Madison is capitol of Wisconsin

September 30, 2006

We had to carefully wiggle ourselves out of the parking area. In the early morning pick-up trucks filled the little parking lot. The occupants are all bass fishing. We made our way south on small roads named by letters to state route 73 where we paused and watched a bald eagle soaring with a vulture. We listened to NPR as we traveled south. Stopped in Columbus where they have a Christopher Columbus museum. We walked around the streets of town admiring the architecture. Sullivan, the inventor of modern architecture and father of the skyscraper, designed the Farmer’s Bank. He called his design of the bank as his “Jewel Box.” We sat and internetted waiting for the storm to pass then continued on state route 60.

We arrived in Madison, WI, capitol of the state. The state capitol building has a dome like the capitol building in DC. On the walls below the dome of a Michael Angelo type painting are mosaics of Government, Justice, Representation and Liberty. We climbed the wood stairs, walked through small and grand hallways, peeked into chambers and offices and stood at the balcony overlooking the great dome above and the marble floors below. Over each arch near to the top are badgers, the state animal. Each door handle has a engraving of the state emblem.

Outside we walked down the steps and found decorated cows everywhere. Being the dairy state this was a way in involve the community, artists and entertain tourists. Inside gifts shops are ceramic models of these fun and creative statues.

We arrived in Oregon, WI and to the home of Kathy’s high school friend’s home. Val came out to greet us. It had been about seven years since we have had a face to face and it was a warm reunion. Inside the house Tim, Val’s husband, was retraining the excited two labs. One is tan, Boone, and one is black, Grace. As we entered the dogs ran past and out the house running about. Running back inside they wiggled and licked and made their welcome known. We sat for a time in the living room chatting and catching up on the years gone and things to come. In minutes we were chatting away as though we had been together just yesterday. There is something really special about dear close friendships . . . distance and time apart does not effect the warmth and closeness. Val’s Goddaughter had been chosen Homecoming Queen and we were invited to her home where she and friends were gathering for a photo session. John and Ellen, the parents, were very gracious and we felt part of an extended family as the seniors arrived and mingled. Guys in their suits, slacks and sweaters and slacks and shirts, long hair and groomed hair, shy and outgoing all seemed to be as a sports team might enjoy the moment of a big game. A girl in their long dresses, mini strapless dresses and mid-calf flowing dresses, curled hair, and wild hair, shy and outgoing all seemed like a sorority giggling and ready for fun. Helen let all the girls each try on her tiara. Their were parents and friends with cameras in had snapping photographs of the seniors every moves. Outside the seniors posed and more photographs were snapped. The seniors moved from porch to grass and more photographs were snapped. Each took turns alone or with one or two for more photographs. Inside John downloaded pictures from everyone’s cameras to computer and before long the crowd moved around the computer looking, laughing and enjoying the recent documentation of the evening about to begin, Homecoming dance and parade. One of their own, Helen had been chosen queen. You could feel how proud and excited they were for her. It was fun to be included in the excitement.

After the seniors departed for their evening the adults sat around the table, nibbled snacks and chatted. Tim and Val took us out to dinner at Mulligan’s. It was wonderful being able to catch up and chat face to face. E-mails are great and talking on the phone is nice, but being up close and personal with friends is always a rewarding experience building memories and filling the heart with warmth. Back at the house we enjoyed watching Val play a game with the dogs. She has them sit and stay while she goes and hides their toy. Then she goes over and tells them they can “find it.” The two dogs take off looking and sniffing and in minutes come out with the toy! They love the game and do it over and over till Val has to say “That is enough, go lay down.”

Val and Tim were going to the dance and parade for more photographs and we headed to the cul-de-sac where we parked the roadtrek level for the evening. We watched a West Wing and went to bed.