Divorce things or Things divorce

Katherine and I are divorced. The decree came down from on high and as of 14 May 2010, I am no longer married to her. She is without a doubt a very kind, generous, loving, sensitive, and intelligent woman. We were not compatible. I didn't get along with her children (if I had realized earlier about her kids, I would never have married.) That is neither here nor there. We are finished. I suspect we will be friends, not close friends but acquaintances.

It was interesting. There is a saying, "When one door closes, another opens". And so it is, to quote Mr. Darcey in Pride & Prejudice" - I cannot fix on the hour, or the spot, or the look, or the words which laid the foundation. It is too long ago. I was in the middle before I knew that I had begun." I am becoming attached to someone very dear to me. What began as friends hanging out with friends is now something more. Yet, it still must reveal itself completely. Everyday is a new feeling and a new discovery. Thoughts, emotions, feelings, and contemplation about where is it going. The journay is certainly exciting, however, the end is still far off. I am determined to let it ride and enjoy all these wonderful feelings, thoughts, and emotions of this thing we call love.

Dragonflies/damselflies & things Faribault

ON Saturday, we woke up early and drove down to the River Bend Nature Center in Faribault. Kurt Mead, Minnesota Odonata Survey Project was giving a workshop. It was lovely, we met his family. There were only eight of us. A small but dedicated group. The day was hot and humid, a perfect August Summer's day. The air was alive with the hum of insects, bird's called in the trees, and a lovely breeze kept the sweat down to a trickle along my back. We checked out two place. One was along the Straight river just before it pours into the Cannon river. We did this in the morning. After lunch, we went out to the swampy land West of the nature center. It was there I caught the Rice County record - a Band-winged Meadowhawk. YOO HOO!!!!! I also caught a Twelve Spotted Skimmer on the fly. Lucky me!

After the workshop, I visited the graves of Dick, Deloris, and Ann on the hill and spent a few moments in contemplation.

Dragonflies & damselflies things

On Sunday, I went up to St. John's Abbey with my friend Laurel to attend a seminar and field work on dragonflies and damselflies. It was really good. Kurt Mead, the Odonata Survey Project, i.e. dragonfly & damselfly project gave a really good introduction to these invertebrates. We had some classroom work and then we went out onto the field and swung our nets to catch damselflies and dragonflies. When we returned home, we went online and ordered a net and other things so we can do more surveying. In fact, we will be surveying the rest of this month and into next month until the frost comes. The coolest name for a dragonfly - Stygian Shadow Dragonfly. It sounds like the name of a superhero.

Things Shakespeare

Sunday was a magnificent day. I went to Powderhorn Park and enjoyed a production of "A Midsummer's Night Dream" by Shakespeare. They had it in two locations about 50 yards apart. It was a great setting outside in a small grove near the lake. Perfect. The weather cooperated. The acting was fun. And like I said the setting was perfect.

Afterwards, I went to my son's home and ate pork chops and corn on the cob with them. As an after dinner treat, we watched two more episodes of 'Pacific', only one more to go. Watching it of course, is nothing like what those men had to endure. But it was a brutal, hard fought war against a very tough enemy. I bought one of the books the series is based on, "With the Old Breed" by Eugene Sledge. I am looking forward to reading it soon.

Age of Kali

The Age of Kali: Indian Travels and Encounters by William Dalrymple

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Another W. Dalrymple travel book and another great read. India comes alive and I know I wanted to go right straight away and visit it and see all the things he was writing about. A fantastic read.

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In Xanadu

In Xanadu: A Quest by William Dalrymple

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


One of the best books I have read recently. I love to read anything by William Dalrymple. He is a fantastic writer. He mixes historical facts, narratives from ancient writers, his own views, and misadventures all with Scottish wit, charm, and fun.

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Far Bright Star

Far Bright Star by Robert Olmstead

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Good read. Novel about the U.S. Army expedition to capture Pancho Villa in 1916.

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