I didn't take photos at every stop, but we found four geocaches on our afternoon excursion. The photo below shows the view I most often had of my little map lover. That would be walking away from me with the phone/compass in his hand.
Friday, October 12, 2012
A Huntin' We Will Go
Matthew and I took advantage of his time off from school for fall break, and went on our second geocaching adventure. I wrote about our first one here.You can learn more about geocaching here.
I didn't take photos at every stop, but we found four geocaches on our afternoon excursion. The photo below shows the view I most often had of my little map lover. That would be walking away from me with the phone/compass in his hand.
We stopped to find one at Buell Trail.
Checking the compass.
Reading the description.
Traipsing through the underbrush. (Even though the description clearly said that it could be found without leaving the trail. What fun is that?)
Aha!
The hint was a good one, and led us right to the spot.
Matthew checked the log, and then we signed it.
He took a nickel and left a Purdue button.
And we were on to the next one. Again, a photo of his back as I tried to catch up.
Reading the description and checking the map. The geocaching app has lots of information to facilitate the search, including street and topographical maps, a compass that calculates distance to the spot, and a description about the size of the container and difficulty of the cache.
Success! He spotted it, but wanted me to get it out. He was a little leery of the container, especially since the title of this cache was 'Beware the Squirrel.'
He said, "Granny, you hold it and I'll take the picture this time." Don't get bit!
Just an innocent little squirrel.
He did make friends with it eventually. :) We signed the log, took something, left something, and returned the little critter to his hiding place home. Interestingly, I learned that this cache was hidden by someone I know who no longer lives in the area. He and his family are avid geocachers.
Our last hunt of the day was entitled, "Big Hat in the Sky." I won't give away the location, but we found the cache and enjoyed a snack at the same time. :)
I didn't take photos at every stop, but we found four geocaches on our afternoon excursion. The photo below shows the view I most often had of my little map lover. That would be walking away from me with the phone/compass in his hand.
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
A Record for the Hodgepodge
Another week, another Hodgepodge. As always, we thank our host, Joyce, and encourage you to join the fun by answering her questions then linking up to share answers all over the Internets. Be sure to click on the Hodgepodge button to see what everyone is up to this week.
1. In what ways do you indulge yourself?
Dessert. Obviously.
Do you remember this? I still dream about this sometimes.
2. Have you ever taken a cooking class? Any interest? What type of class would you most like to try?
I have not taken a cooking class. I could use a cooking class. I have often said I know how to make about three things, so by your third meal with us, you have tasted my entire repertoire. :) It's pretty close to the truth. I think it would be fun to take a cooking class with a group of friends who were in it for the fun of it. Of course, I would assume that the learning would be followed by the eating. Which would always interest me. See answer above.
3. What does it mean to be a good citizen?
There are many, many ways to be a good citizen. Voting is one of them.
The teacher in me likes the poster below, given as an example of a lesson for 2nd and 3rd graders. I think it's a very good start, and expanding these simple ideas might just make the world a nicer place. For all citizens. Of the whole wide world.
4. 'Tis the season of the political advert...do these ads influence your vote?
These ads just make me tired. Tired. Of. Political. Ads. And I'm not sure I can believe any of them. Kind of like what you read on the Internet. Present Hodgepodge company excepted, of course. :)
5. What's something you see today that makes you wish you were a kid again?
Not sure I want to be a kid again, but how about this playset?
That might make be wish for those childhood days...
6. What's your least favorite cliche?
Been there, done that.
It just seems like a way to be dismissive with someone by implying that their experience is so ordinary that it isn't even worth discussing.
7. What percentage of your Christmas shopping has been completed? How does that make you feel?
10%. Or maybe less. I guess it feels about normal for me. A few years ago I discovered my two favorite words at Christmas. Online shopping. Don't make me go to the mall.
8. Insert your own random thought here.
This time of year it will surprise no one that my random thought has to do with football. And an exciting thought it is, too.
On Sunday night, our favorite quarterback, Boilermaker, and all around good guy, Drew Brees, broke a record set by Johnny Unitas by throwing a touchdown pass in 48 straight games.
Even after a record breaking game (and first win for the team), I love it that he sent this tweet out on Tuesday:
1. In what ways do you indulge yourself?
Dessert. Obviously.
Do you remember this? I still dream about this sometimes.
2. Have you ever taken a cooking class? Any interest? What type of class would you most like to try?
I have not taken a cooking class. I could use a cooking class. I have often said I know how to make about three things, so by your third meal with us, you have tasted my entire repertoire. :) It's pretty close to the truth. I think it would be fun to take a cooking class with a group of friends who were in it for the fun of it. Of course, I would assume that the learning would be followed by the eating. Which would always interest me. See answer above.
3. What does it mean to be a good citizen?
There are many, many ways to be a good citizen. Voting is one of them.
The teacher in me likes the poster below, given as an example of a lesson for 2nd and 3rd graders. I think it's a very good start, and expanding these simple ideas might just make the world a nicer place. For all citizens. Of the whole wide world.
4. 'Tis the season of the political advert...do these ads influence your vote?
These ads just make me tired. Tired. Of. Political. Ads. And I'm not sure I can believe any of them. Kind of like what you read on the Internet. Present Hodgepodge company excepted, of course. :)
5. What's something you see today that makes you wish you were a kid again?
Not sure I want to be a kid again, but how about this playset?
That might make be wish for those childhood days...
6. What's your least favorite cliche?
Been there, done that.
It just seems like a way to be dismissive with someone by implying that their experience is so ordinary that it isn't even worth discussing.
7. What percentage of your Christmas shopping has been completed? How does that make you feel?
10%. Or maybe less. I guess it feels about normal for me. A few years ago I discovered my two favorite words at Christmas. Online shopping. Don't make me go to the mall.
8. Insert your own random thought here.
This time of year it will surprise no one that my random thought has to do with football. And an exciting thought it is, too.
On Sunday night, our favorite quarterback, Boilermaker, and all around good guy, Drew Brees, broke a record set by Johnny Unitas by throwing a touchdown pass in 48 straight games.
Drew Brees @drewbrees
Great day already. Spent the morning at Audubon Park w the boys and now Callen is napping on Daddy’s chest. Doesn’t get any better!
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Hail to the Tailgate!
It was a beautiful day for tailgating on Saturday, even though the football game itself was not at all beautiful. Still, a good time was had by all, and it's always fun to be together.
I was able to see the band march around and into the stadium, and took a quick photo of the world's largest drum.
David welcomed Dr. Dave McMillin again this week. The picture even shows the State Farm flag in the background, so we know the Rickes weren't far away. Hey to the Rickes!
Shylah's brother, Joe, and his girlfriend came by to visit before the game.
Jennifer was off on a photo shoot, so Bryan posed as if she had been there with us.
Adam and Jon.
Adam and Andrew, with David photo-bombing in the background.
Brothers.
And brotherly love. Didn't we have this same picture last week?
Adam and Jon made friends with some neighboring tailgaters, and challenged them to a game of cornhole.
I hope they let the girls win!
Darci and Andrew.
Another brother pose.
Adam's friend Kyle.
And even one of the parents. :)
Photographer fail for not getting a photo of Shylah. I will have to do better next week!
So, just for fun, I pulled one out of the archives, circa 2006. Awwww.
Thanks to Shy, and her Outback connection, we enjoyed dinner with no waiting after the game. Score!
One of these Saturdays, I'll actually get to see the pre-game. It's one of my favorite parts of the game, and I especially like it because the announcer changes the line to match the sky and the month. I used to always try to guess what adjective he would use to describe the sky.
The halftime show featured a guitar-playing soldier on top of the drum.
And leading shout? Olympic gold-medalist and Boilermaker, David Boudia! Too bad the scoreboard was not so shout-worthy for the Boiler faithful. There's always next week....
I was able to see the band march around and into the stadium, and took a quick photo of the world's largest drum.
So, just for fun, I pulled one out of the archives, circa 2006. Awwww.
Thanks to Shy, and her Outback connection, we enjoyed dinner with no waiting after the game. Score!
The pre-game show includes the poem, I Am An American, which has been a Purdue tradition since 1966. It reads, in part:
"They are plain words, those four.
You could write them on your thumbnail,
or you could sweep them across this bright October sky...
I am an American."
The halftime show featured a guitar-playing soldier on top of the drum.
Monday, October 8, 2012
Friday Fun - Geocaching
Last Friday was a pretty day, so when Matthew got off the bus, I told him we were going on an adventure. He was game, so I explained to him what I had been reading about geocaching, and showed him the app on my phone. He is very interested in maps and geography, so he thought it looked like fun.
According to geocaching.com, "Geocaching is a free real-world outdoor treasure hunt. Players try to locate hidden containers, called geocaches, using a smartphone or GPS and can then share their experiences online."
We selected a cache that was 2.5 miles from my home, and headed out in the car in search of our first cache.
It was located in a nearby cemetery, and we got out and consulted the compass and map, directing us to the exact spot.
We were looking for a small rectangle container containing a log to sign.
The description said it was in the area of this small maintenance shed, but not in it, nor near the stones around it. The hint directed us to the northwest corner tree. What had been a beautiful fall day suddenly turned cold and windy, and even after several passes, from different directions (and an unfortunate encounter between shoe and doggie doo), we gave up on this one. It was discouraging not to find the 'treasure' on our first attempt at geocaching, since I have heard good things about the fun involved.
(Looking at the recent logs online, there was one written the day after we were there that said it is not, in fact, a rectangle, but a small bottle, completely soaked. Maybe that's why we didn't find it!)
We cleaned our shoes and left the cemetery to try out another cache nearby. It was located near a historical marker by the side of the road. Matthew was good at consulting the compass for distance and direction between us and the cache.
After looking around the marker, and finally under a rock, we were successful! It was a small waterproof match container with a rolled up paper log inside.
We added the date and our initials, and put it back where we found it for the next geocacher to find. When we got back home, we logged our searches online. Matthew has another search selected already, and we hope to get a chance to try to find it this week.
He also wants to be sure I don't go geocaching without him. :)
I told him that was a deal!
According to geocaching.com, "Geocaching is a free real-world outdoor treasure hunt. Players try to locate hidden containers, called geocaches, using a smartphone or GPS and can then share their experiences online."
We selected a cache that was 2.5 miles from my home, and headed out in the car in search of our first cache.
(Looking at the recent logs online, there was one written the day after we were there that said it is not, in fact, a rectangle, but a small bottle, completely soaked. Maybe that's why we didn't find it!)
He also wants to be sure I don't go geocaching without him. :)
I told him that was a deal!
Thursday, October 4, 2012
Undercover
We had an interesting program at our P.E.O. meeting today when Diana shared about Craig coverlets or 'coverlids.' She tells us that both terms are correct, and that the dictionary doesn't care which one is used. She uses 'coverlid', which is the older term, so I'll use it too.
Her ancestors were the Craigs, who were the weavers behind these beautiful blankets. She shared several coverlids which have been handed down to her, along with the stories and history that she has learned about them.
She read a story from a book about coverlids, which recounted a party held on the farm where she still lives today. A person wanting a coverlid might dye and spin the wool, then take it to the weaver to be woven into the blanket. Coverlids sold for $5.
It took 3 days to 'thread' the loom, then the coverlid could be completed in one day, working from sunup to sundown.
The coverlids are 'double-weave' which means that one side has a light background, and the other has a dark background. They were sometimes called the 'summer' and 'winter' side. There are very few of the looms used for this kind of weaving in existence today. She shared that the Craigs discontinued their weaving to focus on pig farming. When they cleaned out the barn, they hauled the old looms into a big pile and burned them, which must have made an impressive bonfire.
It was fascinating to learn about the coverlids and their history, and Diana's family connection to the talented weavers. She also urged all of us to seek out and cherish the stories in our own families. Make time to ask questions of our parents and grandparents, and share those stories with our children and grandchildren.
It made me wonder about this coverlid which is hanging on the wall in our dining room. My mom inherited it from a friend, but we don't know anything about the history of the piece. The date in the corner block is 1849, but there is no name or town on it. A mystery to solve.
After the meeting, we served these yummy Baked Pumpkin Donut Holes. They're not actually donut holes, but rather mini muffins disguised to look like donut holes. They were easy. And tasty. You'll find the recipe here.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)