Archive for May, 2012
» posted on Monday, May 21st, 2012 by Linda Lou Burton
Some Like It Hot
Linda Burton posting from Boise, Idaho – The Trolley stopped so we could see the carriage step, a charming bit of history that remains on Warm Springs Avenue. Our Tour Guide told us stories of the stately houses that we passed; the first bathtub in this one; the first dishwasher in that one; the geothermal heat in all. There’s a new house on the corner where the Natatorium once stood, it was a warm-water pool, geothermal heat. As we passed the capitol on our Trolley ride, it was mentioned once again – the only capitol in the United States with geothermal heat. So where, I asked, is this hot water? I’ve been to Yellowstone; I’ve seen the geysers and the steaming bubbling pools, favored spots for buffalo in winter snows. I’ve been to Hot Springs National Park; I’ve seen the bathhouses there, favored spots for people seeking soothing waters to ease their aches and pains. Magic waters, underground, where are they in Idaho, and how do people harness them? They come “right from Hades,” printed the Idaho Statesman in December 1890, referring to an artesian well just drilled west of Table Rock. » read more
» posted on Sunday, May 20th, 2012 by Linda Lou Burton
A Taste of Sunday
Linda Burton posting from Boise, Idaho –Wine. Wineries. Viticulture. This seems to be the up and coming thing in this part of Idaho. I wanted to see a real-life Idaho vineyard and according to the internet 3 Horse Ranch was open for tasting this Sunday afternoon. Off the freeway and traveling north, I passed open fields on both sides of the road, sprinklers going everywhere. “Turn right on Chaparral,” said GPS. I left the numbered highway; drove a few miles more; came to gravel then. A sign verified 3 Horse Ranch ahead, I wasn’t lost. So I proceeded, 15 mph. The hills have narrowed in; the valley’s tight; cattle grazed behind a fence. A rabbit ran in front of me, some little critters too, ground squirrels, perhaps? Quail in pairs danced across the road, a brilliant yellow bird flew by, a hawk with purpose circled overhead. Around a curve a house sat on a hill; and spread across the lowest slopes, rows and rows of vines. This must be it, I thought, and pulled into the parking lot; my dust caught up as I stepped out. » read more
» posted on Saturday, May 19th, 2012 by Linda Lou Burton
Esto Perpetua
Linda Burton posting from Boise, Idaho – “She’s on the 4th floor,” I was told by the gift shop manager, and I headed for the elevator right away, eager to visit Nike of Samothrace, aka The Winged Victory. I already knew the story of this 11-foot-high replica-of-a-statue-depicting-a-goddess who sits in the Idaho State Capitol; today I’m here for pictures. She is a heroic figure, even though her head is missing and so are her arms. Her pose conveys a sense of action and triumph; her wings are extended as though descending from the sky; her draped garments appear to be rippling, as though in a strong sea breeze. I got several shots, from either side. I’ve read that the original marble was created in (about) 300 BC to honor not only the goddess Nike, but to honor a sea battle too; sculptor unknown. Now one of the most celebrated statues in the world, Nike was lost for centuries; then discovered in 1863; and has stood in the Louvre since 1884. So how did this plaster replica wind up in Boise, Idaho? » read more
» posted on Friday, May 18th, 2012 by Linda Lou Burton
Bird On The Hand
Linda Burton posting from Boise, Idaho – You’ve heard people say, with kind of a smirk, “Money can’t buy happiness, but it can sure buy things that make you happy.” Add to that the age-old axiom “A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush,” and I’ve got a story for you that ties the two together in a way that will make you a believer. Money, and birds. Back in 2003, a man by the name of Kevin Suedmeyer was in charge of planning a Field Meet for the North American Falconers Association to be held in Amarillo, Texas. Now, Kevin knew that a man by the name of Ken Riddle had worked in Abu Dhabi for a long time, where he directed a world-renowned falcon hospital. And that Dr Riddle had done this at the invitation of His Highness Sheikh Zayed, President of the United Arab Emirates (portrait left), who was a life-long practicing falconer. Kevin asked Ken if he could help to obtain an authentic Bedu hunting tent for display at the meet. So what does this have to do with Boise, Idaho? » read more
» posted on Thursday, May 17th, 2012 by Linda Lou Burton
It’s Not Nothing
Linda Burton posting from Boise, Idaho – Who could get a standing O before he even said a word? Jerry Seinfeld, to be sure. He ran onto the stage, went past the mike, then stopped, and turned, and crazily assumed an almost-chicken pose, a rooster walk; one foot in the air behind, his head extended to the front, a Kramer kind of move. The crowd jumped up and down, we jiggle danced in happiness. Jerry’s here and we will laugh tonight, for sure. And so we did. He talked for 90 minutes straight, every word hilarious. Every single word. What did he talk about? Nothing. His trademark topic. Nothing. I laughed so hard the muscles of my face just quit on me, gave up, not used to that. I finally had to settle for a belly laugh behind a neutral look. The man behind me stuck to words; “Awesome,” he repeated, again and again. I’m sitting on Row I, the 15th seat; and I can see just fine; as Jerry paces to and fro on the stage of the Morrison Center for the Performing Arts at Boise State University; two thousand people packed it full tonight. » read more
» posted on Wednesday, May 16th, 2012 by Linda Lou Burton
Basking on Basque Block
Linda Burton posting from Boise, Idaho – Oh come on, my pun’s okay; even the Basque Museum posts a window sign that says “Who Is That Basque Man?” Not knowledgeable about Basques in Idaho, I realized I had a lot to learn. I can tell you this – Basque culture is very much alive in Boise; the ethnic community numbers about 15,000 and is the largest such community in the United States (fifth largest in the world, behind Mexico, Argentina, Chile, and of course the Basque Country of Spain and France). But seriously, who is that Basque man? One is the Mayor of Boise, David Bieter, elected in 2003, and in 2007, and in 2011; fluent in Basque and Spanish, he is extensively involved in Boise’s Basque community and in 2005 was awarded the “Basques Throughout The World” award for his work on behalf of Basque peace and self-determination. I wandered the area known as Basque Block, a vibrant downtown section between 6th and Capitol Boulevard on Grove Street, to find out more. » read more
» posted on Tuesday, May 15th, 2012 by Linda Lou Burton
The Wood! The Wood!
Linda Burton posting from Boise, Idaho – Is that a streaker? I blinked as what appeared to be a naked man went running past, just across the hedge. Against a backdrop thick with trees, his chest was bare, but then I saw that he was wearing shorts, it was a jogging path. Next two discreetly burkhaed women came in view, purses slung on shoulders, chatting as they strolled along. And then a bike went whizzing by, the biker’s helmet iridescent blue, a flash. “Is that the river over there?” I asked, as my server set the seafood quiche in front of me. “Oh yes, right there, I can see it through the trees.” I stood myself, and sure enough, it was not a hundred feet away, and moving fast. Well I’ll be darned, the famous Boise River, and the famous trees. The cottonwoods. » read more
» posted on Monday, May 14th, 2012 by Linda Lou Burton
Nice Work If You Can Get It
Journey Begins
Linda Burton posting from Boise, Idaho – “That sounds like a lot of work.” I heard that phrase nearly every time I told someone about the plans for the Journey Across America. In fact, I heard it so often I threatened to get a bumper sticker! Well, I’ve visited 5 out of 50 Capital Cities now; the Journey is 1/10th of the way done, and before I begin my focus on Boise, I’m going to summarize, analyze, theorize and maybe even criticize. How are things going so far? What is working particularly well, and what is not so hot in the way I’ve set things up? Like the pioneers on the Oregon Trail, what am I throwing in the ditch, and what have I learned that I cannot live without? I think of the little girl in the ill-fated Donner Party; as adults around her moved into survival mode she was told to leave her dolly behind. But that dolly was her survival mode, she hid it in her skirt; survival is a very personal thing. And so is work. One person’s work can be another’s adventure, no matter what the stats reveal! Let’s see. » read more
» posted on Sunday, May 13th, 2012 by Linda Lou Burton
Mother First
Linda Burton posting from Boise, Idaho – There’s a trailer running on TV now about a new movie – What to Expect When You’re Expecting – and the ad contains a line that really tickles me. “You don’t know the meaning of love until you’ve wiped somebody’s butt.” Funny how that works. It’s Mother’s Day and I’m remembering Mothers I Have Known. My Mom, of course, and my Ma-in-law; without them my family as it is today would not exist. There’s my two Grandma’s, who saw me as a Perfect Child. There’s Aunt Verla, and Aunt Clara, who mothered me like I belonged to them. There are my daughters-in-law, who gave me a more precious gift than money can buy – grandchildren! And there are my sons, who made sure I knew the meaning of love. That was in the days before Pampers too. But heck, I’m thinking as I sit in Idaho, Sacajawea didn’t have Pampers either. Did you know that she was born just north of here? » read more
» posted on Saturday, May 12th, 2012 by Linda Lou Burton
Double Wide
Linda Burton posting from Boise, Idaho – I almost killed the cats. I didn’t load the Scion right, so when I slowed to take the ramp to Promontory, the printer box came crashing to the front, right into the litter pan. I stopped to see if cats were buried underneath it all, but Jack was undisturbed. Alex fixed me with a glare, wide eyed and frankly quite perturbed. “Fix that!” he seemed to say. “My bad,” I said, and scratched his chin. I rearranged some boxes, a temporary fix; oh well, I thought, it’s not that many hours to go. I’d left too late, didn’t want to pack the car again, but the schedule for the Journey was in my hands to keep. So we’re on our way to Idaho; to Boise, capital city number six. Except for one last Utah stop. » read more