Happy Monday, CALS,
This will be a busy and a bit of a crazy week with many tens of thousands of RAGBRAI-ers all over Ames on Tuesday and Wednesday, and our little downtown coming alive Tuesday evening! Stay safe, enjoy it all, and watch out for bicycles everywhere and anywhere. I do love biking - always have, and I still do. I don’t think I’ve ever met a person who, at least at one time, did not love it as well. Not sure how bicycling got into our human DNA, but I’m sure it’s there.
I must confess, too, that while I know that RAGBRAI stands for something completely different (Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa), I always think as well of a different kind of BRAAI, pronounced the same way, but without the RAG part. For those of you that have had the pleasure of visiting or working in South Africa, you, too, must have the same thought – of that wonderful way they do their version of barbecue on a fiery grill. It's worth the travel, among so many other great things to see, do and sample in South Africa. I had a mini-Sabbatical there in spring 2001, and several cooperative activities there over the years with FABI.
On a less happy note, it is expected to continue to be hot and dry this week, and that’ll only add to the cropping concerns you can see in the current drought monitor map.
Weather-wise, the globe is surely in a wild state, from devastating fires in Greece and Canada, to flash floods in Vermont, wild surf in Hawaii, and scorching heat in the U.S. southwest. Stay cool, don’t dehydrate, and be careful out there in the sun. Follow these tips to help you stay safe in the heat.
Have a great week. - Dan
Nature in focus
A backyard visitor in Ames. The velvety antlers can tell you what time of year it is, as well as the height of the corn. Phenology!
Early evening Page County, Iowa, on July 19, on Pete and Dana Wenstrand’s beautiful farm. They hosted a terrific college alumni and friends gathering.
