Onions delay traffic

I seriously cannot make stuff like this up...



Madison, WI

Traffic in the Mad City was backed up for miles this morning after a semi bearing 80,000 pounds of onions rear-ended a Saturn at 7:10 a.m. on the Westbound Beltline (HWY 12/18) at the Todd Drive interesection. With the frontage road under construction this summer -- and therefore no alternate route around the accident -- hundreds of motorists were trapped on the Beltline between the pungeant odor of smashed onions in front of them, and Fish Hatchery Road behind.

Police have closed entrance to the Beltline highway at the two roads prior to the scene and are urging people to find an alternate route to work this morning. Given that the city is built on a narrow isthmus between two rather large lakes, with two smaller ones in the vicinity as well, there aren't a lot of "alternatives" to be found. The driver of the Saturn is said to have suffered only minimal injuries, despite his car being turned into a convertible.

Three cars in front of the Saturn had stopped due to traffic. The Saturn was speeding -- ion a construction zone, I might add -- and failed to stop in time, causing the semi following too close behind him to ram into him. Both the driver of the Saturn and semi were ticketed. Thankfully, road crews were able to get the Beltline open again before 10 a.m. and the commute home went much smoother.

CowParade: The Wizard of Oz Cow

Wizard of Oz Cow
Located: S. Hamilton Corner of the Capitol Grounds
Artist: Mike Dowdell
Sponsor: CowParade Wisconsin

“We’re off to see the Wizard, the Wonderful Wizard of —“

Umm…Mayor Dave? Is that You??

CowParade: Glinda

Glinda the Good Witch Cow
Located: S. Hamilton Corner of the Capitol Grounds
Artist: Mike Dowdell
Sponsor: CowParade Wisconsin

You had the power to go to Wisconsin all along. Just click your heels together three times and say, “There’s nothing like cheese, there’s nothing like cheese…”

CowParade: Ballerina Munchkin Cow

Ballerina Munchkin Cow
Located: S. Hamilton Corner of the Capitol Grounds
Artist: Mike Dowdell
Sponsor: CowParade Wisconsin

Mooning the Illinois tourists…

Cowparade: Lollipop Munchkin Cow

Lollipop Munchkin Cow
Located: S. Hamilton Corner of the Capitol Grounds
Artist: Mike Dowdell
Sponsor: CowParade Wisconsin

“We represent the Lollipop Guild
The Lollipop Guild
The Lollipop Guild
And in the name of
The Lollipop Guild…
We wish to welcome you to Madison”

Yahara River

Yahara River, May 2006
Taken from the Main Street Bridge
Stoughton, WI

... I love the Brooks which down their channels fret,

Even more than when I tripped lightly as they;

The innocent brightness of a new-born Day

Is lovely yet;

The Clouds that gather round the setting sun

Do take a sober colouring from an eye

That hath kept watch o'er man's mortality;

Another race hath been, and other palms are won.

Thanks to the human heart by which we live,

Thanks to its tenderness, its joys, and fears,

To me the meanest flower that blows can give

Thoughts that do often lie too deep for tears.

~William Wordsworth

CowParade: Northwoods

Northwoods Cow
Location: Capitol Square – Corner of S. Hamilton, W. Main and S. Carroll Streets
Artist: Julie Edwards Rice
Sponsor: DiscoverWisconsin.com

The Northwoods is a popular tourist destination, not just for Wisconsinites, but for our neighbors from Illinois, Iowa and Minnesota as well. No matter what the season, the Northwoods offers endless opportunity for relaxation and recreation. There are acres of primeval forests, clear streams and breathtaking waterfalls. All matter of wildlife abound – deer, wolves, bear – and one feels light years away from the bustle of daily life. It’s a chance to escape for just a day or two – or, if one if truly blessed, a week or more.

Cowparade: Farmer's Market

Farmer’s Market
Located: King Street corner of the Capitol grounds
Artist: Rebecca Hohlstein
Sponsor: Alliant Energy Center of Dane County

This beautiful bovine is one of two located on the Capitol grounds near the King Street corner, and is near where we’ve been sitting for this year’s Concerts on the Square series. It’s interesting to sit and watch the different reactions of people walking by. Some spare maybe a parting glance, while others will stop and truly look at it; others even look to see if there is something different on the other side. There is, but I foolishly neglected to photograph her right flank – an oversight I promise to correct during my next sojourn to the Square.

CowParade: The Tank

The Tank
Located: Capitol Esplanade, near State St. corner
Artist: Larry Schultz
Sponsor: Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board

As you can see, the “tanks” are full and ready for milking. Note how this one features a front and rear view of the scene depicted. That had to take a lot of work, lining up the images as well as he did.

I also noted that no one took a guess at what Miss Moolah was supposed to be. C’mon…anyone? I gave you a hint! Look at both the cow and the sponsor carefully and you're sure to get it. *grin*

CowParade: Rosie

Rosie
Located: Capitol Square, S. Carroll Street
Artist: Marcy Lawrence
Sponsor: Foremost Farms, USA

Rosie is one of two rosemaled cows in the Wisconsin CowParade, and a beauty at that. The other rosemaled cow is part of the herd traveling the state, which I missed when they were at Cows on the Concourse back in June, and they won’t be back in Madison until they are readied for auction. Unfortunately, it was after 7pm when I took these pictures and, being on the shaded side of the Square, they are a bit darker than I’d like. I was also trying to snap a few pics fast to escape the derelict who was attempting to make conversation. Why is it always the really weird ones I attract?? Anyway, must try to get a better pic some Saturday morning when I’m uptown for the Farmer’s Market.

CowParade: Wisconsin Rocks!

Wisconsin Rocks
Location: Capitol Esplanade, King Street Corner
Artist: Chris Miles
Sponsor: LYCON, INC

Normally I try to wait until people (or at least most of them) are out of the frame before snapping a picture, but loved the kid comtemplating the cow in the first pic. This is one of the coolest of the mosaic cows in the Wisconsin CowParade in that it is comprised entirely of Wisconsin rocks. And, as you can see, some of the rocks are arranged in the shape of Wisconsin. Notice also in the second picture how the city of Madison is denoted with a white starburst. Tell me that isn’t cool!

CowParade: Cowlorful Zebra

Cowlorful Zebra
Location: Top of State St. at N. Carroll St. and W. Mifflin St.
Artist: Christine Rolli
Sponsor: Wisconsin Public Television

This psychedelic cow, located just off the Capitol Square at the corner of State, Carroll and Mifflin, is pretty hard to miss. Though I'm not fond of it overall, I do like the face on this one.

CowParade: Miss Moolah

Miss Moolah
Location: W. Mifflin on the Capitol Square
Artist: Deb Gerling
Sponsor: AMCORE Bank

Another of my niece from Florida, this time with Miss Moolah, taken the first day of CowParade. Sadly, Miss Moolah’s presence has been missing from the Capitol Square for the last few weeks. She has been in the “mooternity ward” undergoing repairs, which should serve as a reminder to all: touch them, photograph them, laugh and joke about them – but remember, these are delicate works of art and when someone breaks or otherwise damages them, it means many others won’t get the chance to enjoy them as well. Here’s hoping Miss Moolah will be back among her herd soon!

Oh, and for anyone trying to figure out what the heck this one is supposed to be, check out the sponsor. That should be all the clue you need. ;-)

CowParade: Crossroads and Market Maddie

Crossroads
Artisit: Ben Neff

Market Maddie
Artist: Melanie Cuellar

These are the last of the Fitchburg herd out at McKee Farms Park, both sponsored by the city of Fitchburg. Crossroads, located near the park entrance, not only wears a bike helmet but bike shorts as well. Sweet Maddie is an homage to the weekly farmer's market held at the park and is located further in, between Cow Chip and Star Fleet Battle Cow.

The Gathering of the Oak Leaves

The Gathering of the Oak Leaves
Location: McKee Farms Park, Fitchburg
Artist: Karol Skjolaas
Sponsor: Oak Bank Fitchburg

Another of the Fitchburg herd, and one of the prettiest! The second picture is a close-up of the bird detailing on the cow’s sides, and I love her festive fall foliage. But then, fall is my favorite time of year! I love the tang in the air and the crunch of leaves underfoot.

CowParade: Star Fleet Battle Cow

Star Fleet Battle Cow
Located: McKee Farms Park, Fitchburg
Artist: Richard Springer
Sponsor: Fitchburg

Happy 4th!

Flags ripple proudly under a lowering sky at Navy Pier, Chicago.

You're a grand old flag,
You're a high flying flag
And forever in peace may you wave.
You're the emblem of
The land I love.
The home of the free and the brave.

Ev'ry heart beats true
'Neath the Red, White and Blue,
Where there's never a boast or brag.
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
Keep your eye on the grand old flag.

(Music and lyrics by George M. Cohan; click here to hear the music.)

Wishing everyone a Safe and Happy Independence Day!

CowParade: Plaid Hatchery

Plaid Hatchery
Located: McKee Farms Park, Fitchburg
Artist: Judith Peebles
Sponsor: Fitchburg

Maybe it’s just me, but I love the bright plaid colors of this cow! He sports fishing gear as a representative of the Wisconsin Fish Hatchery in nearby Fitchburg (about 3 miles from me). Here’s what the Wisconsin Historical Society says about it:

“The first fish hatchery in the United States opened in Madison in 1887. While somewhat experimental at first, fish hatcheries soon proved a fairly effective means to replenish fish in Wisconsin's lakes and rivers. By 1922, Wisconsin had twelve hatcheries planting upwards of 100 million fish each year.”

To read an interesting article on the Fish Hatchery from 1922, click here.

CowParade: Cow Chip

Cow Chip
Location: McKee Farms Park; Fitchburg, WI
Artist: Chris Murphy
Sponsor: Fitchburg

This is probably one of the coolest cows of the entire CowParade, and is part of the herd grazing at McKee Farms Park in Fitchburg—about 3 miles from me. As you can see, it is entirely covered with computer chips and wires. Very clever, no?

CowParade: Bubblicious Bovine

Bubblicious Bovine
Located: Lower State St./Library Mall
Artist: Christina Rambo
Sponsor: Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board

Colorful, isn’t it? This is one of the few State Street/Campus cows I've seen and she really stands out with her eyecatching rainbow bubbles.