Crete

No, I haven't let the blog go idle. For much of the last two weeks we were on Crete the annual European computer graphics conference (http://www.ics.forth.gr/eg2008/home.php). As always, we loved seeing friends (I started to say "old friends" but most of them are younger than we) and we enjoyed seeing a new part of the world. The photo shows a small dinner group at the harbor at Hersonissos, where the conference was held.
We had been to Chania, on the western end of the island, before, but this time we saw the middle and eastern parts. There are many interesting things on Crete from different eras in the island's history. Perhaps the best known is the Minoan palace at Knossos, just south of Heraklion, partially (and controversially) rebuilt by Sir Arthur Evans. Here is a photo from that palace showing some of the reconstruction.
Another wonderful Minoan site is at Malia, about 30 km east of Heraklion. There is much less reconstruction here, but the palace was smaller than Knossos and the layout is clearer.
Besides the Minoan sites, there are many things left from the Ottoman and Venetian eras. The fortresses at the harbors in Chania, Rethymno, Heraklion, and Ierapetra are examples of these, and the photo is from Heraklion.
We had a great time and look forward to the next chance to travel to an interesting place and see good friends. Keep watching this space...

Barberries

When Judy and I decided where to live in Iowa City, she was more interested in a condo where all the outside work would be contracted with the association. I wanted a house because I wanted a yard. We decided on a house, but she insisted that she would not have to do any of the outside work. I can live with that, and we do get help for some outside things (especially things like getting the driveway plowed out in the winter and getting the yard mowed in the winter). But sometimes I feel like I should do something myself. And sometimes that something is bigger than I thought.

So a few days ago the day was nice and I was feeling energetic, so I decided to prune the barberry bushes in front of the house. I knew when I started that barberry is a VERY thorny bush, so I wore gloves and thought I was being careful. But it had been a couple of years since they were last pruned, so there was a lot to be cut (see photo). I knew I got a few thorns, but I managed to get a lot of little pieces in my hands that I've been picking out. ouch! Maybe next time I'll pick an easier job when I feel energetic. Maybe I'll just stop feeling energetic. Or maybe I'll see if I can get Rick to do some of these things now that he's in town...

Springtime?

Springtime proceeds by fits and starts in the upper Midwest. Last weekend there were frogs calling all day (and night) long in the little stream behind the house, and yesterday we had a brief but active snowfall.I know it will be spring soon because the daffodils and tulips are putting up little green shoots, and three months from now we'll be begging for just a taste of the cold weather we had yesterday. But right now I wonder...

Iowa swamps

It's still early spring here in Iowa. After the very heavy snowfalls and a rainy day, we have a lot of water in the woods just below our yard. You can tell how early the spring is -- the trees haven't wakened yet and the grasses are only a little green.


Even though this is only an urban swamp with a paved walk right next to it, it does have its own charms; the other evening we were walking along here and nine deer walked across the trail and up into the woods. Nice.

Happy April!

It's April, and even here that means springtime is about on us. Yesterday morning I saw just a bit of snow left in a heavily-shaded spot, but it was so warm yesterday that I believe it's gone today. So today's note was going to be "The snow's finally gone!" -- we've had snow on the ground since the beginning of December, and five month is an awfully long time.

But.

But this morning we were getting the day going, having our first cuppa and watching the Today show, and we looked out the window and saw snow falling. Not a lot, and not for long, but enough to be reminded that winter holds on a long time in the upper midwest and only lets go grudgingly.

Still, there are traces of green in the gardens and planters around town, and some buds are swelling on the redbud tree we planted in the edge of our woods last summer, so spring is coming. spring is coming. spring is coming. There, I said it three times fast, so it must be true...