I'm back!!  A few photos from our trip to Turkey in 2013.

Apostle Islands Trip

We spent a few days camping on Madeline Island in Lake Superior at the end of September. Chilly for a night or two, then warmed up a bit. We had Big Bay State Park almost to ourselves. Madeline Island is the largest of the 22 Apostle Islands and the only one that it not part of the National Lakeshore thus people live on it.

A beautiful tree-lined island with upcropings every now and then of pasture. Discovered the recently opened Madeline Island School of the Arts which might be a good place to study writing in the future. Hiked every day. Enjoyed talking to the locals about their experiences living on an island which is expensive to get on and off (ferry boat only) except during a small window of opportunity when an ice road is created to allow residents and visitors to drive the 2.5 miles to the mainland in the winter.

A great 5 night get-away. Beautiful leaves also throughout Wisconsin on the way up to the lake.

Mexico

Spent two weeks in Mexico in May. Visited the Presidential palace in Mexico City, the crafters in Oaxaca, parasailed in Acapulco and walked the winding streets of Taxco. Plus, of course, visited lots of ruins.

New York City

Yes, I went to New York City over Christmas and got in on one of the heaviest snowfalls there in a while. Just kept plowing through the snow though because, as you know, the subway runs almost non-stop--as long as it's below ground.

Had the privilege to go to Marjorie Eliot's apartment on the upper west side to hear jazz/gospel on Dec. 26. Visited standard traditions like Rockefeller Center, Empire State Building and Staten Island also. Plus had great Turkish, Indian and Caribbean food.

Great to be back in the city again!!

Utah

Yes, I have been negligent about writing again. George and I traveled to Utah last month to Canyonlands, Momument Valley and Arches National Parks. Camped for 5 nights. B&B'ed it for one. Hiked every day. Really enjoyed ourselves. This is a view from our tent in Momument Valley during sunrise. We hiked around the "mitten" --as this monument is called--the night before.

MIni tales

I've been so involved with my new life in SE Iowa, that I've completely forgotten about blogging. I have been on some mini weekend vacations though. Discovered Oakland Mills County Park and Geode State Park. Oakland Mills is right on the Skunk River, has hiking trails and a cool new swinging bridge. Plus camping, fishing from the dam or shore and a remodeled nature center.

Went kayaking last weekend at a small fishing lake (Gladstone Lake) in Illinois. Have visited the Villages of Van Buren County, watched a barge and tug go through Lock No. 18 on the Mississippi, discovered new restaurants and generally had fun. Here's a photo taken in my backyard.

Jack Frost

Just got back from a short walk. Very refreshing! 5 degrees with lots of snow drifts. Loved it. Of course, wore my Yak Traks which prevented me from slipping. This photo is from Jack Frost's visit last weekend.

Flight of Passage

I finished reading "Flight of Passage" a memoir by Rinker Buck a couple of weeks ago. A great read if you're looking for humor and adventure. It's about two young men who fly across the United States during the summer of 1966 in a Piper Cub.

Love and hate

I am having a love/hate relationship with my new life.

Some days go like this:
1. Sleep in until 6:30-7:00 (ha, ha, to all those people who work in the real world)
2. Check email to see what job possibilities have come to me overnight
3. Head to DMACC for classes
4. Class
5. Work out
6. Class
7. Head home for a short break
8. Back to night class
9. Follow up with homework the next day

Yes, I'm back in school as well as still job hunting. Love the classes!

Work at 181 Gallery online exhibit

Check out this link: an online exhibit that includes one of my art pieces:
http://www.design.iastate.edu/30/alumnishow.php#id=alumni09&num=121

Also, check out the rest of the art there. 30 pieces were chosen for the 181 Gallery studio show which is open now in the College of Design at Iowa State University.

One of my facebook friends, Chris Martin was accepted into the "real" show. His piece is here:
http://www.design.iastate.edu/30/alumnishow.php#id=alumni09&num=114

If these links don't work properly, just go to the Index and scroll to find the artists' names.

Also note that Chris and Tammi Martin's Peace Corps link is listed on this page as one of the blogs that I'm following. They have just completed their first year in Ghana. http://chrismartinfurniture.blogspot.com/

Be sure and read their post about seeing President Obama in Africa. Very cool.

Work for sale

Some of my artwork is for sale at Vintage Home and Garden in New Virginia, Iowa. Check it out.

I love this shop. It is open the 2nd Saturday of the month.

The Middle Place

Just finished reading "The Middle Place" by Kelly Corrigan. A good read. Very funny and insightful. See her website here: www.KellyCorrigan.com. I saw her at Hoyt Sherman Place in Des Moines a few weeks ago. Read her book to the light of my headlamp in the tent while in Wyoming.

Magical Yellowstone and the Tetons

We hiked to String Lake in the Tetons.

This was an early morning shot in Yellowstone. The hot springs and a formerly burned area of the park.

The wild, wild west.

This bison was right outside of our tent at Norris campground in Yellowstone National Park. I'm shooting this video from inside our tent and that is the tent flap you see flapping in the wind back and forth.

National Parks special

On May 1, George and I heard Dayton Duncan, speak on his upcoming public television series on the national park system. Dayton is originally from Indianola and is an award winning writer and documentary filmmaker. The lecture was held at Simpson College. A great pleasure to hear him. Got us interested in using our parks pass again this year before it expires so will be headed west in the near future.

South America

Oh, how I love South America. PBS is having a South American blow-out today. All of their shows are featuring that continent. With my job lay-off, I don't know when I'll be able to go back. So, I'm putting a few of my favorite photos here.

Assemblage Show

Some of my work is being shown at Instinct Gallery in downtown Des Moines. The opening reception is Saturday, April 18 from 7-11 p.m. Instinct Gallery is located at 1408 Locust St. Hope to see you there.

More blogging

I was invited to be part of a blogging group for WHO-TV, Channel 13 related to unemployment/job searching in Iowa. It's at: http://whojobseekers.blogspot.com/. Be sure and check it out. At the bottom of each blog, it says who it was posted by. Mine will say, "Posted by Sheri"

The keys

It's predictable that you will have mixed emotions about leaving your job. What was interesting to me though was what triggered these emotions. The first trigger I had was my keychain. It was immediately lighter in weight. I had to give back three hefty, old-fashioned keys to the building I worked in. The lightness of my keychain was a trigger--both good and bad. Not only did it signify a cleansing, a new beginning, a chance to start over with my life--it also brought great sadness to me. No more would I be able to roam the hallowed silent halls of my workplace as I worked in the early hours or into the evening when other workers had long gone home or would I be able to hear the laughter of students and colleagues filling the bustling building during work hours. Still, one month later, when I pick up my keys, I think of what had been such a part of my life. I know the sad memories will fade though and the positive will prevail. A fresh start is ahead of me. I don't have the weight of those keys to carry around any more.

Is it a bird or plane?

I had a job interview last week. One of the questions asked of me was: "If you were to describe yourself as a bird, would it be a woodpecker or hummingbird, and WHY?

I loved the question. I have no idea which was the "right" answer, but I picked "woodpecker, as I said that woodpeckers are persistent. That they keep pecking at the tree until they get the job done. Was that a good answer or bad? I have another interview tomorrow. Can't wait to hear what I'm asked there!