The End of My Virtual Run

Let's see . . .  where was I?

next goal: Orono's Hope Chest     5 miles away

carried over from last milestone: 

5/19  Paws on Parade with my neighbors!!   1 mile

AND  then . . . . 

5/22   Walking with Mary   hot and windy   1.7 miles

5/28   1.17   Treadmill

5/29   1.7   walk with Mary

and the total for these is 5.57!!!!

http://hopechest.us/Orono
The Hope Chest for Breast Cancer Foundation
Our Mission is to help under-served or financially distressed individuals and their families touched by breast cancer. 

A great place to shop

for lots of

good reasons

!!!! 

And that is .57 beyond Hope Chest, which takes me the last .5 mile leg of my journey up the hill and to the front door of . . . .  Minnetonka Mud,

a very cool place to enjoy coffee and a sandwich!

Minnetonka Mud Coffee Cafe
3465 Shoreline Dr
Wayzata, MN 55391
(952) 471-9848

SO, I've actually made it to my goal:  Minnetonka Mud!!!!!   a total of 41.2 miles.

Slow . . .  and not so steady . . .  but indeed, FORWARD!

And moving more than before.

My job comes to its yearly end in about a week or so.

I will set a new goal that will help me prepare for the 5K Day!!!!   July 14, in Henning, MN!!!

I think I can. I think I can!

PS: AND I am thinking how fun that Megan is participating in the Color Run in Mpls. in July!!!

http://thecolorrun.com/minnesota/          Note: this link includes a colorful video!!!

Discarded

Day 79
Challenge:
Work with materials you find laying around on the ground.

I found all of these little scraps and wrappers and this fine looking stick and the seed near the shipping/receiving door at West this morning on my way to work. 

 Snail Flag

I showed some of my students how they can make a little flag out of a stick! When I hesitated in naming the tree seed, they kindly reminded me that it is called a helicopter.

Oh yes. Now I remember . . .  from forever!

It is the very best to throw a handful up to the sun and dance in them 

as they whirl back to earth.

@

Deli Drawing

Day 102
Challenge:
Write a palindrome.
Palindrome: A word or phrase that when read backward is exactly the same as when it is read forward (though changes in punctuation and spacing are allowed). 

Bonus: Illustrate it!

Trailed Deli Art

Abstract

Day 81
Challenge:
Make something out of erasers.

 Alien Snail

Connections

'thinking to myself how Leaning Snail came to be  . . . 


1. I attend the Home Extension Dinner on April 16. It is an Italian theme. Thank you DC and MAC!

2. The place card at my setting is Leaning Tower. I save it because I really like it. 

3. The inspiration for my blog creations, A Daily Creativity Journal: 365  Make Something Every Day and Change Your Life!  by Noah Scalin, suggests on Day 71 "Make something that seems like it came from another era in history". 

4. I imagine the tower being the snail's shell.  I think about this for a long time. Maybe a month. I think about it so long that I loose the place card when I finally sit down to begin work on it. It is lost for a week or so. 

5. Now relocated, I darken the image with brown shoe polish and trim a bit of the detail from the red paper frame. I add a soft green piece, completing the transformation. It also gets a bit of polish.

6. I photograph it on several different pages of a coffee table book I have long owned. In Tuscany, by Frances Mayes.

7. I remember this book because I watched Under the Tuscan Sun on Oxygen earlier this week while I am washing the dishes that had piled up because I was working on a blog post. Frances Mayes wrote the book on which this movie is based.

8. Friday evening, May 25, or maybe it was very early Saturday morning, I post my favorite of the photos and add a little bit of information from a Website on the Pisa Tower. To my delight, it includes the word spiral!!!!

9. Early this morning [2:35am] I am awake and hungry. While munching on Kashi and banana slices in soy, in the half dark, I page through In Tuscany. I spend time in the section called La Festa!

I learn that every town has at least one sagra, a festival that focuses on a particular food. There are celebrations for truffles, frog legs, cherries, potato, rabbit, pine nuts, cheese, and bread [to name a few]!  And dare I hope . . . ????  . . . . yes . . . .  snails/lumaca! In early spring, Cartona holds The Sagra della Lumaca!  I feel like I have come full circle.

One Further Note:

I become curious about the author of the book and learn she lives with her husband in San Francisco and also in Cartona, Italy! We have visited San Francisco a few times to see our youngest son, Scott, so by now, cereal bowl empty and probably 3 o'clock in the morning, I am so hepped up on connections that I'm pretty sure Frances Mayes knows me and that I am really good friends with her.  

So FuN!

@

 

Very Old

Day 71
Challenge:
Make something that seems like it came from another era in history.

Solution:  
Date:   1174 AD
Place:  Italy
Style:   Romanesque

 Leaning Snail of Pisa

Inspired by a recent and delightful Italian gathering 

of Home Extension Friends!

@

Note:

The top of the Leaning Tower can be reached by mounting the 294 steps which rise in the form of a spiral on the inner side of the tower walls!!!

Taken from 

http://www.italyguides.it/us/pisa/leaning_tower.htm 

by Deb F. on 5/25/12

Story (Edited!)

Day 78
Challenge:
Write a story for a stranger you see.



As tourists go, the two New Yorkers intrigue me even before I see them
as a couple, boarding arm in arm.
And after the launch leaves the docks and we are moving across the water, I consider them as much as I take in the lakes and islands.

She is younger, confident in a “less is more” way, wearing simple diamond earrings and carrying an Audubon Guide in the back pocket of her vest.
He is older, in two layers of sweaters, graying, approachable.

The ranger has just spotted a loon with chicks and announces their location over the speaker. They are out ahead of us and to the left, a good distance across the waves.
She lifts her German engineered binoculars, briefly adjusts the focus, and, with a slight nod, confirms it.

She moves her finger across her phone. From my place on the bench just behind her I see images of birds appear and disappear until she finds what she is looking for.
I imagine she enters:   Loon with Chicks   July 26, 2011    Voyaguers Ntl. Pk.

On the return trip he and I find ourselves at the front of the launch.
He tells me they hope to say they’ve visited all the national parks. But time is not on their side. He is nearly eighty, and some, such as the one in Samoa, are so distant.

He speaks of her birding interest. I mention my fascination with snails.

Upon debarking Steve and I visit the Learning Center and make reservations for a second boat tour the following afternoon.

The next day, waiting on the dock, we see them again . . .  getting off, arm in arm.
We exchange surprised greetings before going our separate ways.

When we are seated, I lean over and tell Steve how nice it was to see their familiar faces. And how it feels like we have known them for a long long time.

It still does.

Note: 

Dear readers! Thank you for your continued patience with my spelling and my edits.
Yes, earring has two R's and John Audubon's vowels are not what I thought them to be.

Separate is better than seperate, because now the word doesn't have a dotted red line under it when I am looking at the draft of this post. 

Sometimes I don't catch my errors until I see them in hard copy . . .  or on my smart phone. Or while standing on my head!   :)














 

Mostly Adjectives Rev 1

Mostly Adjectives

Day 85
Challenge:
Work with words.

 Word Snail

Footware

Day 72

Challenge:

Use shoes to make something.

Sole Snail

Fun At Home:

Make a crayon rubbing of a shoe you own!

1. Select a shoe. You will be surprised at the designs you can find on the soles!

2. Lay a sheet of printer paper across the shoe and hold it in position.

3. Rub a crayon across the paper, recording the texture of the shoe as you go. A dark color seems to work best, but it is also fun to use more than one color.

This might be so cool that you make it the determining factor for the next pair of shoes you purchase! :)

On Burlap

Snail in Stitches

There is something satisfying

 about bringing yarn through fabric, leaving a trail.

Evidence 

of my journey.

@

From Wisconsin

Snail Snail Mail from Dad

This article is by Kenton Whitman and appeared on page B2 of the

Wednesday, May 16, 2012 of The Dunn County News.

 I hoped to include a link to the article, but could not find it online. Here are a few quotes from the article:

". . . it (Wisconsin land snail) pulls its ponderous form over the ground . . . "

" . . . though they are seldom seen unless you have a keen eye 

and a penchant for slow rambles."

Whitman goes on to describe a variety of forest snails by name and nature (Small Spot, Cherrystone Drop, Minute Gem, Maze Pinecone, and of course, Armed Snaggletooth!) and sheds light on the infamous love darts that increase the chances for baby snails! He offers culinary tips from snail loving cultures around the world and concludes with this:

"Then search low, and you just might discover a 

beautifully spiraled shell, out of which are peeking two long tentacles 

with eyes on the ends. 

You and the snail can look at each other for a while, 

and both of you will be in the presence of 

one of the many marvelous creations 

of nature."

Thank you, Dad.

I love you.

@  

'Want more Whitman writing?
 
http://www.wildaboutnatureblog.com

At the Farm

Gale Woods Farm: Another milestone!

Here is more information about the park:

http://www.threeriversparks.org/parks/gale-woods-farm.aspx 

Here are the tiny details:
The Next Goal:   Gale Woods Farm   3.2 miles
I carried over .25 toward this milestone!
5/9    .25 walk from West to High School to West again
5/15   1.7 Walk with Mary   (these three total 2.2 miles. So 1 mile to go!)
5/19  2.0 Walk with Elvera and Bettie @  Paws on Parade    (Destination met!  with 1 extra mile toward Hope Chest)

Paws on Parade Notes:

What FuN!

The morning was overcast, breezy, and comfortable.

We three Grove Street Girls were in good company!

The two mile parade included dogs of all breeds, one cat, and four horses [with mounted deputies] 

who safely stopped traffic so we could move through busy intersections along 

the parade route.

We thought we could!  :)

Grocery Store

Day 66
Challenge:
Go grocery shopping and pick up something new specifically to work with.

Buttermilk Pancake Mix in a Packet

Just add 1 cup water.

Stir.

Pour.

 Batter is thick.

All hope for subtle detail is lost.

 Buttermilk Snail

What it's missing in aesthetics

it makes up for in strength!

It was a glorious FliP!

Buttermilk Snail Feast

 Not a Snail

Recycle Bin Snail

Note to Self Concerning Multi-tasking: 

Take pictures OR make pancakes.

Quilling

Day 77

Challenge:   
Work with shredded paper, or long thin strips of paper. Maybe even give quilling a try!

Sometimes I find it hard to 

believe the things I have saved away

for an adventure like today!

Voila!

I did a little searching . . . 

and discovered some beautiful examples

of the craft

by artist, Jitesh Patel.

http://www.allthingspaper.net/2011/08/jitesh-patel-quilling-artist.html

Training NOTE:

 Saturday morning of May 19th I am participating in a 2 mile walk to 

support the Heart of Minnesota Animal Shelter.

I am walking with two of my friends from our neighborhood 

as 

Team Grove Street Girls!

FuN and HelpFuL and HeaLthFuL

Thinking Ahead

Day 75

Challenge: Get some chalk and work on a sidewalk near your home.

Looking back.

It was Sunday, May 13. Mother's Day!

Steve and I are in Mankato for a fine afternoon of lunch with Brian and Megan and Cooper [the sweet dog] and the great outdoors! We are at an Italian Bistro, Neighbors!

http://www.neighborsitalianbistro.com 

I spot this great looking rock on the parking lot

and get this real sense of its

snail worthy 

chalkiness!

Now . . .

I'm thinking ahead.

'Looking forward to some friends [M and B] joining me in our driveway to 

make amazing snail art someday soon!

Watch for more CHALK ART  . . . closer to home.

 @

I mention Neighbors for another reason.

We ordered Mussels for our appetizer.

This is how it is described 

on the menu:

Mussels Bolognese
Steamed Prince Edward Island mussels with caramelized fennel, butter poached leeks, garlic and tomato bolognese sauce.

I do not enjoy clam chowder. 

I avoid oyster stews.

But clearly, my family

was savoring 

those little mollusks.

And . . . life is for living . . . 

and . . . what if I'm missing out on something?

And,

thinking ahead,

I imagined that some day

I could be, should be, trying snails

[escargo]

AND

that this

might be a nice

first step in that direction.

I think I can. I think I can!

I had two!

@

Pull Up a Chair

 I've arrived at St. Boni Bistro! 

One of my favs: grilled cheese sandwich and half avocado

http://www.stbonibistro.com/

E A T   G O O D       F  E  E  L     G  O  O  D 

So this seems really slow going to me, but I have to admit I am more active then I have been for many years. So I'll keep at it.   I think I can. I think I can!

I sometimes I do things differently.

Like today, Wednesday.

I rode my bike to work! It felt good.

And I feel stronger.

AND I could smell blossoming flowers and hear birds singing along the way.

HOW I GOT THERE:
Next goal:  St. Boni Bistro  14.0 miles east!
 (.85 toward next leg of journey) 
4/12    1.27 miles around Linden park walk/run (total 2.12 mi out of 14)
4/14    2.86 miles  along Luce Line Trail with Ben (total 4.98 mi 9. 02 to go!)
4/17    1.75 miles treadmill walk/run  (total   6.73 mi.  7.27 to go!)
4/22     2.25 miles treadmill walk/run intervals    
4/22   .30 miles warm up
4/22    .11 miles cool down
          total for 4/22 is    2.66    (total 9.39 mi     4.61 to go!)
4/23   .62 miles walk/run to cash wise    ( total. 10.01     3.99 to go! )
5/1     1.54 miles on treadmill    intervals    (total 11.55   2.45 to go!)
5/2   1.0    ? maybe more . . . . walk with Mary to fair grounds      (total 12.55   with 1.45 to go!)  

5/8    1.7 walk with Mary  Traditional route  (total 14.25   with .25 toward the next milestone)

Three Willow Notes

Musician with Willow Flute 

[both are amazing]

@

How to Make A Willow Whistle  

http://www.instructables.com/id/Willow-Whistle/

@

The title of a book I'm currently reading:

Kevin Kling's

The Dog Says How 

Borealis Books

Kevin recalls learning how to make willow whistles from Roundhouse Rodney on the children's TV show, Casey Jones!

"The whole neighborhood was alive with whistles . . ."

page 64

 @

Three willow things coming into my life within one night and one day. 

It is fun to share these things with you, making each day an adventure!!!!

Thank you, dear friends and blog visitors!!!

Carving

Day 84
Challenge   Use a bar of soap.

  

Ivory Snail

Early on, Ivory Snail lost the top of his head. This mishap resulted in a redesign.

[I had to think: What would Michelangelo do?]

Here is an interesting site on sculpting with stone:

 http://www.stoneshaper.com/how.html

Memory: My grandfather was an artist, carving wood to create tiny boxes, small animals, and impressive lengths of chain. When he visited us he would make us whistles from willow branches!

There They Are !

Cloud Snails

What FuN!!!!

This amazingly natural :) photograph was created with an iPhone app called Art App - Clear Painting Free. It allows me to embellish images from my camera roll.

This photo was taken on a recent Wednesday Staff Development morning on my walk between the high school art room and West Elementary! It was a beautiful walk . . .  and I'm pretty sure there really were snails in those clouds.

For certain I see two UFOs! No wait. Those are parking lot lights. 

@@

Sky [revisited]

Tree Branch Snail

Yep! I see it Jen!

Nice.

Thank you for ALL the ways

you give fresh perspective to my days.

@

Search     Sky   to see the earlier post.

Dyed

Day 80
Challenge:  Work with food or fabric dye.

     five good friends on a Saturday in early Spring

     plus two dozen hard boiled eggs

     plus lots of dye and stickers and imagination   
    

      =   great fun !!!




Snail Motif Egg    [dye, crayon resist]     
View 1





















View 2

This egg was featured earlier on the blog as egg salad on a rock . . .  thus presenting the age old question: Which really came first? The chicken or the egg . . .  OR the egg salad?

[Type    Mix and Match    into the Search to see that snail.]

Found: Snail

Snail in Day Lilies

What fun! A snail waiting by my car after work Monday afternoon.

'Says its looking for a home.

Welcome, little Snail! 

Sky

Not a Snail

[view from my tree stand]

I've been keeping an eye on the clouds all day.

Beautiful. Distinctive.

A painted sky kind of day.

'Thought I might spy a Snail Cloud.

Nope.

So I read a book instead!

Curling Paper

We are playing with paper in the kindergarten art classes, transforming two dimensions into three!

Note: The artist of the first snail sculpture returned a few minutes later to show me that he had added a gray rectangle . . . for the trail!

Pun Intended

Day 83    
Challenge:  Make a visual pun.

Here are two for you!

Pun 1

Pun 2

@
@
@
@
@
@
@
@
@
@
@
@
@
@
@

Solutions:  

@
@
@
@

1. snail's pace      

2.  s'nail

Thank you to my friend, SLM, for sharing her s'nail idea.
S'clever, like she is!

Looking Ahead

Busy days, these Spring days.

Busy & Rich & Glorious!

Yet, I discover I am missing my snail-making.

Upcoming Challenges:

71. Make something that looks like it comes from another era in history.

72. Use shoes!

73. Work with gravel, sand, or rocks near home.

74. Go to a store and talk to the owner about making something there. I did it half-way when I encouraged the baby birds at Runnings to march in a snail formation. To see the results use the search tool and the words:   Local Business  

AND I have another idea. I'll tell you more if/when it happens! I'm thinking mid-June.

75. Use sidewalk chalk!

76. Something ear-related.

77. Work with shredded paper!

78. Write a story about a stranger you see.

79. Trash along the road.

80. Dye something!

81. Use erasers.

82. Create a new kind of utensil. Functional or not, document it in use!

83. Make a visual pun.

84. Use a bar of soap.

85. Work with words.

Someday Snails

Oh! And then . . . .two challenges I slid by earlier:

  Buy something at the grocery store specifically to work with. (Day 66)

    Create something with papier-mache!   (Day 68)

@@

I think I can. I think I can! 

I wonder.

Which font in the world makes the BEST snail with its @ symbol? 

Any thoughts?

Good Deal

Garage Sale Snail

I enjoyed a great weekend with my long time friends/St. Cloud State roommates.

We checked out estate sales and yard sales

and talked and laughed our way

through the Saturday rains!

This snail caught my eye in a laundry basket filled with Beanie Babies.