Midwest Vacation

 I got to partake in the Omaha Bee Conference on Saturday, after flying from Salt Lake City to Omaha.  This has been a bit of a messed up trip, but I arrived without incident, got my rental car and found my hotel.

Pre-conference, I was invited to join a group of bee people for dinner.  South and west of the city, I drove through brown cornfields, dropped down into the Platte River drainage, flanked by a sandstone bluff to my left and an amazing sunset to my right.  My phone mapping app took me right to the driveway turn, up a narrow steep gravel driveway to a magnificent home perched on the bluff overlooking the shining sunset colored Platte.  It was stunning!  Inside, I was greeted by warm and friendly Midwesterners, bottles of nice wine lined up on the counter while the man who made mead tried to get me to drink his brew.  Not that fond of mead, I declined and found appetizers.  We went around the room with introductions.  I received the award (a unified applause from the crowd) for the person who came the furthest distance.  

The lasagna was pulled from the oven and we settled into places at various rooms of the spacious house.  I sat next to Mike who spoke of queen rearing for the club.  The fireplace chimney sported an amazing quilt, studded with peacocks, designed and created by Pam, the cook, the homeowner, and the very capable and competent woman; albeit, not the warmest of candidates in the room.  

The next day's conference quickly helped me realize this somewhat extravagant adventure was well worth the money and time spent.  The first presentation presented the effort to plant prairie strips in agricultural fields.  CRC benefits included, these strips of grasses and flowers brought pollinators, birds, and foul to the midwestern fields again.  Quite an exciting project.  For those of you who have known me a long time, having planted an acre of prairie in Illinois at Mom's place, this project resonates!!

The day moved on from one amazing speaker to the next culminating with a beekeeper from the Yukon who has a mere 30 frost free days to grow!  His bees don't get much time!  Quite the engineer, we were treated to data, pictures, and tips of keeping bees in very cold climates. 

Sunday was a day of relaxation as I made my way to Lincoln to spend time with my very good bee friends, Sheldon and Courtney.  They were kind and housed me in their Tiny Home, taking the upstairs bed and giving me their downstairs bed.  We all settled in and it was delightful.  A long walk in a park, and a stunning visit to the Sunken Garden filled my camera with images.  

Monday was spent working with Sheldon on a Necroscopy Certification course.  We got a ton done.  My experience with fire investigation helped create a course that will be worthy for others to use.  I camped out at Barnes and Noble for the afternoon and we reunited to eat burritos, drink beer, and talk more about bees!

Today, we shared breakfast and said our goodbyes.  Off to the International Quilt Museum went I for a tour.  Found my artist; Freedy Moran!  A gifted now 92 year old lady making the coolest ever quilts!  Her work grabbed my heart and my desire to give something like this a try!!  Great winter project!! 

Here are some images.  It was a surprisingly great few days in Nebraska!! 

Heart Break

Brene Brown, one of my favorite thinkers/writers, has a new book of words that describe feelings.  She says if you have ever had a dog and it dies, you know the word heartbreak. 

Smoke started getting ill two weeks ago.  First, we thought it was kennel cough but the antibiotics weren't working.  He kind of got better, and then got worse.  This weekend, his white count escalated significantly - despite the antibiotics.  Spots were found on his liver, a tumor was pushing on his gall bladder, and a lymph node on his neck continued to swell. 

The doc, a sweet young gal from somewhere south given her accent, cried saying she wished she could have done something for him.  We all cried.  Mike, me, the doctor, her assistant.  Smoke stands, getting our last love and scratches.  He already has a port from all the care they have been giving.  He goes quietly, laying down, just like he would at home.  A quiet, peaceful death surrounded by loving souls.  

Hearts break for our Smoke Dog.  The most expensive dog we have ever owned thanks to all this vet time trying to get him better.  Oh well.  

Mike digs a deep hole in Freedom.  Where the new greenhouse will go.  Sad day.  Sad sad day. 

Here he is with his buddies, Rooster and Ruby, saying hello to Goldie.  The Hanger Cat. 

Heart break.  When you know that friend - the one who gives you unconditional love, the one who looks up at your eyes with happiness and love, full of expectation of what the day may bring - that friend is gone from our life. 

His collar will join Rusty's, Lucy's, Sally's, and Butch's, hanging to remind us of all those furry friends we have had the joy of spending our lives with. 

And those who are left, Ruby and Rooster, are held close with love.  They fill our hearts and help the sadness ease.