Scorched Sunflowers & Follow-Ups

From what I noticed this afternoon we got up to 98ºF (37ºC), with a feels-like temperature of 114ºF (46ºC).  Definitely the hottest day of the year so far, but thankfully we should just be regular-hot the rest of the week.

The sunflower on the outside of the back steps was the first to bloom, but the petals are rather deformed.  This is the second one to bloom, and is a bit more picturesque.  That first one has no other blooms starting off the stem, while this one has them coming in all the way down.  I'm not sure why some of my mammoth sunflowers have multiple blooms and others don't.  Perhaps one is male and the other is female, I'm not sure.  The first batch planted are definitely the strongest, though, while the second plantings are much smaller plants yet still growing buds.

Our air quality is back to normal levels, though there is still smoke out there so if the winds shift the right way we may get smoky again.  I think I heard something like the smoke would affect us about one day a year until 2020, and has averaged about 8 days a year since.  That would explain why it seems like more now - because it is.

The protests continue with base camp at the intersection where it happened and nearby streets shut down.  The city has been working with them, providing port-o-potties and trash collection while working with the protesters to keep up services and driveway access for the unfortunate residents in the area.  One of which is a friend, who is not enjoying the extra traffic and hassle.  I'm not sure how long it will continue but would surely calm down if they announced criminal charges against the police officer.  Seems to be the right thing to do, but no rant on this today.

The neighbors have added some interesting lights to their house.  It was red, white and blue earlier this month for the holiday, and was like this the other night.  Thankfully we only have two windows on that side so it doesn't really affect us at all. I find it to be an interesting choice, what do you think?

And, finally, I'm feeling much better and practically back to normal after my fall a couple weeks ago.  When you're young you can bounce, and I haven't been young in a long time.  It would behoove me to avoid any more falls in the future, I think. 

Oh, and the new roof should be happening very soon, but I don't have a date yet.  Have a great week, everyone!

AtwoodFest 2026 - Canceled

Yesterday the decision was made to cancel this year's AtwoodFest, scheduled for today and tomorrow.  Since Wednesday, Madison has been in the national news for another cop killing a bad guy with excessive force, an incident that happened here on the near east side of town.  The ensuing outrage and protests have led to many event delays and cancellations over the last couple of days.

It just never stops.  Why can't we all just get along and do what's right in this world?

A Hot, Smoky Mess

I don't remember getting smoked out when I was younger, but we've had our moments over the last several years of smoke from wildfires moving in and depleting our air quality.  That's what's happening again now.

I took this picture while driving on my way to work this morning.  Looks like just a haze or a fog, but actually there's not a cloud in the sky, it's all smoke from wildfires in Canada and Minnesota.  And it got worse as the day went on, getting officially to 'hazardous' levels.  But should clear up to 'unhealthy' or 'very unhealthy' tomorrow, though I expect it to fluctuate a lot until we get a system to move this out.  This story has been national news the last couple days as it stretches from here in the Midwest all the way to the more important populated northeast states.

Not much else has happened since I last posted.  I took a stupid fall in the basement on Saturday afternoon, bruising my whole left side.  I took Monday and Tuesday off work, and when I went into work on Wednesday I used my cane, which just freaked out management.  I wound up being sent home and forced to see a doctor to fill out their paperwork before I could go back.  I knew a doctor wouldn't be able to do anything for me, but I saw one anyway and got their paperwork filled out.  I have some minor restrictions until Monday, and I'm sure I'll be good to go by then.

Meanwhile, our temperatures have been hotter this week than when I complained a couple posts ago, but should break soon.  The lawn needs mowing, weeds need spraying, and paint needs to be looked at and used/saved.  But it's very likely nothing will be done until the weekend.

Hope all is well where you are.  Cheers.

Project Updates & Sunflowers

I started this morning with grand plans of repainting all of the garage trim, then I remembered how much I hate painting.  I wound up just painting the lower parts of the trim and doing touch-up where needed.  If it doesn't blend well then I'll repaint all the rest tomorrow as the paint is still good but the rim has rusted out so this will be the last use of this quart, this weekend.  I know I get no style points for my paint job, but function over form for this project.

Meanwhile, I chose a contractor for roofing the house, porch and garage.  We will keep the gutters we have on the house as there's only one small dent on one side, but will replace the downspout that got all beat up.  Last time we did the roof we did not do the porch as we thought we'd be replacing it.  Well, that hasn't happened so we will have a new roof put on that and have the gutters replaced, and all gutters will get a gutter guard so I will no longer have to climb a ladder around the house twice a year to clean them out.  We considered putting gutters on the garage and getting a rain barrel by the garden.  It's still something I dream of doing, but not at this time to keep costs down.  The process of choosing a contractor was harder than it should have been, but that was mostly on the contractors I talked to (or got ghosted by).  The work is planned for sometime in a two week window starting later this month, I should know more soon.

If you remember, as part of our 2024 street reconstruction project included a footbridge across the creek.  That part of the project was stalled due to permitting issues, we were told, but construction is expected to begin this fall and be completed in 2027.  This unnecessary expenditure comes as the city is asking all departments to slash their budgets, still broke though we residents inexplicably voted to let them raise our property taxes to above state-mandated levels a couple years ago.  Egad, what a waste.  We can't wait for these city elections to oust everyone in office right now.

Still peak summer here, with the yard and gardens so alive.  The cone flowers have gotten really tall in the stump area, so no pots on the stump were actually needed this year.  Day lilies that Kate planted a few years ago are bursting with blooms, and other flowers come and go.

If you peek over the fence on the left you'll see the neighbor is getting a new fence to match ours installed today.

The sunflowers have had a hard go of it this year.  Out of 54 planted we have 15 left, so almost 3/4 of them have been lost.  I'll post the rundown after the break, otherwise have a great weekend!

Spring Happenings, Gnomes, and Hail Insurance

Seemingly overnight, the yard and gardens look to be gearing up for summer mode.  The last throes of winter seem to linger a long time many years, and snow this late is not unheard of.  But by now the grass is green, the trees are getting their leaves and flower garden plants are reappearing.  Lilacs are blooming and the purple puff balls have been opening.  The stump area is showing wildflower plants that have self-seeded, after us sowing the last two years.  Lots of weeding everywhere, but that's what's required if you want a nice lawn and gardens with as few chemicals as possible.  Still an endless battle all year, but easier if you get on top of it early.  I mowed the front yard on Tuesday and the back yard yesterday for the first mows of the season.   It's low mow May, remember, if that matters for a yard with no flowering weeds for the pollinators...

We grilled out brats for the first time this season on Friday, and replenished the mulch between the gardens on Saturday.  Only a few of the garlics planted last fall survived due to the mild temperatures late last year, but plans have been made for planting the rest of the gardens soon.  Kate is planting lettuce a bit at a time indoors to hopefully keep waves of lettuce ready for us in the garden at any time for the foreseeable future.  I planted sunflower seeds for home yesterday, and in another week will start more sunflower seeds to take to work and plant with our clients.  I got plant stakes that they can decorate sometime while I'm on vacation that we will then use to mark where we plant them in the back yard perimeter.  (There is a landscaping crew that comes weekly to mow and clean up, thus the need for markers.)  I have a vacation starting in about a week and a half, so more plantings and pots and ornamental hangings will come then.

Summer has always been my favorite season, but right about this time of spring is feeling mighty nice right now.  The old gnome, now 14 years old, is looking rather battered where he lives under the lilac, from the years and now what may be a squirrel gnawing at him.  There are gnomes to come yet.  I have several smaller that I want to place around the yard that will make me smile when I see them.

On a different note, the major hail storm we had a couple weeks ago caused enough damage that I just had to call the insurance company and file a couple of claims.  One for my wife's car which sustained many good dents and the broken windshield, current repair estimated to be over 1300 dollars.  She has to decide now if it is worth it to fix or just eventually sell the wheelchair van, at a loss anyway, as is and just keep the check now or get the repairs.  Neighbor Jane said they totaled her car, though she intends to keep it.

The other claim is for the house damage, mainly consisting of the broken basement storm window, numerous dents in the siding, window flashing, gutters, and damaged window screens, mostly all on the west and south sides of the house and garage.  Then there's both roofs, new in 2016.  Late Neighbor Dave's house's roof is two years old and they said to me they were told it needed to be replaced.  We had an inspector for the insurance company out yesterday morning to inspect and document everything, and it appears to be much more than I initially considered.  It's possible we get a brand new roof and siding out of this.

The roof would be relatively easy, the siding a different story.  Any settlement I would not expect to include the entire house for siding replacement, so we would surely be upgrading out of our own funds, as well.  Plus, I suspect there may be a lot of rotted wooden siding underneath the aluminum siding we have now, so would expect extra expense for repairs.  Also, we have a bodged three season porch attached at the back of the house.  A very nice space that we greatly appreciate having, but is nowhere near built to code, and interestingly attached to the house but falling away slowly.  Another expense to work around it, and even more, much more, to replace the porch entirely.

Decisions will need to be made.

Hail, No!

Yesterday's hail, probably the biggest I've seen, and some of the damage it caused us. Still, there were tornadoes around so we may have gotten off easy.

Green & Rain

The lawn has turned green, the lilac and trees have buds, and the flowerbed areas have come alive.  Spring is here, helped by good amounts of rain and thunderstorms.  Today will be our warmest day yet, getting to about 78ºF.  We had sun earlier today, but I didn't get a picture in time and now the clouds have moved back in and will be staying awhile.

Somehow it seems fitting that I have a terrible cold, just my luck.  I felt it coming on Friday and Saturday, but still felt good enough to stay active and get some things done.  I've been down for the count ever since.  I'm trying to feel better today, my wife even got me out of the house for a short walk.  I should be able to work tomorrow, but it may be a very long day.  I mentioned recently that I wanted to take a day or two off before my May vacation.  Well, this is it, I guess.

Last night's storm was pretty bad in areas, with downed trees and power outages across southern Wisconsin.  The warm temperatures will fuel more storms this evening, continuing overnight, and looks like plenty of rain yet tomorrow.  We'll have to keep an eye on the basement, but there's not as much to get up off the floor as there used to be.  Just two rugs, I think.

We saw the creek was pretty full on our walk, and flowing pretty well.  You know it's full when you can't see the rocks on the sides anymore.  Might be worth checking tomorrow evening after several more inches of rain.  I don't think we'll have any flooding issues like we had several years ago, 2018, but this is a lot of water in a short time.  Only two ducks spotted on the creek today.  And no spring burn this year, but not unusual because they did it last year and I believe they only do it every other year.

Not much else to say.  I'm feeling a bit better though still pretty tired.  I have until tomorrow morning then back to work, better or not.

Back And Forth, But Crocus!

It's official, spring is imminent in Wisconsin.  Today was beautiful, sunny and getting into the mid-50's this afternoon, so I took a walk around the back yard today after arriving home.  I was hoping for, yet still surprised to see, the purple crocus coming up in the back yard.  Only three small clumps like this one, but surely many more to come.

Our weather has been back and forth recently, occasional bits of snow and/or cold mixed with sun and above freezing to very pleasant days like today.  As it usually is for us in spring, more so than fall, it seems.  Tomorrow is colder with rain expected, but the forecast is very encouraging, though still with some of that back and forth.  

I know the crocus are probably the first really encouraging sign of spring for me, as snowdrops are for others.  Aside from the better temperatures, there is spring training baseball, March Madness basketball, maybe seeing buds on the trees or the first robin, or in my case, Mom coming back home. What other occurrences help you change your mindset from winter to spring?

Groundhog Day

Yesterday was Groundhog Day.  Primarily a North American tradition that stems from the European tradition of Candlemas, though it seems there are similar weather-predicting folklore around the world.

Locally, Jimmy the Groundhog in nearby Sun Prairie did not see his shadow so predicted an early spring.  More famously, Punxsutawney Phil was frightened by his shadow and predicted 6 more weeks of winter.  

I never realized there were so many groundhogs making predictions until I did a search for this post.  Groundhog-day dot com seems to have a comprehensive list, but only shows 4 (of 89), including Jimmy, that have been predicting for over 50 years with many more being added especially in the last couple decades.

So what does this mean?  Pretty much nothing except that people love a goofy tradition.

Well, after this last cold spell most around here would welcome an early spring.  I know I'm over winter, especially recently having a bad cold (which is why I am home from work today).

So far I seem to be asking a question at the end of my posts this year.  Here's another one:  Do you have a local groundhog or similar tradition?  If so, what was the prediction?

Cold Spell

By early yesterday afternoon schools and businesses were starting to announce closings for today, Friday.  Including my work, so I get a free day off today.

When I got up this morning temperatures were around -18ºF (-28ºC) with wind chills nearing -40ºF (-40ºC).  The high today is only -8ºF (-13ºC).  Let that sink in.

We are stuck in a bit of a cold spell, for sure.  Even the extended forecast only shows highs in the single digits to low teens.  Kate's birthday was earlier in the week, so surely the start of deep winter for us.

Today's picture was taken from inside, for obvious reasons.  While it appears to be a beautiful day outside we will not be leaving the house.  I forgot to turn off my alarm so I was up early to see the ugly numbers above, that's enough.

I just got up from a nap a bit ago since I stayed up late last night, and have no real plans for the day.  Later we'll make home made pizza for dinner, and if I get bored soon enough I may even make another batch of pizza dough for the freezer.  In fact, I'll be in for most of the weekend so I should figure out something interesting to bake.  Any ideas?

Leaf-Free Streets II

Click the pic to read it much more easily!

Before Halloween I put out the sign we requested and received from Clean Lakes Alliance promoting leaf-free streets to help prevent phosphorus from fallen leaves entering our lakes, which contributes to massive algae blooms in the summer.  My thought was that hopefully parents would see and read it when trick or treating with their kids, and maybe even neighbors would join in.  I know we can only do so much, but at least we're doing something.

We'd been pretty windy the last couple weeks so there wasn't a need for the sign or any action to take before this, but we knew it was coming.  Now, there is a chance of rain later tonight and we finally did have some leaves on the street in front, so this evening was the first time I went out and raked the leaves on the street curb up onto our terrace.  If I'm advertising it then I better do it, right?  

I did buy an smaller, inexpensive metal tine rake to keep around the corner of the front door for this purpose.  We already have a broom stashed there, and they stay relatively hidden behind the bushes and drain pipe.  I thought the metal tines would be more flexible than plastic because I want to get the leaves up but leave any rocks in the street and not pull them onto the terrace.  

There weren't many leaves today, but we'll continue to do our share to keep less leaf-tea from running into the gutter at the end of the street, which empties right there into Starkweather creek, which then flows directly into Lake Monona.  I like how they used our address to give us the correct sign, rather than a generic one, and we may use it every fall now.  If everyone did just a little bit, either this cause or another, change would happen more quickly and easily.

I also took a quick picture of the back yard, and you can see how the plants have started melting just since our first frost, and easily another hard frost last night/this morning.  I may try to strim much of the plants into mulch this weekend, but it's forecast to be some of our coldest days yet so I might wait.  I mowed last week to mulch the black walnut leaves in the back yard, and that needs to be done again, too.  Any leaves in front will eventually be raked into piles, vacuumed up and mulched for the flowerbeds once they are done falling and much drier.

We even have a chance of getting our first snow late Saturday night, but I think the forecast may have changed to earlier precipitation so might just be rain earlier in the afternoon.  But the inevitable is coming, no doubt about it.

Schuster's Farm

I had the opportunity at work today to visit Schuster's Farm, a family-friendly local attraction.  I've driven by it many times but have never been, and today another staff and I took 6 clients for a several hour visit.  I tried to snap pictures when I could, and while they were quite busy today it is a large area so I managed to get some pictures mostly without people in them.  I can take pictures of our clients for work, but once I transfer them to work I'm supposed to delete them from my phone.  There's rules about pictures, and there were several other groups like ours there, as well, so just being mindful.

I'm finding it hard to describe the place as I'd never been anywhere quite like it.  They have fields of flowers and pumpkins, and corn for mazes.  Several different farm animals to pet and even a bunch of parakeets.  Wagon rides, a haunted forest, and several different areas for kids to play and climb.  I didn't get pics of the other areas as I had to stay back with a couple clients while the more mobile ones explored.  Overall, lots for kids here though they sometimes have bands at night and do have a bar for the adults.

The day was mostly overcast with just a peek of sun here and there, while temperatures called for a light jacket or sweatshirt.  I found the day interesting and I believe all had a lot of fun, especially since we got to take them out to eat afterwards.  After the break are more pictures, if you're interested, and you can find more information on their website here.

Leaf-Free Streets

 ...For healthy lakes, a grass-roots movement to help protect our lakes.  We'll be officially participating this year.  Via a recent email from Clean Lakes Alliance, also linked in the right column, we agree to remove leaves from the first few feet of the street in front of our house before a rain event this fall, and they've given us a sign to put in our front yard to encourage others.

Currently, most leaves have yet to turn let alone fall, but the inevitable will happen soon.

*Boy, I've not had luck with video here lately.  I can't see why it doesn't embed unless they didn't allow embedding.  Here's the link, I hope this will go to the video on ToYoube.

Henry Vilas Zoo on Friday

I had the occasion for work to visit our local Henry Vilas Zoo again recently.  Not a group outing this time, just me and a client taking advantage of an opportunity to join another staff and client's outing for a few hours of strolling through the zoo on Friday morning.  

A beautiful day and very busy, as always, but if you can find parking it's a great way to fill time and spend zero money.  I was working so my full attention was on my client, but still I couldn't help but take a few quick pictures of some of the residents of our very nice local zoo.  It's easily taken for granted to have this in our city.  I didn't spend a lot of time getting every exhibit or even perfect shots, even though I managed to omit getting the many people, including many moms and lots of kids, in the pictures I did take.  Enough pictures I thought it would be good to share, so please enjoy.

There's a few of them, so after the break, of course.

Dog Days of Summer

We had planned to go to a Jamboree to sample different foods from black-owned restaurants last weekend, part of Black Restaurant Week here in Madison, but it was postponed due to rain until this Sunday.  Because of that, it will be in a different location farther from home and the weather is questionable so I'm not sure if we'll go tomorrow.  

We considered going to Schenk Corners Block Party last night, but instead went out for dinner then to a neighborhood bar for drinks.  Still, a good night out for us.

Mom came up to the house last week.  She had a gathering at her brother's just a bit south, so wanted to make the short extra trip up to see me and Kate.  We set up our screen gazebo tent in the driveway, grilled out dinner and enjoyed a nice visit.  I'm glad she made it up to the house as the big city traffic can get pretty nuts so she tends to stay away, and I don't blame her.  My next visit down to see her will be next month, sometime during my vacation.

Today was to be partly sunny with scattered strong storms, and indeed it has been all overcast and very wet so we will not be going to Eken Park Fest this afternoon after the Packer game, nor the previously mentioned block party tonight.  Instead we will be staying in and I'll be watching the Brewers go for a franchise-record 14 wins in a row.

Starkweather creek, from this morning's walk.

A bit disappointing after having bigger plans, but the rest is needed and even welcomed.  I even napped for the last half of the Packer game today, waking up to another storm approaching and scuttling any plans outside the rest of the afternoon.  I'm not sure what similar events are left yet this year, but that's okay.  It feels like we are entering the dog days of summer.

Sunflower and afternoon rain and wind today, dark enough at times for the garage lights to turn themselves on.

Not a lot new here, otherwise, at least nothing that I want to discuss here.  The sunflowers continue to grow and bloom, and ordinary life continues.  Mostly drama-free, which is good but doesn't provide much writing fodder.  Blissfully mundane, I guess you could say.  

The Brewer game is about to start, so that will be most of my evening.  Hope you are well.

AtwoodFest 2025

It rained off and on though mid-day Saturday, so it was very warm and humid when we ventured down to the eleventh AtwoodFest early that afternoon.  The skies remained cloudy after we arrived, and we did feel a raindrop here and there.  A shower would have felt good in that humidity, but Sunday was to be much hotter (and indeed it is sunny and feels like 96ºF outside right now) so we wanted to visit this day.

For the most part I tried to keep my phone in my pocket and not think about taking pictures, but I did take a few.  It looks similar to past years, but the food seemed to be all on one side this year and the main stage has been in a parking lot off the street about halfway down for the last couple years.

I was having a mild flare-up so I did not partake in any food cart goodies.  We spent a couple hours walking, looking, watching and listening before walking home as the sun came out.  We're thinking about an evening visit next year, just to see what that's like.  Today I'm just resting and fasting, watching the Brewers hopefully get a win.  Happy Sunday, everyone.

Fete De Marquette 2025

We've talked about coming to Fete de Marquette in years past, just have never made it until this year.  McPike park is relatively new to Madison, established about 10 years ago, and creates a nice open space near downtown Madison.  Initially, it was even called Central Park.  There is a skate park and some facilities, but mostly it is open lawn (a very well-kept lawn compared to other parks) with few trees mostly on the border.

We went about mid-day on Saturday, early enough that it wasn't too crowded.  The skies were mostly clouds and there was a good breeze.  We spent a couple hours, then left as the clouds started to break up and the sun made it very hot.  Atwoodfest is coming soon, and so is Eken Park Fest in August.  There are more but we'll just have to see.

A few more pictures after the break.

Vacation Projects, Baking, Street Reconstruction #19 and More

I've been busy this past week, resting and recreating takes a lot of time and effort.  I'm on my first real vacation in a year since being new at a job and other than having Covid when I was on vacation last September.  As usual, a staycation to take care of little projects and other things without the interruptions of work.  So far I've gotten a few things done and we've had nice weather, for the most part.  There's a lot to say so I may jump around a bit, and I'll likely add a break due to the length once I add pictures.

Vacation Start

I started this vacation by going to my Mom's on Saturday.  We got a few little things done for her, but it was more about spending the time, I think.  I was just there a few weeks ago, but an overnight visit allows for more time and relaxation while catching up on what's going on in her life.  I got back to town mid-day Sunday and I don't think I did much the rest of the day.

Lots more after the break!

New Computer, Sunflowers & More

I made the transition to the new desktop computer yesterday.  Much more simple than it used to be, for sure.  All my files are on external hard drives and most of what I use the computer for is saved in Google so there when I signed in.  Some settings to change, a few things to download and install - and I'll find more yet, I'm sure, but I foresee no problems.  I say that now, but I still haven't been able to get the printer connected yet, and its directions stop at Windows 10 and I have 11 Pro, so we'll see.

I planted 24 sunflower seeds on Saturday, using the same mammoth sunflower seeds I got from the first successful sunflower I grew two years ago.  We saved up toilet paper tubes which I lined up in a cardboard box lined with a plastic bag.  I filled everything with dirt from a bag of garden soil, planted and watered.  The bag has no holes in it for drainage, but can be added if needed and the whole thing is in the porch on a tray, just in case of leaks.  Hopefully I will get lots of viable seedlings that will be easily replanted in the degrading cardboard tubes though I'm still not sure where they all would go, and I will still have to have them caged so they don't get randomly bitten off for no apparent reason.  I wish I could go all Mr BW (see Easter post) on the damn critters, rabbits and squirrels, but my wife wouldn't allow that and neither would local law.

Another thought to mention before I forget, every two years recently they do a controlled burn along the creek and sometimes then we get a duck nest under our back steps.  Thankfully that didn't happen this year because it has never turned out well for the eggs, but the banks of the creek are starting to recover.  Two months from now there may be wildflowers taller than me again.

And the stump area is beginning to turn green with the usual plants and some leftover wildflowers.  We have a bag of dirt ready to put over the stump and add another batch of wildflower seeds this year, and pretty soon so hopefully that area will be even prettier this year.  And hard to believe, but all 3 bushes we planted last spring that got eaten almost to the nubs by the bunnies are showing signs of life.  I'll have to keep them protected and make bigger cages for them to have a chance in the long term, though.

Still no leaves on the trees here, well, maybe tiny ones but certainly not near full yet.  I did finally put away the snow blower and made sure the lawn mower would start.  Today is beautiful; warm, windy and windows-open weather.  Then looks like maybe light jacket weather with scattered rain chances throughout until this time next week when hopefully more of this nice weather sticks around.  I have not worn shorts or sandals out and about yet, but if I was to go out this afternoon I would have.  It's time.

Thai Pavilion at Olbrich

I had the occasion for work to be at Olbrich Gardens recently.  Our group was among a couple dozen people waiting for the doors to open promptly at 10:00 a.m.  The morning was overcast and windy, but warming so a light jacket was good for walking the garden's paths.  

It's early yet so only the early spring flowers were blooming, and still no leaves on the trees, but soon.  When it came in sight, shining through the trees, I steered our group over the bridge to see it.  Somehow, and taking random paths to find ourselves there, we were the first to cross the bridge over Starkweather Creek and approach the Thai Pavilion so, with no people in the way for the moment, I made time to take some pictures.

The pavilion is an impressive sight in person, very detailed and shiny.  The stone has a glare, but reads:  "This extraordinary Thai Sala, the only one of its kind in North America, was gifted to the University of Wisconsin-Madison and City of Madison by the Thai Chapter of the Wisconsin Alumni Association in 2001."

When I consider it more deeply I see the glaring affluence much more than the practicality, but it's one of only four outside of Thailand so another shiny object for Madison and the university to boast about.  Still, it is pretty spectacular and would look even better in the summer sunlight.  You can learn more about it here.

I was here last year but the pavilion was covered, closed and enclosed for renovations all season.  I thought I posted some pictures from that visit but I can't find that I did.  But you can see the the Bolz Conservatory at Olbrich in this post from 2018.

I'll put a few more pictures after the break, including a picture of the map for the curious.  I'm not sure I ever followed the map there, just wandered through, normally.