This is all I've got to say about today's news. You figure out the riddle.
Random thoughts on life in western North Dakota with specific emphasis on the Little Missouri River and Missouri River watersheds. Also features news from Red Oak House, book reviews, and photographs from the garden.
Tuesday, January 31, 2017
More from the book Running With Antelope
"Change can be hard. Sometimes we need a wake-up call. A life-threatening event like heart surgery, a cancer scare.....But we can also just decide that we want to better ourselves, and our lives. We need to decide that we are worth it, and take that first step." Melanie Carvell Running with Antelope. pg. 142
To order go here The Dakota Institute "Running with Antelope"
To order go here The Dakota Institute "Running with Antelope"
Through the Looking Glass
Now I have participated in a FoxNews poll online whilst cataloging my copy of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll. This copy was once owned by the late Alice Tirrell, the legendary "Tiger Tirrell", professor of history at Dickinson State College. A keeper! Pencil signature by Dr. Tirrell.
Jane Eyre
Cataloging my copy of Jane Eyre by Emily Bronte reminds me of the first time I read it. Hold up in a camper with my mother in the Black Hills at a Forest Service campground with a couple of her young grandchildren (my brother's daughter and son) in a cold cold rain.
Morning Woodpecker
On a more serene note, there is a Hairy Woodpecker at my suet feeder this morning.
Monday, January 30, 2017
The news
I grew up in a household where things ground to a halt when Walter Cronkite or Dan Rather came on the TV. That is, unless, we were chasing cows or picking rocks or......you get the picture. Now I just mostly look at my Google phone.
Okinawa
To this day, in my mind, I can picture the view we had of the South China Sea from our house in Okinawa. That's all. p.s. I still stand like this. I no longer have the bathing cap.
Border
Thinking of borders this morning. Last time I was at the border was Big Bend National Park, Texas, where my husband and I met up with good friend Valerie Naylor of the National Park Service for a magical and memorable week. Her generous exploration of a beloved landscape was marvelous in every way. I took this photo of my husband Jim Fuglie cooling off in the Rio Grande. It was the first time I'd stepped in the Rio Grande since I left Texas in 1970 where we lived on the border in El Paso while my father was stationed at Fort Bliss.
The Library of Congress
Here's a inspiring source of information no matter where you live. Yes I have visited The Library of Congress on several occasions and have used the resources of this particular library for my lifetime and intend to continue to do so.
American Memory
American Memory
Sunday, January 29, 2017
Space station
Winter in ND
Assorted past-times. Getting over the hump of winter is always a good thing. The Space Station is fascinating. Yeah for the scientists!
Assorted past-times. Getting over the hump of winter is always a good thing. The Space Station is fascinating. Yeah for the scientists!
Poetry and literature
Today I get to catalog our Wallace Stegner collection. What a great American writer.
As to poetry, my friend Terry Tempest Williams shared this poem today via social media: "Kindness" Naomi Shihab Nye, 1952
As to poetry, my friend Terry Tempest Williams shared this poem today via social media: "Kindness" Naomi Shihab Nye, 1952
Park Rangers to the Rescue by Timothy Egan today
Park Rangers to the Rescue
And yes, I did work for the National Park Service and I'm damned proud of that brief service. Much prouder still of my colleagues.
And yes, I did work for the National Park Service and I'm damned proud of that brief service. Much prouder still of my colleagues.
Saturday, January 28, 2017
North Dakota Studies 21st Century Style
Because I do love North Dakota living.
North Dakota Studies 21st Century Style
ND Digital Curriculum
And another is Institute for Regional Studies at NDSU
And yet another is State Historical Society of North Dakota
Then there is always our flagship university UND Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections
These are just a start.
North Dakota Studies 21st Century Style
ND Digital Curriculum
And another is Institute for Regional Studies at NDSU
And yet another is State Historical Society of North Dakota
Then there is always our flagship university UND Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections
These are just a start.
Friday, January 27, 2017
500th Anniversary of The Reformation
This is the 500th Anniversary of The Reformation. How will we contemplate this in our world today? Serious question.
Driving home
Driving home into the rising son with the eldest Fuglie son behind the wheel after an infusion of Badlands time.
Thursday, January 26, 2017
So I'm a lifelong birdwatcher and my favorite tweets come outta birds but gotta keep up with the times so now I'm on Twitter. @WildDakotaWoman
Wednesday, January 25, 2017
A new book from my husband
Tonight I have begun to read a new book I received from my husband for Christmas. Why I Return to Makoce by Lois Red Elk
This passage in the introduction spoke to me.
"As a child, I didn't like the city with all the cars, so many buildings, and people rushing down the sidewalks; hurried and unfriendly, they seemed like they were in a rush going somewhere they did not wish to reach. They only looked down or off into the air with stares that looked afraid, distracted, or troubled with an uneasy urgency. I wasn't related to any of them, and they seemed not to want to be a friend. I didn't want to live there. The stories were so full with so much to buy; I didn't think they would ever run out. And the sky was so gloomy and grey, as if it didn't like what was going on. I missed my grandmothers and wanted to go home." Lois Red Elk Why I Return to Makoce Many Voice Press, c2015
This passage in the introduction spoke to me.
"As a child, I didn't like the city with all the cars, so many buildings, and people rushing down the sidewalks; hurried and unfriendly, they seemed like they were in a rush going somewhere they did not wish to reach. They only looked down or off into the air with stares that looked afraid, distracted, or troubled with an uneasy urgency. I wasn't related to any of them, and they seemed not to want to be a friend. I didn't want to live there. The stories were so full with so much to buy; I didn't think they would ever run out. And the sky was so gloomy and grey, as if it didn't like what was going on. I missed my grandmothers and wanted to go home." Lois Red Elk Why I Return to Makoce Many Voice Press, c2015
John Prine
Highly recommended read. Makes me think of my Nashville days. I would never go up to the "celebrities" and bother them but we sure crossed paths with them all of the time as graduate students living and studying there.
Inside the Life of John Prine, the Mark Twain of American Songwriting
Inside the Life of John Prine, the Mark Twain of American Songwriting
A morning jolt
Had a morning jolt today when my husband was feeding me a gourmet breakfast (includes beef raised by Karen and Randy Striefel) when I looked up and spotted a Yellow-shafted Flicker on our sunflower feeder. This is very unusual in deep North Dakota Winter as these birds are a harbinger of spring on the prairie; however we live in the city and feeders abound. January 25, 2017 10:49 a.m. Photo by Jim Fuglie
A place I love visiting here in my hometown
A place here in my hometown I love visiting, for the architecture and the peace, and the company. I was blessed to arrive on the right moment on Winter Solstice 2016 when the sun came out and the shadow of the cross appeared on the building in my view. University of Mary. Designed by Marcel Brueher
My "Irish Twin" My Brother
My "Irish Twin" My Brother. Yes I'm proud of him. Be nice to the next hard-working TSA agent that crosses your path too.
Tuesday, January 24, 2017
Badlands on the Brink
This is an interesting read if you can get your hands on this publication and find the time. Check your local library.
http://www.worldcat.org/title/badlands-on-the-brink-north-dakota-wilderness-and-wild-and-scenic-river-proposal/oclc/29505341
http://www.worldcat.org/title/badlands-on-the-brink-north-dakota-wilderness-and-wild-and-scenic-river-proposal/oclc/29505341
Pretty Butte
Just had a lovely brief conversation down memory lane with my mother and we were talking about Pretty Butte and Trudie Bradec. Feel better Mom!
my ongoing fight with Excel
Had a little victory with Excel today in the quiet of my kitchen. It's the little things in life.
Nice guy. Good team
Nice guy. Good doctor. He and his team worked magic on my husband yesterday. Dr. Michael Quast
Book Captures Memphis' Musical Glory
A book review I wrote for the local paper some years ago on the book Memphis Going Down.
Reflux
A little over a year ago I chose to go on a low-acid diet. To cure my acid reflux. Lost over 40 pounds in a year. No more reflux. Now I can treat myself to 1/2 a cup of coffee again first thing in the morning. Well, in truth, cafe au lait. Look it up. No caffeine after 10 a.m. Tiny amounts of dark chocolate as a sinful treat. I'm listening to my neighborhood Great Horned Owl hoot as I write this in the pre-dawn darkness here on the Northern Plains.
Zen
"Not thinking about anything is zen. Once you know this, walking, standing, sitting, or lying down, everything you do is zen." Boddhidharma Personally, my finest zen moments these days are when I am sleeping.
Monday, January 23, 2017
pondering humor
"As many people have noted, the Women’s March this weekend, in addition to being forceful, moving, and, yes, huge, was funny. Actually, it was hilarious, a vindication of the humor of women performed on a stage that stretched the whole world wide. Walking down Constitution Avenue in Washington, D.C., members of my little squadron kept gleefully pointing out signs and costumes to one another. “Girls Just Wanna Have FUN-damental Rights” was a popular one, as was “Grab Him by the First Amendment.” There were many entries in the tiny-hands category, as in “Keep Your Tiny Hands Off Our First Amendment.” Some people were justifiably dark: “Sex Offenders Cannot Live in Government Housing.” There were enough uterus-themed signs to make up their own genre. Every pussy hat was a punch line."
One view of Saturday's Womens' March
One view of Saturday's Womens' March
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Chelsea Sorenson, Linda Weispfenning, and Lillian Crook |
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Debi Rogers, Sue Bicknell, Lillian Crook and Linda Weispfenning and, of course, Sakakawea |
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My handmade sign which I donated to the State Historical Society of North Dakota |
Dear Blog, I have a stove for sale.
Electric Stove for sale
Works good (well, the center Jenn Air doesn't work anymore but the burners and oven all get hot so there's the important point). Very clean. Includes original cookbook and the original receipt. Must pick up and pay cash.
Works good (well, the center Jenn Air doesn't work anymore but the burners and oven all get hot so there's the important point). Very clean. Includes original cookbook and the original receipt. Must pick up and pay cash.
Rachel Carson
I'm needing some inspiration tonight about a brave and inspiring woman. American Experience: Rachel Carson
Tweezers
Then I discover these awesome lighted tweezers. Made in China. Shipped here so I could buy in Bismarck. $4.99
Toil continues on book inventory
Toiling away at book inventory at Red Oak House. Been looking forward to getting to this one Ex Libris. This was a gift to me from my wonderful Vanderbilt University friend Pastor Pamela Estes.
Still dark outside
That 5:30 a.m. wakeup call from the newspaper delivery person who is stuck at the end of your driveway in the snow and your injured husband gets out of bed & goes to pull him out with the chain and Jeep. Guess I'll get a couple extra hours of work done this morning.
Sunday, January 22, 2017
The Opera
Date night at the Opera with my husband, on our TV. Great Performances. Bel Canto, based on the novel by Ann Patchett. We visited her bookstore in Nashville and, of course, liked it. Tonight's viewing prompted my husband to wonder about Hettinger native Korliss Uecker. Here ya go Hettinger native/opera star
"Tin foil"
I used to work for a lovely Lady who gently teased me when I called aluminum foil "Tin Foil". Gotta smile
The Land of Little Rain
While I catalog our book collection I listen to my friend Terry read The Land of Little Rain.
Trolls
When I was in elementary school in El Paso, TX I, like the others of my generation, had a collection of troll dolls I kept in a cigar box. Long gone. I have little tolerance for trolls now unless they are harmless and creative entertainment. And yes I've read and seen Lord of the Rings. Multiple times.
Mountain Time Zone in ND
A younger me used to cling to the notion that MT time zone be preserved in western ND. Older me says change it at the MT border and make ND all Central Time.
A thought on technology today
So I work at home from my HP laptop in my kitchen, running Windows. I prefer Chrome and gmail. Windows does not like this and regularly scolds me about this problem but I prevail. My Google pixel phone and I are also becoming best friends. It's a Google World folks. Like it or not. It keeps us connected and I can only hope safe. Inevitably we will all be hacked. Get used to it.
When you are in deep ND winter
When you are in deep ND winter you multi-task: laundry, cataloging your book collection and listening to The Thomas Jefferson Hour are included in your tasks.
The Thomas Jefferson Hour
The Thomas Jefferson Hour
Sunflowers
I believe that in my Psyche I love sunflowers because to me this was when we came home to the prairie from various distant Army posts including Okinawa.
Blessings
A yellow quilt on my bed at Red Oak House. Quilt made by my namesake Lillian Hovick in Slope County.
Fascinating
How mass media missed the march that social media turned into a phenomenon.
I had at least one friend who thought perhaps I had organized the Bismarck March because I had done something so simple as invite him on Facebook.
The empowerment of technology is a wonderment. We are connected. Let's treat each other with an acknowledgement of that. Pretty please.
I had at least one friend who thought perhaps I had organized the Bismarck March because I had done something so simple as invite him on Facebook.
The empowerment of technology is a wonderment. We are connected. Let's treat each other with an acknowledgement of that. Pretty please.
Saturday, January 21, 2017
Exaggeration = Marketing = Donald J. Trump
ex·ag·ger·a·tion
iɡˌzajəˈrāSH(ə)n/
noun
- a statement that represents something as better or worse than it really is."it would be an exaggeration to say I had morning sickness, but I did feel queasy"
synonyms: overstatement, overemphasis, magnification, amplification, aggrandizement; More - the action of making statements that represent something as better or worse than it really is."he was prone to exaggeration"
Great way to end a shitty day
Yesterday was rather a shitty day here for myriad reasons but this was a great way to end it.
The Avetts on The Late Show
The Avetts on The Late Show
Friday, January 20, 2017
Fallen Angel
True fact. Once I belonged to an informal social group of women in Dickinson. We were called "The Divine Order of the Fallen Angels". I think the women are all alive and kicking. I wish them all well.
Planning for tomorrow
Here's good advice I intend to follow tomorrow here in the heart of North Dakota from the event organizers.
What you need to know for Saturday:
1) Dress warmly. It is supposed to be 30-35 degrees, but we will be outside for over an hour.
1) Dress warmly. It is supposed to be 30-35 degrees, but we will be outside for over an hour.
2) Wear comfortable shoes for standing and walking. If you will have trouble standing for an hour, feel free to bring a chair.
3) Understand there may be counter protestors. The best way to handle this is to ignore and not engage. We want our event to be a positive and uplifting, so best to focus on what we are doing and not on any others who seek to distract us.
4) The event will begin with a rally at 1pm at the State Library steps. That will last about an hour. We will then march down to the Boulevard to wave signs and continue the event.
5) Join us afterwards at the Unitarian Universalist Church for hot chocolate and snacks, located at 818 E Divide Ave.
6) Most importantly, HAVE FUN!
Lighting a fire
Then you light a fire to stay warm, rid the house of varnish fumes and generally rid the world of bad juju.
Thursday, January 19, 2017
Grrrrrrrrrrr
Now as a tax-paying citizen of these great UNITED STATES I'm torqued. Those of us who are not billionaires need our public lands as breathing spaces. We are in part a GREAT country because of these shared spaces.
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/jan/19/bureau-land-management-federal-lease
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/jan/19/bureau-land-management-federal-lease
more DIY stuff at my house
More DIY stuff at our house today in Bismarck. The fumes are a little much but must get this sort of thing done in the deep winter.
Wednesday, January 18, 2017
These two. Their courage. I had the privilege to have breakfast with them one morning in Mandan, ND
These two. Their courage. Gabrielle Giffords and Mark Kelly. I had the privilege of having breakfast with them one time in Mandan, ND. So strong and inspirational. Resilience personified.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m65EBd3N2KI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m65EBd3N2KI
In tears
Right at this moment I am tears at the generosity of friends, old and new, who have donated to my daughter's GoFundMe fund for new technology. And frustrated because irony of ironies, I can't get the documentation to print out for my files. But I'm determined and I'll get 'er done. I have great friends!
Porn
Just to be crystal clear here this is not a pornography blog. You'd be hard-pressed to find someone who abhors porn more than me NONETHELESS I am acquainted with the amendment that protects free speech. I am, after all, a retired librarian. Have a nice day!
I am blessed to live on Arthur Drive
Memory of a great guy from the past, may he rest in peace, Ev Albers, the creator of the North Dakota Humanities Council. A piece from his innovative electronic journal that predates blogging. He lived and died in the house a few doors down from where we now live on Arthur Drive in Bismarck, ND
Wendell Berry, Chel Sorenson and Brother Jim
Wendell Berry, Chel Sorenson and Brother Jim
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