Iowa State Capitol

Back to our regularly scheduled internet, here is the post I meant to write yesterday.

I've been to Des Moines a number of times in my life (being a midwestern girl and all), but I have never been to the Capitol. Since we were already downtown at the West End Salvage, we thought we ought to take a little look-see at the state government. The building is beautiful and did not disappoint. We were too late for an official tour, but we didn't mind wandering around on our own. 

The dome is made of real gold.

Looking up on the inside.

I took the most pictures in the library. It is probably the most beautiful library I have ever seen. They could have filmed parts of the Harry Potter movies here.

Internet / Phone / Cable Issues

No photos in today's post. I had planned to write about the Iowa State Capitol building, but technology is not on my side today.

For a little while I had noticed that our television would occasionally pixilate, and then yesterday when I turned it on, the picture was frozen. I changed channels, and there was only a black screen to be had. H said I should check the phone and internet, and, sure enough, both were not working. We called Time Warner on our cell phone (thank goodness for cell phones!) and after walking us through a variety of options, we convinced the company that we need to have someone come fix the problem here. Then H went outside and where the cable comes into the house looks as though it had a little fire, or mini-explosion because there is black stuff on the siding.

So, on the occasion that I can come to Honnold (the colleges library) and check email (with my laptop which does not have my photos), we are without internet. It is quite an experience. I find myself wanting to look something up, and realizing that it will just have to wait. I also realized that I have my calendar on google calendar and was trying to remember just which students are coming today (the summer lesson schedule is more sporadic than the school year), so I just took a screen shot of my week's activities. I can at least do work on my computer that doesn't require internet.

Let's see if I get more read today....

Iowa

We landed at LAX last night to the hottest temps in So Cal for the year (so far). When we left for Des Moines on Wednesday I expected to land in a sauna there, but, instead, we were treated to lovely temps, changing clouds (along with some winds and bugs). Our daughters had not seen their grandfather in 5-6 years, our son-in-law had not met the grandfather, so we knew it was time for a family reunion. The sister and brother-in-law drove up from Texas, and along with grandmother, sister, and Anne, all eleven of us were together.

Apparently, no trip to Iowa is complete without a stop at the Heart of Iowa Store in Historic Valley Junction. H feels compelled to bring his summer research students a bit of Iowa, and this year he had hoped that he could find the little pig that, when squeezed, would bulge out its eyes and poop out some jelly beans. Such a fine item was not to be had this year, so he settled for cow pens with eyes that light up and moo sounds.

Lest you think that there are only such silly items in the store, rest assured that you can also purchase such lovely pottery items as seen above, and a variety of food items.

Also on the docket for Thursday was a visit to West End Architectural Salvage in downtown Des Moines. I had seen one of the shows on HGTV about this place and was curious to check it out. I am sure that most in our group were just humoring me, but when we entered, we were immediately hooked with the variety of antiques - some beautiful, some not so much, some already repurposed, some waiting for love. I don't know how much time we spent wandering and taking photos, pointing and laughing, but it ended with coffee drinks at the little cafe on the first floor.

I was taken with these typewriter bracelets, but not with their price tag. A quick view through Etsy proved that West End is not the only place, by far, that makes jewelry from old typewriter keys.

Does Anyone Really Know What Time It Is?

During an evening constitutional a few weeks ago, I looked up at this tower at CGU, and it reminded me of that song by the band Chicago.

Hidden Claremont

The other day I was walking along First Street, and I noticed a tall statue in the alley, so I investigated. I do not know how long this art has been behind the Folk Music Center, but I have only recently seen it. Being that it is so large, it would be hard to miss.

Communi-trees

When I was wandering through the Rancho Santa Ana Botanical Garden during the Folk Festival, I came across these "Communi-trees" near the back of the garden. I had not seen them before, and I always enjoy seeing new things in the garden.  You can read the sign about the creation of the sculptures.

The Thief

I liked this book and but I didn't like it enough to give it a star on my 2013 books read list. I think that I am finding that I like the writing style of Japanese literature, and this book gave me hints of Murakami, so I am now finding myself on a search for more Japanese novels. A little searching on the internet brought forth Yukio Mishima who is now on my list.

One's Adult Children

I had the opportunity this weekend, once again, to watch one of my daughters in her adult life. This time I saw my younger daughter as one of the lead teachers, along with two of her very favorite own teachers, as they led over 100 dancers in their annual recital. I do not generally get to watch her with her students, although we talk about teaching quite a bit when we are together. This year I arrived early and watched her run through a few pieces with her dancers and enjoyed watching how she works with the girls, and how at home she is in her own skin. When she was two, I knew she would dance, but I could not picture her as a grown-up at that time. Now I am so happy to see who she has become!

Petiscos

It's been a long time coming, the renovation of the little building on First Street. When we moved to Claremont 27 years ago, I believe it was Shrimps, a tiny boutique with fun clothing. The Courier says that before Shrimps, it was the first home of the Claremont Folk Music Center. Then about six months ago or so (I don't remember exactly), I heard that this cute little building would turn into a taco stand, operated by the people who own the Back Abbey and Union on Yale.

So, I've been watching the transformation of this little building, and it finally opened up for business a few weeks ago. Yesterday I finally had to try it out, and I was very pleased with the $4 fish taco that I had. Not large, but full of lots of flavor.

 

You walk up the west side to order, and here is the menu. Pretty easy to change out, depending upon the day's offerings. 

You can sit on these little barrels while you wait for your order.

The back has limited seating at picnic tables, but it seems to me that if all the tables are occupied and there are still spaces at some of the large tables, you could easily make a new friend or two... There is also a small building in the back with restrooms for customers. If you walk past the restrooms, you run smack into the side of The Press and the little free library that is there.

The window for ordering. Kind of like a movie theater ticket window.

The fish taco to go.

Old CD solution?

My clutter cleanse is going quite well. I am keeping track of items I am purging, and so far in June it's more than 40 items. Some of those items are old CDs, and I thought that if I hung some in my peach tree, the sun shining off of the reflective side might, just maybe, scare off a squirrel or two. I have no idea if this will work, but it is worth a try. I'll let you know.