Let's Go to the Circus ... and Bloomington, IN
The summer is rushing by, and I’m making the most of it. It's a hazy, 85-degree day, and Bucky and I are out on the balcony waiting for Jim to come home. I'm sipping a margarita. (Below, Jim unfurls Mom's latest quilt masterpiece)
I’ve been working part-time at my brother Bob's lawn care business. I love the gig, because it allows me to spend a lot of time outside in the sun. The dusty lawns of Madison are a welcome change from the dusty archives of Ankara and Istanbul. I also bike to his offices to Sun Prairie every work day, which means I can burn up carbs without burning up carbon. (First below, Bucky tries to stow away to a Brewer game in the cooler; second below, Bucky caught in a rare moment of affection)
My last two weekends have been full of good cheer. Two weekends ago, Mom and Bill drove down from Rhinelander for a visit. Late Sunday afternoon we sauntered over to the state capitol of Art Fair on the Square. The offerings were pricy, and sometimes outright garish, but Mom managed to find some cute hand-stitched stuffed animals for her grand kids. Jim and I snapped up a pieced-in cutting board. Lovely and functional. (Below, Laurie and John Ringling)
The following morning Mom, Laurie, Bill, and I went on a short road trip to Baraboo to revisit the Circus World Museum. Laurie and I had not been there since we were kids, and I have to admit that I was more impressed the second time around. (First below, Bill clowns around; second below, snake lady Laurie [aka: Lulu]; third below, John [aka: Jojo] poses)
The site of the museum in Baraboo used to be the base camp of one of the two Ringling Brothers circuses. The main exhibition, a collection of restored wood carved circus wagons, is really spectacular, a treasure trove of late 19th-century Americana.
The museum also puts on a series of entertainment acts that are just as impressive. We were awe-struck by the Circus China acrobat performance. We found it hard to believe that such a magnificent show of strength and dexterity could be had at such a modest and intimate venue. Laurie commented that you would have to pay three times the museum's fifteen-dollar entry fee to see a comparable act in the Overture Center in Madison, where you would have to strain to see the stage from the nosebleed seats in the balcony.
Laurie could not resist the campy atmosphere, and I followed her lead in getting my face painted. Since she claimed the tiger motif, I was left with the choice of being a butterfly or an "oriental princess." I chose the butterfly, because the face painter said she could make it look "masculine." At least it washed off easily. (First below, Lulu as tigress; second below, Jim and his butterfly; third below, "Jojo" points to the placard of an unfortunate mannequin of "Jojo, the Dog-faced Boy")
That evening, Laurie and Mark treated us to a cookout at their A-frame house off Rocky Dell Road in Cross Plains, west of Madison. A meal there is not to be missed. Mark grilled flank steak marinated in ginger (and soy?). Lightly charred sweet corn with chipotle butter and mozzarella, tomato, and basil salad accompanied the tender steak. For dessert, Laurie treated us to a family favorite, pistachio ice cream and Ritz Cracker crum "delight." (Below, the "Little Kids" -- Bill, John, and Laurie)
Last weekend, I headed to Bloomington, Indiana for an impromtu reunion with some of my Evansville friends. We do this reunion every few years, and the journey back to Indiana is always worthwhile. The events are as much about making new memories as reliving old ones.
I sensed Jim could use a break from our summer routine of weekend road trips, so I headed out of Madison on my own. The first stop was the Indianapolis International Airport. There I picked up Matt Thomas, a good friend during my first two years at Evansville. Matt transferred to Arizona State after his sophomore year to be closer to his family.
The trip to Indy was uneventful, although I did get miffed at the outrageous 6.60$ in tolls I had to pay for the privilege of dodging Chicago traffic. The Illinois tollways are a constant source of irritation for Cheesehead drivers. (Below, the blooms of Bloomington)
Predictably, Matt's plane was an hour late. Air travel these days. What's more, although we prepaid our parking ticket, we found that we could not exit via the express "prepaid" exit. After some tense zigging, zagging, and lining up, a distracted parking attendant informed us that we had not walked fast enough from the the prepay booth in the terminal to the truck. We ended up wasting half an hour over a ridiculous 1.50$ surcharge. Hooey. (First below, Mayumi, Matt, and I take a break with the statue of a gentleman who was president of I.U. for fifty years or so; second below, playtime for Mayumi and Sophie)
After an hour drive south to Bloomington, we hit the back roads and wound our way to the Carson's wooded forty. There we met Michael and Maggie Carson, and our college friends Jeannie and Shareen. Jeannie also had her two little angel daughters, Mayumi and Sophie, with her. (Below, the Carson homestead)
Professor Carson is wrapping up an illustrious teaching career at the University of Evansville. He teaches creative writing and (Middle?) English literature, and he has been an institution at the university. Jeannie and I were in his World Cultures survey course at the same time, and we share many fond memories of his teaching. He possesses the singular ability to make one feel comfortable.
I got to know Maggie Carson a little better this trip. She amazed us with her hospitality and generosity of spirit. What a couple. (First below, Maggie and Michael Carson in the screened-in porch; second below, one of the Carsons' daughters designed this mosaic for a park in downtown Bloomington)
I think what struck me most about my classmates this time was the progress of their career development. Jeannie, her husband Ken, and her two daughters live near Yokohama, Japan. Jeannie freelances as an English teacher. Shareen is a union carpenter in New York City. Matt is a newly minted lawyer in Phoenix. All the while, I languish in graduate school. (First below, Jeannie; second below, Matt)
The first night was a bonfire night. We shared lots of memories and observations of the crazy modern world in which we live. (Below, Shareen)
The following morning we headed out to the Bloomington farmers' market. The seasonal offerings were similar to those at the Madison farmers' market, but the peaches and barbecue sauce gave the proceedings an Indiana flair, at least to my mind. (First below, listening to a folk group at the farmers' market; second below, a building on the Indiana University campus)
Bloomington has a small town feel and retains a lot of its mainstreet architecture. However, as in downtown Madison, overdevelopment is rearing in its ugly, faux restoration head. Maggie Carson pointed out that we ate lunch in a new Noodles & Company carved out of a once grand marquee theater.
The stars of the weekend had to be Mayumi and Sophie. They were lots of fun and so sweet. Jeannie commented that Mayumi always exits doors Japanese-style. She turns to face the door before exiting, a behavior which, according to Jeannie, denotes politeness and respect in Japanese culture.
Saturday evening, Maggie treated us to a savory spaghetti dinner. The "communal" sauce turned out great. The local Oliver-brand dessert wine was also scrumptious.
After dinner, Pr. Carson took Shareen and I for a tour of his back forty. The forty is almost entirely old growth. According to the topography of the property, four different hillside rill gulleys feed into a central streambed. The central streambed is full of geodes. Across the streambed, another hillside rises into the horizon. The vegetation is dense and full of songbirds. The Carson grandchildren will enjoy exploring those back woods.
Thanks for reading. And thanks to Lulu for providing the pictures of the Baraboo trip.
Until later,
jkbinmadison
posted by jkbinturkey at 2:09 PM
1 comments
My last days in Istanbul were not as idyllic as I had hoped they would be. I worked hard to finish up my scanning and research work, and I had envisioned rewarding myself by filling my last few days with fun excursions … a soak in a hamam, a ferryboat ride to the Marmara Islands, a few last rounds in the meyhanes with friends… (First below, Mark and Laurie's new pup, Roxy, harrasses harasser-in-chief, Jon and Lisa's Coco. Second below, Mark and Laurie's Llewelyn setter, Mingo. He's the more mannered older brother of Roxy.)
It was not to be. I got food poisoning three days before I returned, and I spent the first night of it vomiting every hour and a half. Worse still, I spent an anxious penultimate night waiting to hear the “all clear” from the archives, as several of my document returns had not been recorded properly. If you ever do research in the Prime Ministry Archives, do not return documents on the weekend, because the memurs who fill in may not know how to do things correctly. At least I was well enough to enjoy my last morning, and my flight back to Chicago was pleasant enough. (First below, our Bucky, a.k.a. "Brat-Cat." Second below, Laurie cradles her tick-invested baby, Roxy.)
It did not take me long to get back into the summer routine. I went with Jim and my older brother Bob to a Brewer's game one day after coming back. I am working for Bob by helping him mow lawns two or three days a week. It’s a fun summer job. The work is hot and dusty, but it is also outside, and I love that. Now it needs to rain. We got a little of the wet stuff last week, but it has been a hot, dry summer in the upper Midwest. My third consecutive drought local … the curse of jkbinturkey or global warming? (First below, the 100+ year-old stand of red pines on my parent's forty. A marginal species threatened by "climate change?" Second below, Jim helps Mom water her garden with stored rainwater. It has been a dry summer in Hodagland, too.) 
Jim and I spent my first full weekend back in the Northwoods. We had a nice visit with my folks Friday evening and Saturday morning. The Peking Restaurant in Rhinelander is one of the best Chinese restaurants I have ever been to (see first below). In Rhinelander, WI! We joined Mark and Laurie after the meal for some softserve at the Dairy Queen across the street (see second below).
On Saturday, some of the Bragg clan headed deep into the backwoods of the Town of Pine Lake to celebrate the outdoor wedding hootenanny of Ingrid Bodensteiner and Craig Dumar. Ingrid is Laurie’s best friend and has been a regular in Bragg circles for fifteen years or so. She invited everyone in our family to the wedding. I knew most of Craig, Ingrid, and Laurie’s friends there as well, as Laurie and Ingrid were only two grades behind me. (First below, Craig and Ingrid exchange vows. Second below, sunset on the lake.)
Laurie and her husband Mark arrived in Rhinelander earlier in the week. Laurie was in the wedding, and she gussied up nice in periwinkle. The ceremony was shortish. That was good, for although it was a dry, mostly sunny afternoon of 78 degrees, the bees were beginning to sting the perfumed guests during the ceremony, such as my brother-in-law Jon (see first below). (Second below, Mom and Emma whisper during the ceremony.)
Mom and Dad, and my older sister Lisa and her husband Jon, their kids Mikey and Emma, and Jon’s son and Lisa’s step-son David all joined in the festivities. The Bragg clan joined the post-dinner hoedown and danced up a storm. It was a particular joy to see Mikey (age 8) and Emma (age 6) come out of their “shells” on the dance floor. I say this half-jokingly, as Mikey and Emma have become two very expressive individuals. Earlier in the afternoon, when Emma first saw Jim, someone who she meets only a few times a year, she jumped into his lap, hugged him, and exclaimed “I’m shy.” Yeah right. (First below, Mikey poses. Second below, Emma daintily dips her feet. Third below, Mikey boogies with Aunt Lulu. Fourth below, Ingrid hugs Lulu as Mark looks on.)
The setting of the wedding was Northwoods Wisconsin spectacular. The large lawns surrounding the lodge buildings of the 1000 acre resort were in turn surrounded by unbroken forest and a pristine, uninhabited lake on the north edge. After sunset, a bonfire and stars lit the night. Jim said it was one of the best weddings he has ever been to, and I would have to agree. (First below, John and Jim pose. Second below, Mom and Dad sit back. Third below, Mark and Laurie snuggle. Ohhh, so cute.)
The next morning I discovered that I had left my digital camera at the reception. I know, I know. I got it back. Jim and I returned to a ravenously hungry Bucky in Madison on Sunday afternoon.
This last weekend was hot and humid, and Jim and I spent most of it outside. On Friday night we went to some friends for a couple of outdoor parties on the eastside. On Saturday, I ventured out to a sweaty, crowded farmer’s market with Bob (see second below) on the Capital Square, only four short blocks from the condo.
Saturday afternoon, Jim, several of our friends, and I headed to Milwaukee for a day at the Summerfest music festival. The Summerfest grounds are located along Lake Michigan just south of downtown. Usually, a cool breeze of Lake Michigan lowers the air temperature by ten or fifteen degrees along the lakefront, but that Saturday the wind was blowing from the west, and the temperature soared into the mid-nineties. We ducked into misting tents as we moved from concert stage to concert stage. I don’t know how these Miller Lite beer can guys coped.
