My Week that Was - April 24

A pair of Sandhill Cranes.
4/17/2021 dwm photo

   Saturday morning was seasonably warm and sunny when we hit the backroads of Dane County for our pandemic drive.

   As we passed one field, we saw a pair of Sandhill Crane eating together.  This time of year it's common to see the normally gray birds sporting a reddish color.  I thought the birds changed color naturally, but learned it comes by hard work or a trip to the salon as their feathers are preened using mud.

  Mud in Wisconsin is often packed with iron which leads to the rusty appearance.  Scientists think the cranes do this for camouflage during mating season to blend in with dry grass around their nest.

  Just after we saw the cranes, we checked out the construction site for the church we attend.  Ground was broken just a few weeks ago.  If the project stays on schedule, we could be worshipping there in early fall.

   It is a busy week at work.  Our first appeal of the year goes out the middle of next month which means the drafts need to be finalized and ready to tweak by the end of the week.

Losing the weekend series to Pittsburgh was tough for the Brewers as they flew west for three games against San Diego followed with three more in Chicago against the Cubs.  The Crew looks good standing 8 - 7 on their way west.  Three regulars in the starting line-up are recovering from injuries, so I hope by next Monday morning they are no worse then 11 - 10.

"You want what you can't have," is an old truism I encountered in person early this week.  Because of the pandemic and related pre-cautions residents at Oakwood have been physically isolated for more than 13 months.  In my second visit since restrictions allowed me to visit while I wear a mask, I met for what I thought would be a short chat.  An hour and forty-five minutes later I was walking out the door.  We had a great conversation, even wearing a mask, that couldn't be duplicated with any video visit or phone call.

Thursday Rhonda received her second shot of the Covid-19 vaccine in Watertown.  The location is right on the Rock River.  Most cities built around rivers placed industry and retail with the backs of buildings facing the water.  In 2004, Watertown planned to use the river as a featured attraction.

Watertown's 2nd Milwaukee St. Bridge.  
4/22/2021   dwm photo

Crossing the river where we parked was a new version of their Milwaukee Street bridge which was unusual when it was built 91 years ago.  A similar version took its place with a three-span, continuous arch bridge.

It's a pretty bridge and a wonderful spot to walk along the water.

After the shot, we drove to Milwaukee for the first time in a year so she could visit a favorite quilt shop, then we stopped for lunch at Kopp's Frozen Custard on the way home.

It's still two weeks until she is fully vaccinated, so we'll continue staying close to home and following the precautions.  We are looking forward to some short distance outings in the near future.

Friday I was back to work and completed the writing project I'd been working on.  It feels good to wrap it up.

After cool nights most of the week, it is warming up going into the weekend - it's nice to leave the sweatpants at home for the morning runs.  

Here's to a warm and comfortable week where you live.  Enjoy your week!