Rusty

Wisconsin Plow

Wisconsin Plow © 2008 Bo Mackison

We in Wisconsin love our farm plows and they never seem to get too old or go out of fashion. Once our favorite plow becomes obsolete in the field, it is transformed into a yard decoration. Some get painted in shiny black or silver; others go au natural with a lovely rust patina. Sometimes they are centered in gravel circles with boulders circling the edges. Sometimes they are the centerpiece for flowers.

And decorative farm equipment is certainly more popular these days than pink flamingos or those freaky gnomes – though you still can see those around if you are observant.

What are the favored yard decorations in your little part of the world?

in Waukesha County

Ice Storm

Winterscape © 2008 Bo Mackison

Wisconsin is still covered in white, although we did miss the forecasted storm earlier this week. It is the FIRST time this season that we did not get dumped on when ‘dumping on’ was predicted. Those darned weatherpersons finally made a wrong call – ’bout time. It isn’t nice to be perfect all the time.

I still have enough winter photographs to post daily until 2009, or perhaps even until 2010, but in honor of Leap Year Day tomorrow, I promise a photo that will soothe all the sun-starved, me included.

Today’s photograph
Owen Conservation Park
Madison, WI

Please, Belize…

Snow. Winter © 2008 Bo Mackison

…share some of your sun. I’ve been sharing tropical photos most of the week. Now back to reality for awhile.

This blog brings you another weather bulletin. In case you’re curious, people in Wisconsin tend to be quite preoccupied with their weather. -6˚F today, -38˚F wind chill. The weathermen refer to this as “Bitterly cold. Frostbite warning.” I won’t even predict conditions for tonight. All I know, I’m staying inside. Not even the perfect photo could get me out there.

This photo was taken during the last cold spell when it was only 0˚.
Owen Conservation Park, Madison, WI

Capitol Square

White Capitol © 2008 Bo Mackison

Wisconsin State Capitol Building on the Capitol Square in downtown Madison.

The building is a geographical one-of-a-kind. It’s the only Capitol Building to be built on an isthmus in the world.
Does everyone remember what an isthmus is from 5th grade geography? Hmmm.

Snow Plow

Not Your Typical Snow Plow

Not Your Typical Snow Plow

Once a valuable piece of equipment, this field plow;
Now it stands, simply a snow plow.

Back to snow and Wisconsin for a dose of reality before returning to my travel photos of the tropics. (that honestly are depressing me right now.)

Baby, it’s COLD outside. On my recent travels, I was disappointed when the temperature hovered in the low 70s. Now I’d be happy, no – ecstatic, if the thermometer would read above zero.