Monday, April 12, 2010

Frontier Woman goes...local

Yesterday I went to a food symposium held on campus.



It was for local food providers and consumers.

I went because of my love affair with the Laramie Farmer’s Market and as the result of a Food, Health and Safety Conference I attended, also on campus, last September.

I would love to support the local ranchers and growers.



The problem with the latter is that the growing season in Laramie is so darn short

So a main interest in attending yesterday’s symposium was the breakout session on food preservation.



Unfortunately, it was only an overview and I need something more in-depth, like classes, mainly because the whole process frightens me: botulism, pressure cookers, etc.

I’m hoping some classes or “how-to” sessions will be held here in Laramie this spring.

Or perhaps I can just hook up with local experts who will let me watch and participate so that come July and August, I can start to “put-up” my own goods for the winter.

Then again, the drying and freezing process seems simple enough, although it was recommended that we use a “drying machine,” given the constant Wyoming winds.


Just another task to add to my list of things to learn that a "Frontier Woman" knows and does.

Friday, April 9, 2010

Playing around...

with a new template.

Looks like it may be more difficult to read---harder on the eyes.

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Well Hello, Professor...

The teenager is once again playing in the community basketball league.

Turns out, one of his teammates, and his teenage coach, are the sons of one of my Professors.

Let’s hope, while we’re cheering our boys onward and forward, that I can in good conscious know that I tried, and did, my best in class.

Talk about small town living...

Phtt…

I heard from friends back in D.C., that today’s temps reached a high of 96 degrees.

Wow!

In April!

And not even mid- or late April, but April 6.

This morning’s temp---as reported on TWC---was 11 degrees, with the wind-chill.

There’s potential for snow this evening.

But wait!

Come July and August, humidity back in the “swamp,” or what we call the Nation’s Capital, will reach 100+ %, elevating temps to over 100 degrees, in the shade.

All that, while little ‘ole Laramie suffers under clear, sunlit skies and cool temps of 70 to 80 degrees.

Like my good friend Calvin---of Hobbes fame---I say, Phtt!

Oh Happy Day…

Turns out, studying paid off.

I had indeed learned the material.

Well, at least 90 percent of it.

Now, if I can just get above the 95 percentile on the next---and last---exam!

Friday, April 2, 2010

Small town news...

I shopped at Safeway yesterday afternoon (as I do several times a week), obviously after-the-fact, but had no idea about this until I opened the newspaper this morning.

No bomb found after phoned-in threat Laramie Boomerang Laramie, Wyoming

Neighboring Colorado and Wyoming fight over H20 rights. The Legal Dude attended this meeting on Wednesday evening...

Million defensive at UW Laramie Boomerang Laramie, Wyoming

Either way, this entire episode doesn't make us look...

UW announces cancellation of Bill Ayers visit Laramie Boomerang Laramie, Wyoming

Leaving Wyoming? Make sure you check with WYDOT...

I-80 between Laramie and Cheyenne reopened Laramie Boomerang Laramie, Wyoming

This morning on the TWC channel, the forecast calls for snow and more "snain" through the end of next week...

Just sharing, for those under the misconception that nothing (exciting) ever happens in small town Laramie.

Thursday, April 1, 2010

Mother Nature's April Fools...

I received an email from a friend this morning, which opened with these lines...
“Writing to you from the outer banks. Staying in house in Corolla, two houses from the beach. It's breezy, and cool but beautiful clear blue skies.”
After reading her e-mail, I went out and took these shots, and no, this is not an April Fools joke!

Or perhaps it is, one perpetuated by Mother Nature!



Yesterday started out bright and lovely, before turning overcast and colder in the late afternoon.

The day before...62 degrees, but windy!

The roads in and out of Laramie have been closed, initially because of weather.

While shopping downtown, I overheard a stranded resident from Cheyenne saying that there was an accident up on the summit---where elevation reaches a high of over 8,000 feet---which may have been the cause.


Either way, those gates are down and the roads shuttered, so to speak.

HELLo, Stephen King!

p.s. while in the shop downtown, the ladies were telling me all about how this happens...in May and June!

My mantra: They DID tell me...it would be just like this.