Sure, that looks safe ...

I spotted this guy on Carroll Street yesterday morning, giving a whole new meaning to "double parked."

Ice-glazed trees around Grace Episcopal Church

It's the Mad City Model Railroad Show 2008!

The Shriner's were having a circus next door at the coliseum,
but I can tell you this was a lot more fun.

Trains circled layouts of all sizes and shapes,
some large ...

... some not so large.

There was plenty for the kids to get their hands on, too.
These fellahs learn how to work the "time saver" from an Old Hand.

The Mad City Model Railroad Show 2008

The detail of many of the models, some lovingly built up from scratch, some patiently "bashed" from kits or plastic models, is truly boggling.

The Mad City Model Railroad Show 2008

For the collectors in the crowd, there was quite a lot on sale, too.

The Mad City Model Railroad Show 2008

One last look around to check out the scenery ...

The morning after ...

You may have heard we got a bit of snow.
The Monona snow plow drivers did an outstanding job
of keeping the streets clear ...

... although some people may have had trouble
getting out of their driveways.

Yesterday morning:

By three o'clock, cars were having a lot of trouble climbing the hill up Carroll Street. This bus tried to turn onto Carroll from Washington and didn't make it. The more he spun his tires, the further he slid off the road until the rear of the bus fetched up against the curb.

It took a bit longer than usual to get the car in the garage tonight ...

Tim and I clear a foot or so of freshly-drifted snow from the driveway.

He looks familiar ... a Blair witch reject?

He's keeping a watch on the passers-by along Blair Street. Get it? A familiar? A witch? On Blair Street? It's like a pun, only they're usually funnier. I've never been good at them, as if you couldn't tell.

Anyway, I didn't take the photo for the pun, he just caught my eye and out came the camera. His mangy appearance makes him all the more photogenic, particularly when complimented by the lei and the tiara. He seems to be wearing a bib, too.

You can see him in the window of the Hotel Ruby Marie.

Found these seven cast-iron cats when we made an impulsive stop at Pick More Daisies yesterday to browse through the "vintage" items on sale.

My Darling B wanted me to freshen them up with a coat of paint before I hung them by the door.

It's time for the Souper Bowl!

This is our third year visiting the Souper Bowl,
a fund-raiser benefiting Habitat for Humanity

For a $15 donation you may have the pick of any hand-thrown bowl on offer.
There are always plenty to choose from.

Entertainment is on hand ...

It's tough to make a decision.
Everyone starts at the far end, spies a bowl they like, then moves along
and almost immediately spots a bowl they like even more.
My Darling B swapped out bowls over and over again.

Some bowls being throw for next year's Souper Bowl.

Some of my favorites from the silent auction table.
A pair of frogs peek over the edge of this one.

A pair of fish circle the bottom of this beauty.

I even got my face painted!
Although the artist was a bit hesitant when I asked for
a skull & crossbones.

His & Hers.

Sodium Bounce-Back

A low overcast reflects the city's streetlights in this before-bedtime snapshot.

A visit to Ground Zero

A coffee house on Willy street

With an hour to while away after work before a dinner date, My Darling B and I stopped by Ground Zero for a hot cuppa.


Maps and globes are a unifying theme.

I don't know how the Brownies fit in, but they make an eye-catching end cap.

Bonkers goes bonkers!



The old boy goes crazy showing Tim who's king of the hill.

Jenifer Street Market says they have the largest selection
of microbrews in the Universe ...
The Universe!

The selection is dizzyingly impressive.

Some of them even come with a prize.

The farmer's market has returned to its winter quarters

After a one-week hiatus, the farmer's market has reappeared in its usual winter quarters, the senior center on Mifflin Street.

A long line of people showed up for the breakfast treat, biscuits and gravy with eggs and spinach.

All manner of good things to eat were on sale.

Spot the snow angel

Seen on cap square this afternoon, with a fresh dusting of snow. Must've been made just before this morning's snowfall.

Gorham Street Castle

This turreted house on Gorham was made from stone salvaged from the demolished Walker Castle. In the AHI database it's even called Walker House (or Frank G. Brown House, they're a little ambivalent about what exactly to call it).

This photo doesn't do justice to the size of it. The upper floors towered over me even while I stood in the middle of the road to snap this picture.

Collins House on Gorham Street

A beautiful old craftsman-style house that was most recently a well-known bed and breakfast. I don't know what it's used for at the moment. It appears to be vacant.