I Will Survive!

Even though the prairie garden is no more due to the infestation of giant fox tail, some plants survived! 

Pink Obedient Plant

Coneflower., a particular cultivar 

 

Yellow Baptisia, Anise Hyssop

Prairie Dock

Lilac 'sensation'

Isn't she beautiful?  This unusual lilac with blossoms outlined in white is called "sensation", a sensation, indeed.

Emergency Squad

Daad continues to check the downspouts when we have a heavy rain even though work has been done so the water drains away from the house.  The back is fine but Daad questions whether the downspouts in the front are working correctly.  Thank goodness for his diligence!  Remember the 6" of water that came into the lower level right after it was carpeted?  Horrors.  Much has been done to the house since that horrid September 14, 2008 day when our sump pump simply could not handle the huge amount of water.  

Requiem for the Living by Dan Forrest

Requiem for the Living, composed by 33 year old Dan Forrest,  is  the most beautiful piece of music I have ever sung other than Ode to Joy.   Our ISU Civic Chorale performed this gem on Monday, April 21, 2015 along with the Vivaldi Gloria and we received booming applause to include a standing ovation.   Take a listen -- the piece is being performed throughout the world.   The house was packed!  Many of our UU friends attended along with the head of the ISU School of Music. 

Because the piece is so amazingly beautiful, I wanted to learn every note and I did.  I stood beside Tina Sipula and we held hands in places because tears streamed down our cheeks -- that's how moving the piece was/is.

We received a standing ovation!  Oh me oh my.  Music.....

Laurie's First Birthday, Columbia University, NYC

On back of photo:
"A tired baby 1 year old girl after tons
 of cake and fun!  October 12, 1968"

Digby on 65th Birthday

Grandma Mimi added this note
 to back of photo

Grandma Pete and Grandma Mimi -- April 1966

At 4600 Gardenville Road    Pittsburgh, PA  
Digby and Pete talked about septic tanks!

Look What I Found --!!

Made in Peru Beetle purchased at Crossroads

Gretchen Found this Old Photo

Gretchen Deuble took this picture in 1983. 
Laurie and Neal stayed at her blue gingerbread
house in Austin and we watched the movie
Harold and Maude.

Annie Hall, 1977 Award Winning Woody Allen Film

Here Diane Keaton who plays Annie Hall is driving 
a pale yellow VW Beetle convertible.