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Milling About

As a child I recall the sound of the whirling windmill on our farm, driving the pump shaft up and down to draw water from the ground into a large round metal tank for the dairy cattle. But it was more than just an essential farm fixture, it was a place of imagination and adventure.Continue reading “Milling About”

He’s On the Wall!

He was my namesake, Uncle Howard, botany professor, who had served in WW II in the Pacific, and four times stormed island beaches under fire and survived to tell the tale. He returned to “Hays, America,” as a professor at Fort Hayes State College at Hayes, Kansas, and became curator of the Sternberg Museum ofContinue reading “He’s On the Wall!”

Ukulele Sunset

The setting sun gently caressed two of my ukuleles hanging on the wall in the music room. The brown ukulele came from Moorea, near the island of Tahiti, and was made by a local using wood from a family-owned island nearby. It sounds as lovely as it looks, and brought pleasure to many locals withContinue reading “Ukulele Sunset”

Three Little Birds (and blooms)

Three metal bird sculptures balance on a pole extending from a flower pot, which has three blossoms. In the background, a frog watches from the hole in a birdhouse, perhaps hoping to hear a melody so “pure and true.” On the other hand the three little birds are giving him their backside, so maybe hisContinue reading “Three Little Birds (and blooms)”

Platte River Venture

Dad had always loved to fish, especially for rainbow trout. We would drive to the Rocky Mountains in Colorado for camping trips to follow this passion, and for hiking and camping. It was a long drive back then, and he came up with his own fishing, camping, and golf resort along the Platte River nearContinue reading “Platte River Venture”

Pull Up To Go Down

It is often said on TV programs that to make an airplane go up, pull back on the control stick and to go down, push forward. That only works in a very narrow range of flight attitudes. Keep pulling back and the airplane slows to a point that the wings suddenly quit producing lift andContinue reading “Pull Up To Go Down”

Back to Earth

It’s a strange feeling to exit an airplane 3000 feet above the ground. The 80 mph slipstream tries to push you back into the aircraft as you get into position on the wheel and wing strut. Perhaps the wind is trying to tell you something. When you let go and step off the wheel, thereContinue reading “Back to Earth”

Thunder Threat

The weekend lake cruise had to be cut short by threatening clouds. While boating in the rain might be manageable, the attendant lightning would not. We cut short the tour and sped back to the boat shed and home. Light drops sprinkled as we made our way into the house. Moments later great torrents rattledContinue reading “Thunder Threat”

Independence Day

Happy Birthday USA!

Hawkeye

A seldom-seen watcher in the woods, waits warily for its next meal while trying to avoid becoming a meal for a dog or a cat in the process. Its target is likely a mouse or vole that left their own safe space in search of food. Imagine how different our own lives might be ifContinue reading “Hawkeye”