Crazy Days

 

July 29, 2025

Dearest Intrepid Venturer,

How does it all happen?  Crazy, right!?  So much has been going on lately it’s hard to know where to start.  In summary:  it’s hot out, I just got back from a vacation up to Wisconsin, and I bought a used trampoline!  Luckily, whilst vacationing  I was able to procure some of my ol’ favorite Wisconsonian beer – Spotted Cow and I’m sipping on a cold one as I type! 

Here is one thing that didn’t seem all that crazy, and I’m honestly a bit surprised it didn’t happen earlier:

The Bike Commuter’s Forgetfulness – Level 2 (Not so bright foresight)

A few weeks ago I thought I had a reasonably nice office-type shirt stashed in my storage area at work.  I’m guessing you can guess where this is headed already?  If not, perhaps I can shock your eyes (which I’m pretty sure are part of your brain) into realization.

Yes, I did not actually have any type of my usual nearly-business-casual-level attire available.  So when I arrived at my place of employment I fount that my shirt choices were a nipple-emphasizing bicycle jersey (as shown above) or a slightly stained and wrinkled, company-logo-branded-hi-viz t-shirt.  

Which would you have chosen?  Please write your response on an index card and send to me, along with a self-address stamped envelope, and I will provide a personalized response and perhaps a special prize for non-snarky responses with some rationale behind their choice!  Thank you for your consideration.

I chose option b because I am dedicated to the success of my company (for those of you who know where I work) and I knew that anyone adorned with our esteemed corporate logo may as well be protected by the shining armour of God! 

And, for everyone else, as I am guessing you’ve already surmised, I am a spineless corporate shill.  Sorry for the snark, but that’s my own self-addressed-amusement reward for my choice.

Moving on, here are a few highlights / items I’d like to document in my diary regarding my vacation to Wisconsin.  It was just me and Snot Jr. this time around.  Mrs. Snot and Ms. Snot decided they would partake in some other activities.

Mississippi Palisades State Park provided a reasonably located overnight campground to break up the trip.  Whilst Snot Jr. preferred to abide in the car to avoid the mossies, I ventured out to appreciate some river views.

 

This sign about platform viewing tickled my fancy bone.

Here is the platform for your viewing consideration:

I dragged Snot Jr. to Taliesin – Frank Lloyd Wright’s longtime home that may or may not be a ghost haunt due to some arson-related deaths.  FLW had some serious drama in his time!  Although Snot Jr. resisted, once it was over he actually thanked me for taking him on the self-guided tour.  He said it made him think about the constant relationship we experience with our surroundings/environment. 

There were many Buddhist-related statues and a Japanese dragon (not pictured) at the estate.  

I’d recommend you stop by the next time you are in the vicinity.

The next day I met up with a representative of the Wisconsin Canoe Company so they could shuttle us up to our put-in point (Mazomanie) for an overnight, 6-hour trip on the lower Wisconsin River!  

After approximately 3 hours of easy paddling we set up on a non-vegetated sandbar (the vegetated sandbars are reportedly more mossie-infested).   The next day we got an early start to try to get out before the forecast rain arrived.  

It was sprinkling a bit as we started out, but it gradually intensified and we were treated to some moderate lightning.  The GORP got drenched, likely due to operator error or maybe my penchant for cheap bag-purchasing?  In the absence of milk, the generic Cheerios were a bit less endearing when soggy.  We sheltered along the banks of the river during the peak lightning times.  

During our sheltering, Snot Jr. and I entertained ourselves with several rousing rounds of hangman.  “Kaiju names” was a pretty common topic.

As you can see, although GoT names were not part of our hangmanning our brave vessel was christened Khaleesi.  

If you are familiar with the television program Game of Thrones you will likely never forget Khaleesi as I’m told she’s quite memorable.  

Although I’ve not watched any GoT, Mrs. Snot has a Khaleesi coffee mug that she was gifted a few years back and so it reminded me of my beautiful lady back home.

Snot Jr. also formed a strong connection with a hitch-hiking damselfly we christened Beryl.  So that’s a quick summary of the craziness from my perspective.  Please let me know how things look from your side and then we’ll all be a bit more informed/aware.  Constant vigilance my dear ones!  Hey!  I said constant!

Constantly,

BSOzzy!