Hey gang!
So a couple weeks ago — or was it three? — I said Bad Joke Monday would return today.
Hold up… actually, I believe my exact words were “should arrive” today. Key word: should.
In other words, I didn’t exactly lie. More like allowed myself an out by embracing the power of total uncertainty.
The fact is, I didn’t account for the time required to illustrate the jokes and beings how I got zero drawings done these last three weeks, I’m going to have to put off BJM until next Monday.
Really sorry about that. Especially for those of you who marked your calendars and set a phone notification so you wouldn’t miss BJM’s return.
To make it up to you, I’m going to show you some pictures of the hike I took yesterday with Husband, rather than sit at home and draw illustrations for BJM. (click on an image to enlarge)
These were all taken at Lindbergh State Park, just a hop, skip and a jump across the Mississippi River from our house. (Though we drove rather than hop.)
I don’t know if I’ve mentioned it before, but the town in which I live was the boyhood home of famed aviator, Charles Lindbergh, Jr. Except the park is actually named for his father, Charles Sr., who served as a U.S. Congressperson from 1907-1917.
I could go on and on about the Lindbergh family. In my opinion they are fascinating, though at times their politics were deeply troubling. But rather than go on and on, I’ll let you look them up on Wikipedia.
Back to our walk, here’s a picture of where Charles Jr. landed his first plane, “Jenny”, in 1923:
According to the nearby sign:
Earlier that year, to the “unenthusiastic support” of his parents, the twenty-one-year-old Lindbergh had ridden his Harley-Davidson to Souther Field in Americus, Georgia, traded the motorcycle and $440 for the WWI-surplus Jenny, then flew it away — his first solo flight.
Switching from a motorcycle to a war surplus plane… can’t imagine why his parents weren’t enthusiastic about it.
Here are a few more photos before I go:
Hopefully you are able to see why I chose a walk over drawing illustrations? Autumn may be on her way out, but she still has a bit to say before she goes. And I, for one, was anxious to listen.
I even collected a few of her prettiest leaves and before we left, I gave some as an offering to the carved turtle who guards the path.
Until next week, my friends, keep smiling!
Feeding on Folly 
Beautiful photos, especially the turtle! 🙂 A very enjoyable vicarious ramble.
Yes, I’ve always found the Lindberghs an interesting family and the politics troubling- that’s the right word for it.
Thanks, Lynette. It was indeed a enjoyable trek.
And now may I pause just to reiterate how much I hate this new WP block editor? It not only made writing this short post difficult, but the publishing tools kept playing a “now you see us, now you don’t!” game. And so somehow I wound up publishing this at 1 a.m. rather than 1 p.m. UGGGHHH!
So yeah. The Lindberghs are troubling. 😉
But not as troubling as the blockhead. 😉 You might be interested in this post: https://thespectacledbean.com/
There are tips in the comments for getting around the block rock. WP really needs to be rapped for this one. They are causing a lot of issues.
Much appreciated, Lynette. Someone else told me the workaround, but that was like, a month ago, so of course I didn’t remember. This time I’ll bookmark it.
Forget rapping WP, they oughta be flogged!
I love your pictures as much as your drawings.
The Lindbergh’s were a very interesting family but to me Ann Morrow Lindbergh’s poetry is very moving and beautiful.
Thanks, JC. I don’t think I’ve read her poetry but I have her book, “Gift from the Sea” and love it. Shame she was so infatuated with fascism, but then she wasn’t the only American so blinded pre-WWII. We tend to gloss over those little details in our history.
And I never got around to posting a bad joke (though, truthfully, I did think about it! I can’t blame you for taking an autumn walk instead. Looks like a lovely outing.
Think of it this way: You’ll just be all the more ready for next week!
(Gosh, I better not build this up too much. I still haven’t drawn anything. Ack!)
Lovely pictures! Glad you got to get out and enjoy what’s left of fall up north 🙂
Yes, it’s gorgeous this time of year. As you are well aware! 😉
Looks like a wonderful place to hike.
It is! Lots of paths to get lost on, though my husband kept looking at the map. (Spoil sport)
Love that turtle!! The pictures are beautiful – I love a good Fall hike. xo
Thanks Sandy. The turtle is great, as is his companion, the frog. No idea who carved them but I’m sure glad they did. 🙂
Thanks for the pics they are outstanding. To me your photography and drawings are great. I’ll take either one anytime. Yes the Lindberghs, didn’t he have another family while he was married to Ann Morrow. I love her poetry. Her words often ring in my ears when I write
Thank you for the compliment!
And I believe you’re right — I think Jr. had children with another woman. I guess as a rich Senator’s son, he had a hard time denying himself anything.
This was always my favorite time of year in Minnesota, taking advantage of that supersedes (I can no longer say “trumps” in a positive way…) any corny jokes, despite the inspired artwork. We’re still a couple weeks from peak color here.
As for calling Lindbergh’s politics troubling, that’s kind of like Noah saying, “hmm, looks like rain…”
I appreciate your workaround for that particular word. Though I can’t see it for the popular phrase: Love supersedes Hate.
And yeah, I suppose you’re right: troubling is perhaps a little mild for Hitler groupies. But hey, at least they tried to “distance” themselves from it later. 😒
That looks gorgeous, and I love the turtle. Thanks for sharing, good the read your happy style again, I have been very remiss about visiting.
Thank you for the kind words, Claudette. I miss you when you’re away, but please don’t feel guilty in any way. We’ll take whatever amount of creative-Claudette-comings-and-goings you care to share. 😉
Ah, you are so kind Christi. I am a creature of habit, but sometimes those become just that – a habit! This is what makes it lose it’s appeal, as if it is just another chore to be done during the day/week.
Oh, I understand that sentiment very well! There are times I have to remind myself I really DO enjoy blogging and I’d miss it if I stopped. Otherwise, yeah, it can sometimes feel like a chore. Especially when WP throws a new editor at you. (argh!!!)
The photos are lovely and… hold up! Is that a glimpse of the elusive species known as Husband? Or is it just a random stranger who is trying to walk away as politely but quickly as he can? And even if it IS Husband, he still seems to be escaping.
Is there something you need to tell us about your hiking style that might cause people to flee? A bit stompy, perhaps? The swish-swish of your corduroy pantalones? Excessive pointing at things that everybody can already see? Go ahead, you can tell us. It’s a safe space here. Unless Lindbergh tries to land another plane…
Why, yes! That IS a rare glimpse of the Husband species in the wild. What a clever boy you are! Though as to his behavior, you are only half right in your deductions. Yes, I am the hiker who points things out, and I also climb over rocks, go off trail, scamper through the woods with free abandon and get completely lost in the process. Husband, however, is VERY intent on following the trail from point A to point B and will check the map several times to verify he is, indeed, on the right path. Which of course he is.
He is also listening to an audio book, as he does on every hike. Whether that qualifies as a means of “fleeing” from me, I choose not to think about. 😉