Bubblicious Bovine
Rocky Moococo
This one probably needs some explaining, for those outside Wis/Ill/Min. Rocky’s is a Madison institution and has been around for as long as I can remember (they opened in 1975). There's even one about ¾ miles from me! They serve decent deep-dish pizza by the slice -- the first restaurant in Madison to do so -- but you can also order whole pizzas or do the pasta/salad bar. My fave is the "Mother Lode" -- a super slice loaded with cheese and huge chunks of Italian sausage that lasts me at least two meals, especially when paired with fresh bread sticks. Mmm-mmm...
This cow sports a white hat as that is what Rocky himself wears along with a three-piece white suit and tie (yes, he looks like a Mafioso!). I tried to find a pic of the Rocky Rococo character for you, to no avail. Turns out there was a Firesign Theater character of that name, among others, which makes a search for the Madison Pizza Icon rather difficult. The winged pizzas are part of their branding.
The Bug investigates "Barnacles"
Located: Capitol Esplanade
Artist: Chris Miles
Sponsor: Midwest Family Broadcasting/Farm Report
I'm back, and so are the cows!
I know you're all anxious to hear about the weekend in Chicago, but you'll just have to exercise a bit of patience and be satisfied for now in knowing that we all a good weekend and a lot of fun. Will try to post more on that before the end of the week, but pictures will come much later. I have too many rolls of film to develope right now (not all from this past weekend), and must get them done in stages. I think I'll have a lot of AWESOME pictures!
Anyway...the cow. This was one of the cool ones located just outside the Capitol. Painted in Packer colors of green and gold, it is adorned with barns. Get it? BARN-acles? hehe.... Clever, no?
PS: In checking recent blog stats I discovered that my blog had been mentioned at thedailypage.com -- the website of The Isthmus, a local free weekly newspaper -- in an article called "Blogging the Wisconsin Cow Parade in Madison." How cool is that?!
Windows of Wisconsin
First up is a novella, "Bride’s Maid in Heaven" by fellow Romance Diva Babe, writing as Lyndell King. This inspirational story is part of the BRIDES AND BOUQUETS anthology from By Grace Publishing.
Next we heat things up with an offering by Rose Middleton, CAN YOU KEEP A SECRET? from Liquid Silver Books.
Another fellow Diva and close friend, Maggie Nash, has a steamy novella, "Deep Cover," in a new anthology from Triskelion Publishing, UP CLOSE & PERSONAL. If you like a bit of action and adventure, this one may be for you!
If you prefer a lighter, more comedic read, you won't want to miss THE LAST THING I EXPECTED, a debut novel by Heather Rae Scott. As readers, we're not usually privy to the birth of a book from conception to publication, but I remember when this one was a mere what if, saw the rough first chapter, and was happy to hear it was the author's first sale to Samhain Publishing.
Yet another Diva offering, AURORA'S PASSION by Bebe Thomas, is a short, erotic read published by Freya's Bower.
SANTA'S HELPER (AMBER QUILL PRESS)
SUNSET KEY (PHAZE)
Liz with Babushka Marushka the Polka Cow
Located: Corner of State Street, North Carroll and West Mifflin
Artist: Stephanie Funck
Sponsor: Lindsey, Stone & Briggs Advertising and Public Relations
This was one of my favorites among the cows seen opening day of Cowparade. It is completely covered in maps of Wisconsin. If you look at the center close-up, you'll see a yellow area in the center of its nose, about even with the top of its nostrils—that is where Madison is on the cow's head. Had I been thinking, I would have had my niece (bottom picture) point to it on the "map."
Lait-Triporteur
Location: Place de l'Opéra, Paris
Artist: Martine Diotalevi
I was Googling some of the other CowParade events going on around the world and found some pictures from Cowparade Paris (France), and this one especially made me laugh. Hope it does you, too!
Stagecowch
Wisconsin Winter Cow
US and Wisconsin flags, photographed from Capitol Observation Deck in Madison.Today is Flag Day in the United States.
It was on this date in 1777 that the government officially adopted the Stars and Stripes as our national flag. Observance of the occasion had its beginnings in 1885, when a school teacher in Fredonia, Wisconsin had the idea to commemorate the official adoption of The Stars and Stripes as "Flag Birthday." On May 30, 1916, President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation declaring June 14 as "Flag Day," but it wasn't until years later in 1949 that President Harry S. Truman signed an Act of Congress officially designating the day as "National Flag Day."
Proper etiquette for displaying and handling the flag:
* The flag is always hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously.
* The flag is never allowed to touch the floor or the ground.
* The flag should never be drawn back or held in folds, but always allowed to fall freely.
* The flag should not be used as drapery, ceiling decoration or a bed spread.
* The flag is never flown in inclement weather, except when using an all-weather flag.
* If flown at night, the flag should be properly illuminated.
* When displayed from a car, the flag should be firmly clamped to the vehicle, ideally on the right side.
* Flag lapel pins should be worn on the left lapel near the heart.
* When no longer fit for display, the flag should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning. Local VFW, American Legion and Boy Scout troops hold special flag disposal ceremonies throughout the year for destroying tattered or worn-out flags.
Bumper Cow
Located: Capitol Square at Pinckney & E. Washington Ave
Artist: Kim Nugent
Sponsor: Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board
As evidenced by the expression on The Bug's (niece’s) face, Bumper Cow was a huge hit with the little ones, who were lining up to take him for a spin.
Bovine Blanket
Moo Choo -- All Aboard
Located: Martin Luther King Jr Blvd
Artist: Brad Nellis
Sponsor: World Dairy Expo
Now through mid-October, more than 100 decorated cows will be "grazing" around the Capitol City, after which the herds will be rounded up and auctioned off, with proceeds going to charity, including the new children's hospital currently under construction. This is just the first of many CowParade photos to come!
The State Capitol, rising above the tree-rimmed Square. We visited the lower Observation Deck, where you see the long, narrow windows that are rounded at the top. Visitors have not been allowed up to the higher decks in decades. The Capitol is centered on the mile-wide isthmus that separates Lakes Mendota and Monona, Madison's two larger lakes -- the smaller two being Wingra (near Vilas Zoo) and Wabesa. The building is topped by a gilded bronze statue called "Wisconsin." She holds a globe with an eagle perched on it in her left hand, and wears a badger (the state animal) as a helmet. 
Statues adorning the piedmonts of the lower observation deck.
Looking from the Observation Deck down State Street towards the campus of the University of Wisconsin. The Orpheum Theater is one of the few old theaters in town that hasn't been torn down. They currently show art films, host bands and other local events. As you can see by the industrial cranes in the background, there is a LOT of building going on around the city...more's the pity.
More statues atop the Capitol.
Looking from the Capitol down Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard towards the Monona Terrace Convention Center and Lake Monona beyond. Although it isn't a clear view of Monona Terrace, you can see some of the trees of the rooftop garden, from which there is a beautiful view of the cool waters below. The tents were vendors at Cows on the Concourse (an annual June Dairy Month event), except for the large one at the end of the street, where they had several cows and calves for people to pet (yes, pet!).
During July, when Art Fair on the Square comes to Madison, the first block of Martin Luther becomes a food court, with the second block down to the Monona Terrace hosting Art Fair Off the Square. Art Fair features artisans from across North America, whereas the affair Off the Square is local artists only.
Looking from the Observation Deck down Wisconsin Avenue towards Lake Mendota. This street is exactly opposite Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard (above pic), and just to the right of State Street. There are eight major streets radiating from the Capitol Square. I believe both of these buildings are condos, with retail at street level. As is the unfortunate fashion in the greater downtown area these days, most of the beautiful old historic buildings have been razed and replaced with ugly modern behemoths.
Grace Episcopal Church on the Capitol Square, corner of Carroll and West Washington Avenue, as seen from the Capitol Observation Deck.
Anyone who knows me knows I’m a huge Billy Joel fan. I’ve seen him on concert three times, and have wanted to see the Billy Joel inspired musical “Movin’ Out” since it opened on Broadway in 2002. It was nominated for nine Tony Awards in 2003 and walked away with two – Best Choreography (Twyla Tharp) and Best Orchestrations (Billy Joel and Stuart Malina). I was disappointed that it only won two awards, but it was up against “Hairspray,” which won eight that year.
