Phase One In Which Terry Cuts His Hair

Shown here hanging with Screech the Cat.

I'll be working for the Tornow family this summer up in North Dakota, so I figured I'd 'trim' myself up a bit to leave a good impression. No sense in looking like an Indian up in the part of the country where Indians have a bad rap. Besides, I am planning on having this pay off for me in the long run, and, after all, it'll grow back, won't it? By this fall I may even begin to be my old self again; we'll see, huh?

Not planning on doing anything exciting enough this summer to mention in this blog, but, hey, you never really know with this guy. So if I do find some adventure I'll slide down to the Bismarck Library and borrow a computer and blather all about it.

So, like, have a good one and all that. See ya round.


Follow Up

Save some very nice sight-seeing (Teddy Roosevelt National Park, Lake Sakakawea), and some cool things I got to keep for my troubles, the summer was rather uneventful. I will say one thing about Bismarck, though. Beautiful bike trails all over town and down by the river, and many, many nice-looking ladies on the sidewalks and bike paths. Mmmm, mmmm, mmmm. Too bad my digital camera died while I was up there; I could have documented some of that.

And by the time we got back, many of the barn cats had disappeared, including Screech. Take care, friends. Hope you are well.

Tulips

In the two years I've lived here in NW Iowa, I have been seriously lamenting the dearth of culture in this area. O'Brien County just ain't where it's at to celebrate the joy and beauty of life.

But my outlook on this area got a big improvement when we spent last Saturday at the annual Tulip Festival in Orange City. It is a beautiful event in a beautiful town.

I knew from having been in Dutch villages in America that it wasn't going to be like attending a real festival in Holland, which I have done. I had to chuckle, even though I knew there would be no Cannabis Cafe's or half-litre mugs of Heineken Pilsener in a sidewalk pub in Orange City to while away the time. It is my understanding that, shall we say, some of the more liberal aspects of Dutch politics did not survive the transatlantic journey to the New World (at least in public).

But the Iowa Dutch are proud of their culture, and they show it. There were a great many men, women, and young folk proudly displaying their beautiful hand-made Dutch costumes, complete with clomp-y wooden shoes. An educational and entertaining parade displayed the varying traditional dress of the different Dutch provinces, as well as traditional children's games and dances, and dances featuring the adults. Also in the parade were many beautiful floats, outstanding marching bands (especially the MOC-Floyd Valley Marching Dutchmen with their traditional costumes and wooden shoes), and visiting dignitaries. And you simply can not ignore all the lovely Dutch honeys gracing the festival with their bright smiles and Dutch finery. It wouldn't be me if I didn't mention that.

A several-square-block area was closed off for the festivities, and it made for an enjoyable leisure stroll through the shops, the parks, the artists' area, the many food vendors, and of course the tulip gardens. The Native American new-age group Brule put on another one of their marvelous performances with their native dancers; although if you want to get technical they really didn't culturally match with the Dutch theme, I suppose the organizers figured they would still be a major draw, and they were.

So I tip my hat to the people in OC who work hard all year long to bring us this wonderful celebration of their culture. A job well-done by all; even without the Heineken Pilsener.