Comments for Lifeonthecutoff's Blog

Comment on Starved Rock With a Pinch of Gumbo by lifeonthecutoff

lifeonthecutoff — Fri, 24 May 2013 12:06:46 +0000

Debra, it is a place in Illinois many Illinoisans don’t know about, much different than the hustle, action, and skyscrapers of Chicago or the farm rich countryside. We were surprised by the crowd there on Sunday, even more so by the diversity of the visitors from around the world. In a way, it was like seeing our home state through the eyes of others. I think you would enjoy the topography of Starved Rock and the history of the actual rock and the Illini people who once lived here; another story for another day.
Wish you could have tasted that gumbo, Debra.

Comment on Bee-ing a BeeSpotter by Janice Whelan

Janice Whelan — Fri, 24 May 2013 07:02:39 +0000

Congratulations on your new bee spotter status. The Hebden Bridge community is very involved in maintaining and further developing bee colonies and I know more and more people are being encouraged to keep hives and learn about the importance of our bee populations. I was also pleased to see hives for sale as well as information about keeping bees, in a large garden centre here in Carcassonne.
I recently finished reading the Barbara Kingsolver novel “Flight Behaviour” about the monarch butterflies…and think it should be compulsory reading for the whole world ! The precarious balance of nature as we humans have more and more impact is terrifying J..

Comment on Starved Rock With a Pinch of Gumbo by Three Well Beings

Three Well Beings — Fri, 24 May 2013 06:35:21 +0000

This sounds like the perfect get-away, Penny! I can see how much this would have suited you. I love the descriptions of the rock formations and the glacial melt. I could feel how majestic the canyons must be. This is a part of Illinois I wouldn’t know about. I’ve been to Chicago (once) and can envision the prairies, but I’m limited to those pictures in my mind. I am so glad to have a little peek at your wonderful weekend, and good for you for taking such a good hike! You earned that great gumbo!

Comment on Bee-ing a BeeSpotter by lifeonthecutoff

lifeonthecutoff — Fri, 24 May 2013 03:59:25 +0000

I’m delighted to hear it, Juliet. Thank you. I’ve always enjoyed catching bees and butterflies with my camera – this is just an extension of it that will, perhaps, in a small way help the situation. I love you interpretations of his name.
Ha! If I’m so dressed, I’ve either turned into a buzzer or those fingerprints got me into trouble.
By the way, I keep meaning to tell you that Kezzie and I made those paper flowers that open up in water when I was last up to see her. It was such fun, Juliet – and it worked!

Comment on Bee-ing a BeeSpotter by Juliet

Juliet — Fri, 24 May 2013 02:14:20 +0000

Penny, I am enjoying reading about the various ways you have discovered of contributing to your community. Bee spotting sounds fun, and I love the picture of that bumble bee burrowing deep into the tree peony. And you have his name: Bombus impatiens sounds just perfect! (an impatient bomber perhaps? or an impatient bumbler?)
Now watch out that you don’t turn into a bee with all that delighted buzzing. If you start wearing yellow and black stripes you’ll know you are in trouble.

Comment on Monarch by Bee-ing a BeeSpotter | Lifeonthecutoff's Blog

Bee-ing a BeeSpotter | Lifeonthecutoff's Blog — Fri, 24 May 2013 01:26:38 +0000

[…] mentioned Jane and Pat before. They are at times referred to as our butterfly ladies for all their efforts in saving and tracking the beautiful monarchs and all the butterfly gardens […]

Comment on Starved Rock With a Pinch of Gumbo by lifeonthecutoff

lifeonthecutoff — Thu, 23 May 2013 19:54:59 +0000

There were so many of the woodcarvings, all throughout the two thousand or so acres. It’s a great way to use old wood and stumps, and a good way of storytelling while displaying a wonderful craft. Yes, Marilyn, I have had gumbo in New Orleans and enjoyed it. Unfortunately, I’ve had it a few times up here and thought I’d need CPR. This little restaurant made it just right, in part, I think, because the chef/owner was born and raised in Louisianna.

Comment on Starved Rock With a Pinch of Gumbo by marilyn ritter

marilyn ritter — Thu, 23 May 2013 18:49:55 +0000

What a lovely getaway it was! The area is one I wouldn’t ever see without your eyes and is gorgeous. My favorite has to be the wood carvings. Have you had gumbo in New Orleans? It isn’t really all that spicy but that is a matter of taste-LOL. So happy that the sun shined on your trip in every way.

Comment on Starved Rock With a Pinch of Gumbo by lifeonthecutoff

lifeonthecutoff — Thu, 23 May 2013 18:18:39 +0000

Oh, it was, Dee, and I’m glad you found our shadows. I was afraid I’d drop my camera. The state and national parks in Minnesota are terrific! We’ve seen a few with our daughter and her family, and they always inspire me. It really is amazing, when one thinks about, of what an expanse those glaciers carved; into Canada, the Great Lakes, rivers. Here’s hoping we can hold on to all this beauty for future generations.

Safe travel this weekend.

Comment on Starved Rock With a Pinch of Gumbo by lifeonthecutoff

lifeonthecutoff — Thu, 23 May 2013 18:15:22 +0000

I knew we must be kindred celebratory spirits, Sallie. It was very nice, and now a few pounds to carve off, in spite of the exercise.