I find myself in Des Moines (the Monks) Iowa on Easter Sunday. Very green, quiet and clean.
Here’s the Iowa State Capitol.
… hmm.
I often don’t like slideshows on the internet. But this slideshow interface looks OK. Leave a comment if you’ve an opinion.
related – Des Moines is NOT Boring
… most are horrific, be warned.
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Bibi Aisha, an 18-year-old woman from Oruzgan province in Afghanistan, fled back to her family home from her husband’s house, complaining of violent treatment. The Taliban arrived one night, demanding Bibi be handed over to face justice. After a Taliban commander pronounced his verdict, Bibi’s brother-in-law held her down and her husband sliced off her ears and then cut off her nose. Bibi was abandoned, but later rescued by aid workers and the U.S. military. (Jodi Bieber)
see the rest on BuzzFeed
(via Kottke)
Reg took my Dad and I out to lunch at The Shipyard, Maple Bay.
On a sunny February day, we toured the Marina.
Next we drove down the road to Genoa Bay.
For some bizarre reason — lately — I’ve been “running” for up to 2hrs, several times / week. Must be endorphins.
I jog most of the time. Listening to my book on audio. And stopping frequently to take photos.
One of the best days was at Englishman River Falls Provincial Park near my parent’s place in Parksville, B.C.
Turns out ‘winter’ in the Pacific N.W. is beautiful.
Happy
Valentines
Day
(via Gymnastics Coaching)
Diana took us out two different mornings.
With Chris …
see more photos
With James …
see more photos
Fantastic weather for February!
I’d completely forgotten about this excellent photo taken by my buddy George Novak. We were two of the first few visitors in the gate this day … a few years ago.
Here’s another of George’s Machu Picchu pics.
THANKS George.
Boxing Day the McCharles clan headed for one of the highlights of Vancouver Island, the World Parrot Refuge.
The Refuge has over 800 parrots, a dedicated team of staff and volunteer carers, and 23,000 square feet of heated indoor free-flight aviaries with plans for 16,000 square feet of easily accessed outdoor flights for the warmer months. ..
It was a blast. Only $12 / person entrance fee.
Virtual Adoption is one way to sponsor a parrot. Another is to buy a parrot painting (VIDEO) … that’s a painting painted by a parrot, by the way.
Rick McCharles 