having visited the memorial a young Japanese girl, probably 10 or 12, asked if she could have her picture taken with us. We agreed and she gave her camera to her mother and stood between us and smiled... when they were finished they thanked us by bowing and said something in Japanese that we couldn’t understand, but the smiles told us they were appreciative.

As we started to leave we discovered a line, a very long line, of Japanese tourists who wanted their picture taken with 2 U. S. Sailors. We couldn’t say no to any of them and we stood there for what felt like 2 hours having our picture taken. We didn't leave until the last picture was taken. It was a moving and memorable moment...

Not An Eagle

2009-06-20T07:45:00.015-05:00

A hectic day, busy, busy, busy!!! When I got home I was moderatly grouchy, and moody. I could offer excuses, but I won't... I didn't want to sit in the house and re-live the day in my mind so I grabbed my camera and wife (m-m-m-m reverse the order - grabbed my wife and then the camera) and set out on my Eagle Hunt.

I have been obsessed the last several months with getting a picture of an eagle and I learned recently that there may be some eagles hanging out at the Cedar Falls power plant. So off we went - When we got to the power plant I was almost "giddy" because as I looked up I saw what I thought were eagles just hanging out, sitting on a rail and visiting..., but when I zoomed in I noticed red on their heads and kind of a crooked neck - they're not eagles. I believe they are a turkey vulture of some sort...

damn... the hunt continues... As I was recovering from the disappointment of not finding an eagle I noticed the sun was setting and decided to chase it (is that like chasing windmills?). I caught up to it at a bend in the Cedar River in Cedar Falls and as it was setting the colors were gorgeous. After shooting 82 pictures (I always take a lot) we just sat and watched as the sun went down. It was relaxing and the perfect end to a day. I'll look for the eagles tomorrow...

A beautiful sky...

Music Teacher

2009-05-14T22:29:00.004-05:00

I often wonder if educators understand just how long of an effect they can have on a student?

Tonight I went to my grand daughter Ania's concert at her middle school. It was an excellent middle school concert. There was one young lady who had a solo and it was one of those moments that when she opened her mouth - it made you sit up, listen closer and ask yourself, "... did that come out of her?" An excellent voice - she will be a singer one day. I digress - educators.

I had a high school music teacher, Mr. Eugene Havercamp who not only taught music but gave private lessons as well. I was in both his choir and took voice lessons. As I was watching the young kids tonight I could hear his voice in my head, "You can't sing with your mouth closed. Open up!!"

I can hear his voice to this day and have thought of him frequently during the last 40 some years whenever I observed someone trying to sing with their mouth closed. When I was singing in church or in a choir I could hear him tell me, "...breath from your diaphram...let it out slow." 40 years and I still follow his directions

Mr Havercamp was killed in an auto accident several years ago and I regret not having had the opportunity to have told him he helped me to sing a good song (with my mouth open).

My 40th class reunion is coming up in July and I'm sorta on the committee. We have been inviting all of the teachers we can find to attend as our guest. Why? So we can share our successes and lessons learned and to say thanks... except for that one time...

This May Be Silly - But...

2009-05-13T22:25:00.004-05:00

I want to be cremated when it is my time to pass from this earth. Now, I don't dwell on the subject, but on occasion the thought does cross my mind. The first time I remember thinking about cremation was from a Hill Street Blues Episode when a retired cop had died, was cremated and wanted to be part of "something". Andy, one of the lead characters, brought his ashes into the building one night as the locker room was being re-done and mixed him in with the cement. He was part of the building forever...

The next time I thought about being cremated was when I had heard a story about retired sailors having their ashes put into a keel of a ship as it was being built. So - the idea formed in my head... I want to be part of something. But, what?

For a while I thought I'd be a brick. Yes, a brick. There is a Veteran's Memorial in Waterloo where you can have your name and rank engraved on a brick and have the brick placed as part of the monument. Now I will admit there is no mention of actually becoming the brick - but I have often wondered was it possible....

Last week my brother-in-law passed and was cremated and his ashes placed in a gorgeous urn. It did get me thinking again about being cremated... So, I thought a frog... frogs are cute, and they do make frog urns (pictured above). And, no, I don't know why I thought of a frog...

I was thinking about that during the service for my brother-in-law and had to suppress a smile as I could envision at my memorial service a pair of frog's feet sticking out from the covered urn... This is a work in progress and I believe I will take many, many, many years to figure it out.

Bye Bob

2009-05-06T22:33:00.005-05:00

My brother-in-law, Robert J. Houk, Jr. passed away last Saturday from complications of diabetes. Bob was born March 3, 1943 in Nashville, Tennessee, the son of Robert J and Christine Houk. During his life time he was involved with airplanes and boats and sold yachts in Florida.

Bob was married to my sister-in-law Carol - in what we all affectionally refer to as the "scrambled limb" of the family tree. My step-daughter Andrea married Robert's son, Robert and it was at that wedding that Carol met the older Robert. They hit it off, fell in love and were married on St. patrick's Day in 1992 in Miami, Flordia. At times it has been confusing.... Carol is not only Andrea's Aunt, but also her mother-in-law, and step-mother. Her husband Robert is also her step-brother and 1st cousin - my gawd it gets confusing... Adding to the confusion at family gathering is the fact that I am also Robert, and I have another son-in-law who is also Robert. We have all become known as, "Helen's Robert", "Andrea's Robert", "Carol's Robert", and "Jennifer's Robert."

We will miss "Carol's Robert."

Scared Straight

2009-05-06T07:24:00.002-05:00

While I was in high school I lived a bit on the "wild side" - not scarey wild, like murder and mayhem, but more curious wild, like what would happen if I put a cherry bomb in a toilet. The rest of this story will be told as an observer...

There were 2 young men in high school. One of the young men (not me) had recently acquired something that resembled marijuana (again, not me, really!!). This young man invited his friend (possibly me) to partake in smoking this "stuff". So off they went with their product under the front seat of their vehicle in search of a place of solitude.

Then it happened... they were pulled over by a policeman. He was the local guy and was pulling them over just to "chat' - no violation, no speeding, no stop sign blown, no tale light out - just wanted to visit. He had no idea...

This story took place in the 1960s when the laws were severe. The two young men were scared to death... their lives flashed in front of their eyes and they had visions of being bent over a bunk in prision being violated...so scared they didn't even touch the stuff.

The next stop - one of the young men borrowed a tupperware bowl from his mother and they put their stash in it, went into the woods and buried it. End of story.

I ocassionly wonder if that had been me and I had taken a piece of my mother's tupperware she always put her name on the bottom of her containers in red (sometimes pink) nail polish. If that container ever got dug up - I wonder if my mother would have received a visit from the authorities? M-m-m-m- good thing it wasn't me.

Tupperware

2009-05-06T07:07:00.004-05:00

While I was growing up my mother lost a lot of tupperware - not because of anything she did, but because she had a son - me.

My friends and I were deeply involved in playing "cowboys and indians" and while we were in the woods with our bows and arrows we stumbled across a beaver - a real beaver, flat tail and all. Before I continue I wish to apologize for what we did...

We knew that indians hunted with their bows and arrows, so we hunted the beaver. It must have taken us 4 hours to kill the beaver with our target bows and arrows but he did eventually succumb. We had it in our heads that indians used the entire animal, pelt, tail, etc. So,...(again I aplogize... ) we cut off the tail and feet. We had no idea about skinning and pelts, so we left the woods with only the tail and feet. Since we didn't know what we were going to do with with them we (I) borrowed one of my mother's tupperware bowls and stored our beaver on the back porch.

We then went on to playing "detective" and forgot about the beaver - until 6 months later when our beaver was discovered by my mother. My memory fades quickly after that... I do remember a few unpleasentries... however, if you ever want to store dead beaver parts, I highly recommend tupperware as the container of choice.

Life Altering Event

2009-04-18T07:14:00.003-05:00

I have recently met and made a new friend and I have been sharing stories. I used to be a bit embarrassed by the story I am about to tell, but, hey it's part of who I am... I thought I had this story on this blog, but it's not here, but on another website, so here it is - for those who haven't heard it..

It’s been nearly 40 years since I graduated from High School and I suppose I’m like a lot of people who ponder the life I’ve lived, the choices I’ve made, and the lessons I’ve learned. Upon reflection – one of Life’s Lessons I learned is that we are never aware of the ramifications of the choices we make in life, because we simply cannot see into the future. To illustrate...

After graduation, I decided that I was going to attend a private school (name not released in case they’re still mad at me – as you will learn), one which was expensive, and perhaps out of my reach financially. I was going to be a theatre major, get a fine arts degree, go to New York and then on to Hollywood, fame and fortune. I ignored the advice of my parents, who suggested that a junior college closer to home, would be a better choice. To heck with parental advice, I was now an adult! I went to the private school, majored in theatre, and was prepared to make my mark on the world.

Trouble started almost immediately when I rebelled against taking a “regular” gym class. I thought I was done with that ... I ended up signing up for ballet – something recommended by my counselor. Ballet didn’t turn out too bad – it was a class filled with 10 women and 2 men. This fed right into my other majors in college, wine and women. I excelled...

One Friday evening, while I was studying the “wine” part of my education, I ended up consuming an excessive amount of vodka. This led to my acquiring a box of Tide; why, I have no idea, but I found myself standing in front of the college’s very colorful fountain. There were water sprays, and different colored lights – it was so inviting.

I discovered that an entire box of Tide makes a nifty bubble bath – it was a warm evening, the bubbles were inviting, so, I stripped down and jumped in ... most would think that this was my biggest mistake, but no! After my nice bubble bath, I walked around campus au naturel and introduced myself to the couples who were sitting on the benches. This was still not my biggest mistake!

The biggest mistake came when I introduced myself to the local campus security person. That was the mistake that changed my life.

He invited me, okay, took me, to his office and called the local police. To my good fortune, the policeman who showed up was the brother of a friend of mine, so he escorted me back to the dorms with the admonition about never, ever, doing something that stupid again.

Little did I know that my “bath” would affect the entire rest of my life. It was 1970, and the school authorities invited me to leave the school. As a result, I lost my student deferment from the draft. It wasn’t too long before I won the only lottery I ever won – the draft lottery! I was drafted, but I fooled them -- I joined the Navy.

That one bubble bath, that one moment, that one box of Tide, put me on a path which saw me completing 30 years in the Navy – who knew?!

Mini-Easel

2009-04-18T06:58:00.007-05:00

As I was unpacking from our shopping trip to Hobby Lobby I asked my wife what she was going to use this cute little plate holder, easel for? She said, That's not mine. You got that."

"No I didn't.."

"Yes, you did 'cause I didn't."

"I didn't, and if you didn't who did?"

She thought a minute, "I bet it was that lady standing next to me and she put it in our basket."

Guess we now have a new "mini-easel".

At least there was NO ASSEMBLY required...

Hobby Lobby Easel With NO Instructions

2009-04-18T06:23:00.005-05:00

Those who really know me are aware of my mechanical abilities (they suck). I feel comfortable inside your computer, but "some assembly required" scares the bejeebers out of me. At any rate, I've been looking for a simple easel and found one at Hobby Lobby. It also said, "assembly required", but really, how tough could an easel be?

We got the easel home, opened the package and looked for directions. Directions? Where are the directions? Perhaps they're printed on the back of the label? No - there are NO directions. So, if anybody else buys this product and discovers there are no directions, here are a few hints...

#1 - lay the legs on the floor. Each leg consists of 2 parts. The with the "cap" on it is the bottom. Place the parts so that the round part is facing toward you and and the "little shelf" it makes is also in front. Do this 3 times... (3 legs).

Assembly the legs and then using a longer screw hook them together as illustrated in the above photo.

What comes next took a while and I had to call upon an engineer's daughter (my wife) to assist in figuring this out. She also excels at putting together puzzels where puzzles give me a headache. At any rate, we had 2 pieces of wood left - each with a hole in the middle. We tried to line up those holes every which way with no success and then - we (she) discovered that the two pieces that form the shelf are placed on the outside of the legs and the other one behind the legs. Then you use the long bolt "thingy" (technical term) with the loop at the end to connect the two pieces together and you then clip the chain to the loop as seen in the next 2 illustrations.

And, now a finished easel. I almost want to go out and buy another one just so I can put it together with ease...

Alter or Altar?

2009-04-14T22:21:00.003-05:00

Alter or Altar - why the world needs proofreaders...

The Curve

2009-04-12T20:51:00.011-05:00

If you have been reading my posts you will remember that several weeks ago I was talking about the past, the present and "curves". I didn't say what the curve was - I was coy - but, here is the rest of the story...

In 2003 I was contacted by a high school classmate with whom I graduated from high school with in 1969. She was trying to get together a mailing list and database to facilitate re-connecting with our high school classmates. Our Class president was in the final stages of cancer and she wanted to let as many people know as she could. She envisioned a website where we could post information.

She was looking for somone to put together a website. Now, I had the ability, but did not volunteer that information real quick. After a couple of weeks I finally confessed - and in 2003 our Class Website was born - http://www.ifhs69.com/ It has been a labor of love. We have re-connected and made new friends.

I don't quite remember how it happened, but before too long there were 4 core members who helped feed information, run ads in the Iowa Falls paper to generate web traffic, and provide information for newsletters. Other classmates mailed in donations to help with the website, others sent in pictures and newspaper clipping from when we were in school. Mothers also called and let me know where their kids were because they heard we were looking for them. And, friends, and realtives of classmates also called. I have heard from, or received emails from, around the country. I have even received calls and letters from other classes around the country that wanted to know how to do what it is we do... One thing led to another and suddenly our little group "morphed" into the 40th Reunion Planning Committee. It has been fun, challenging at times, but fun. So, I hear you saying, "so what, what about it..?" Neat story - but, so?

Well - a couple of weeks ago I was contacted by the Des Moines Register in regards to our class reunion. The Register is interested in doing a multi-media project that focuses on an Iowa high school reunion. They like the idea of 1969 because it was an interesting, pivotal year. They like the idea of Iowa Falls because of its size, relatively close proximity to Des Moines, and they like our IFHS Class of 1969 because our class is on the ball in terms of planning. They see a lot of possibilities with multi-media storytelling and have assigned a reporter and photographer to meet with us and record our reunion. They recently did a “Buddy Holly Remembered project, http://data.desmoinesregister.com/holly/index.php and our high school reunion project would be similar.

They are planning to show how the class of 1969 dispersed across the nation and globe after graduation and they envision a rollover map that would bring up our yearbook and current photos with thumbnail bios. There would also be video interviews with members of the class. And, of course, they would showcase ’69 culture (TV, music, sports, news events, etc.) The project has been approved by the senior staff of the Register [it means they agreed to devote the time and resources] and they believe that it’s a cool project that would resonate with many Iowans.

A bit of history
One of the senior editors at the register wanted to do a story on a 1969 Iowa Class Reunion and went to the internet to do research – he landed on our website. He was intrigued by not only our website, but with our planning and the fact we are going to hold the reunion in the old high school. The editor assigned a reporter who contacted me about doing a feature story and I met with her for 3 hours yesterday.

There will be a feature story before the reunion and then another story after the reunion along with a newly designed interactive web site featuring our class and our reunion. It is my sincere hope that classmates who have not decided whether or not to attend, reconsider and join us for what promises to be a memorable reunion. We're in the process of sending out a newsletter to let everyone know what's happening.

Who would have thought that 6 years ago that by building a website and keeping it going would lead to the Des Moines Register doing a story about our town, our class and our reunion? Life is truly amazing - sometimes weird, but amazing notheless.

Let the little children come...do not hinder them

2009-04-12T19:57:00.006-05:00

My wife and I go to an Episcopal Church and we have a young priest who is serving the parish. We really love his enthusiam and energy. He races in triathalons - something I can't even imagine. My triathalon would consist of trying to eat ice cream, chocolate brownies and a cheesburger at the same time...

At any rate the following conversation was heard in church a couple of weeks ago:

The priests wife was trying to reason with a rather talkative 3 year old, "Be quiet...stop talking we're in church."

"Daddy's talking..."

"Daddy's the priest..., now sh-h-h-"

A couple of minutes later the reasoning went out to the hallway where I assume reason prevailed. Some people seemed to be be bothered if kids make noises in church, but they are the life blood of any church or organization. They are curious, filled with love and enthusiam, and brighten most everybody's day. So, if the 3 year old wants to start preaching early, I say go for it!!

A Quick Post

2009-04-04T21:09:00.002-05:00

I have a quick post which contains an important message - "...if you get up in the middle of the night to take a Zantac for your heartburn - turn the light on to make sure it is a Zantac and not a Dulcolax, and do not say to yourself, ' if 1 is good 2 is better...!!'"

Enough said...

New Math AGAIN

2009-03-29T08:50:00.004-05:00

My wife and I had lunch at a Burger King yesterday and the new math has struck again. The young lady was having difficulties with her register, her manager, and a customer and along I come wanting to order lunch. My bill was $10.25 and I gave her a $20 bill. She took the change out of the drawer looked at it - made a feeble attempt to count it back - gave up and wadded up the cash and put it in my hand. I simply stuck it in my pocket. This morning I was sorting my pockets and counted out the money in my pocket and it was $14.75. Burger King was the only place I went and according to my math I should have had $9.75 in my pocket. I often wonder if they have any "change counting back" training any more. I can't tell you the last time someone actually counted change back, "25, 50, 75, makes eleven, twelve, thirteen fourteen, fifteen and five makes twenty."

I will put my $5.00 windfall in the collection plate this morning - thank you Burger King.

Frog

2009-03-23T20:34:00.005-05:00

The year before my wife graduated from high school (don't even think I'm going to say the year)... she acquired a concrete frog. The frog stayed with her through the rest of high school, her trip off to college, the 17 years of her first marriage and 23 years of our marriage. This was an outdoor frog - he wasn't house broken.

The frog lived in Iowa, Florida, Rhode Island, Illinois, Louisiana, California and Minnesota. He weathered cold, ice, snow, 2 hurricanes, 1.5 earthquakes and the brutality of movers, but, our home was not home without the concrete frog sitting by the front door. Last year - the cold, snow and ice finally took their toll and when the snow cleared all that was left was a crumbled bit of concrete.

Two of our grandkids thought that the frog should have a burial, so they buried what was left of the frog in a flower bed and used a brick for a headstone (above photo). Katharine gave a beautiful eulogy for the frog which ended, "... I hope he goes to hell...".

"Katharine" her brother yelled, "Grandma she said a bad word." When Grandma inquired about why she would say such a thing, Katharine said, "I couldn't spell heaven...".

Yesterday while at Target we came upon a frog (unpainted) which looked exactly like the recently deceased and buried frog. The frog was purchased and we tromped off to Lowe's Hardware to buy frog paint. The guy at the paint counter got a chuckle over the story and said he had never been asked to pick out paint for a frog.

Here is our newest addition...

... maybe he'll last as long as the last frog.

One Bad Dude

2009-03-21T03:48:00.003-05:00

Continuing my story from yesterday - My dad was not a racist, but was uneducated in relation to race. He carried images in his head that he obtained from living life in a white community in rural Iowa. He had not been exposed to people who were different from him. He also had the images that television and newspaper put in his head that white people should fear black people.

Jump into the future (from 1969) about 18 years. I was living in Minneapolis, MN and working for an urban ministry, Midwest Challenge, in the their book division and I had an assignment to interview Ted Jefferson. Ted had lived a life of crime culminating in a first degree murder conviction. He had recently written a book outlining his life story and how God had intervened in his life. He had been paroled (unheard of for a first degree murder conviction) and was running a half-way house in North Minneapolis.

On the weekend I had scheduled the interview my folks came to town to visit and I asked my dad if he'd like to come along. He agreed. As we were nearing our destination it was apparent to my dad that we were driving in an African-American part of town. As we entered the house where the interview was going to be, my dad became visibly nervous. We sat down at a kitchen table with several African American males who had all been convicted of some felony. By this time I imagine my dad was about to pee his pants. I imagine he thought that we were going to be beaten, robbed and killed at any moment. And, then... Ted walked in...

Ted was a compassionate Christian filled with love and concern for his fellow man and was dedicated to helping others. He quickly made my dad feel at ease as he shared his story and his vision. He gave my dad an autographed copy of his latest book and I know it had a lasting impression on him as he spoke of it often. I can see my dad back in Iowa Falls at the morning coffee club telling the others about how he met this "bad dude" in Minneapolis and lived to tell the story.

My dad has been gone nearly 11 years and I regret we did not visit more. Ted has since passed on and perhaps he, my dad and Bob Tate are all having a good time in heaven - singing and telling stories. It's a pleasant thought for me.

Bob Tate

2009-03-20T08:02:00.010-05:00

Life is weird sometimes and every now and then throws a curve, provides a bit of information about the past and teases you with the future. This week has had all of those elements.

The Present: I took a photo Wednesday night http://rallenhillproject365.blogspot.com/2009/03/cross.html that shows the beauty of this planet on which we live.

The Past: During my senior year in high school in Iowa Falls, Iowa, the local Junior College, Ellsworth College put on a musical, the name escapes me at the moment, however one of the leads was a young black man, Bob Tate, who had a gorgeous tenor voice. Through the theatre program at the high school I had the opportunity to meet him, and we became friends of sort. One day, I called my Mom and asked if I could bring a friend home for supper. No problem. We walked in and I could see the shock in my folk’s face, or a least my Dad, who evidently had some pre-conceived racial ideas. It was tense all through supper. Bob then noticed the piano in the living room and asked if he could play. My Dad (reluctantly) agreed. You could see my Dad’s attitude and demeanor change as Bob played the piano. He made those keys sing... My Dad, also a tenor and a pianist, was put at ease and the rest of the night was spent singing around the piano.

Over the years I have often wondered what ever happened to Bob Tate after he left Iowa Falls. I knew he was from Waterloo, but never made a effort to find out. There was always next week.

This week I ran out of next weeks. His obituary was in the paper this week. He was 62 and had spent his life as a church musician. I regret not looking him up. He was instrumental in changing my Dad’s attitude about race (I have another story to tell about that – but that will have to be at a later time). He was also a friend to me.

What did I learn this week? - don't wait until next week to tell someone you appreciate what they do, who they are and that you care for them. There just may not be a next week...

The Curve and the Future: Let's just say, for the moment, "Life is interesting!"

Whacky World

2009-03-14T06:40:00.008-05:00

It seems that every day you hear some new "bad"news about the economy, "... we're in a recession...", "... cost of goods are going up...", "... unemployment is rising..." and a lot of other gloomy predictions. I don't wish to downplay these concerns, but I do believe that fear begets fear. As the "gloomy" predictions continue people start thinking, "...m-m-m-m-m maybe they're right..." and they start to change their behavior.

Some behavior is good to change - save more, spend less on credit, and plan your financial future. I know first hand that people are changing their behavior. In my little (and it is little) corner of the world of finance, people are saving more (my deposits are up) and are spending less (loans down a bit). Economists will say that these are the signs of a recession - I say they're signs of people waking up and paying attention.

I grow tired of the gloom and doom. "6% unemployment..." Why can't they say, "94% of Americans are employed.". Perhaps good news is not news...

If you have good news- please, put it in a comment to this Post...

Have a great day!!!

Remember the New Water Heater?

2009-03-05T06:35:00.008-06:00

My wife and I got home from work at about 5:30 last night. We were scurrying around opening mail, and fixing something to eat before going to chime and choir practice at the church. My wife opened the Culligan Bill and said, "$60? When did they deliver salt?" I didn't know so I went to the basement to see if there had been salt delivered. I looked in the container and it was filled with salt... that's the end of that [I thought].

As I was walking away I noticed my feet were wet, "Shit... where's that coming from?" [Recall that we've recently had a failed sump pump, clogged drain and a new water heater.] I started looking for the source of the water. It seemed to come from the direction of the new water heater... , "Crap..." Then I saw it - a little stream of water shooting out from where one of the copper pipes was soldered. I had no idea how long it had been leaking - but judging from the water it had been a couple of days at least.

A quick call to the plumber resulted in a plumber showing up within 30 minutes [I was impressed] - he fixed the leak and said they guarantee their work and there would be no charge. He indicated that it is uncommon for this to happen, but on occasion a soldered joint fails. That didn't comfort me since all I saw was a big puddle of water (again)!!

I am thankful that the Culligan Bill was $60 because it sent me to the basement. Who knows how long it would have been before we discovered the leak?

Now my question is this - can I send him a bill for the time and energy I spent mopping up water - again? Probably not... at least I knew right where the mop and bucket were...

A Day Well Spent

2009-03-01T07:06:00.004-06:00

The seminar I attended yesterday was filled with information. I love to attend these as you meet people with the same interests (and the same toys). I picked up some suggestions and ideas, and even learned of some additional capabilities of my camera. It was a day well spent.

As a side note: The Canon Guy has the perfect job - he gets to play with the newest, the best, and most expensive camera equipment!!! I had some serious lens envy going...

Discovery Day

2009-02-28T05:51:00.004-06:00

I'm going to a Canon Discovery today in Cedar Rapids. (I got up in plenty of time [5:12 AM]). PhotoPro, a camera store in Cedar Rapids is sponsoring the day and it sounds interesting. It is a day of discovery of your camera. There are tons of options in the camera, and I know I don't come close to using the camera to the fullest extent I can.

There is a school of thought that says post processing should be kept at a minimum (working with Photoshop or other editing programs). As a matter of fact in photographic competitions there are rules regarding post processing. Photographers may perform enhancements and modifications of the image that could have been done at the time the image was taken, but that do not change the original truth of the image, e.g. cropping, and flipping the image are acceptable, adding or removing elements is not.

All major brand DSLR's have picture style settings that control color, contrast, sharpness, and saturation. And, all of these can be done in the camera. What I want to learn today is more about controlling the image in the camera with limited post picture taking processing. There are times when you need to "fix" a picture. I have frequently had only seconds to take a picture of a moving subject or the "right moment" before it was gone. there was no time to "tune" the camera to all of the appropriate setting of ISO, aperture, or picture style. It was a shoot right NOW moment or miss it. In that case, a little post processing is OK.

In competitions there should be a creative category where you can process all you want - and I like that category also.

Condolences

2009-02-20T08:05:00.006-06:00

Imagine for a moment that you wake up - there's a nip in the air as the temperature outside hovers near zero. You are looking forward to that hot shower to not only take the chill off, but to warm you up and get the blood flowing - only to discover that sometime in the middle of the night the hot water heater died.

It had been a good hot water heater, faithful in performing its duties of providing hot water for the household for at least 20 years. It shall be missed...

I don't know what it is about my basement these days - clogged drain, dead sump pump, flood, and now the water heater. The furnace was replaced a couple of years ago so we're OK there... I won't say anything about the washer and dryer (shhhhhh)...

I'll be home awhile today as the plumbers can't pinpoint a time other than, "...between the hours of 8:00 and Noon...maybe early afternoon." Here I am...

Well, late morning didn't work...here's hoping early afternoon will...

1:23 PM Plumber guy is here...

2:45 PM New water Heater has joined the family - here's to a LONG and HEALTHY life...

Blessed or Cursed?

2009-02-18T14:49:00.008-06:00

Another early morning - it seems that my internal alarm clock is outa wack and frequently goes off at weird hours - like "I'm awake now!!" On the plus side I'm getting a lot more done each day - on the down side - my internal engine shuts down quickly about 10:00 PM or so each nite. So I'm inclined to think it's a blessing - perhaps next time I'll actually go to the grocery store in the wee hours and see who else is up?!?

A Favorite Place to Take Pictures

2009-02-15T19:25:00.009-06:00

I visited one of my favorite picture taking places to take some additional photos. It was a beautiful winter day, sun out, temperatures about 30 degrees and no wind. My 365 Project is One a Day and I end up taking a lot of photos. I thought I'd post a couple here...the Cedar River in Cedar Falls, Iowa

The Perfect Storm

2009-02-11T22:17:00.006-06:00

A Winter snow melt can be a good thing, OR, it can combine with other events and cause a perfect storm.

I was looking for a picture and couldn't find what I was looking for so I decided to look in the basement. When I got to the foot of the stairs it became readily apparent that we had a problem, as there was a puddle of water at the foot of the steps. We typically don't have a puddle at the foot of the stairs so that's how I perceived we had a problem. I took a couple of more steps into the basement and discovered, not a puddle, but a lake (no fish). My first thought was that since we had just gotten a humidifier added to the furnace perhaps the water line broke. No, m-m-m-m-m, that wasn't it. Then, perhaps the water heater finally gave it up...no, that wasn't it either. I investigated the area of the basement where the sump pump is and discovered the deep end of the lake.

It seems that not only did the sump pump fail, but the drain in the basement also decided it was time to stop working...and the water started filling the basement. Since there was nothing we could do until morning we went to bed hoping the water didn't get worse (deeper). It didn't - it was lower in the morning. We called the Roto Rooter guy and he came and cleaned the drain and the plumber came and replaced the sump pump. So, all that is left is the mess and we're dealing with that...

When my wife called the plumber to schedule a visit she told him that her husband was not handy, but thought we needed a new sump pump. He then asked if I had "jiggled this" or "moved that"... to which she replied, "my husband is not handy that way (true), but if you want a picture taken of the sump pump it would be the best picture ever." (she's a fan of my photography) I think the plumber thought she was insulting me (she wasn't as I am not mechanically inclined) and he wanted to defend a fellow guy... At any rate - I was right we needed a new sump pump.

I couldn't stay home and help with the mess as I had a meeting I had to go to in Des Moines. My mood was not the best as I traveled. I stopped at a rest stop and as I was walking back to the car a $20 bill blew under my foot. My mood perked right up... there was nobody around, so I thank whoever lost it for my evening meal... Too bad it wasn't a couple of $100 bills I could give the plumber.

Physical Training

2009-02-09T21:18:00.004-06:00

Every now and then I get an overwhelming nostalgic feeling and miss the Navy. Tonight the feeling came to me while I was walking on a treadmill during one of my 3 times a week workout. I know it's strange...but, some of my fondness memories are when a group of us would gather either before work (6:00 AM [the Navy always has to do stuff before dawn]) or during the afternoon and run physical training. I was never athletic and the run was always a challenge for me, but there were shipmates who stepped up and provided me with motivation and encouragement. Tonight I thought of Ralph, Ray, CDR R., CDR H., Tony, Lisa and others who ran with me.

Strange how time deals with memories - at the time I swore I hated every step of the run, but looking back - it wasn't too bad and the commaraderie made the memory. Thanks all...

PS I've been on the workout plan for 4 weeks and it is getting easier, I have lost 5 lbs and am close to dropping down a waist size...

Angry

2009-02-03T21:06:00.005-06:00

This sign hangs on my office wall. I believe it is missing from an awful lot of corporations. I for one am angry to hear that the CEO's and CFO's and managers of the companies who received federal bailout funds (MY tax money and YOUR Tax money) used it to pay exhorbitant bonuses to themselves and their employees. The below photo express' my opinion...

A Sad Commentary

2009-02-01T20:16:00.004-06:00

The Stone Barn landmark Southeast of Cedar Falls was built in 1875. I have been driving by it for years (not since 1875 however). I took the above picture a couple of years ago...

When the barn was in its prime there was a small village across the street complete with 3 houses, a church and a school. The city issued a "fix it" or tear it down ticket and the owner reluctantly removed the structure due to insurance and liability issues. The following picture was taken from General Denny Mills Public Picasa Gallery and shows the barn today.

Not quite sure why we can't preserve our history...

I am Naked

2009-02-01T09:21:00.001-06:00

I am Naked
Originally uploaded by natureluv

Trying something new - posting to my blog from Flickr. Discovered this photo it intrigued me and I wanted to share. Love the fog...

300 Years

2009-01-29T21:18:00.005-06:00

I had a thought today...I have over 11,000 photos in digital format (doesn't include any of my film pictures)..so doing one photo day a day for 365 days I could already post one a day for thirty years. And, since I'm doing one a day now - one just can't shoot one picture - I shoot maybe 10 or 11 (sometimes more) a day, so, if I'm posting 1 day, and taking 11 a day I still would be good for an additional 300 years (posting one a day out of the 11 a day I take). Makes my head hurt - I'd better post one here...

Stained Glass...

0 at Noon

2009-01-28T23:25:00.003-06:00

It's supposed to warm up during the day - this was the temperature at noon today - up from a chilly -12 below.
(Click on the photo if you want to see a larger image.)

Knitted Purse

2009-01-24T18:12:00.003-06:00

I've had several inquiries about my Yarn Pictures - asking if my wife bought any yarn while I was wondering around Crazy Girls taking pictures. The answer is a resounding YES...

Her skill amazes me and fascinates me at the same time. In my eyes she bought a bunch of colored string hanging from a wall and in 2 days this purse appeared and she is now working on a matching tam (I think that's a hat). She knits while she talks (or talks while she knits), watches television and knits (or knits while watching television) - even knits during the homily at church (yes, the priest knows). She's been knitting so long it's second nature...she's a Crazy Girl!!

Again - New Math

2009-01-20T19:46:00.003-06:00

This evening as my wife and I were coming back from working out we stopped at a grocery store to pick up some bread. We observed the following sign attached to a candy display: SALE 2 for a $1. The only problem is that they were clearly marked as selling for .48 cents a piece.

How is $1 on sale?

A New Year

2009-01-20T05:36:00.004-06:00

My wife and I have joined a health club sponsored by Covenant Hospital in Waterloo. A most reasonable rate - we qualified for the senior discount -ugh... The goal is to become healthier, lighter and thinner.

Last night was the first night. My body fat was - let's just say the Navy wouldn't like it (it exceeds 22%). The trainer set up a regimen that includes 30 minutes of cardio and 30 minutes on a variety of machines which I'm sure had their beginnings during the Midevil torture times.

So, along with doing a Photo a day for 365 days I am also committing to 3 times a week at the health club. Wish me well and send encouragement!!

Frozen Pipes

2009-01-17T07:28:00.003-06:00

Finding a plumber on a day when it was 34 below zero proved difficult. The first plumber we called said - "no way, we're too busy un-freezing pipes." The 2nd place we called said - "We're going out of town, back next week. Good luck" (Seems they missed a good money making opportunity) We then called the Roto Rooter guy and he said he could make it.

He showed up about 5:45 PM and got right to work. Turns out our pipes were frozen. He "rooted" then used a hair dryer and hot water to finish the job. While he was putting everything back together he broke one of the pipes on the garbage disposal. He was apologetic and ran right out to buy a replacement part - no charge. I was so impressed with his work ethic and friendly demeanor (and the fact it was close to 8 at night) I tipped him. (Out of my character). Water runs now and today we'll shop for some insulation. Of course it probably won't be 34 below zero for another 50 years - but, hey, we'll be ready!!

Yuck...

2009-01-16T06:56:00.004-06:00

I don't know if it is the 34 degree BELOW Zero weather, or that something has become lodged in our kitchen drain, but I woke up at 5:45 AM to a plugged kitchen drain. Finding a plumber today won't happen because they're all unfreezing pipes around town (it's 34 degrees BELOW Zero). I have plunged repeatedly to no avail. Next step is to buy some drain unplugging stuff and wait...

Check Your Credit Report

2009-01-13T15:05:00.007-06:00

I had an article published in the Cedar Valley Business Monthly. If you click on the title of the post it should direct you to the article. If the link is broken leave a comment and I'll post a copy of the article.

Photo Club

2009-01-11T20:35:00.005-06:00

Paddle Boat Reflected in the Mississippi

Louisiana Swamp as depicted at the Dubuque River Museum.

I went to a Photo Club Meeting today in Cedar Rapids (Waterloo can't seem to put one together) and entered the above 2 photos in this months competition - the topic was "Reflections". I didn't win or place, but received some votes. The photos that won were excellent photos. I will continue to compete...

Snorkeling in Iowa

2009-01-10T11:04:00.005-06:00

Snorkeling in Iowa... (I think alcohol was involved).

A friend sent me this and I laughed so hard I wanted to share. (I don't think this is him - can't tell from the angle).

Beauty of New Snow

2009-01-10T10:15:00.003-06:00

We received 4" of new snow last night and it is beautiful outside. Never mind all of the aggravation that goes with a new snow (shoveling, plowing, slipping, sliding, falling down) - it is gorgeous.

As I was taking my wife to work this morning we came across a SUV who had obviously been traveling too fast for the road conditions - hung up on a snow bank. I had my camera with me, but there was no opportunity to pull over and snap a photo. It seems, however, that the majority of vehicles in the ditch and "hung up" on snow banks are SUVs and trucks. I believe it is because the driver's have a false sense of security. They know they have 4 x 4 traction and can "plow" through the snow but seem to forget the stopping part... 4 x 4 or not, vehicles do not stop on a dime on ice. That's my 2 cents worth...(ok maybe a dime.). (Click on the photo to view a larger image.)

Lousy Janitor

2009-01-07T07:50:00.004-06:00

I work in a small credit union. When I am asked what I do at the Credit Union I am fond of saying that I am the CEO/CFO and Janitor. It describes the fact that in a small business, you have to do a variety of jobs ranging from financial decisions to taking out the garbage (something I'm sure the CEO of GM does not do.)

At any rate, every time my youngest daughter visits she points out the spider web and dead lady bug in the window and tells me I'm a lousy janitor. I like to tease - so I leave the web and its prey - reminds me that I'm a lousy janitor.

Scissors Take A Ride

2009-01-04T19:43:00.007-06:00

This morning was an icy morning - as evidenced by a picture in a prior post. Before we left the house this morning for church I grabbed a pair of scissors from the kitchen (to open the bag of salt) and proceeded to the garage. I opened the bag and sat the scissors on the trunk of my car. I proceeded to cover the driveway in salt. When I finished, back into the house I went.

This evening, a good 12 hours and 15 miles since this morning, we went to pick up my mother-in-law and sister-in-law for a trip to a steak house. When we arrived at their house we needed to put something into the trunk, so I popped the trunk - and, off came a pair of scissors. The same pair of scissors I used to open the bag of salt in the morning. They had been on my trunk from our house to the church, from the church to visit a friend in the hospital, from the hospital to our house and then to pick up folks for supper. It's a wonder that with all the slipping, sliding, bumping and jumping that they didn't fall off- sure glad they didn't fall off and stab a pedestrian. And, best of all - I don't have to buy a new pair!!!

Project 365

2009-01-04T17:15:00.007-06:00

I am embarking on a Project 365 - where I will take and upload a new photo every day in 2009. My Project 365 Blog is at: ttp://rallenhillproject365.blogspot.com.

One of my resolutions for 2009 is to pay closer attention to this blog and make many more posts (lucky you).

This photo is the first sunrise of 2009 over Waterloo, Iowa. I couldn't sleep and woke up at 5:00 AM on New Years day - so, since the rest of the house was still asleep (ok, not the house, the people in the house) I decided to go out and about and take some pictures.

Here is another:

I saw this reflection while I was driving, and since there was little to no traffic I stopped and took the picture.

Have a good 2009 filled with joy and happiness.

Ironing Board Pedestrian Accident

2008-12-13T14:16:00.004-06:00

I do not know what possessed me to join the masses shopping today - but I ventured out. It was probably the $20 Best Buy Rewards Bonus I received in the mail - they give me $20 I give them $80 - m-m-m-, how does that work?

At any rate, as I was walking past a Bed Bath and Beyond store a woman came out of the door (at a high rate of speed), not looking left, or right, just barged onto the sidewalk. BAM - I got nailed with a glancing blow from her just purchased ironing board. Since we were both walking there was no need to exchange driver's licenses or insurance information - and she was apologetic. I was not injured - so good on so many fronts, can you see the headline if I had been injured, "Pedestrian Ironing Board Accident sends One to the ER", or "The Police are still looking for the lady reposnsible for the hit and run with an ironing board..."

Ok - that's silly - but it did strike me (no pun indended) as humorous when it happened... But, hey, Shoppers - be careful out there...!!

On The Side

2008-12-13T14:09:00.003-06:00

My wife and I attended a company christmas party this week and she ordered a dinner salad with the dressing on the side.

Now, I would think most people understand that "on the side" means, "in a little container sitting next to the salad", however, when her salad arrived the dressing was on the salad - albeit on the side of the salad...

The Grout Museum

2008-11-29T20:46:00.003-06:00

We spent several hours today at the Grout Museum in Waterloo, Iowa. Where they have just completed a new wing, the Five Sullivan Brothers Veteran's Museum. It honors the sacrifice of a Waterloo family, the Sullivans, who lost their 5 sons when their ship the USS Juneau was sunk by a Japanese Submarine.

While the the museum name and some displays honor their specific service and sacrifice, it goes beyond their sacrifice and honors veterans (Iowans) lost in every conflict starting with the civil war. It is an amazing addition and will take several trips to take it all in.

We took 4 of our 6 grandchildren and they had a good time learning, crawling on a WWII Tank (replica), coloring, making something with beads, and asking alot of questions. One of them asked, Grandpa, did you serve in a War?"

The short answer is "No", however I was at a loss of words to explain the effect the Vietnam War on on me. I had dropped out of college after one semester to earn some money to go back to school. I went back and was well into my my second semester when I received a letter that began, "Greetings...". I had received a draft notice for the U. S. Army. I joined the Navy instead and ended up spending 30 years. During that time I did not serve in a combat area. I've had a few "dicey" moments shipboard, and in an airploane or two, but was never in combat. There were a couple of times in the 1970's when it felt like combat when I was serving as a recruiter in Minnesota - the Federal Building was bombed (where my office was located)...but, that all passed.

In gratitude for those who have served, for hose who are serving, and in sorrow for those who have lost their lives.

Keep Closed

2008-11-21T19:17:00.008-06:00

A lot of words just to say - Keep the lid closed...

Nothing Sacred

2008-10-29T10:49:00.003-05:00

Good Grief- is there nothing sacred anymore? Do I really have to hear on the radio and watch on the television about hemorrhoids, erections that last more than 4 hours, and gynecological surgery? What's wrong with keeping some of our lives private?

Aunt Helen

2008-10-10T19:32:00.002-05:00

Aunt Helen and Aunt Dorothy

One of my favorite Aunts passed away this week and we had the burial and funeral service today. I enjoyed connecting once again with family and am sad that we only seem to get together when someone passes.

My Aunt Helen was a fastidious individual. Everything had a place and had to be in it's place. She had no clutter (except perhaps the chicken coop on the farm which has at least 70 years of "stuff" in it), at any rate, she was prim and proper. We did the service at the cemetery first today, and at the end of the service the funeral director said, "Excuse me folks, but I need to sleep at nights, and I just noticed that we have Helen backwards with her head toward the feet of George (her husband who passed 18 years ago), can I please get some help to turn her around?"

It was fitting - fastidious to the end. She always payed attention to the details. The world will not be the same without her.

Wordle

2008-08-19T21:01:00.005-05:00

I found this website today called Wordle where you can create a customized word cloud using words of your choice or by linking to your website and letting wordle choose words used on your site. Wordle also allows you to choose from different layouts, fonts, and color schemes to fit your own particular style. There are lots of folks trying out this "toy" so why not give it a try yourself!

Newer Math

2008-08-15T12:35:00.005-05:00

Here's an update to an earlier post, The New Math.

My wife stopped at a fast food restaurant to order a drink. The bill was $3.00. She gave the young lady a $20.00 bill. The girl gave her $32 in change. My wife pointed out that she had been given the wrong change and the girl rudely replied, "No I didn't...please move along you're blocking the traffic." Boy, that new math will put you out of business before too long...

New Topographics

2008-08-14T13:46:00.016-05:00

I imagine everyone has struggled with finding a purpose in one's life. I do know that when I take my last breath on my last day, I want to know that I've made a difference, and that I am leaving something behind (besides my dust).

I've always felt like a kid and I have never known what it is I want to do when I grow up. I've been successful at several careers, Navy, writing, publishing, printing, web design and banking. Sometimes I worry that I am a Jack of all trades and Master of none. At any rate, I recently renewed a passion for photography.

My interest in photography dates back to the 1960s. I was in a dark room with a professional photographer who was developing a recent crime scene photograph. It was a picture taken at a murder/suicide. I watched him work in the darkroom - develop the film - prepare the trays with developer, stopper and water - load the negative in the enlarger - focus and snap. He put the paper in the developer tray and the scene slowly came to life - a woman laying on the floor in a pool of blood with her hand reaching out for a Bible. It was sad - teary sad - but, at the same time magical. There's no other way to describe watching a blank piece of paper floating in a liquid and having it come to life. It was mystical, and I was hooked. Over the years I have dabbled in photography, taking pictures and developing them. I've even sold several over the years.

With the recent digital advances two of my passions combine - computers and photography. I have a creative eye for a photograph - but, sometimes it needs a boost with photoshop.

I've recently been asking myself, what type of photographer? What kinds of photographs should I take? There are a lot of choices, landscapes, animals, kids, portraits, flowers, bugs, stuff, Art, etc. You get the idea...

I have recently discovered Topographics which is a movement which purpose is to document the erosion and disappearance of urban and rural America. A lot of the barns I photogrph in the rural areas of Iowa and Minnesota are falling down - years of neglect, perhaps a side effect of the mega farm, or maybe they're just old.

I believe I am going to concentrate on taking photographs which document man's negative footprint on the environment. And who knows, maybe I'll take a picture of a bug or even do a portrait along the way.

It's In The Stars

2008-07-05T23:24:00.001-05:00

The Seven Sisters
Originally uploaded by mattie_shoes

A local educational institution scheduled a "star" class where participants would learn about the different constellations in the night sky. A phone call came in one afternoon asking if they could offer the class earlier in the day, as an evening class wouldn't work. The caller didn't seem to understand that it had to be dark to see the stars in the evening sky. Perhaps another class would be appropriate -

From the Mouths of Babes

2008-06-26T22:17:00.003-05:00

Our church was celebrating the Installation of our Priest. The Bishop came to visit and participate in the ceremony. While the Bishop was giving his Homily, one of our congregation's two-year olds was making a fuss and was taken out by her mother. They were gone about 5 minutes, and when they came back in the little one announced, for all to hear, "I pooped!"

The Bishop broke a smile and complimented her on her accomplishment and continued right on with his Homily - while the rest of of us tried not to explode with laughter. Kids are great!!

Water, Water, Water

2008-06-13T20:26:00.003-05:00

Water, water... Iowa has been inundated with rain, resulting in floods. The picture is of the credit union where I work. The flood waters came within 2" of coming into the credit union. I had to evacuate the credit union to my 2nd disaster location (my home). We ran the credit union from my home office for a couple of days. We managed to get back into the building today, and back to a normal state.

Roosevelt

2008-04-21T14:37:00.008-05:00

My wife and I recently attended a Five Sullivan Brothers Recognition for Military Commitment Banquet where we were shown a Grout Film in honor of the "Greatest Generation", the WWII era.

Sitting at our table was a WWII veteran. He name was Roosevelt (pictured above) and he served as a medic in the Army during WWII and was, I'd say, 80+ years old. He is an African-American gentleman, small of stature and bent over at the waist. He entertained us with stories. The 1st story he told happened 10 years ago when a gang member talked his way into Roosevelt's house, for the purpose of mudering him as a gang ritual. The guy (according to Roosevelt) was 7' tall and at least 300+ pounds. He told Rooselvelt to lie on the floor. To which Roosevelt replied, "No - I won't make it easy for you to kill me."

At that Roosevelt picked up an end table and started beating the crap out of the intruder. He got in several good blows before the intruder stabbed him. The knife was sticking out of Roosevelt's side and the young man said, "There...you're dead."

"Nope," said Roosevelt, I'll see you in court.

Roosevelt endured a lot of surgery and did in deed see the youg man in court.

Roosevelt's second story was current. It seems he was in the Chacago Ohara airport when a young "con man" grasped his hand (a gesture used to steal people's rings). Roosevelt, now in his 80s looked the young man in the eyes and said, "If you don't let go of my hand - one of us is going to see Jesus in about a minute and it ain't going to be me." The guy retreated...

Moral of the story - don't mess with the Greatest Generation...or at least Roosevelt...

Fish Sculpure

2008-02-25T08:47:00.002-06:00

A lot of snow in Iowa... some cope by having fun in the snow...

But, don't get too close...

Full Service Gas Station

2008-01-03T17:33:00.000-06:00

We are visiting my youngest daughter in New Prague, Minnesota - and after arriving I needed to put gas in the car. My daugherer steered us to a "Full Service" station. No kidding, FULL SERVICE. We pulled in and a nice young man came out to the car, asked what we needed, took my credit card to swipe it in the pump and he filled the tank. This is a service I thought had long disappeared, but in a small town in Minnesota, it is alive and well. If you're ever in New Prague stop by by the BP Gas Station on Main Street. Did it cost extra? Nope - the price was the same as advertised at the Shell and Holiday stations.

Loved it - I got to sit in the car and stay warm. Rumor has it that they'll also wash your window if it needs it.

Evolution of Windpower in Iowa as pointed out by my Cousin Tom

2007-12-30T16:46:00.000-06:00

OLD - The windmill on my fathers farm near williams, Iowa

These pictures represent the evolution of windpower in Iowa. The single windmill still stands as an ICON of a fading era. The new Wind farms are the new generation.

NEW - MidAmerican Energy Wind Farm (Across the road from my gransfather's farm)

Aunts

2007-12-30T16:18:00.000-06:00

Yesterday we went to Webster City to visit family. My cousin Tom came back from California to visit his mother, my aunt. I hadn't visited her in a while, but as soon as I walked in her house pleasant memories came rushing back. My Aunt Helen had the "best" junk drawer in the world. You know, that drawer, usually found in the kitchen, that has all sorts of 'stuff" in it, all kinds of batteries, nails, screws, and just good old plain "stuff". I fought off the urge to go into her kitchen and look for her current "junk drawer" - but, I imagine she has one. The picture above is an oil painting my aunt made of my cousin - it was during her "oil period". It has always been in the living room, or sitting room, and it just wouldn't be her house without it.

Pictured below (L-R) are my Aunt Helen and my Aunt Dorothy. I spent a good amount of time growing up in their homes. They were fun times -

No Trespassing

2007-10-07T19:11:00.001-05:00

This brings up a question - what about BEFORE 9:00 PM, can we trespass?

Construction Worker Bounty

2007-09-14T18:32:00.001-05:00

My wife and I traveled to Kansas City, Missouri today to attend a Seminar for Credit Unions. Just as we passed into Missouri from Iowa we saw the "dreaded orange cones" announcing road construction. There were the typical signs, "Slow Down", "Speed Limit 55 MPH", and "Fines Double in Construction Zones".

One sign however caught my eye, as I have never seen it before. It read, "Slow Down - $10,000 fine, AND you lose your license if you hit a construction worker."

Sounds like a bounty on highway workers..., and, what happens if the worker has reached the end of his rope and throws himself in front of a vehicle? Who pays the fine? Is it shared?

No Bull

2007-09-12T15:15:00.000-05:00

We went to the Minnesota State Fair with my Step-Son, Daughter-In-Law, Wife, 2 daughters, 2 son-in-laws, and 4 of our 6 Grandkids. The Fair was great (I'll say better than the Iowa State Fair). We had a good time, visited the exhibits, ate the food, people watched and had a great time overall. I fullfilled my mission of getting a Yard Stick from every Fair I attend (Don't ask). We missed all of the storms - and missed the running of the bulls.

A day before we attended a bull had escaped and was charging hotdog stands, people, and was getting ready to charge a little girl, - when, he noticed a fire hydrant. He took off full speed (all 1200 lbs of him) and charged the hydrant. He hit the soft spot on his head and died instantly - no kidding (or should I say no bull) - seriously - he killed himself. There was a picture in the paper of him being hauled away. I was disappointed that there wasn't a chalk outline on the ground in the shape of a bull. I think they missed a chance for some good humor!!

Pink Lemonade

2007-08-25T18:44:00.001-05:00

We went out for an evening meal with our son Stephen and his wife Cheri whom we were visiting in Iowa City and ate at an outdoor restaurant. The waitress asked what I wanted to drink and I replied lemonade, regular. She disappeared and about a minute later she tapped me on the shoulder and said, "All we have is Pink Lemonade, is that ok?" I said sure - a few minutes later she delivered the Pink Lemondae - in a red glass. Who could tell what color it was? Oh well...

Fanny Alarm

2007-07-21T07:39:00.000-05:00

I went to visit my mother last week in the nursing home - her 92nd birthday. She has been falling alot lately so the staff of the nursing home put her on a "fanny alarm" - when she stands up a nasty "beep beep beep" goes off. Kind of like the sound of a big truck backing up. This noise alerts the staff that she's now mobile and they should watch for her.

I was relating this story to my youngest daughter who is a nurse in a hospital and she related that her unit got to test some, "new fanny alarms". Side note: I call them "fanny alarms, but they are called Tab Alarms."

One of the alarms played supercalifragilisticexpialidosous - which no one liked because everyone ended up with the song in their head. Another alarm utilized the recorded voice of a loved one. When the patient would get up, the alarm would say, "Dad, this is Stephanie, please sit down."

The fisrt time it was used "Dad" turned around quick to see his daughter (the voice) and fell right on his butt. So much for modern technology. The standard annoying beep won the day.

Iowa Falls, Iowa

2007-07-08T18:23:00.000-05:00

Sometimes it's easier to post photos than to write - today is one of those days.
Visit my photos on Google http://picasaweb.google.com/rallenhill.

My Waterloo Days Parade

2007-06-06T18:19:00.001-05:00

Grand Central

2007-06-04T21:47:00.001-05:00

I'm playing around with Grand central where one number can be used to call me and all of my phones will ring. I added a call button here to my website. Give it a try. I don't know if I'll be able to answer, but leave me a voice mail if I don't...

I've given this a try and since I received no calls - i'll cancel the number. It sounds like a good idea, but since it's a long distance number - I'll pass.

Memorial Day 2007 Waterloo, Iowa

2007-05-28T21:38:00.000-05:00

Farmers Market

2007-05-19T20:46:00.000-05:00

I think they should have changed the sign to "Farmer" Market...
Perhaps everyone else was in the fields...

Lola Takes A Walk

2007-05-19T20:00:00.000-05:00

Lola Takes A Walk -

We can also say that, ..."no good deed goes unpunished." My youngest daughter agreed to dog sit a bulldog of one of her friends. The dog was cute and cuddly. As I understand it, Lola is 80 lbs+, but thinks she is a lap dog. My daughter and her husband also have a cat, "Patches" , a small poodle "Hanna" and a Sheltie collie, "Buster." Quite the menagerie. At this point I don't think there are any fish, but...

Lola had a habit of getting a little friendly with Buster, and Buster didn't like that at all, so Buster got to go live at the farm for the week. Also, since Lola was looking at Hanna like she was a French fry, she also got to go live at the farm. Poor Patches had no place to go and was put in the basement for the duration.

It seems that midweek Lola became bored and decided she needed to take a "walk about." Since she is 80 lbs she had no problem breaking the chain that she she was tied to and escaped from the back yard. She was eventually apprehended by the doggie police and taken to doggie jail.

Bail for Lola was $60.00. Good news is that everyone is home where they belong. Lola went home, Buster and Hannah came home, and Patches got out of the basement so he could pester the dogs.

Shhh - Don't Tell Anyone!!

2007-05-04T22:56:00.000-05:00

I went shopping with my wife this evening and midway during the shopping I had a need to find a restroom. We were in a familiar department store and I thought I knew where the restrooms were. I typically have used the restroom on the 1st floor of the department store, and we were on the 2nd floor, so I had to hunt around a bit. I found the restroom and went in to do my business.

As I went in the door my first thought was, "Where are the urinals?" My second thought was, "This is a pretty nice men's Room with a sitting area and large mirrors..." Then my 3rd thought hit me, "I don't think this is the men's room."

I turned around and left and as I opened the door I saw the sign on the other side of the hall...Men's Room. The architect had "reversed" the location from the 1st floor - Oh well - I was fortunate that there was no one in the ladies room, so no one knows...shhhhh.

As long as I'm talking about "restrooms" I need to relate a story about my mother. She was visiting with us when we lived in New Orleans, and while we were at the airport picking them up she had to use the restroom after her long flight from Iowa. She came out of the restroom and announced (so all could hear within a 100 yard radius), "George, you have to go to the bathroom, it does everything for you; the toilet flushes by itself, the water starts all by itself, and the hand dryer starts all by itself. All you have to do is your business. Come try it"

She really enjoyed that restroom and talked about it for days...

God Bless Fire Ants

2007-04-26T12:15:00.000-05:00

I spent 30 years in the Navy. As organizations go the Navy is really hung up on physical fitness and health. Try as I might, I really could never find a reason to argue about being healthy. Argue? You can’t argue with the Navy. The Navy insisted on “minimum” standards, weight, height, percent body fat. You had to do so many push-ups, so many sit-ups, do a run/walk. All of which were designed to give you a full body workout. In my younger years I was able to do the minimum sit-ups and push-ups, but that run, just killed me. For years I just barely managed to finish the run in my allotted time. I had been a smoker since I was 14 and running just didn’t cut it for me.

One particular year I was struggling with completing the run. I generally practiced about a week or two before the test was to be given. On the date of the test, the command had decided to use a new track. Since I was in the second group of runners, I had the opportunity to observe the other runners as they completed their run. I quickly noticed that everyone was adding 1 to 2 minutes to their previous time. Come to find out the previous Commander hated to run as much as I did and he had set up the old course ½ mile short. At any rate, I got scared because I didn’t have a minute to spare. So…since the Navy gave us a choice to do the run or do a swim, I chose, at the last minute to do the swim. You need to understand the run, was a run WALK…meaning all you had to do is get to the finish line under your designated time. When I tried the swim I discovered that walking does not work.

I failed the Physical Readiness Test, a major blow to anyone who wanted to advance, and at the time for 3 successive failures people were being put out of the Navy. I took up jogging with an increased vigor. That’s being too generous, the Navy put me on remedial training (every morning at 6:00 AM) (why does the Navy do every thing at 6 AM) we did a work out to include a mile and a half run. I was a reluctant jogger and did not (and still don’t) understand how anyone could do this for fun, but I was not going to lose my career. I subsequently passed the next Physical Readiness Test, which took me off the remedial track, but I continued to work out, because it was easier to do the tests. I managed to run and still smoke.

After I was taken off the remedial training I was jogging in Louisiana to maintain my physical condition and trouble happened. You need to understand the weather in Louisiana...its 90 degrees with 90% humidity. As a matter of fact they fly flags when it’s safe or not safe to have outdoor physical activity. When a black flag flies you are to stay in doors. One evening (my theory was that it was somewhat cooler in the evening) I went out to jog. But…it had been a black flag day. I had been running a route through my neighborhood that took me about 2 miles and 15 to 20 minutes to complete. Towards the end of my run I decided to sprint that last portion and shortly after I started sprinting I experienced pressure in my chest, light-headedness, and profuse sweating. I wanted to lie down in the worst way, but since I was having difficulty seeing I didn’t want to chance lying down on a fire-ant hill (a common nasty creature found in the South). I struggled to get home. I was convinced that I was having a heat stroke and that once I was cooled down I would be ok. According to my wife I was gray by the time I arrived home; she wanted to call 911, but I wouldn’t let her. She called our neighbor who was an EMT and she called 911.

I was at the hospital in 30 minutes and received a “cocktail” of clot busting drugs, which returned the blood flow to my heart. I ended up having heart surgery 6 months later, and 1 week after an angioplasty I was out jogging again, because I had a Physical Readiness test approaching and I was not going to fail. And, I had quit smoking…but that is a subject of another story.

I am thankful for fire ants – because of them I did not lie down and die. I made it home and here I am...thanks little buddies...

The Easter Bunny

2007-04-23T13:32:00.000-05:00

I have two Easter Stories to share:

My wife and I were shopping at Target for groceries and Easter stuff and saw the chocolate bunny pictured above - the expression of the eyes made me laugh out loud - it's like they're saying, "You want to eat what?" I had to buy the bunny to take his picture.

Story number two: My grandson was shopping with grandma for materials to dye easter eggs and he found some Star Wars decorations for the eggs. Grandma said, "No. Star Wars is too violent for Easter.

With urgency, he pleaded, "But, grandma, Easter is about crucifixtion and that's pretty violent."

Grandma had to think about that a second, "You're right, the cruicifixtion was pretty violent, but no Star Wars on Easter eggs..."

Kids can be pretty perceptive...