Biosphere 2!

It wasn't many years ago that Biosphere 2, nestled in the foothills of Arizona's Santa Catalina Mountains about 30 miles north of Tucson, was the laughing stock of scientific research. Today, Biosphere 2 Center still functions and has become a major tourist attraction in the Tucson area.

Built in the late 1980s with $150 million in funding from Texas oil magnate Edward Bass, Biosphere 2 was designed as an airtight replica of Earth's environment (Biosphere 1). This 7,200,000-cubic-foot sealed glass and space-frame structure contains 5 biomes, including a 900,000-gallon ocean, a rain forest, a desert, agricultural areas and a human habitat.

Some of the early designers and managers were interested in space travel and the possibility of colonizing the Moon or Mars. By building Biosphere 2 and sealing people inside, they hoped to learn what problems would arise from living in a closed system. So it was that in 1991, a colony of 8 people set about to live inside Biosphere 2 for two years.

The people who were selected to be Biospherians and live inside Biosphere 2 during the two closure periods with humans came from 7 different countries. All spent several years in training to become more proficient in their own fields as well as gaining expertise in the skills of the others.

The first crew of Biospherians (4 women and 4 men) entered Biosphere 2 on September 26, 1991. The crew members remained inside for two years despite various problems, including limited agricultural productivity, and emerged on September 26, 1993. After a 6-month transition period, a second crew of 7 biospherians (5 men and 2 women) entered Biosphere 2. Unfortunately, after a number of physical and social problems developed, the project soon suffered scientific disdain and public ridicule before these experiments were suspended in 1994. Since then, there have been no resident crews living inside Biosphere 2, and no future human habitation is planned.

Today, tours still go on at the Biosphere and visitors begin at the recently completed $10 million conference center. and now all visitors transition from the cliff above the one million gallon saltwater ocean through upper and lower savannahs, thorn scrub, desert and technosphere, then finishing inside the amazing south lung complex. Visitors then continue to the underwater ocean viewing gallery exhibit before returning to the starting point of their tour

"Grandchildren make a big splash on local Swimming Team!"

Piano Man and Desert Princess joined the Local Tennis/Fitness Club's Swimming team this Spring. Practices are held from 5:15 to 6:30 daily MTWTH while school is session and then will be held during the day once the summer schedule begins next week. Eight swim team competitions are being held with other clubs during the months of June and July. Desert Princess excels in both the Butterfly and the Breast Stroke, while Cameron is an all around swimmer, like Michael Phelps, and excels in all events.

'Turtle Dove in a Pear Tree"

Look what I found in my planter this morning, a morning dove nesting in a pot of my colored daisies! When I saw this, I couldn't help to remember the song 'Twelve Days of Christmas.' The twelve days of Christmas were a time of feasting and the dove and partridge were both game birds and would have been a popular main course at one of the feasts. In fact, the first seven stanzas of the song involve different types of birds that would have been served during the feasts. From my experience, our morning doves are rather discriminate and do nest almost anywhere. In the western part of Arizona, they are hunted as a popular game bird.

"Rhubarb Sauce is one of my Favorites!"

Prior to leaving Minnesota this past week, my sister Melissa packed one of my suitcases full of Rhubarb. This plant has always been a favorite with Norwegians and represents one of the first plants the sprout in the Spring.

Rhubarb is a very old plant. Its medicinal uses go back to 2700 BC when it was cultivated in China. It was not introduced into Europe until the 1600's. A planting of rhubarb is recorded in Italy in 1608 and 20-30 years later in Europe. In 1778 rhubarb is recorded as a food plant in Europe. The earliest known usage of rhubarb as a food appeared as a filling for tarts & pies.

In making my Rhubarb sauce, I use a simple sugar recipe which consists of two cups of water to one of sugar. Use a large pan, and then bring to a boil until the sugar is dissolved. Then, in a slow simmer, add about three cups plus of coarsely chopped rhubarb and simmer until the rhubarb has collapsed into a mass of stringy goop. If you are looking for a little more coloration, I would suggest adding strawberries into the mix, too.

"A Day at the Wild Kingdom in Omaha!

Spent the morning with Grand Nephew Jack at the Omaha Zoo. Saw many fantastic displays, gorillas and other apes, aquatic, coral, and even lemurs from Madagascar. Jack especially liked the gorillas and the monkeys, and of course the waddles from the penguins. Also amazing, is Jack's verbal skills, and how many ladies are now being wished a belated "Happy Mothers Day!"

Tonight, We are off to enjoy a Mongolian Barbecue.

In other news, Jim of 'Endless Season'fame took off this morning for Paris to experience and see the French Tennis Open. Perhaps our Americans will do better this year!

"Jack the Lawnmower Man!"

I bet you have never thought about the invention of the lawn mower. Well, for my grand nephew Jack, who is turning the ripe old age of two this week, the lawnmower is "his" thing. Currently, he has two lawnmowers, one for the outside and one for the inside. The inside mower is pictured in this blog and is the one that his grand uncle gave him for the Holidays, and as you can tell, "it is strictly a guy thing." Later this week, Jack will be celebrating his birthday, so my brother Greg and I did the "guy thing" again and went out and bought a bobcat, like the one in the picture, but smaller, and a truck. When I returned, I was happy to see that my niece was providing balance, because Jack also has a stove where he does his cooking, once he finishes his lawn chores, both outside and inside, even though there are no shag carpets.

Emma has a happy home!

This evening we had a wonderful chicken barbecue at my sister's which was topped off with rhubarb squares topped with natural vanilla ice cream. The hit of the evening, however was my niece's little lhasa apso dog, Emma, who was rescued a few years ago and is now approximately 8 years ago. In the photos, you will see my sister and brother and law's new patio deck along with some great photos of Emma running around, eating some chow and finally being cleaned up with a scrub and a bath.

Springtime at the Majorie McNeely Conservatory!

On Friday of this past week, along with bus loads of elementary children, I took time to visit the Majorie McNeely Conservatory in St. Paul. This Conservatory has charmed, educated and entertained millions of children and adults over the years. It is the largest glass domed garden in the Midwest and also includes an outside Japanese Garden which just opened May 1st.

Hmong International Village in St. Paul Minnesota!

Populating the city of St. Paul, Minnesota is one of the largest populations of Hmong people in the United States. According to the 2000 census there were 171,316 Hmong people in our country, primarily concentrated in Southern California and Minnesota. The Hmong are of Asian descent and were aligned with the US war effort against the Viet Cong rebels and North Vietnamese forces in South Vietnam. Today, the Hmong make up the largest Asian group in the state of Minnesota.

Behind a tall fence on a busy St. Paul street sits a small parcel of land that feels a long way from Minnesota and from Tucson for that matter. From the potholed parking lot of the International Marketplace its cluster of warehouses, tents, and open-air sheds seems rather unremarkable. But inside, the tropical produce, colorful Hmong costumes, Asian music videos, and scent of spicy food make the market seem almost indistinguishable from those halfway around the world.

On weekends, especially, the market's aisles are packed as densely as the streets of Ho Chi Minh City. There are piles of pastel padded bras and rows of smiling Buddhas. There are soup bowls, bedding, and cooking utensils; backpacks, tiger balm, and sandals; ginseng, arcade games, and gold-colored jewelry. And at the far end of the west building there's a food court where vendors ladle up murky brown soups and bright orange curries. Diners point to the prawns, sausages, and chicken wings displayed behind plastic shields, passing dollar bills and speaking in Hmong. Curious Caucasians are as scarce as spoken English.

Adventures in Auto Maintenance as told by Jim!

Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Adventures in auto maintenance as told by Jim on his blog...

"It was rainy day, but it was interesting and an adventure whenever Rich is in town. We planned a lunch at a local eatery, but ran into some problems with his 1994 Honda. It was a car that he drove from Tucson in the last few days to deposit here as transportation when he's in town. He had no problems until shortly after I rode with him to the local Ace Hardware store to get bolts to hold on his new Minnesota license plates. While we were in the store, his battery failed. We called AAA and the adventure began. After a trip to Sears and an encounter with Jim the Battery Man, who recommended a new alternator, Rich bought a battery charger and we came to my house to plug it in. The alternator would have cost nearly the same as the car's current resale value."

"We missed tennis. It was too cold, anyhow, in my opinion - barely 50 degrees. We did get a late lunch at the Pie Shoppe and a safe ride here in my trusty Matrix. It was a good time and as is usually the case, a day with Rich is not without interesting incidents. The whole story is his to tell."

"Endless Season" continues!

Today was spent playing some great tennis with my good friend and old tennis partner, Jim Miller. Over 48 years have passed since we first looked over the net at one another. During that time we have had many competitive matches which have been accompanied with some great memories and some good stories. Several years ago we commemorated our tennis by creating a traveling trophy called the "Endless Season". This trophy is given out whenever one of us is victorious. Well today, Jim whomped me in two sets. Afterwards, we shook hands and then I proceeded to break both of his racquets. Just kidding....our endless season continues!

Following tennis, I went for a run around the Lake of the Isles which is near my sister's home on Lake Harriet. The Lake of the Isles route is 13.1 miles, but my run was only four. The total trail system around Minneapolis extends over 50 miles and winds along many lakes and many elegant homes.

Minnesota arrival completed!

After driving nearly 2000 miles and traveling along many famous historical trails like the Sante Fe, the Oregon and the El Camino Real, I finally arrived safetly in Minnesota on Monday evening. Overall, the trip went without a hitch and the car performed admirably. Little did I realize the battery problems that lay ahead today on Tuesday and the need to call AAA for assistance. In the photos, my good friend Jim is showing the Minnesota registration of my Honda next to the Arizona plates. That's me with the jumper cables, and the Italian Pie is where we had a wonderful luncheon, not as planned, but delayed by three hours. Good anyway! Well tomorrow is a new day.....and we have some great tennis planned...plus back-up transportation if needed!

Denver Visit!

Visited my son today in Denver. We played tennis twice, and despite some wind, had a great time, while Josie looked on. Chad and Gina live in a very nice area of South Denver on Washington Street near Washington Park and Pearl Street. Today, Pearl street is a lively mix of businesses and exciting eateries. A leisurely stroll down Old Pearl street certainly harkens to a simpler time. Besides that, I also got a look at my son's new Scooter...Yellow, no less!