Corfu Trip

I invited myself to join Max at his latest conference location (Greece – wouldn’t you?).  Immediately I set out to gain three important bits of knowledge: how to cross the street, how to use the bathroom, and how to ride a bus.  It turns out that finding shade is equally important.  I applied and improved these skills during my solo explorations throughout Corfu while Max focused on listening and presenting at the conference hotel.

Some things I learned during my time alone and our time together: Greece is hot.  Corfu people are refreshingly non-risk averse.  Dining al fresco is both a pleasure and a necessity.  I like smoking bans.  Exploring tunnels in deserted ancient forts alone is terrifying.  I will cross streets with confidence if I’ve had two Mythos beers and two glasses of ouzo.  I don’t like ouzo.  I love traveling alone.  I love traveling with Max.  Flexibility and openness toward locals and independent travelers encourages stimulating chance meetings, conversations, and free drinks.  I must travel more often.

See photos here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ccharp3r/tags/corfu2007/ 

Crazy Dog Moonwalk

If you want to feel blissfully happy, jump in one of these. For an even more refreshing experience, jump in one that sits in your neighbor’s back yard, is called “Crazy Dog,” and is filled with several other neighbors in their 30s and 40s. We broke the rules and jumped in it with our glasses on. We are daring and brave.

Plants and Trees

I’ve established my posting pattern and you all know it well…so I won’t bother with the “retrospective” or “catching up” titles any longer.  I may be late, but at least I’m consistent.

We had two yard projects in early summer.  One was to build and install additional raised beds in our garden, and the other was to plant our river birch from the City of Mpls and Tree Trust.  Abbie helped us build the beds, and even has one of her own in our yard – community garden style.  The most interesting bit about the tree is how we transported it home.  It involved a total recline of the passenger seat, with me in it, and creative knotting of the tree to the side mirror and windshield wiper.

See photos here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ccharp3r/tags/garden2007/ and here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ccharp3r/tags/tree2007/