Momentum? I hardly know him!

Finally, some decent weather around here! Looking outside, though, it seems very Autumn-y today - where has the Summer gone???

I really need to get outside and check the garden, but I'm flirting with the idea of just letting it go. The plants have been growing like crazy but I haven't even eaten any of the produce yet, since I'm not enough of a cooking fanatic to bother with any of it. I know, kind of a waste but... I just don't have the emotional connection required to enjoy it this year. It's almost as if I'm satisfied just knowing that something grew in that little patch of dirt.

It's going to be a busy week here in the Valley due to several concurrent projects. My buddy, Eric, and I are putting together a little band with another local musician whom some of you may know, and hope to play a show mid-October. Believe it or not, that's not much time for me to practice and learn new songs. I'll give you the details once we've worked everything out.

The Class Reunion is coming along, thanks to some serious effort by a couple classmates, so I hope to have everything settled enough to make it an enjoyable experience for everyone. I was somewhat surprised that Facebook isn't more effective at spreading the word, but invitations have been mailed. We shall see.

I'm also working on a serious deadline with the non-profit organization I'm involved in. The current project is a last-minute scramble to help the family of a disabled Iraq vet - housing, household goods, clothing, moving help... these folks need everything. Trying to find housing and coordinate donations and volunteers by the end of the month is turning out to be a bit more complicated than I'd originally anticipated. I'm actually using my second cell phone and carrying it around with me, and I am definitely not a phone person. But I know all too well the miserable weight of desperation, so I'm glad I can do something to help these folks.

(As an aside, PayPal can be one of the most frustrating outfits you'll ever deal with on the internets. The concept is great but the hoops you're forced to jump through will make you pull out your hair. Honestly, they have one of the worst User Experience models I've encountered.)

I guess that's it for the moment. Here's hoping the coffee kicks in soon, so I can accomplish something today.

The Dogwood Days of Summer

It's August and, though we haven't been experiencing the brutal heat and humidity we're accustomed to this time of year, tempers are flaring, harsh words are exchanged, and citizens are taking sides in a great debate over the most important issues of our time. Health Care Reform? Nope. President Obama's birth certificate? Not even close. Tastes Great/Less Filling? Not this time, no. I'm talking, of course, about bicycles and tree trimming. That's right - bicycles on the streets and trimming trees are the issues that are tearing our fair community apart.

Bicycles - Decorah has a fairly large population of bike riders, which I think is great; but the good citizens here are locked in a battle over cyclists' rights and responsibilities that puts the Windows v. Mac debate to shame. I fully expect violence to break out at a City Council meeting as each side ratchets up the righteous indignation and demands their opinions be codified and enforced. To which I say: Hey, knuckleheads! It's common sense. Bicycles on the streets is not a new phenomenon in the city, nor are cars and trucks. Use your brains and drive/ride safely.

Tree trimming - The level of angst and panic on display over the city sending out certified letters to property owners re: tree trimming could only be matched by the news that a meteor was heading directly toward Winneshiek County, with hellish, fiery death a certainty for all. It's almost embarrassing to witness the hysteria that's overtaken the community as people try to comprehend this unheard of fascism ordinance that's been on the books since Decorah started paving its streets and sidewalks.

I'll admit I don't pay too much attention to issues at the local level; not because I have any kind of disdain for my community, it's just that I tend to follow national issues more closely. I guess I have a kind of "WTF? This is what you're upset about?" attitude toward some of the goings-on around here, and I find the level of outrage and shock over various issues somewhat odd. Then again, who am I to judge what's important to my neighbors?

Now, I'd better get a move on. I need to edge my sidewalks and mow the lawn before someone calls the Lawn Patrol on me.