Rombach Farms

This is my absolute favorite time of the year---when it's not 90 degrees! Remember when you used to have to dress warm under your Halloween costume? Not anymore. My not-so-heartfelt thanks to those of you behind global warming..... (Insert angry pro-environment tirade here). But, I digress..... Despite the heat, Bill, Willa, and I went to Rombach Farms to have some fall fun and pick up some pumpkins. This was my first trip the Farm, but Bill and his family ventured to the "Chesterfield Valley" every year for pumpkin picking. Some things are still the same, the old frontier fort, but a lot has changed too--most notably is that the Rombach Farm is an island in a sea of strip mall development. Wonder how long it will be before the Rombach's sell the farm?

Frost and Fungus Recovery

The backyard is looking quite healthy and alive in spite of some near-natural disasters. For example, the Catalpa tree has made significant improvement after a hefty dose of nitrogen (see earlier post). According to reputable gardening sources, we had a 50/50 chance of getting the tree back. To date, it looks like we've won. It also looks like we won in the grape department too. After an unexpected spring frost, the vines did manage a nice comeback. Although we didn't get any fruit, we're hoping for a crop next year. And, finally, the bowl gourds are looking well suited for bowl making. Bill attached rope on the side of the porch assuming that the gourds would follow upward. It happened last year, but not so this year. Instead, the vines veered to the right and used the Crape Myrtle for support.

New School Year, New High School

This is my 9th year of teaching. Can you believe it? Last school year my high hopes of teaching in the history department at Roosevelt High School were dashed when I was 'bumped' out of that position. I ended up at Gateway in the special ed department, which was a great learning experience but not a permanent career move. Through a colleague, I found out about an open history position at Maplewood Richmond Heights High School so I interviewed (again--I did last year as well) and was offered the position. The school has undergone a major interior renovation and looks absolutely amazing! Here are some photos of my room. How could you not learn in this space?

The Zoo!

It was at least a hundred degrees today and Willa wanted to go to the Zoo. That's the bad news. The good news is that we have an awesome zoo here in St. Louis so it's a great place to visit over and over again. A lot of people feel the same way so the Zoo draws a mighty crowd starting late Spring and lasting through the early Winter. But, if the weather is too hot, or too cold, the crowds thin out and that's when I usually like to go best. Like today. Did I mention that we saw a few celebrities?

Dans Soulard avec Dona

La dame et moi avons marché le voisinage de Soulard le vendredi passé. C'est un amusement, un vieux voisinage français avec un bon nombre de maisons fraîches, des barres, des restaurants, et des lieux de visites. Appréciez !

TGE and Compton Heights

Dona and I wandered around Tower Grove East (TGE) and Compton Heights recently. We've done this walk before so I'm going to assume that's why I didn't take too many photos. And, Colette, if you're reading, the Buddha's for you!

Benton Park

Benton Park is a really cool neighbor in St. Louis. The houses are awesome, the ambiance is super, and there's plenty to eat, do, and see. Makes me wish I lived there.

Farm in Summer 2007

We went to the farm on July 14. Good times.

My Yard Summer 2007

Green thumb? Not so much. But, how I do love to try. And, there's nothing better than when all things agricultural align and you walk out back and see the fruit of your effort: vegetables, fruits, flowers, vines, etc. This year started out promising (I swear) but the catalpa tree did what trees do (it grew leaves) and shaded out my flowers. Had I planted flowers for a partially shady area I would have been in good shape. But, I didn't. So just as I finally came to terms with my huge gardening blunder, the catalpa tree started to die (verticillium wilt). Although there is a small chance it will survive, it's not likely. And, the flowers? Well, they're mostly dead too. Oh, and look at our neighbor's tree (bottom photo, big maple)--is that how you prune a tree?

Hot, Hot, Hot

A few years ago, during a rocky patch with her now husband, Phyllis suggested the idea of having a book club. Since most of the potential members were eager readers and already knew one another from having worked together in various bookstores, the book club came to life rather quickly. Although it had a good run, the club is, alas, defunct. But, we did manage a book club reunion of sorts recently at the wedding of fellow former member Sarah at the Stupp Center in Tower Grove Park (TGP). Sarah is third former book club member to marry in TGP--me in 2000, Dona in 2001, and, now, Sarah in 2007--but the first one to have her audience warmed up by a fire eater.

Ted Drewes

If you're from St. Louis, you know Ted Drewes. The original south city location is along the famous Rt. 66 but we live closer to the newest site on S. Grand. I wouldn't call us regulars but we do manage to work in a few visits during the summer. This visit was our first for the season. As you can see by the ice cream glaze on Willa's face, the stuff is pretty good.

Lewis & that Other Guy

Dona and I have resumed our summer walks/hikes/exploring, the first of which led us to the Lewis and Clark trail off of Highway 94 near St. Charles, MO. We did 6 miles--in spite of some pretty pesky, and persistent, mosquitoes. I suppose we might have learned a thing or two about foiling those mosquito from Lewis or Clark had we consulted their journals. But, alas, we did not. One thing's for certain, they had a pretty good view of the Missouri River atop these bluffs.

Horsing Around Cedar Hill, MO

Colette and I took the youngins' horseback riding today at a farm in Cedar Hill, MO which is about an hours drive southwest of St. Louis. It was a scenic drive, especially once we got into the rural part of Jefferson County. Once we arrived, the kids took turns riding Isabelle the Horse. Afterward, they explored the barn where they saw a number of other farm animals, including Lefty the Farm Dog. We stopped on the way home at Morse Mill Park and had a picnic along the Big River. On the way home, Colette and I asked the kids which part of the day was there favorite. Surprisingly, Isabelle was a close second to Lefty.