Summer Days in Middleton, WI

It is a great time to buy a home! And have I got the location for you!

Middleton, WI, is loaded with small town charm. We have extensive bike trails and parks, proximity to Madison and its sports and cultural happenings, and the Capitol Brewery Bier Garden! CNN/Money Magazine voted Middleton the best place to live in 2007 and it came in 4th last year.

I wanted to share these photos I took at Lakeiew Park yesterday. All you have to do is text, call or email me and I can get you into a new home in lovely Middleton.

The Splash Pad at Lakeview Park, Middleton, WI

Little girl at the Splash Pad in Lakeview Park, in Middleton WI

Gazebo at Lakeview Park in Middleton WI

Who Says You Can't Play with Your Food?

What a creative man with a sense of whimsy!  Watch this video of the talented Linsey Pollak making and playing his carrot clarinet. Below description is taken directly from his website:

Making Jam

Making Jam is a solo show by Linsey Pollak. It’s for people of all ages, and as with many of Linsey’s previous shows it’s about making music from the things around us.

Making Jam is the best of Linsey at his craziest, wildest and most inventive musically…and features music made with many crazy objects.

In Making Jam we get to hear flutes, panpipes and clarinets made from garden hose and bagpipes made from rubber gloves. We also hear music made from dental floss, carrots (of course), satay sticks and a music stand. Some newly created instruments will be unveiled such as “Raven”.

In this show Linsey is himself. There is no Kevin (as in Knocking on Kevin’s Door), no Ivan or Stefan (as in The Art of Food) and the focus is on the music itself and jamming – (Making Jam).

The Top 10 Summertime Things Madisonians Never Tire Of:

10. Fireworks

9. Live Music (especially outdoors)

8. Sports (from softball to World Cup Soccer)

7. Beer

6. Microbrewery beers

5. Brats

4. Biking

3. Memorial Union

2. Farmers’ Markets

1. Sunshine


(Photo by local photographer Alfredo Lopez)

Vacation Destination: New Mexico's Chaco Canyon

Chaco Canyon , a National Historic Park in Nageezi New Mexico, was the hub of the Southwest for the entire Native Anazazi culture from 900 to 1130 AD. Roads lead out in all directions and you must still travel several miles of dirt roads to see these extensive well preserved ruins.  I was so amazed that 1000 year old timbers supporting doorways were still intact because of the hot and dry weather. Here are a few of my pictures taken in May 2009.  Take yourself away to a different world. It is worth the trip!

Worldwide photowalk

Two worldwide events in a row?  You do not have to be naked for this one but you do have to bring your camera.  Scott Kelby's 3rd Annual Worldwide Photowalk is Saturday July 24, 2010.  I am posting this now so that you will have  time to sign up.  Such an awesome event which is happening in a city or country near you. Steve Wetzel, an incredible photographer, deftly led us last year and will be leading us again this year on a twilight walk. Take a look at the official Worldwide Photowalk  website.  It is awe-inspiring to see the exqusite photographs in remote and exotic locations, as well as all over the US. “Can’t stop smiling” By Bossakorn Buena  of Amphawa, Thailand was the "Best in Show." I also met some interesting people: besides all of the participating photographers, a few people came up to me and asked to have their pictures taken to make sure they were not missing out on something important. I saw some groovy street musicians, and even  a guy with a huge boa constrictor wrapped around his neck standing outside the Walgreens.  Here are four of my pictures, too.

Moons Over Madison: Madison's World Naked Bike Ride

My (mandatory) counterclockwise stroll around the Capitol Square for the Farmers Market on Saturday was a feast for the eyes with gorgeous plants and flowers, rhubarb, snap peas, mushrooms, smoked rainbow trout, and cheddar chive scones all vying for my attention. They could not compete, though, when semi-clothed and naked people rode their bicycles around the square! My companion, who is from the Twin Cities, commented, "This is so Madison!" It did happen to be an apparently world wide event protesting independence from oil and positive body image. Check out the video.

Well, after all, we do have  Cows on the Concourse every year at the Farmers Market, too.  And, hey California, very happy cows they are!

The market, even without special events, is such a delightful tradition and the place where you bring every single person who visits you from out of town, and mourn the last one of the season, scooping up apples and pumpkins and mums.

Memorial Union:The Heart and Soul of UW Madison

It is hard to explain the Memorial Union. It is, rather, a feeling. A breeze. The music. Also dogs, kids, students, alumni, sunbathers, dates, great debates, pitchers of beer, popcorn, Babcock Hall orange chocolate chip, sunburst chairs, Hoofer tech boats. Peeling off most of your clothes and jumping into the lake. Arriving three hours before the music starts. On purpose. My friend, Dick Statz, took the picture on the right, which goes a long ways towards capturing the ambiance of the Union. Ahhhhh. . .summer in Madison.